VPDA Meeting, Minutes and Updates 12 Feb 2012
Hello Friends, First I must apologize for not forcing another meeting on you during the previous 6 months and another apology for not conducting our elections in January. Anyhow, we do need to have a meeting and it will be conducted at Daphne Benton's farm on Sunday 4 March at 2PM in Kilmarnock, VA. If snow and/or ice on the 4th we'll reschedule for the 11th. If anyone in by area would like a ride, contact me or meet me at my house at noon. I'll drive my Suburban.
Our last meeting was conducted on 11 Sept, 2011 at my home. We had planned to have another meeting at our Fall Show on 5 Nov, but that never materialized. Sid had given a Treasurers report on 5 Nov of $4309.18. For those that participated in the State Fair 29 Sept - 9 Oct, Chris Raines said we had another great event with about 200,000 people passing through the tent. We had nearly 200 entries with 27 varieties of birds. Chris said we cleared over $1100.00 after all expenses were paid. Likewise 4 new members joined. Special thanks to Henry Glazebrook for spending the extra hours and dedicating an extensive effort to making this another great year at the Fair.
On Nov 5th we had our annual Show at the Chester fairgrounds. The plan was nearly 1800 birds but a number of clubs that had planned to participate, were no-shows. Although only about 1400 entries, everyone had a great time. With so many club no-shows we only made nearly $400 after all expenses. Thanks to all who helped set up and clean up.
After a year of planning, at Louisville, I was told by the POC for the National, that Florida would not need our cages for the National and that the NPA was obtaining cages from other sources. Ten days before the National was to be conducted, I received a call from the NPA indicating that they were desperate for cages and that we were their last attempt to provide cages. Bob Kash and I took 1800 of our holes down to Florida. Likewise, I was told after the show that if we had not provided the cages, the National might have been cancelled. Four clubs provided cages but we provided more than Yt the holes. Bob and I tagged all the cages with our new tags. The National had about 3100 entries.
I have been looking for a trailer to store our cages because Chris needs his garage and I need my trailer. My trailer, currently sitting in Chris's driveway is only a single axle and can only hold Y^ our cages. Besides I would like to retrieve my trailer and use it for other purposes. With Bob Kash's help we have found a 8' wide 20' long, dual axle open vehicle trailer with 4' high side bars to hold more than enough cages. Our plan is put the trailer in Chris's name and store the cages in the trailer. We will do an amendment to the constitution for club property. We do have to decide if we want more cages as we have had 3 contacts offering past club cages for sale.
Also, I was ask by some officers of the NPA if we would consider sponsoring a National in our area, I don't make decisions without a club vote, so there are a lot of conditions we need to discuss before ever entertaining a National opportunity.
Our next meeting requires elections for: President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer, Show Superintendent, Fair Superintendent, Public Relations Director, Annual Picnic Chair. These elections are for a period of 2 years. If anyone is interested in any of these positions make us aware of your preferences before or during the meeting.
This letter is being sent to members on our list that are paid for 2011 and 2012. Those that have let their membership lapse for 2 years will only get a letter telling them that they are being dropped from membership if dues are not paid up during the next 60 days. If you know any of these members please inform them of this decision and seek their rejoining/renewal. Likewise, those of you that are current will also be receiving, via snail mail, a latest roster, renewal information, and a self addressed envelope to return the questionnaire I need to update records. If s been many years since we've been able to identify the breeds of birds you raise, and be able to help other hobbyists with breeds. I also want to find out if you have a valid email address and if you want it to be put on our website. We don't want to put your email on the website unless you approve. However, it is always nice hearing from fellow pigeon friends if they know how to find us. And, it saves the club money if I can keep you informed by using email. Please don't waste or through away the stamped envelope.
Remember, anyone wishing to renew membership at this time. $15 for family and $10.00 for single.
Directions to Daphne's house - Most can put the address in the GPS. If you're coming from the Richmond Area, get on 17 or 360 going east. Continue over the Tappahanock River using Rt 360 east until running into Rt 200 on right to Kilmarnock. Take 200 to Kilmarnock. Rt 200 turns into Jessie Dupont Highway and closer to Kilmarnock it is called North Church St. If you take Jessie Dupont South Daphne's house is 2 miles on North side of town. It's a big white house with a silo next door on Jessie Dupont Highway. See you at 2PM.