NAMHSA Seeks Merit Award Coordinator

Are you interested in volunteering for NAMHSA, and want to work directly with hobbyists? Consider applying for the position of Merit Award Coordinator. The Merit Award program was developed in 1998 to reward horses that consistently place well at NAMHSA member shows. You can read more about the Merit Award program on NAMHSA's website here.

The duties of the Merit Award Coordinator include the following:
-Communicate (primarily via email) with Merit Award applicants and potential applicants and the NAMHSA Board of Directors as well as the hobby at large.
-Process merit award applications, ensuring all information on the application is accurate; cross check NAN cards with show results; enter data into a spreadsheet; and cross reference the spreadsheet for cumulative awards. 
-Promptly forward checks on to NAMHSA's treasurer and verify PayPal payments.
-Print Merit Award certificates; coordinate, purchase, or re-purpose trophy plaques from the NAMHSA supplier; and ensure an appropriate inventory of plaques are available.
-Collect and organize images of Merit Award winners and facilitate their upload with the NAMHSA Web Team.
-Promote the Merit Award program, including compiling monthly lists of recent Merit Award winners and submitting those to NAMHSA's Public Relations Officer and Web Team.

Required skills:
- Excellent communication skills including spelling/grammar fluency and ability to check email and NAMHSA forum frequently.
-Possess strong spreadsheet and/or database management experience, particularly with Microsoft Excel.
-Familiarity with USPS mailing procedures, including Click-N-Ship.
-Some graphic design knowledge beneficial.

The Merit Award Coordinator is a non-voting, appointed position. The term is three years. Applicants should email a letter of interest specifically addressing the knowledge, skills, and abilities described above to NAMHSA's Vice President, Pat Coulter, at vice-president@namhsa.org. Three references are requested.

NAN 2016 Auction Report

Elena Lemm, NAMHSA Fundraising Coordinator, organized the NAN 2016 Auction. NAMHSA thanks the donors and the high bidders for their support.

The final bids for each lot are as follows:

1. Jewelry Set by Sharon Mossy: $35 
2. Merry Weather mini resin donated by Jenn Danza and painted by Kristen Cermele: $60 
3. Jesse with accessories donated by Yashka Hallein and Jana Skybova: $70 
4. Sherbert Lemmon mini resin donated by Elena Lemm: $60 
5. Arvakr resin, donated by Katja Contu and painted by Angelica Nelson: $110 
6. Jacob resin, donated by Lisa Sharpe and painted by Beatha Sellman: $110 
7. OF Valegro with dressage tack, donated by Cicci Engdahl & Mistic Vintage Tack: $100 
8. Custom traditional jump donated by Cassie Thomas: $35 
9. Gypsy Gold resin, donated by Resins by Randy and painted by Erika Ipes: $120 
10. Crusader mini resin, donated and painted by Jen Olp: $50 
11. Jump with accessories, donated by Model Horse Jumps and Jana Skybova: $60 
12. Copperfox SR Bertie with custom halter, donated by Harriotte Preston: $180 
13. Shetland mini resin, donated by Sheri Rhodes and painted by Kimberly Bleecker: $75 
14. Egyptian Dancing Horse Costume with Stone Arabian, created and donated by Jill Aman: $90 
15. 9x12 original painting by Sue Sudekum: $30 
16. Arab set with Rhapsody in Black, created and donated by Melissa Halvas: $130 
17. Rocket resin, donated by Kitty Cantrell and painted by Caroline Boydston: $800 
18. Performance base by Mike Owen: $90 
19. Custom stablemate by Franceyn Dare: $60 
20. Unlimited entry for NAN 2017, donated by NAMHSA: $170 
21. Jim West donation model, created and donated by Equine Constellation Creation: $100 
22. Test/OOAK Breyer donated by Breyer Animal Creations: $3,000 

Subtotal: $5,535
Expenses: (-$1,087)
Net income 2016: $4,448

NAMHSA Welcomes New Board Members

Following elections in July 2016, the following new NAMHSA regional representatives were announced:
Region 2: Heather Visser region-2@namhsa.org
Region 4: Lindsay Diamond region-4@namhsa.org
Region 6: Nicole “Dot” Ramos region-6@namhsa.org
Region 8: Marilou Mol region-8@namhsa.org
Region 10: Sharon Mossy region-10@namhsa.org

Thank you to all of the past regional representatives for your dedication and service to NAMHSA.

Your current NAMHSA president is Kim Bjorgo-Thorne. Our newly elected vice president is Pat Coulter. Rounding out the balance of regional representatives:
Region 1: Stacy Quick region-1@namhsa.org
Region 3: Yashka Hallein region-2@namhsa.org
Region 5: Lynn Weber region-5@namhsa.org
Region 7: Carol Tuft region-7@namhsa.org
Region 9: Barb DiAnnabella region-9@namhsa.org
Region 11: Lynn Royea region-11@namhsa.org

The NAMHSA Board also includes:
Recording Secretary: Stacy Faraci recording-secretary@namhsa.org
Treasurer: Carmen Robertson treasurer@namhsa.org
Public Relations: Janna Shepherd public-relations@namhsa.org
Web Team: Lynn Weber, Lindsay Diamond, and Heather Malone website@namhsa.org
Parliamentarian: Eleanor Harvey parliamentarian@namhsa.org
Merit Award Coordinator: Dayle Steinke merit-awards@namhsa.org
Membership: Danielle Miller membership@namhsa.org
Show Member Secretary & Results processing: Lindsay Diamond show-secretary@namhsa.org
Member Show of the Year: Chris Wallbruch msoty@namhsa.org
Fundraising: Elena Lemm fundraising@namhsa.org

NAMHSA Seeks a Treasurer

We are currently seeking an individual to serve as treasurer of North American Model Horse Shows Association, Inc. We are a 501c4 organization dedicated to promoting the model horse hobby via the North American Nationals show.

The candidate must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Live near a Bank of America branch.
• Must have basic accounting and check balancing skills, including some knowledge of Quick Books or comparable program.
• Must pay invoices and complete financial reports in a timely manner.
• Keep up with the PayPal account and the BOA account.
• Complete monthly, quarterly and yearly financial reports. Reports are submitted to the VP for approval. Following VP approval, treasurer posts reports to the NAMHSA forum.
• Compile data for NAMHSA's tax returns, and file the annual Franchise Tax Return.
• Maintain NAMHSA's hard copy financial records.
• Pass a criminal background check.

If you are interested, please send your resume, the names and contact information for three references, and a personal statement to NAMHSA Vice President, Pat Coulter at vice-president@namhsa.org.

Merit Award Pickup and NAN Card Recycling at NAN and Breyerfest

Dayle Steinke (Merit Award Coordinator) will be accepting Merit Award applications at this year's North American Nationals from Tuesday through Thursday. There will be a collection box for Merit Award applications at the show hall on all three NAN show days.

Typically when applying for basic Merit Awards, applicants are limited to only ten applications every sixty days. Just as with previous years, as a special promotion during NAN and BreyerFest, the ten application limit will be lifted and applicants may submit an unlimited number of basic applications at $1 each paid via PayPal, cash, or check (made payable to NAMHSA). If paying via PayPal, please include proof of payment with your applications.

You may download the Merit Award Application at http://www.namhsa.org/meritawards/MA-Application.pdf or pick one up in person. For more information visit http://www.namhsa.org/meritawards.htm or contact Dayle at merit-awards@namhsa.org.

Did you host a show and wind up with unused NAN cards? There will also be a collection box for leftover cards at the NAN show hall on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Please bring any cards you have so they can be returned to Lindsay Diamond (Show Secretary) for recycling.

Can't make it to NAN but have Merit Award applications or NAN cards for recycling? Yashka Hallein (Region 3 Rep) will be accepting both during BreyerFest. You can find Yashka at the Clarion in room #344 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. If her door isn't open, please call the room (leave a voicemail if no answer) to coordinate a meeting time. 

NAN Information and Reminders

The 2016 North American Nationals kick off one week from today! 

As a reminder, the 2016 NAN location is:
Rupp Arena/Heritage Hall
Lexington Expo Center
430 West Vine Street
Lexington, KY 40507

The hall will open at 7:00 am all three mornings, and judging will begin at 8:00 am.

Classes will run in the order on the posted schedule, available for download at our website here.

The NAMHSA Annual Meeting will take place at NAN on Wednesday at noon.

Entrants and spectators may want to plan on dressing in layers - Heritage Hall is reported to be historically chilly, despite the hot and humid temperatures outside this time of year!

There will also be Merit Award application and recycled NAN card pickups at both NAN and BreyerFest - stay tuned for details.

Lastly, on behalf of our NAN Sponsorship Coordinators, Sarah Townsend and Rachel Stacey, NAMHSA would like to thank all of our donors and advertisers for their generous contributions to the 2016 North American Nationals Sponsorship Program! We appreciate your support of NAMHSA and NAN!


See you in Kentucky!

All NAN Schedules and Horse Lists Emailed

Greetings from the Registrar. All NAN 2016 Horse Lists and Schedules have been emailed to entrants. If you have not received yours, please email Carra at nanregistrar@namhsa.org.

Also, the final NAN 2016 class list and schedule can be downloaded from our website here.

See you in Kentucky!

NAN 2016 Auction - Item Preview Page is Now Live!

Have you heard? There's going to be a NAN Auction! The auction will be held in the conference space in the Clarion Hotel in Lexington, KY (CHIN) on Thursday, July 21st, 2016 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. It will be a live auction run by Kentucky auctioneer Tim Lyons (license ‪#P1699‬). Items will be at NAN for viewing each day.

Proxy bidding is welcome, payment methods include credit cards through PayPal and cash.  Please contact Fundraising Coordinator Elena Lemm at fundraising@namhsa.org to inquire about proxy bidding.

Auction lots available include a OOAK Breyer on the Cody mold, UNLIMITED entry to NAN 2017, a Rocket resin painted by Caroline Boydston, and a Jim West Memorial benefit fantasy piece!

View the available auction lots on our NAN 2016 Auction Item Preview page!

NAN 2016 - All Volunteer Spots Filled, Thank you!

NAMHSA and the NAN 2016 Co-Chairs Jackie Arns-Rossi and Eleanor Harvey would like to thank everyone who signed up to help run each aspect of this year's North American Nationals. We are looking forward to working with all of you.

See you in Kentucky!

NAN Sponsorship Information

This year, the sponsorship program will be back for NAN with a simplified format. This program will be used to offset expenses for the physical NAN program and for other general expenses of the show. We have included opportunities for advertising, sponsoring a specific class, and honoring a loved one.

We will get back to everyone who has already contacted us to confirm they're on our list this week.

All sponsorships and advertisements need to be finalized by July 10th.

The new levels of sponsorship are:

• Platinum - Full page ad located within the program - $150 
• Gold - Half page ad - $90 
• Silver - Quarter page ad - $50
• Bronze - 1/8th Page ad - $30
• Class - Your name or stable/business name with the class you are sponsoring - $15
• Class - in memoriam - $10 name of person / pet you wish to honor along with the class being sponsored

All ads will be printed in the program given to each entrant at NAN (including those who are having models proxy shown). This is a great way to advertise your business or announce a show or organization. If you need help producing an ad, we can provide a list of people who will do it for a fee. After the North American Nationals, the program is also archived on the NAMHSA web page. The program is printed in black and white only.

Class sponsorships will be listed in the program and announced as the class is called at NAN.

Each class may only have one sponsor, so if there is a specific class you want to sponsor please do it early.

For further information and to sponsor please email nan_sponsorship@namhsa.org

Thank you,
Sarah Townsend and Rachel Stacy
NAN Sponsorship Coordinators
nan_sponsorship@namhsa.org

NAN 2016 Auction!

Have you heard? There's going to be a NAN Auction! The auction will be held in the conference space in the Clarion Hotel in Lexington, KY (CHIN) on Thursday, July 21st, 2016 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. It will be a live auction run by Kentucky auctioneer Tim Lyons (license ‪#P1699‬). Items will be at NAN for viewing each day.

Proxy bidding is welcome, payment methods include credit cards through PayPal and cash.

Auction lots available include a OOAK Breyer on the Cody mold, UNLIMITED entry to NAN 2017, a Rocket resin painted by Caroline Boydston, and a Jim West Memorial benefit fantasy piece!

More information will be coming - check out our Facebook page for photos of items until then.

NAMHSA Welcomes New Recording Secretary

Recently, the Board of Directors voted to approve Stacy Faraci as NAMHSA’s newest Recording Secretary. As Recording Secretary, Stacy’s responsibilities for the next three years will include: recording and posting the bi-monthly minutes; maintaining a permanent record of past minutes; administering and recording all annual and special elections; creating and maintaining the polls that the Board uses to vote on issues; and maintaining an Excel spreadsheet of NAMHSA membership for balloting purposes. 

"Hello, I'm Stacy Faraci and I'm thrilled to be back on the NAMHSA Board Of Directors as Recording Secretary. Many of you will recognize me from NAN 2012, my time as the Region 7 Representative or the shows I've hosted in Region 7 and 10.

I collect vintage Breyers and Chinas. My collection once numbered over 1500 but is now a much easier to manage 250 or so. I have been collecting for 25 years and showing for 15. My favorite molds are the Proud Arabian Mare, the g1 Arabian Stallion and Silver.

In my spare time I am a stay at home mom to my 11 month old daughter and enjoy reading, writing, sewing and crafting.

I'm excited to serve this hobby once again!"

Stacy will be replacing the outgoing Recording Secretary, Jackie Arns-Rossi. NAMHSA would like to thank Jackie for her previous years of dedicated service. NAMHSA also thanks all applicants and appreciates their interest in this position.

For further inquiries you may write to Stacy at recording-secretary@namhsa.org.

NAMHSA Seeks a Vice President

Have you always wanted to know how the world's largest model horse hobby organization works from the inside? Do you have ideas about how to make the model horse showing world bigger and better? Do you have what it takes to represent the nation on the NAMHSA Board of Directors? If you have answered Yes to these questions, then NAMHSA Wants YOU!

Current NAMHSA Members, it is time to nominate candidates for Vice President. As a NAMHSA Member, it is your privilege and responsibility to nominate candidates for the office.

The NAMHSA 2016-2017 Vice President will take office at NAN 2016. Their term will be for one year, at which time they will then assume the office of President. Members may nominate anyone for the office (including themselves), however, you MUST be certain the person you are nominating has confirmed they are willing to run for office.

Candidates need to be aware that the job requires making the time and commitment to QUICKLY respond to Board work and issues. Board members assume ultimate responsibility for running NAMHSA and assuring a quality NAN. Daily internet accessibility is required, as the NAMHSA Board is primarily an online forum and email entity. It requires the ability to read and respond to Board forum posts and emails every day.

Vice Presidential duties include:

• Act as the first officer to the President to carry out NAMHSA business;
• Perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President; and
• Serve as the President's representative as directed.
• The VP is the list owner of the NAMHSA-Discussion Yahoo Group and is a member/moderator on all regional Yahoo Groups.
• The VP has voting power.

In addition, the VP will be a member of the Finance Committee, which includes the following duties:
“The VP should have on-line access to review the accounts. The VP shall review the account balance on a random basis (no less than every other week), and shall view an image of every paid check. After each review, the VP shall post to the BOD the result of the review. The VP shall receive the paid checks and compare the reconciliations to the bank accounts and notify the finance committee that they have been approved. The VP shall NOT be a signer on the account.”
The VP will also be responsible for reviewing and approving the monthly, quarterly, annual, and NAN financial reports.

The sitting VP may show at NAN.

After serving a one year term, the Vice President will assume the office of NAMHSA President for a one year term beginning at the membership meeting held in conjunction with NAN. Please review NAMHSA Bylaws Article V, Section 4 for information regarding the office of NAMHSA President.

All about nominating a 2016-2017 VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE:

**Use the form below for your nomination**

THE NOMINATION DEADLINE IS June 7th, 2016.

Voting Ballots for the election will be sent out in June. To send in your nominee(s), you must provide ALL of the information requested below. NAMHSA has to contact each nominee to confirm they want to run, so complete contact information is essential. Your nomination should be submitted at http://www.namhsa.org/nominations.htm or emailed to the NAMHSA Recording Secretary. To send your nomination via email, simply copy and paste the information below into a new email and send to vote@namhsa.org. Please put “NAMHSA Nominee” in your subject line.

NOMINATION FORM
Your Name:
Your Address (City, State):
Your Region:
My nominee for Vice President is:
Name:
Address (City, State):
Region:
Email address (Must provide!):
**DID YOU ASK THIS PERSON IF THEY ARE WILLING TO BE A CANDIDATE?**

Time to NOMINATE Reps for Regions 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10

Have you always wanted to know how the world’s largest model horse hobby organization works from the inside? Do you have ideas about how to make the model horse showing world bigger and better? Do you have what it takes to represent your Region on the NAMHSA Board of Directors? If you have answered Yes to these questions, then NAMHSA Wants YOU!

Current NAMHSA Members, it is time to nominate candidates for Regional Representative for Regions 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. As a NAMHSA Member, it is your privilege and responsibility to nominate candidates for your region.

The NAMHSA 2016-2018 Regional Representatives will take office at NAN 2016. Their term will be for two years, ending at NAN 2018. This year, only EVEN-numbered regions are up for election (odd-numbered regions will be up for election in 2017). Members may nominate anyone for the office (including themselves), however, you MUST be certain the person you are nominating has confirmed they are willing to run for office. Current office holders (whose terms are expiring at NAN 2016) may be nominated again, provided they are willing to run for re-election. The nominee must reside within the Region for which he or she is nominated.

Candidates need to be aware that the job requires a lot of communicating between the members in their region and the Board, and requires making the time and commitment to QUICKLY respond to Board work and issues. Board members assume ultimate responsibility for running NAMHSA and assuring a quality NAN. Daily internet accessibility is required, as the NAMHSA Board is primarily an online forum and email entity. It requires the ability to read and respond to Board forum posts and emails every day. Representatives are a moderator of their respective regional YahooGroup lists, and are encouraged to participate in discussions with their constituents regarding NAMHSA issues.

*All about nominating a 2016-2018 EVEN-NUMBERED REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE*

**Use the form below for your nomination**

The NAMHSA Board of Directors includes 11 Regional Representatives who are nominated by the NAMHSA members within their region.

Here are the NAMHSA Regions. Please remember that only *EVEN-numbered* regions (in bold) are eligible for election this year.
Region 1: Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
Region 2: California, Hawaii, Mexico, Nevada
Region 3: Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico
Region 4: Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska
Region 5: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana
Region 6: Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina
Region 7: Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee
Region 8: Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri
Region 9: West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Region 10: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York
Region 11: Canada (all provinces)

*THE NOMINATION DEADLINE IS June 7th, 2016.*

Voting Ballots for the election will be sent out in June. To send in your nominee(s), you must provide ALL of the information requested below. NAMHSA has to contact each nominee to confirm they want to run, so complete contact information is essential. Your nomination should be submitted at http://www.namhsa.org/nominations.htm or emailed to the NAMHSA Recording Secretary. To send your nomination via email, simply copy and paste the information below into a new email and send to vote@namhsa.org. Please put “NAMHSA Nominee” in your subject line.

NOMINATION FORM
YOUR name:
YOUR Address (city, state):
YOUR Region:
My nominee for my region's Regional Representative is:
Name:
Address (city, state):
Email address (Must provide!):
**DID YOU ASK THIS PERSON IF THEY ARE WILLING TO BE A CANDIDATE?**

NAMHSA Pony Pouches For Sale!

 

NAMHSA is proud to offer custom NAMHSA Pony Pouches (made by Lori Batchelor of Pony Pouches By Lori) for sale in limited editions. Currently we are offering Traditional-sized pouches in two color options: (a) black with a purple patch, and (b) purple with a black patch. The current designs will be available to order between now and NAN 2016, and then a new design is planned for November 2017. There are some in stock now ready for immediate shipment, and more can be ordered with an approximately two week wait time. 

How to order: 

1. Download the NAMHSA Pony Pouch Order Form found here (which can also be found on our Fundraising page).

2. Send the completed NAMHSA Pony Pouch Order Form to fundraising@namhsa.org. Please indicate whether you have sent payment via Paypal (include email address and name to match up your order and payment) or via check/money order. If you sent a check/money order, please indicate the date that payment was mailed. 

3. Send payment via Paypal to treasurer@namhsa.org; or mail a check or money order (made out to NAMHSA) to NAMHSA, PO Box 1271, Decatur, TX 76234. Payment must clear before pouches will be shipped.

NAMHSA Seeks a 2016 NAN Head Steward

 

Would you be willing to help organize and run the largest and most prestigious model horse show in North America? Do you want to serve your fellow hobbyists in an essential capacity? Are you organized, responsible and able to commit to attending NAN 2016? Then please consider applying for the position of NAN Head Steward.

NAN 2016 will be conducted July 19-21, 2016 in Lexington, KY. The Head Steward must be present all three days of NAN. Both before and during the event, the NAN Head Steward will coordinate with the NAN Chairs and NAN Registrar to ensure that the show runs smoothly.

The duties of the NAN Head Steward include (but are not limited to):
1) Arrive early (before doors open to the showers) each day, gather stewards, and conduct steward meeting.
2) Assign stewards to rings as appropriate. Explain flow of classes, calls to rings, location of class/judges sheets, verifying correct entries, judge assignment, result sheets collected and taken to Registrar. Walk stewards through all steps.
3) Monitor rings to confirm stewards are present and have no issues.
4) Answer basic questions from stewards, judges, and entrants as appropriate.
5) Refer any additional questions/issues to NAN Chair(s) as needed.
6) Transfer models remaining in rings to pony pound after announcements concerning end of prior class.
7) Enforce "no pictures" rule during actual judging of classes.
8) Remind judges (frequently) of no talking policy while they have clipboards.
9) Assist stewards in maintaining separation between judges and entrants/spectators while classes are being judged.
10) Supervise ribbon/awards tables as needed.
11) Submit a full recap of NAN from this position - what was done that was new, what worked, what did not work, and suggestions for the future.

Please note: The NAN Head Steward must have knowledge of model horse showing processes and specifically must have prior experience attending and/or volunteering at NAN within the last five years. The time commitment for this position starts when hired by the Board of Directors and concludes after all NAN related tasks are finished after NAN is over. The time commitment is most intense from May until NAN. The NAN Head Steward WILL NOT be able to show at NAN. There is a maximum stipend of $300 for this position (plus $10 for lunch each day for all three days of NAN), which will only be paid after NAN 2016 upon successful completion of all tasks and obligations and may be may be reduced if specific duties before, during, or after NAN are not executed to the Board's satisfaction.

If you are interested in being the 2016 NAN Head Steward, please fill out the form on our Volunteer page by February 6th, 2016.

NAMHSA Seeks Recording Secretary

 

Are you interested in being involved in NAMHSA? Do you have excellent written and organizational skills? Can you devote a few hours a week to the job? Then NAMHSA wants you!

NAMHSA seeks a new Recording Secretary. The term for the Recording Secretary is three years, beginning in February 2016 and ending in January 2019. The Recording Secretary is a non-voting Board position.

Responsibilities include:
--Recording and posting the bi-monthly minutes. These include, but are not limited to, the new show listings, financial reports and monthly representative reports.

--Maintaining a permanent record of past minutes.

--Administering and recording the annual Representative and Vice-Presidential elections.

--Administering and recording any special elections that may occur (such as by-law changes or interim officer elections).

--Creating and maintaining the polls that the Board uses to vote on issues.

--Maintaining an Excel spreadsheet of NAMHSA members for balloting purposes. The individual in this position will work closely with the Member Secretary, the NAN Registrar, and the Show Secretary to help keep track of new members.


The position requires utilizing the NAMHSA BOD Forum at least once daily. Minutes should be recorded as the month progresses, rather than all at once. While the position is a non-voting one, constructive opinions and discussion participation are encouraged.

If you are interested in applying for the Recording Secretary position, please fill out the form on our Volunteer page by January 31, 2016.