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WELCOME to Rio Grand Mule & Donkey
Association Newsletter Website! You will find all
Newsletters for 2010 on this website as they become
available.
Contact us at
RGMDA@eeebray.com
for any information about the newsletters.
If you would like to
continue to receive your newsletter via the mail,
please let us know.
Please send us pictures,
we love them!
RICHARD SELBY TRANSFERS THE REINS
I would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy
Holiday Season. 2009 certainly just flew. The RGMDA had
many fun and interesting events for the members and I
know that the new officers will continue to encourage
events and participation in them. We will be having
several new faces on the Executive Board and I know that
they will do an excellent job.
At the last Executive Board meeting, a new by-law was
passed which sets term limits for Officers. An officer
may serve two years in a particular office and then will
have to discontinue serving in that office. After a year
has passed, that person may let the Nominating Committee
appoint him or her to another office. The retiring
President will continue to serve on the Executive Board
for an additional year to help provide continuity.
I want to express my thanks to Elizabeth Moore for
assuming the position of Newsletter Editor. She will do
an excellent job and please help her do that by
submitting photos and news regarding members'
activities.
It has been my pleasure to serve the RGMDA as President
for the past three years and I will continue to serve in
other ways.
Richard Selby, 2009 President
2010 Membership renewal is due
Click on "Forms"
and you will find the 2010 Application for
Membership and the 2010 Hold Harmless agreement. In
order to make sure that we have your current
address, telephone numbers (s) and e-mail address,
and, to satisfy the requirements of our insurance
company please complete both sheets and mail them
with your dues to the RGMDA PO box on
the application. You may also bring them to your
chapter meeting and give them to the chapter chair
person.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Sally McGrath
Michael Elmore
Christine & Frank Kurtnaker
Notice
28
surveys were returned and
we would like to hear from our total
membership. These surveys ARE being studied! You can
fill in the form online & send it back, or print the
survey & send it back in the mail. If you would like to
print it & fax it, the number is
888-734-9468.
Thank you for your input.
Click here for survey.
Click here to see the results thus far.
RGMDA
received a letter from
The Horse Shelter
asking for donations. Members may contact the shelter at
100 AB Old Cash Ranch Road, Cerrillos, New Mexico 87010,
or at
www.thehorseshelter.org.
BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Rio Grande
Mule and Donkey Association Board Meeting
11 December 2009, 6:30 pm
Copper Canyon Restaurant
Albuquerque,
NM 
Attendees: Richard Selby, President; Connie Rossignol,
Vice President; Mary Tyler, Secretary; Bob Larison,
Santa Fe Chapter; Steve Randall, Central Chapter,
Elizabeth Moore, Newsletter, Sam Montoya, Nomination
Committee; visitors: Mary Randall and Buddy Buzzard.
Secretary’s report: Motion was made and carried to
approve the minutes for the August meeting as they were
printed in the September newsletter.
Treasurer’s report: Richard stated the treasurer’s
report was printed in the December newsletter. Balance
is $2,298.02.
Old
Business:
By
Law Change - Term Limits. Richard Selby asked the board
to consider a by laws change that would limit terms of
elected officers to two consecutive years. After a
discussion the board concluded that such an amendment
would be beneficial. The advantages cited were:
eliminate burn out and encourage more members to
volunteer to serve as officers. Steve Randall made the
motion that elected officers, president, vice president,
secretary, and treasurer not serve more than two
consecutive terms at a time in that office. The
president would remain on the board for one year to
provide continuity. Mary Tyler seconded the motion and
it was carried five to zero.
Sam
Montoya asked which officer would preside at a meeting
if both the president and vice president were unable to
attend. Richard replied that it was not covered in the
by laws and he assumed the meeting would be cancelled
and added that there is a group site on yahoo-groups for
board members where immediate problems could be
resolved.
New
Business:
Survey of Interests. Steve Randall presented a survey
of interests for the board’s comments and approval.
There were no recommended changes and the board approved
the survey as it was presented. The plan is to
distribute to club members via e-mail or mail to non
computer users. Members receiving surveys via computer
should have the option to complete the survey, select
submit and return the survey via e-mail or print it out
and return by mail. The board agreed to participate in
a test before the survey is sent to the membership.
Connie suggested that the chapter chairperson could
also distribute the surveys at chapter meetings.
Results of Nominating Committee Search. Richard
reported for Anna Coffer, the east mountain chapter
representative, that there were no volunteers from that
chapter to run for club offices. Sam Montoya reported
he contacted members of the central chapter but there
were no volunteers for anything. Bob Larison, Santa Fe
chapter reported that he contacted the most active
members, the only volunteer was Cindy Larison for
treasurer, provided the tasks could be accomplished
reasonably from Santa Fe.
Richard reported that Steve Randall and Bob Larison had
volunteered to run for president, Jodi Rigoni would
continue as treasurer if necessary but would prefer not
to continue.
Ballot for 2010 Officers. Connie Rossignol agreed to
continue as vice president, Mary Randall volunteered to
run for treasurer. Mary Tyler declined to serve a third
term as secretary. After some discussion the board came
up the following slate: Steve Randall president, Bob
Larison vice president, Connie Rossignol secretary, and
Cindy Larison treasurer. Mary Randall withdrew because
Steve Randall would be on the ballot for president.
The ballot with the defined slate and space for write
ins will be distributed via e-mail, members can
complete the ballot and return by selecting submit on
the form. Ballots will be mailed to non computer users.
Ballots will be tallied on 28 December. Votes will be
tallied by the nominating committee as required by the
by laws.
Elizabeth Moore has agreed to publish the newsletter.
Chapter board representatives will be selected by the
respective chapters.
Renewal of website host. The board approved the renewal
of the club’s website at a cost of $80.00. Richard
Selby will pay by credit card and the club will
reimburse him.
Other. Bob Larison agreed to run for president with the
caveat that the club would not sponsor the mule and
donkey shows at the state fair. He suggested the club
could organize its own show. This led to a discussion
of the pros and cons of the state fair venue. Certainly
the state fair staff has not advertised show events in a
timely manner and in
some instances correctly, however, the fair does provide
a facility, judges and other support services.
Elizabeth Moore suggested that each chapter might expand
one of the fun shows into a more formal show. Mary
Randall suggested that more people
might be
willing to show if there were facilities where they
could stay overnight.
Bob
Larison reported that the exhibit on mules and donkeys
at Los Golondrinas had closed and he would return items
loaned for the exhibit to their owners. Los Golondrinas
is donating the display placards created for the exhibit
to RGMDA.
Steve Randall reported RGMDA had received a request for
donation from a horse shelter in Cerrillos. The board
decided the shelter’s address and information should be
included in the newsletter and individual members could
make donations if they wished but RGMDA would not send a
donation.
Bob
Larison reported he had provided the Whittington Center
necessary proof of insurance for the scheduled rides
next year.
Steve Randall reported that the Castle Rock Mule and
Donkey Show for 2010 has been cancelled but one has been
scheduled for 2011.
Next board meeting scheduled for 15 January 2010 at
Copper Canyon Cafe, 5455 Gibson Blvd. SE.
Submitted by Mary Tyler
2010 ELECTION RESULTS!!!!!!
President Steve Randall
Vice President Bob Larison
Secretary Connie Rossignol
Treasurer Cindy Larison
Note:
There were ballots sent out to 89 households,
(approximately 150 people), 33 ballots were returned.
JANUARY
MEETING DATES
East Mountain: Jan 12th. Shorty's
Barb-B-Q 1202 Main St- Old 66, Moriarty. Lowell
Clark 505-384-1000.
Central Chapter: 2nd Tuesday, Jan 12th, El Serape,
325 Main St., Los Lunas, Connie Rossignal
505-866-6504.
Northern Chapter: 3rd Tuesday, Jan 19, Kimberley's
home. Dick or Sue, 505-820-7113.
Board: Friday, Jan 15, Copper Canyon Cafe, 6:30.
5455 Gibson Blvd., SE, Albuquerque
Editor’s Note
Your
new Newsletter editor is Elizabeth Moore. Please send
information to: RGMDA@eeebray.com Thank you Steve
Randall for all your great work over the past 2 1/2
years doing the Newsletter. You have made it very easy
for someone else to step in & take up where you left
off. Good luck in your endeavors as RGMDA President.
About RGMDA– as someone who has been involved in equine
events & associations for over 15 years, I understand
about the workings of any equine association. Most of
the work is done by a few people who give their time &
energy to making the club successful. RGMDA is typical
in this respect. However, this club is different from
other equine clubs because of the many different
interests the mules & donkeys provide. The people are
different too. Very “down home” & ready to have fun.
Coming from the intense world of the reining horse, I
enjoy riding & driving with mule & donkey folks. Real
“salt of the earth” in my opinion. These mules & donkeys
seem to own certain types of people. If you want to work
& train a donkey or mule, you better have some patience.
Whether you use your mule or donkey for riding or
driving, or just “yard art”, this club has something for
you. Do remember those few hard working people who try
to make this club the best it can be. They encourage
involvement & need your help. Board meetings are always
open to the membership & interested parties. This is not
always true in other clubs.
The
board & membership are what makes the club what it is.
It won’t survive without them. There were very few
people who volunteered to take over the reins so be
aware that the people who did, have done this before in
some capacity. They only have a certain “shelf life” &
then they get tired of shouldering the load. Help when
you can & most importantly, come & have fun with RGMDA.
There are lots of activities to do with these wonderful
creatures.
SCOTT MARTIN MEMORIAL RIDE
RGMDA
Ride Rules & Trail Etiquette apply
click to see rules
at
www.rgmda.com
Scott
and Betty Martin were long time members of the RGMDA.
They had several mules but Scott drove a team of grey
mules at our events. They lived near San Lorenzo Canyon
and he was the contact person who always got permission
from the BLM for our club to ride into the canyon. Scott
and Betty were extremely well liked and they always had
a smile on their faces. Scott died about two years ago,
Betty sold the ranch and moved to Albuquerque to be near
their daughter. Scott was buried near Lemitar and
friends drove Scott's team and wagon to the cemetery and
they stood rock still during the service. He had a
military service (Navy). The Club named the ride into
San Lorenzo Canyon, which we had taken each January, in
his honor.
By Richard
Selby
Scott was always giving
people rides in his wagon
Scott Martin 4th Annual Memorial Ride
San Lorenzo Canyon
January 9th, 2010
Location
San Lorenzo Canyon
Map Attached, road will be marked with paper plates.
The “High Road” is recommended
In Saddle Time 10:00 AM Sharp!
Ride Information
Sandy terrain, no shoes are needed
Single track road / wash
Novice level ride, 5 miles round trip.
Optional .8 mile ride, (1 way) to end of canyon if
desired.
OK to drive with wide tire rigs, narrow “bike” tires not
recommended due to sandy conditions.
No water, restrooms or facilities of any kind.
Pot Luck lunch
Bring
Stock water for end of ride
Pot luck lunch item
Contact
Steve Randall 861-1088
Richard
Selby 250-3276
Scott Martin
Memorial Ride Map
From
Albuquerque, go south on I25 to Exit 163. Take this exit
& drive under freeway & go south on frontage road as
shown on map, about 2.5 miles. Go west on road over the
cattle guard about 2.2 miles as shown on map. If you
have questions call Richard Selby or Steve Randall.
Trail will be marked.
RGMDA 2010 Event Calendar
RGMDA
Ride Rules & Trail Etiquette apply to all RGMDA
rides/drives
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January
9th
Fourth annual Scott Martin Memorial
ride, San Lorenzo Canyon.
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February
13th
Driving Clinic
28th Ride/Drive in Bernardo.
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March
20th
Bosque Del Apache Ride/Drive-Starts at
11:00. Potluck after the ride |
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April
17th
Ride/Drive in Moriarty- Tentative
date
*April
30th – May 5th
Brad Cameron Clinic. Connie Rossignol
*Castle
Rock Mule Days has been Canceled for
2010 |
May
*April
30th – May 5th
Brad Cameron Clinic. Connie Rossignol
22nd
Fun Day in Edgewood, Badura’s
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June
3rd
-6th Whittington Center, Bob
Larison |
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July
Durfee
Canyon Ranch campout. Mike & Donna Lunn
and *Magdalena Old Timers Parade.
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August
*Valencia Cty. Fair Mule & Donkey Show
28th
-29rd Whittington Center, Bob
Larison
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September
* State
Fair, Donkeys
* State
Fair, Mules |
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October |
November |
December |
* Not RGMDA events
revised
12/29/2010
East Mountain Chapter Holiday Party
The
East Mountain Chapter gathered at the home of Alan and
Deb Platt on the evening of December 5th for a holiday
get-together. We enjoyed a delicious potluck, and a fun
gift-exchange. Many thanks to those who were able to
attend, and especially to the Platts for opening their
home to everyone.
Submitted by Vicki Badura
Business Cards/Corporate Sponsors
TRADING POST
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For
Sale
Alfalfa Hay, 1000 bales barn
stored, $5.00/bale. Located in San
Acacia
Pete Hughes 575-835-3098 |
Miniature
Donkeys for Sale
www.eeebray.com
Pets, Jennets, Driving Donkeys, Show Donkeys
Elizabeth 505-281-5633
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