ACBRA General Membership Meeting

Dated: May 25^th 2008 – Diamond Bar Arena, Ceres, CA

Directors in Attendance: Charleen Ornellas, Nathan Ornellas, Blair Smittcamp, Ida Mae Gracia, Joyce Hubbard, Vera Gomes and Susan Pieterouiski – Also ACBRA Pointskeeper: Lisa Van Mater

Members & Guests in Attendance: Mary Hodson, Sharon Vulich, Michelle Steagall, Noel Cosca, Debbie Neely, Julie Curry, Julie Adams, Ronda Holden, Chaloa Champion, Mary Jo Camera-Bunker, Kristy Monschein, Crystal Gremminger, Robin Couch, Stella Phillips, Gayle Lewis, Cammy Schneider, Andrea Bianchi, Lesli Kight, Lisa Benham, Jenna Thaxter and Kristi Rogers.

Subjects of Discussion:

Joyce Hubbard and Ida Mae Gracia provided more information regarding the Salinas Rodeo Grounds location and 2007 / 2008 Finals Plans.

Items discussed were:

-The arena and our potential location as the Salinas Rodeo Grounds has given us free reign on it’s location within the arena/ track area and adjustable size as we would request.

-The fact that concessions will be provided to us at no charge and in past years we only had concessions at the Reno location if there was another event indoors.

-The banquet facilities located under the grandstands (with max. seating for 700 people) and every amenity that is provided , i.e. tables, kitchen and stage.

-One member inquired about availability of showers and Joyce stated that it would cost an additional $ 200.00 to gain that access.

-Joyce also stated as in the past there will be a noise ordinance, meaning the noise level must be brought down after 10:00pm.

-It was also stated that the memberships are greatly encouraged to gather sponsors if they may know someone wishing to join us as every sponsorship will ultimately be benefiting all the membership. The memberships were reminded that all moneys ACBRA collects throughout the year goes back into awards, money added races and ultimately makes for a bigger Finals. It was also acknowledged that the ACBRA being Non- profit is not allowed to carry more than a designated amount of money over to the next fiscal year. Thus directly benefiting our membership.

One member remarked on the fact that the points being posted on the website was taking too long. The board responded with the fact that many members are entering jackpots as “Pending” when in fact they were trying to avoid the $ 5.00 non member fees. This in turn holds point dispersal as the Points Secretary must wait on confirmation of membership and in fact none was ever submitted. The ACBRA Board of Directors will review this before the beginning of the 2008 / 2009 competition and see if a rule needs to be formed to address this type of abuse.

· Debbie Neely suggested that the ACBRA might benefit from breaking down areas into regions and forming committees to gather and address point and membership issues. The board acknowledged the fact that the ACBRA had in fact done a regional format in the past and as the chain of points and memberships exists now there is already a lot of re-routing of material (i.e. applications, results) taking place and more may slow results substantially.

· Michelle Steagall suggested that a membership list be provided to arena operators to help with the pending issue and any issues regarding ACBRA memberships that may occur at jackpots.

· Another member suggested adding a Senior Division to our format. The ACBRA will review this subject at a future meeting and will see if we can provide this category without adding to much to the ACBRA point secretary’s workload.

· Also suggested was providing two money added jackpots on the same day and located at the same arena. This subject will be reviewed by the ACBRA Board of Directors.

· The ACBRA discussed a possible addition of a rule to address the fact that every contestant must exit the arena before making their jackpot run as some members will enter the arena during a tractor drag and remain inside the arena without exiting and make their competition run. This is seen as a potential advantage and may cloud the one circle rule.

· Charleen Ornellas also suggested the ACBRA provide a small helping handbook for arena operators that will address which rules should be announced as well as provide some troubleshooting issues on member/ non-member signups. This in no way will be a replacement of the complete set of ACBRA rules but will assist arena operators with an easy access guide.

· Also suggested was an insurance coverage pamphlet being provided to arena operators / owners or agents to describe exactly what and/ or who is covered under ACBRA’s Liability Insurance Plan.

· Charleen Ornellas also wanted to address the issue of co-sanctioning with other associations and that members should pay close attention to the governing association of co-sanctioned barrel races. The main sanctioning association rules will always apply first and ACBRA rules will be enforced on a secondary level.

· Michelle Steagall wanted to clarify when the 2007 – 2008 ACBRA points deadline is, Charleen stated that the last races will be held July 31^st, 2008, is the exact points deadline. The race will be located at Charleen Ornellas’s Arena so we can expedite the last set of results and points for the 2007- 2008 season.

· The ACBRA Board of Directors stated that four directors will need to be replaced as one has decided to step down and three directors’ terms are ending directly after the ACBRA Finals. Several nominations were accepted at the meeting and all ACBRA members are encouraged to nominate someone as long as the nominee acknowledges that they are willing to accept being nominated to the board of directors.

(Please note: ACBRA Directors must be available to commit to at least one

ACBRA sponsored race every month)

· Nominations to date are:

Mary Jo Barker

Joyce Williams

Charleen Ornellas

Lisa Benham

Leslie Kight

Cammy Schneider

Kevan Taber.

Please submit your nominations to any ACBRA Board of Directors via e-mail of written notice.

· At this time it was decided to adjourn the meeting and the ACBRA Board of Directors wanted to thank all the members and non-members for joining them for this meeting - your participation at these functions are greatly appreciated.

Minutes of this Meeting provided by:

Secretary/ Board Member: Susan Pieterouiski