United States Dressage Federation

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Summary of Actions at USDF Executive Board Meeting

November 29 and December 3, 2004
Lexington, Kentucky

The following people attended the meeting: all 13 Executive Board members, 2005 Region 7 Director Terry Wilson (December 3 meeting), Executive Director Stephan Hienzsch, and many USDF office staff members.

Programs

Alison Head made a motion, seconded by Kat Kyle, to approve the revisions to the Nomination Criteria for the USDF Hall of Fame proposed by the Historical Committee, incorporating Sam Barish's recommended changes. Motion carried. The revised Nomination Criteria will clarify the basis for nominations for the Hall of Fame.

Linda Landers made a motion, seconded by Sandi Bishop, to approve the Suggested Guidelines for Organizers for High School Club Dressage. Motion carried.

Melissa Creswick made a motion, seconded by Kat Kyle, to approve in principle the Continuing Education Program for Judges and "L" Graduates, pending funding by The Dressage Foundation, so the program can be included in the budget for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2005. Motion carried.

George Williams made a motion, seconded by Linda Landers, to increase the grant money to the organizers of the Regional Championships, beginning in 2005, to $1500 per Regional Championship. Motion carried.

George Williams made a motion, seconded by Gaye McCabe, to distribute the grant money to the organizers of the Regional Championships as follows: one third in advance, and two thirds after the competition - after the requirements have been met. Motion carried.

Fern Feldman made a motion, seconded by Linda Landers, to increase the maximum fee charged by Instructor Workshop Faculty for conducting workshops to $750 per day - charged only for days of teaching. Motion carried.

Membership

Sandi Bishop made a motion, seconded by Linda Landers, to approve and support changing the group membership year to December 1 through November 30, beginning in 2006. Motion carried. This will make the membership year the same for USDF group and participating members, as well as US Equestrian Federation members.

Fern Feldman made a motion, seconded by Sue Hughes, to approve and support the family membership proposal recommended by the Membership Committee. Motion carried.

Melissa Creswick made a motion, seconded by Sandi Bishop, to (1) award a life membership for online Participating Membership Delegate voting, (2) award a five-year membership for mail-in Participating Membership Delegate voting, and (3) discontinue providing postage for mail-in ballots. Motion carried.

Councils/Committees

Gaye McCabe made a motion, seconded by Kat Kyle, to appoint Dorothy Mueller as Chair of the Youth Council for 2005. Motion carried.

Melissa Creswick made a motion, seconded by Sue Hughes, to appoint Betsy Berrey as Chair of the Test Writing Committee for 2005. Motion carried.

Sandi Bishop made a motion, seconded by Sue Hughes, to abolish the University Committee. Motion carried. A subcommittee of the Adult Education Council will assume the former University Committee's work, on an as-needed basis.

Janine Malone made a motion, seconded by Sandi Bishop, that the mission statement of the Competitors Council remain the same, and the new mission statement proposed by the Council become additional goals. Motion carried.

Barbara Funk made a motion, seconded by George Williams, to support a bylaw change concerning the duties of the Treasurer which would make the Budget and Finance Committee responsible for selecting an independent auditor so that the Treasuer has no conflict of interest in this capacity. Motion carried.

US Equestrian Federation Janine Malone made a motion, seconded by Alison Head, to approve as amended the policy for appointing USDF representatives to the US Equestrian Federation Board of Directors. Motion carried.

Melissa Creswick made a motion, seconded by Kat Kyle, to appoint Sam Barish and Janine Malone as the USDF representatives to the 2005 US Equestrian Federation Board of Directors. Motion carried.

George Williams made a motion, seconded by Janine Malone, that Sheila Forbes of the USDF staff ask Mary Lutz and Denise Avolio of the US Equestrian Federation how USDF can help with the disabled athlete program and the Mills Challenge, to be held at the NAYRC. Motion carried.

Miscellaneous

Linda Landers made a motion, seconded by Alison Head, to approve all changes to the USDF Policies and Procedures, including the Youth Executive Board Bylaws, and support all changes to the USDF Bylaws. Motion carried.

Kat Kyle made a motion, seconded by Gaye McCabe, that Stephan Hienzsch inform John Altman that USDF is interested in his proposed documentary film on dressage, but that we cannot commit to the project at this time. Motion carried.

Linda Landers made a motion, seconded by Sue Hughes, that the nine Regional Directors as a group nominate all four current USDF officers for new three-year terms, to begin on January 1, 2006. Motion carried.

Samuel J. Barish
USDF President

Janine W. Malone
USDF Secretary