IBCA Board MeetingOctober 17, 2015
Irish Black Cattle Association General Membership Meeting
October 17, 2015 Meeting Minutes
The meeting was held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Missoula, MT. IBCA President, Lisa Hendrickson called the meeting to order at 2:45PM.
Roll Call: Members attending:
Matt Grow – Sheridan, Montana
Klint Todd – Alder, Montana
Terry & Julie Todd – Twin Bridges, Montana
George Boyd, Busted B Farms – Morton, Mississippi
Kip McCormick & Cristy Ziegler, Alamosa, Colorado
Wade & Lorelei Nielsen, Nielsen Irish Blacks & Reds – Glendive, Montana
Frank Lopez, Lopez Farms – Huntsville, Missouri
Bill Sullivan, Sullivan Heritage Ranch – Hall, Montana
Jeffrey Johnson, Double J Cattle – Billings, Montana
Cody Bode – Creighton, Nebraska
Will & Jennifer Nielson, Nielsen Irish Blacks & Reds – Terry, Montana
Levi & Jolene Parsons, Open Cross Ranch – Hall, Montana
Dan & Kerry Graybeal, DD Graybeal Ranch – Hall, Montana
Doug & Kathy Graybeal, DD Graybeal Ranch – Hall, Montana
Duane & Dena Hergenrider,D2 Ranch – Bridger, Montana
Marlene Hoburka, Mission View Irish Reds – Dixon, Montana
Bailey Hamilton, Sleeping Willow Ranch – Hamilton, Montana
Deborah & Tim Hamilton, Sleeping Willow Ranch – Stevensville, Montana
Larry Melsness, Sleeping Willow Ranch – Stevensville, Montana
Lisa, Wade & Kyia Hendrickson, Diamond H Livestock – St Ignatius, Montana
Deb Brown & Larry Licking, Long Pine Land & Livestock – Buffalo, South Dakota
Financial and Membership Report:
IBCA financial report shows a 2015 beginning balance of $2,453 and a current banked balance of $6,288.37. Financial re-cap of 2014; Total Income $14,423 with Total Expenses $14,685.
Current membership to date is at 42 members with still more members promising to join through the end of this year. Because of the membership growth, Section 3.2(a) of the IBCA Bylaws provides that two additional seats will be added to the IBCA Board of Directors in 2016. That will make a total of five IBCA Directors following the election of those two new Directors in 2016.
A Group discussion on supporting continued membership growth was held, and producers reaching out to one another with ideas. PDF pamphlet was also discussed, and there could possibly be a new member form included with informational pamphlet.
Old Business:
Trademark Lawsuit Resolution – Lisa Hendrickson and Terry Todd each gave a short talk, and answered questions from the group.
Registrations – Group discussion on the progress of transfers and registrations being completed. Several members voiced concerns. Lisa Hendrickson assured members that the IBCA office is working on pending transfers and registrations and hopes to have them all completed over the next couple of months. Once the flood of pending certificates have been reconciled, issued, and received by producers, going forward should be fairly routine. The IBCA office should be able to process transfers and registrations within a few days of receiving them. Members were encouraged to communicate with the IBCA office if they have any problems.
IBCA Website – Members were reminded to use the Association website and that classified ads are free to all members.
Newsletter - Discussion of newsletter. Open discussion on options for producing an association newsletter. Members Tim & Deborah Hamilton will check on the possibility of having an individual that produces other newsletters putting together IBCA newsletter. Association will be paying for the work.
Advertising/Marketing - Group discussion on a variety of internet banner advertising options, and results that can be expected. Discussion of the proposed 2017 National Bull Sale was discussed lightly and tabled to be further explored under new busines.
Fund-raising - The initial costs of preparing logo, for coats, hats, etc has been covered by sales of these items. Going forward sale proceeds will be going directly to the association. Kerry Graybeal will be getting a sample of items available for sale on the association web-site. Kerry and Lisa will work to get a page added to the IBCA website for internet sales.
New Business:
Advertising/Marketing - The topic of a National Bull Sale planning committee was discussed at length by the group, as well as the options for putting on a national sale, (ie video, static, live). Consensus of members on the topic was that the sale should be tabled for a couple of years and then revisited. It was noted by members that Ken Kramer is a good source of marketing techniques and formats.
Advertising/Marketing Financing - Lisa Hendrickson provided the group with a tentative cost/estimate for a variety of media options available to promote the breed and association. Group discussion followed. The group agreed that a starting point for advertising and promotion should be a display booth for events. The group was enthusiastic about supporting a video production of the caliber that could be broadcast nationally. Discussion about how to finance these advertising ventures was lengthy. The group strongly recommended against any across the board fee increases or extra charges being added through the Association. The group agreed to have leadership pursue advertising ventures that could be paid for by the advertising dollars they could raise within the project. For example, selling 30 second commercials within the national broadcast to cover all production and advertising costs.
Social Media – The association has a face-book page, and members were encouraged to “like” the page, and encourage others to do so.
Regional IBCA Groups – Lisa Hendrickson informed the group of several members interested in forming Regional Groups of the IBCA in other parts of the country. Specifically the producers in Oklahoma are very interested in a Regional IBCA Group. Members responded positively and recommended the Board provide support for Regional Groups as membership continues to grow across the Nation.
2016 Annual Membership Meeting – Discussion ensued about potential locations for subsequent Annual Membership Meetings that would help support IBCA membership from other regions. Membership recommended that the IBCA Board should look at possibly moving the general membership meeting to a central US location in 2016. Denver, Colorado Springs, and Nebraska locations were offered for consideration to give everyone the best opportunity to attend the annual meeting next year.
Youth Proposal – Kyia Hendrickson presented the group with a proposal asking the Association to promote and support exploring the interest in an IBCA youth group that would in turn interact with other youth ag groups such as 4-H and FFA. Kyia’s goal is to hold the first IBCA youth meeting in conjunction with the 2016 Annual Membership Meeting. Marlene Hoburka motioned to recommend that the IBCA Association support the formation of an IBCA youth group and allow the IBCA to cover expenses required for Kyia to locate and contact potential youth members over the next year. Deb Brown seconded the motion and it carried.
Adjournment - 5:05 p.m. Terry Todd motioned the meeting be adjourned. All present seconded. Meeting was adjourned.
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