Officers

Regional Directors

Membership application

By-Laws

Minutes

Andrea Walsh memorial Raise-A-Lamb project

Annual Meeting

January 12, 2002

Morrison Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Keith Stumbo at 4:50 pm.  Jim Dunham was unable to attend because of illness.

Nancy read the minutes from the last Annual Meeting and the October BOD Meeting.

Kathy reviewed the Treasurer's Report. An explanation was given of the ASI dues payment line and expenses to date.

Committee Reports

Sheep Producer of the Year - Don did not receive any candidates this year, but it was not publicized as it has been in the past years.  Application forms were available to members on the table in the front of the room.

Wool Center - Nancy reviewed the written report given at the October BOD Meeting.

She invited anyone interested in participating in the Wool Center in 2002, either as a volunteer or donating fleeces, to contact her.

MIYWW - Don reported on the state competition held in Syracuse in the late fall.  There were 13 contestants, with 2 selected to represent New York at the National Competition.

Budget -  The budget adopted at the October BOD meeting was reviewed.

Andrea Walsh Memorial Award - Don has updated the application; the forms were available on the table.  In the 4 years of this program, 31 lambs have been given to deserving children.  All the children have a sponsor and are all helped with learning about sheep.  This is not in the ESP Budget, and is self-supporting.  The Schoharie group has offered to put all the information about the program into booklet form to document the program so far.

Newsletter - We have changed the frequency of Newsletters - they will be mailed out every other month, beginning in February.  They will only go to members of ESP from now on, and not to the large mailing list they went to before.

Bob Melchior reviewed the By-Law changes that had been made.  Under the current By-Laws, funding for ESP came primarily through the wool pools, and they provided the directors of ESP.  The change in By-Laws is necessary to move from an umbrella organization of sheep groups to a more membership driven organization.  The dues would come from individuals and organizations, with the membership electing the Directors to serve on the BOD.  The BOD would consist of member representatives and affiliate/organization representatives.  The members present were asked to vote on adopting the new By-Laws as approved by the BOD.  Florence Emery moves to accept the By-Laws as presented by the Board of Directors; John Dickenson seconds.  Motion passes.

Keith asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of Phil Comings.  He further said that the BOD felt it important to establish a memorial in Phil's honor for his many years working with sheep producers. The BOD has established the Phil Comings Memorial as a 1-year membership in ESP for a new producer from each of the 6 regions (1 in each of the 6 regions).

Nominations - Because the new By-Laws will take effect next year, Keith presented the following slate of Officers for the year: President, Jim Dunham; Vice President, Keith Stumbo; Secretary, Betsy Hodge; Treasurer, Kathy Stumbo.  He thanked Nancy Morey for her years of service as Secretary of ESP.

Keith reminded the membership of the following Committees and their chairs...Membership - Bob Melchior; Promotion - Bruce Vermeulen; Nominating - Keith Stumbo; Audit - Jean Walsh; Youth Committee - Don Otterness.  Interested individuals are encouraged to participate on these committees.

Keith asked for any other New Business.  Hearing none, he encouraged all present to join ESP; checks can be given to Kathy Stumbo or mailed in.  With the new By-Laws in place, ESP can continue to grow as it has over the past few years.  He also reminded everyone that when they join ESP, they also automatically become members of ASI.  ASI has worked for the benefit of all sheep producers, setting in motion the ewe lamb replacement program, wool loss programs, and lamb marketing programs.

Meeting adjourned at 5:35pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Morey