South Carolina Horsemen’s Council Committees        (March 17, 2008)

Introduction

The SCHC has several standing committees which require that certain activities take place each year. In addition, special purpose committees are formed to coordinate specific events or address specific needs. We encourage all SCHC members to volunteer for one or more of our committees. The success of this organization depends completely upon volunteers giving of their time and talents to the activities that our members have said they want us to conduct. Only through the personal participation of actively engaged members, can we take this organization to the level we all want it to achieve. Check out our current active committees and then call or email us and let us know how you would like to become involved.

Nominating Committee

The President assures that the Nominating Committee is properly staffed in accordance with the By-Laws and executes its responsibilities which include soliciting recommendations for qualified personnel, preparing a list of nominees for each of the officers and any board seat that may become vacant because of term expiration or other reasons, developing individual profiles, communicating nominations to Board and regular members well in advance of annual meeting, preparing ballots, and coordinating the elections process at the Annual Meeting.

Members: Jamie Roberts Dist 1 (Chairman), Hayward Simmons Dist 4, Natasha Vitkovic Dist 5,  Bill Steele Dist 2, Juanita Ardis Dist 3

Legislative Committee

Review proposed legislation that affects the equine industry or community either negatively or positively. They will propose new legislation that benefits the horse industry. They will inform the membership of all known legislation under consideration. The committee members will contact legislators and intercede on behalf of the Horsemen’s Council on legislation that affects the equine community in South Carolina. The committee will request that Council members contact their respective legislators on important issues.

Members: Tim Sigmon - VP Legislative (Chairman), Carol Deacon, Bill Steele, Hayward Simmons

Trails Committee

Work to keep public horse trails accessible to all horse people, work on developing new trails, prepare a priority plan for trail activities, work with private land owners to increase trails offerings, and coordinate any Horsemen’s Council trail rides. Work with in-state Saddle clubs, regional trails organizations, national trails organizations, and other groups to solicit their input and represent their interests. Maintains close liaison with state trails agency personnel to provide for good working relationships and communications on trails issues. Updates trail information to Publications Committee.

Members: Bill Steele – Director at Large (Chairman), Betty Rankin, Hayward Simmons, Jim Edwards, Kaye Watkins, Cecil Watkins

Show Committee

Develop a plan for SCHC involvement with equine shows, publicize planned shows for SCHC members, provide educational material for members on conducting shows.

Members: Juanita Ardis - District 3 Director (Chairman), Mary Quarles, Natasha Vitkovic

John Conner,

Education Committee

Determine what the educational needs are and the best means of obtaining and providing up to date information on equine subjects, coordinate special educational activities as appropriate, obtaining speakers, written materials, web links and other pertinent information.

Members: Dee Cross – Director at Large (Chairman), Betty Rankin, Deanna Bass, Deb Weber, Reed Edwards, Juanita Ardis

Youth Committee

Determine SCHC goals regarding youth, develop special youth programs, conduct clinics, coordinate scholarship program, coordinate with and support other organized youth groups

Members: Bill Steele, Deanna Bass, Ivory Johnson, John Conner, Mary Quarles, Kaye Watkins, Holly Baker

Annual Meeting & Expo Committee  

This committee coordinates site selection, schedule of events, lists of vendors & sponsors, participants, communications, budget, and all other activities associated with the annual meeting.

Members: Ellen Hutto - Director at Large (Chairman), Ed Hutto, Merry Worsham, Holly Baker, Deb Weber, Juanita Ardis, Carol Bale, Reed Edwards, Kaye Watkins, Anne Edwards

Special Events Committees

These committees coordinate the planning and execution of special events such as the SETC that occur infrequently.

Members SETC 2008: Jim Edwards – VP External Activities (Chairman), Kaye Watkins, Carol Deacon, Tim Sigmon, Donna Patterson, Cecil Watkins, Chris Prindle, Butch Kennedy, Mary Ellen Tobias, David Long, Alice Riddle, Wendy Jackson, Phil Macchia, Joel Felder, Mary Watts, Joe Robles

Finance (Audit) Committee

Obtains services of person(s) with accounting or financial background to conduct annual audit, present results of audit to Board, work with Treasurer to address any areas for improvement, periodically review financial information, request special reports, and make recommendations to Board on managing Horse Council finances.

Members: Terry Boger - Director District 2 (Chairman), Donna Patterson - Treasurer, Cecil Watkins – Admin VP,  Carol Deacon – President

Publications (Communications) Committee

Develop broad based communication program to inform Horse Council members of activities, events, and issues. This will include but not be limited to publishing a newsletter, maintaining the internet web site, special notices of legislation or other information, and assisting others with special events communications.

Members: Cecil Watkins – VP Administration, sub committees

q       Public Relations - Coordinate external communications to newspapers, television, magazines, and other media.

         Members: Natasha Vitkovic District 5 Director (Chairman), Carol Deacon

q       Website Management – update, revise, and maintain website as needed, including calendar of events and other info

   Members: Mike Winburn – Webmaster, Cecil Watkins

q       Newsletter Committee – solicit articles, format newsletter, insert sponsor ads, seek out information on equine events, educational articles, proof final copy, get latest mailing list from membership chairman, deliver to printing and mailing services

           Members:  Debbie Gaiser (Chief Editor), Terry Boger, Carol Deacon, Anthony Dyches,

q       Brochures – develop brochures for informing people about the SCHC and encouraging them to join

          Members: Anthony Dyches Director District 4 (Chairman), Debbie Gaiser, Ivory Johnson

q       Special Event Programs – develop special programs as needed for events or meetings such as the annual Expo and coordinate their printing

          Members: Anthony Dyches, Debbie Gaiser, Ivory Johnson

Membership Committee

Performs the operational functions of membership approvals, promotions, recruiting, suspensions and terminations as approved by the Board. Recommend materials & programs to promote membership growth, orient new members, and provide sustaining benefits. Receive applications and forward payments to Treasurer, record all relevant information on members, mail cards and other info to new & renewing members, notify webmaster of links and sponsors, update newsletter mailing list (members, sponsors, other), publish updated membership list monthly to Board members. Develop programs for providing better services to members, solicit input, and make recommendations to board.

Members: Mary Quarles Director District 2 (Chairman), Betty Rankin, Donna Patterson, Juanita Ardis, Jamie Roberts

Sponsorships

Maintain current list of sponsors, keep approved ad copy, send annual renewal notices, obtain sponsor recognition materials, communicate appreciation to sponsors, provide Publications Committee with sponsor info, solicit new sponsors, work with other board and council members to secure sponsors

Members: Hayward Simmons Director District 4 (Chairman), Ellen Hutto, Cecil Watkins, Kaye Watkins

By-Laws & Tax Exempt Status

This committee is to review the By-Laws for improvement, clarification, and updates. They will present their recommendations to the Board of Directors and, if approved, to the general membership. This committee will also develop the necessary information and make the necessary changes to apply for recognition as a 501 c 3 organization vs current status as a 501 c 5 organization.

Members: Betty Rankin Director at Large (Chairman), Carol Deacon, Cecil Watkins, Jim Edwards

Insurance

This committee is to investigate the feasibility of providing Excess Liability Insurance for SCHC members. It will investigate various insurance offerings and report its findings and recommendations to the Board. If approved, it will present its recommendations to the general membership. This committee will include recommendations for administering and maintaining the program.

Members: Natasha Vitkovic Director District 5 (Chairman), Cecil Watkins