Sojaa General Membership Meeting

SOJAA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING JUNE 14, 2014 JOSEPHINE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Attendance: LaVon Newman, Michelle Davidson, Rick Shipley, Jeff Merrifield, Michelle Abell, Dorothy Otten, Sheri Hewitt, Kat Drovdahl, Dick VanVleck, NIckie VanVleck,Renate Gyuro, Diana Shultz, Beverly Brehm, Jason Brehm, Doug White, Renee White, Martin Shelman, Kim Shelman, Nancy Shelton.

Meeting called to order by President Rick Shipley at 12:55

Introductions of new members Martin/Kim Shelman. Welcome back to LaVon Newman. All attendees introduced themselves

Treasures Report: Larry (unable to attend)-he will email report to members

Approval minutes 2-15-14 meeting Motion Diana 2nd Michelle A Approval-All

OLD BUSINESS

Website Update: Beverly - Target date for opening is 7/1/14. Names of members who ARE NOT current members of Open Herd need to open an account on Open Herd. The entry level is free. Members accounts will auto hook up to the SOJAA Website once opened. Michelle D needed to get Domain info to Bevery

Alpaca Mania: Beverly - Both Grand Sponsors have been filled (Renaissance Ridge/Friendly Farms). More sponsors are needed. Beverly sent out a list to all members, etc. Fleece judging date is yet to be determined. It will be held in Redding at Karen Kelly's. Ken Hibbits will judge. Volunteers are needed to help. Renate reports that motel rooms for the halter show have been secured. A Pumpkin Race will be held along with the halter. Each farm entered in halter classes can decorate a pumpkin. The pumpkin will move ahead as the farm wins. Ribbons/trophies availbable. More info later. Beverly would like to add members to the Alpaca Mania committee-those interested contact her.

AFCNA/Blanket project: Renate - Fleece to be picked up Monday morning after Alpaca Mania. Renate will have more info before the show such as packing, etc. Blanket Project - Jeff will be collecting fiber again.

Fiber Mania: Diana - Nov 1&2 at Josephine Cnty Fairgrounds. She is securing several instuctors for classes. FM has received $100 Grant from Weaving Guild of Oregon. Booths: 10x10 $85, 10x15 $125. Registration will begin as soon as new website is open. Diana has chaired/organized Fiber Mania for several years. Someone else needs to take this over. NEW BUSINESS

Fiber Processing Venture: Diana - the committee met several times to consider the mini-mill project. It was found NOT to be a viable option. Very expensive and any payback would be years down the road. The committee is currently looking at a Dehairing Service (possibly washing, picking, dehairing). Diana has contacted a few mills to see if they would be interesting in this "contracted" service. There was very favorable response. The cost would be approximately $45,000 plus (washer $11K, picker $7500, dehairer $25K, remaining for misc). The committee has a goal to present information to the members at the Annual Mtg Nov 15, 2014.

Nominating Committee: Rick - This year's position are Vice President and Secretary. Rick will be calling members for the Committee.

Annual Social: Will be held at Lone Ranch Alpacas (Richard/Renate Gyuro) on Aug 16, 2014. This will be a catered event. People need to bring chairs. Each ranch to bring a gift to exchange. Also, members are asked to bring a friend/acquaintances who might be a potential members. This would be like a membership drive. Jeff Merrifield is heading this up.

Other Business: Rick - reports on AOA Leadership Council Mtg. 20 affiliate organizations across the county were on line. Darby has done a good job co-coordinating the transition from AOBA to AOA. Positive direction on the merger. Questions was asked how many members of an affiliate needs to be a member of AOA to be sanctioned. Subject to be reevaluated at a future AOA meeting. Marketing was discussed-more focus on the small ranches and working with them to be more productive. Alpaca Farm Days, end of Sept- AOA website - farms can be highlighted $25. check it out www.alpacafarmdays.com. Darby will be starting a blog, find it on the ARI website. Members can communicate directly to him.

Sorting Class: - Diana and Noreen Andresen are offering a sorting class for personal use. on 6/28. Contact Diana for more info.

Next Meeting: Sept 20, 2014 "11-3" at Medford/Jackson Cnty Airport at B97 Bomber just North of the airport.

Meeting Adjourned Speaker was Diana Shultz on Disaster Preparedness

Minutes Respectfully Submitted Michelle Davidson Secretary