Our NYSMHS News and Notes...
In between Traders? This section of our website offers up club news, as well as notes submitted by our readers that are relevant to our New York Morgan members. You can submit information for this area of our website by using this email link. Items are posted with those most current listings first. Photos are also welcome!
Hot off the press! Get your 2012 NYSMHS Combined prize list at this link. It's a 4.5MB file so be patient.
Now available for download - The 2012 Stallion Service Auction Catalog - CLICK THIS LINK
This is the first email catalog for the New York Stallion Service Auction. In it you will find summaries and thumbnail pictures of the stallions whose owners have donated a breeding service to the NYSSA. All offspring of every horse whose service sells at the 2012 auction will be eligible for the NYSSA Sweepstakes classes at the 2013 and 2017 NY Regional Show. Contracts and more details about each horse, including offspring, can be seen on our website, www.NYMorganStallions.com
1/17/2012 - E-BLAST/PRESS RELEASE The 24th annual New York Stallion Service Auction will be February 18, 2012 at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. Rooms may be reserved at a reduced price until January 23rd for either $85 or $143 per night on February 17th and 18th. Call 1-800-771-7711 to make your reservation.
We are planning an afternoon program of speakers and vendors in addition to the stallion displays, starting at 1PM. Speakers include J. Bryan Hickman to inform us about the Morgan Pavilion project at the Kentucky Horse Park, George Knight of the NY Horse Council, Jeff Wilson on the subject of Western Dressage, and an Expert Panel of Morgan breeders made up of Bonnie Sogoloff, Lynn Peeples, and Ivan Beatty, to answer your questions.
In an effort to increase the PRIZE MONEY raised, we are asking everyone to bring an item or service to donate to a Silent Auction that will run all afternoon and evening.
The line-up of stallions is now complete and can be viewed on the Stallion Pages at www.NYMorganStallions.com. Phone bids will be accepted starting at 5 pm. To request a catalog call 724-946-0023, option 1.
12/16/2011 - Congratulations to all those involved in the Western NY Morgan Show - just voted one of the USEF Favorite Breed Competitions for 2011! Great job folks....And thanks to all of the exhibitors that helped make this happen.
12/15/2011 - OVERVIEW OF NEW BYLAWS AND THE FUNCTIONAL CHANGES TO NYSMHS (Download Your Copy Here)On December 3 at the annual meeting of the NYSMHS held at the Comfort Inn in Syracuse, the proposed Bylaws were adopted by the membership. At this time, it is important for all members of the Society to have a printed copy of the newly adopted document. If you do not have access to the internet and the Society’s website to download a personal copy for your records, please contact Al Celecki at (585) 624-3687. Or, send a request to Al Celecki, Cum Laude Stable, 339 Smith Road, Pittsford, NY 14534. A printed copy will be mailed to you.
To begin this overview, we need to take note of the fact that the now adopted Bylaws are a total re-write. The document’s format reflects the current standard for Not-for-Profit (NFP) organizations incorporated under New York State (NYS) Not for Profit Law. There is no longer a separate Constitution. The text goes into far greater detail then what was accepted language fifty plus years ago. The length of the written document and the descriptive language used is not to be feared. The detailed wording exists to guarantee that the Society’s stated goals are protected and advanced by those holding leadership positions. Within these Bylaws, there exists a set of checks and balances to ensure ethical administration of the Society’s finances, programs, events, and the interests of the membership.
The first noticeable change in the Bylaws appears in Article II- Membership. The classes of membership are now defined as voting and non-voting. Additionally, six dues designations exist. Changes to the designations include a change in name; “Single” now appears as “Individual,” and an “Entity” membership has been added. The other change within membership deals with members rights. A “Family” membership now allows for one vote, instead of two. The accepted practice is: one set of dues, one vote. Those who previously held “Family” memberships and want to maintain two votes have a couple of options: one being to maintain the “Family” membership and add an Individual membership or to add an Entity membership in the name of the farm business. Additionally, the NYSMHS may now include among its members other NFP organizations, and businesses with interests related to the NY Morgan community.
Moving through the document, one notes greater emphasis on the Board of Directors. Previously, the governing body was directed by a president. The governing body, made up of the Board of Directors and Officers, now shares both the workload and the responsibility for governance. Greater emphasis is placed on communication between the Board of Directors and the standing committees. The Bylaws describe a more formal nature to the conduct of the Society’s business with the introduction of language describing Notice of Meeting, Waiver of Notice, Voting Rights, what constitutes a quorum, the forms used in voting, a ballot/proxy, and the resolution of disputes within the organization. Our Bylaws provide a better understanding of the relationship of committees and the governing body, and provide more formal guidelines for the use of the Society’s funds.
The new Bylaws establishes a date of membership for voting purposes, formally addresses tabulation of votes, methods of submitting one’s vote, use of proxies, and retention of voting records. The document then describes how the Society is managed, further defines the tasks of the individual officers and the Directors, and permits for the Society’s governing body to conduct its business through the use of teleconferencing.
Our new Bylaws introduce the topic of Ethics, Conflict of Interest, and Full Disclosure for those who serve the Society in an official capacity. There is language concerning the Indemnification (hold harmless) of Directors, Officers, and employees, as well as defining the extent of one’s personal liability when holding a position of leadership. Finally, the text provides language addressing the Society’s records: who bears responsibility for reporting to the membership; the frequency of reporting; where records need to be housed; and how and when the transfer of leadership occurs.
The Bylaws provide a framework for the Society. This document can best be equated to the framework of a house. Now that our Bylaws are compliant with NYS NFP Law, it is the job of the NYSMHS to define its policies and procedures, creating a standard of operation both for those who serve in leadership positions, and for the members.
The Bylaws Committee would like to thank the membership for its overwhelming support of our work which encompassed the better part of two years. We look forward to continuing the work needed to establish a set of policies and procedures for the Society. And, to provide the membership with opportunities to revise the Bylaws as needed.
Al Celecki, our newly elected President, has asked that the current Bylaws Committee: Patty Casler, Carey Churchill, Diane Garrow, Joe Gaigal, and Marion Gaigal, continue to serve as the Bylaws Committee for 2012. Please address your suggestions for revisions to either a Bylaws committee member or to your Director.
Best regards for a joyous holiday season, may all our Morgans have their stockings filled with treats!
Sincerely,
Patty, Carey, Diane, Joe, and Marion
11/18/2011 -
Open Letter to the NYSMHSThis is an election year for the Executive Officers of the club, and by now, you should have received your ballot for voting on the Executive Board as well as potential new bylaws.
I was so excited to see new names getting involved in the club activities, and I applaud them for wanting to step up and take on the work of the Club. I hope that we, as a club, welcome and support their initiative and continue to support them thru our votes and into the new year.
New people bring new perspectives and different opinions. This is important for any business or organization. In business terms, adding new people is sometimes referred to as using “cold eyes”…that is, people who may not be intimately involved with a project, but have the capability to not only understand it, but to approach things from a different and perhaps even better perspective. Even if their opinion is that all things are working well, that can serve as a further confirmation of the existing plan. We all have heard the definition of Insanity…’Doing the same thing every day and expecting a different outcome.’
The By laws are also critical to the function of the club, and should be reviewed carefully. There are dramatic changes in this proposal, from the way we have done business in the past, and it is important to understand those changes, and to decide it we as a club can live with these guidelines. Sometimes, making incremental changes is easier to understand but again, it is important to read and understand what you are voting for.
As an active participant in the club for many years, I appreciate new volunteers, new ideas and a positive attitude. I encourage you to Read, ask questions, and most importantly, VOTE! It’s your club and Your voice counts!
Jo Ann Squier
5/2/2010 - Committee Chairs, check out your committee lists on our contact page and if there are new additions or changes please send them along to me at vlow@rochester.com so that I may update the list.