MASSACHUSETTS THROUGHBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

Board of Director’s Business Meeting

Minutes

August 27, 2009

Glen Ellen Country Club, Millis, MA

President George Brown called the meeting to order at  8:10PM.

 

 Board Members Present

Absent

Guests

Bareira, Laurine

Reagan, Kathleen

Brown, Arlene –Recording Secretary

Brown, George – Chair

 

Robbins, Harland -Financial Director

Catapano, Frank

 

Robbins, Bill - Accountant

Ferguson, Meg

 

Horky, Theresa

Janjigian, Armand

 

Shelansky, Keith

Joyce, Daniel

 

Posco, Ken

Loebelenz, Lee

 

Emery, Velma

Rose, Gregg

 

Estabrooks, Everett

Salim, Adel

 

Estabrooks, Mary

Spadea, Anthony/Treasurer

 

Joyce, Beverly

Stone, Ed

 

Beerbaum, Natalie

 

 

 

 

1.) Secretary’s Report:

Minutes from July 23, 2009  reviewed by board

 

Motion to accept: Meg Fergusson                  Second::Frank Catapano

Objection: none                                              Abstain: none

 

2.) Treasurer's Report

William Robbins went over the financial picture for the period ending July 31.  There is over a 17% drop off in the income so far.  But because there are fewer massbreds running, we are paying out less in awards. So thus far we are still able to pay the bills. He does not anticipate that we will be able to offer a ninth stake race.

 

Motion to accept: Anthony Spadea              Second::   Lee Loebelenz   

Objection: none                                                     Abstain:    none  

 

3.) Chairman’s notes and comments

George Brown mentioned the many meetings he and Anthony have been attending to speak with various legislators and also the meetings with HBPA officials.  We are trying to present a united front to the legislators.

 

4.) Old Business

      a.    Golf Tournament

                  i. Flyer & Reg

New flyers with registration forms on the back have been printed and will be available in the HBPA office and also in the racing secretaries office.  Members were asked to take some to distribute to businesses etc.  The start time has been moved from 10:30AM to 12:30 PM.  Many people from the track would be unable to attend otherwise.

 

                  ii. Raffle

George Brown asked for people to volunteer for a committee to solicit items for the raffle and also for the silent auction.  Keith Shelansky, Theresa Horky, Beverly and Dan Joyce and Frank Catapano volunteered.

Arlene will compose a letter to be sent out to solicit these items.  Bill Robbins was asked if MTBA could declare these items as tax deductible for the donors.  He explained that MTBA is just a vehicle for collecting funds and passing them on.  The organizations receiving the funds would have to be the ones granting tax deduction status.

 

                  iii. Hole sponsors

A committee consisting of Lee Loebelenz and Anthony Spadea will solicit hole sponsors.  There can be more than one sponsor on a hole, so we don’t have to worry about over selling sponsorships.

 

Arlene Brown will try to arrange a meeting of these two committees during the first week of September.

 

                  iv. Tee Gifts

A gift for all players in the tournament such as a sleeve of golf balls or towels was suggested.  Harland Robbins will also look into having caps made with the MTBA logo on them.

 

                  v. Organization to benefit

Arlene Brown checked into a program that several people at the track had heard about. Bridgewater State Prison was going to train inmates to work with retired horses.  However, after a few phone calls to Bridgewater, it was concluded that no one there knew anything about the program.  It was suggested that we stick with a 501.c3 organization which would probably be more legitimate than some privately run programs.  Keith Shelansky is going to do some research to see if there are others in Massachusetts besides Canter NE.

Arlene Brown will call MSPCA to see if they have suggestions.

 

                  vi. T-shirts

It was suggested that we have T-shirts made up with “I support horse retirement and rehabilitation” possibly a horse photo and credits for MTBA.  These shirts would be given to anyone donating $20 to the horse fund and all profits would go to the fund.  A booth can be set up at the golf tournament and also at Equine Affair.

Harland will check out prices for these.

 

      b. Equine Affair

Kathy Reagan could not be in attendance but she relayed that everything was on schedule with Equine Affair.

 

                  i. pens/pencils

Harland Robbins will check out the cost of having pens or pencils with the MTBA logo on them to be given out at Equine Affair.

 

                  ii. Volunteers – man booth

Several people have volunteered to help man the booth at Equine Affair.  Velma Emery, Laurine Bareira, Meg Ferguson, Barbara Poulin, George and Arlene Brown, Greg Rose and Sara Minsk.

 

                  iii. Display/presentation

Arlene Brown asked for farm and horse owners to send photos, pamphlets, videos or anything they would like to have on display.  We will organize the contributions and try to put together a pleasing display.

 

5.) New Business

            a. Annual Members Meeting

George Brown will call Dr. Carl Kirker-Head at Tufts to see if we can hold the annual membership meeting there.  Several members felt it would be more centrally located for the membership to attend.  Some want the meeting to be held at Suffolk Downs but that is very difficult to get to in the afternoon and is certainly not centrally located.

If held at Tufts, we would have to have coffee and pastries and not a meal.  If this does not work out.  Vinny T’s will be the backup choice.

            Date: _10/27/09______ Time:_7:00Pm___ Place:_____TBA

 

6.) Next Meeting

 

Date: __9/17/09_________ Time:__6:30PM______ Place:_____TBA_______

 

7.) Adjournment:____9:30PM______PM

 

Motion to accept: Meg Ferguson              Second::   Lee Loebelenz 

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

Arlene Brown