MIDWEST DISTANCE DRIVING ASSOCIATION (MDDA) MEETING  

The meeting was held at the home of Wes & Jane Licht, McFarland, Wisconsin, on Thursday, November 20, 2003. 

In attendance were Theresa Burns, Romona Radtke, Pauline Stollenwerk, Jac & Marguerite DeWeese, Connie Gray, Sandy & Randy Rudstrom, Rodney & Mary Wilke, Paul Schaumburg, Glenn & Sue Garbish, Bill Vanderboom, Sandy & Larry DeMasters, Wes & Jane Licht.

Call to Order

President Theresa Burns opened the meeting at 7:20 PM.   

Secretary’s Minutes  

Jane read the minutes of the March meeting.  Marguerite moved and Sandy seconded approval of the minutes.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report  

Connie gave her treasurer’s report.  For 2003 our income was $5,304.00 and our expenses were $4271.35 for a net of $1,032.65.  Our current balance on hand is $4,076.71.  Connie also gave members a detailed financial report.  New members asked for definitions of these acronyms:  AERC – American Endurance Riding Conference, which is the national distance riding and driving organization, and UMECRA – Upper Midwest Endurance & Competitive Riders Association, a subsidiary of AERC.  UMECRA is the umbrella group sponsoring MDDA.  We are in our third year of a five-year commitment. Wes/Romona moved approval of the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried.

Old Business

Pauline said that we should reimburse Deb Dixon for the MDDA Newsletter postage costs.  Pauline/Romona moved that our treasurer contact Deb and get the correct amount and settle up with Deb, our newsletter editor, for postage costs.   Motion carried.

New Business

Election of Officers

This slate of officers was approved unanimously:

Wes - president.
Jac - vice-president
Jane - secretary
Connie - treasurer
Theresa - past president
Elinor Tonsor - UMECRA liaison.
Sandy Rudstrom – at large
Sandy DeMasters – at large

Wes/Connie moved to continue with Sharon Beck who is doing an excellent job as webmaster.  Motion carried.  Theresa said that Sharon always appreciates feedback regarding the MDDA website – www.midwestdistancedriving.org 

Discussion of 2003 Events  

Theresa distributed a summary of our 2003 MDDA activities.  She said that Glacier Trails suffered poor weather on Mother’s Day, and that our Fun Day was a blast.

Novice Clinic & Ride/Drive  

Pauline said it was a good event at a good location.  Jac said Richard would host it again as long as it does not interfere with his St. Jude’s event. Jac agreed to talk to Richard Loeb and inquire about the availability of the site for Saturday, April 24th.  Theresa said this is a UMECRA event since we host novice rider, and the driving participants can earn points.  

Early Spring Clinic

The group discussed hosting an early spring clinic so that new people would learn about and have time to start conditioning their horses prior to the Novice event.  Pauline will check with Julie Sirus about the West 20 facility in the East Troy area.  The date was tentatively set for February 28^th.

Fun Day  

Last year’s Fun Day was held at Loeb’s Farm on July 6^th.   It did well financially and was enjoyed by the new people, but this was a very busy weekend.  Perhaps June would be better for this event.  Columbus Carriage Classic is June 12-13 so we should avoid this weekend.   The group discussed the last weekend in June as a possible date.  

2003 Distance Ride/Drives

Theresa handed out a summary of the drives and the points awarded to MDDA members. 

There were many drivers listed on Theresa’s report but only those who were MDDA members may receive awards. Theresa said that 3 people were needed to do year end awards.  Connie suggested that the four winners (single horse, multiple horses, rookie, and restricted distance) decide what they want to get that can be monogrammed with our MDDA logo.  Wes/Romona moved that an Awards Committee consisting of Sandy R., Connie and Sandy DeMasters, determine a plan for the awards and present it to the board for approval.  Motion carried.

Romona said we need to contribute to the Scholarship Fund according to the turnout and revenue from the Glacier Trails event.  Pauline/Wes moved to give $150 to the UMECRA Scholarship Fund.  Motion carried.  Romona said that the Wildcat Ride/Drive is moving to Wild Rock State Park near Neilsville, Wisconsin, next year, and would offer a 50-mile drive over the 2-day weekend.  

Volunteer of the Year Award 

Wes/Pauline moved that Jac DeWeese receive the Volunteer of the Year award for his considerable efforts at preparing the trails for two drives and other activities on our behalf.  Motion carried.

Membership Dues

Sandy/Pauline moved that our membership fees be set at $15 for a single and $20 for a family membership.  Motion carried.

Other Items

Pauline/ Larry moved that our new president will send a “thank-you” note to Sharon Beck for her work as MDDA webmaster.  Motion carried.

The UMECRA meeting will be held January 30-February 1^st in Oconomowoc.

Wes asked if we should have a social event for MDDA in January or February.  It should avoid the Dairyland Driving Club Annual meeting on January 25 and the UMECRA meeting.  This could be combined with a business meeting where members could voice opinions and vote on items brought to it from the board.   Our MDDA group has about 40 members.  Consensus was to look at a social gathering for next November.

Theresa and Romona were recognized and applauded for their efforts in establishing and maintaining MDDA.

Sandy/Romona moved to adjourn at 9:30 PM.  Motion carried.