S, “sunshine” committees or task forces have a long history in the legislative field, so it’s an accepted phrase. It is meant to indicate finding ways to “shine light into corners” where things have previously been done in the shadows and less than publicly. Right to Know legislation is often referred to as “sunshine laws.” 
Vineyridge - I am just waiting to see what happens upon due diligence - which is a requirement for any merger/acquisition.
I know that when we sold my father’s company after his death, we had to go through the hoops in the due diligence process - and ours was only a holding company that had been inactive since 1964!
So, I am not holding my breath until all the finanicals are out in the open and investigated…
Of course, the people in power may not be as obstreperous as I am (which is probably a good thing!) 
Thank You Melinda
During the meeting there was a rather pointed exchange where the NHJC accused the AHSA management of preventing them from becoming independent, and Balch asked them when they would have the business plan that had been promised years ago.
There is stil much work to be done on the consolidation, but both sides seem to be working together to achieve the goal.
Hopefully, USA Eq will post the diagrams for the proposed restructuring on their web site (as they usually do) so everyone can see it for themselves.
Though I missed the Thursday meeting, I believe one of the real problems with the NHJC is the distinction between the national discipline – hunters – and the international discipline – jumpers.
It was interesting at the board meeting yesterday. Larry Langer and the NHJC proposed a new rule that would allow relatives of judges to show in the jumpers at the same show in which their judge/relative was officiating in the hunters. In the course of arguing for that rule change, LL said that there was no chance for a conflict of interest because “the jumpers are an entirely different world from the hunters, even though they’re at the same show” (or words to exactly that effect). Alan Balch jumped on that one, because at the Thursday board meeting the NHJC people had strenuously argued that it was impossible to split the hunters from the jumpers in the organizational structure because they are inextricably intertwined!
Portia, how nice a definition. I really can identify with that because that’s what I’ve been trying to do all along with our Right to Know Rule Change.
I didn’t realize the history of it but yes! you’re right, Hummm! that does broaden my job.
By the way it’s really nice now that I have face to go with the name. Everyone is really pleased that you have taken on a job that was so desperately needed to be done. Under your definition you are also a member of our task force because you will unravel the mystery of our rule book and we will all be able to understand the rules at last. No dark corners will be left. I really did enjoy meeting both Portia and Weatherford at the Convention. Last year just one, this year 3, so next year maybe a dozen will find time to join us at the convention.
due diligence - is it usually the case that the financials be made public in that process?
“Perhaps the largest other unresolved question is what to do with the National Hunter/Jumper Council, where Larry Langer has succeeded Tom Struzzieri as chairman.”
Hmmm…who can enlighten me???
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AM:
Why does USA Equestrian have offices in Columbus, Ohio and Ithaca, NY?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Columbus is the D&M office.
I am not aware of an Ithaca site.
NY, KY and OH - and soon… Gladstone.
When I first joined the BB, Portia was initially struggling with the Rulebook. Although the job is far from finish, here is round of applause for Portia.
Not sure, SGray.
I do know that a friend of mine just got the LATEST USET FUND RAISER!!!
(What debt? What MERGER? What BUDGET? What negotiations??)
And don’t EVEN get me started describing it further! 
[This message was edited by Weatherford on Feb. 01, 2002 at 09:29 PM.]
As I see it, the issue with the NHJC is several fold. Essentially, the ultimate goal would be to have the NHJC an independent organization as is the USDF and the USEA (et al). The problems seem to start with the fact that the NHJC is currently an “in-house” body, rather than an independent organization seeking recognition, and it has never acted independently, financed itself, etc etc.
Most of the independent organizations START from the exhibitors - that is, their base IS the exhibitors and volunteers that make it happen. Much the same as the local H/J organizations foudn throughout the country. The NHJC is a relic from the original AHSA - an organization run primarily by show managers and trainers - where (as has been stated flat out to me in meetings) the contribution and input from amateurs and exhibitors is NOT welcome nor appreciated.
I am also appalled at the petty sniping, nastiness under the guise of being funny, I have heard in NHJC and Zone 2 meetings - from people I have always respected and appreciated. Not to mention the announcement at theDirectors meeting that certain issues had “unanimous” consent of the NHJC and people in the room at the meetings where these things were judged, when, in fact, that was NOT the case. I am offended by this behavior, and see it as the real reason why the possible (and necessary) break out of the NHJC is not viable. (IMHO)
Does Cornell do the drug testing? That could be why there’d be an “office” in Ithaca.
that is too funny Portia
Thanks Snowbird and Marianne. It was nice meeting Snowbird and Lucassb in person, finally!
The Rulebook reorganization got strong support in the Legal Review Committee meeting.
One person, a long-time steward but not on the committee, basically said the project was doomed and unnecessary because “none of the members ever read the rulebook anyway.” He said it would “take years to complete” and I would be subject to “unrelenting ridicule” (his words) when it is complete, but he had not seen the materials we have already prepared and I don’t think understood what we are really doing. We did agree, however, that stewards should be involved in the process, and there are two women stewards who cross a lot of breeds and disciplines who volunteered to participate.
A big concern was that we would “re-write the rules” and in the process lose a lot of their meaning in trying to improve them. That is absolutely what we do not want to do. The plan is to create a template structure and reorganize and restructure, and yes in some cases reword, the General Rules in Part II of the Rulebook. Then, we will give the template, and advice as needed and requested, to the various breeds and disciplines, and let them reorganize their own rules in Part III of the book. They are the ones who know what their rules really mean and are intended to accomplish, and we’re not going to begin to presume that we know better!
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bostonian:
Quote: "Originally posted by Melinda:
See the report from John Strassburger on location in Charlotte, NC for the latest on the USAEq/USET war.
See http://www.chronofhorse.com for a full report!"
“(The NGB staff would be a consolidation of the current USAEq and USET staffs with minor responsibility shifts. It would maintain the USAEq offices in Lexington, Ky.? Columbus, Ohio; and Ithaca, N.Y.; as well as the USET office in Gladstone, N.J.)”
Anyone know what’s happening with the six-figure salary +, ++, and ++++ crowd in Gladstone?!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
A recently layed off employee (two days ago) just called my daughter to ask if it was ok to send my husband a resume. As it turns out, six of the back-office employees were let go; the highest paid executives remain. Is anyone surprised?
“Young also noted that under the provisions, the NGB Board of Directors and the division Boards of Trustees may only pass annual balanced budgets”-from the article
now THAT will require a huge change in operating policies
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Membership in USDF is NOT required to show in a recognized dressage show <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
But membership in USEA IS required to compete in a recognized event, even at levels where USA Eq membership is not required.
The issues with the NHJC were that when discussing the separation of the jumpers they said they were impossible to separate but then at the last meeting the jumper issue suddenly was not related to the NHJC issues. In the first case it was in their interest to want the jumpers in the latter it was convenient to be separated from the jumpers.
There seemed to be a great difference in the attitudes from the beginning of the convention to the end of the convention and a lot of conflicts re:jumper rules. Somehow Article 214.7 which applies to our hunter shows got lumped in with the jumper changes and in effect it would have immediately disposed of all the Rated Hunter Shows and opened the door to an A Show everywhere that anyone wanted one at any time. A 2nd change was sponsored by someone from Port Jervis at the New Hope Stable. (Forget the name right now).
The Hunter Committees apparently were not contacted and the Larry Langer seemed unaware of the importance of this change. Fortunately for us Alan Balch was conscious of the implications and Bill Roos was asked to explain. He stated that this rule change would effectively destroy the mileage rule and rating systems for all hunter shows. At this point Alan Balch saved us all from the ultimate chaos.
No budget was approved by the Board of Directors for the NHJC because they failed to submit any budget. The other strange conflict was that although I was given a financial statement from Zone 2 by Leo Conroy (this first one in 15 years) Later at the NHJC Meetings Larry Langer claimed that it was not possible for them to give any Financial statements to anyone by order of the USAEq, that the USAEq Treasurer was the only one who sent these statments to the Zone Committees. This is denied by the USAEq and they say the Zones are to have and submit financial statements.
My personal feeling about my Zone was total shock and amazement. While I purposely arranged my schedule to attend my Zone Meeting in expectation that Tom Struzzeri would keep his word to me that if there were 5 other show managers who agreed the correction to the contiguous state rule which leaves New Jersey out of the loop would be amended. I knew that this was confirmed and Larry Langer contacted me about some minor changes in the terminology of the correction to which I gladly agreed and fully expected this was to be completed at the convention.
You can imagine my shock when I arrived just a few minutes after 8 AM and before I could even be greeted by anyone I was informed that they had already had the financial report discussion and handed me a copy of the financial report this was then followed by what I felt was a rather beligerent attitude from Mr.Struzzeri announcing that Zone 2 Committee had taken a vote and were all unanimously opposed to the change for New Jersey.
I also inquired how many members total had attended all of the 5 meetings held by the Zone 2 Committee and was informed that less than a 100 had been present at all the meetings combined. Since we have over 6000 members they knew I felt this was too small a percentage to represent anything and he retorted to my unasked question that it was quite normal for this to be the most that were involved to make a consensus.
I personally was appalled that the Zone 2 Committee would or could have had a meeting without notice to decide an issue so important to New Jersey without notifying me or giving me any opportunity to defend my point of view and particularly since I had made the effort to drive to Rhinebeck and meet with Mr. Struzzerri in his offices and was promised something totally different.
I was asked if I now planned to withdraw my rule change proposal and I said no! and that I planned to bring it back every year that I was alive until this situation was corrected.
Fortunately, the Board of Directors realized that this decision was self serving from people who were in competition with shows in New Jersey and we will have another opportunity to negotiate a better solution by order of the USAEq Board.
I think this exemplifies exactly what is wrong with the NHJC and why it cannot represent the needs or interests of their members. Perhaps, other zones are not as arrogant and unaccountable as Zone 2 but the system in place is deeply flawed and must be corrected.
On the good news, The USAEq has appointed a committee to “Reach-Out” to the hunter members. They will hopefully find a solution so that we are represented on our zone committees from all levels and interests.
The Marketing Committee also has created a “Sunshine Committee” of which I am pleased to be a member and our purpose is to seek ways to correct perspections so that we will have a “Member Friendly” association.
[This message was edited by Snowbird on Jan. 14, 2002 at 04:59 PM.]
Although Peg is not on the BB she is one of us and she has done a great job with reforming things in Zone 10.
Don’t worry Portia, there are always some who resist any kind of change and believe improvement is impossible.
Fortunately times have changed and there is a new wind blowing. I really felt the changes in all the attitudes at this convention and it was refreshing.
