Present for the meeting was: Al Veal, Michelle, Chuck, Jennifer, & Kristina Steffen, Tom Keene, Liz Vas, Alda & Odell Cloud, Henry Clay, Debbie Franks, Shirley & Connie Mayfield, Sally Altenbernt, Chatrina Richardson, Rick Boone, Aaron Mullins, Karen Clayton, Donna Nieman, Bill Beach & Pat Graustein.
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 by Michelle Steffen.
It was voted to keep the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. If it makes a member uncomfortable they can remain quietly seated.
The 50/50 raffle collected $24.50 in which the winner Liz Vas won $12.25.
There is no crime report this month as Lisa King was called away for
a family emergency and couldn't attend. We all hope everything is okay
Lisa.
Old Business
Michelle's sister has volunteered to sew saddle pads for our group. They will be made of a canvas material and trimmed around the edges. We are having patches made of our logo to put on the corners of the saddle pads. The cost of these pads will be $25. If you didn't sign up for one at the meeting and would like one contact Michelle ASAP. To help lower the cost we discussed seeing if we can use some of the money we have in an account at the Sheriff's office to cover the cost of the patches.
We voted to leave the uniforms as is. Yellow shirt, black pants and a black hat.
Lisa King has managed to talk Cellular 1 into donating 20 phones for a year.
We are entered in the 4th of July Parade in Ypsilanti and by April's meeting we should be entered in their Memorial Day Parade. Becky Boone has offered to drive their truck and pull a wagon for the non riding members.
A suggested vaccination program is tetanus,flu,EEE,WEE, Potomac, strangles and Coggins for EIA. It was also suggested everyone show how often they worm. This is up for vote at the next meeting so if you questions or comments that's the meeting to attend.
The training with the Sheriff viewing us has been changed to May 4. We're working on where. Tom is checking on using Sanford Park in Milan. March 30 we'll meet at the Township Hall for training at 1:00.
New Business
Lewis & Michelle met with the Sheriff Ron Scheibl & Lisa King
Tuesday March 12 to discuss his worries about our group doing
Public functions. The Sheriff's department will continue giving us
any training and information we need or want. That is the limit of
what they are willing to do for us as a group. He recommended we
file for a non-profit organization license to protect our members
and officers from any future liabilities. Lewis Maynard has put in
a call to a lawyer whose a friend to see if he will help us with
the filing. More on their visit with the Sheriff will be discussed
at the next meeting.
Al Veal has checked and found that we were never put on the
NCIC list which lists the groups to be called for Search and Rescue
operations. The State Police has said they will endorse us and put
our group on the list. They are also willing to take us under
their wing and work with us if we're inserted.
It was suggested that each member do a resume on them and
their horses listing all of their experiences and abilities. By
putting this together we might alleviate the worries others have
about our group and our abilities. You can start turning these in
at the next meeting if you like.
Our insurance policy expires July 13. On this policy we are
covered for 7 events. This about $35 for any events over the first
7. We are covered up to $500,000 for liability and 5,000 for
medical. There is not deductible. We are not covered for search
and rescue. However we are covered during training. It covers up
to 100 members. To put it in effect they have to receive notice
about 7 days before an event. When the renewal comes up everyone
will be asked to donate $15.00 and anything left over will go into
the
fund for covering any extra events we might need insured.
Save your receipts for any expenses from the mounted unit as
its tax deductible.
Lewis suggested we set up a search & rescue at Waterloo in the
near future. Karen made the motion and Tom seconded it. The
Motion was carried. Michelle made a motion that we set a date
next meeting and Liz seconded it. This motion also carried.
The phone tree is not working. When you receive a call about
a change of plans or cancellation of a training you are suppose to
call the name/names after yours on the list you received last
month. If when you make your call and you leave a message on the
persons machine or with another person you should either call back
later or
the person called should call back to let it be knows the message
was received. Unless you are told not to use the phone tree call
your 1 or 2 people when ever receiving a call with news about the
mounted unit.
At the last Officer's meeting we discussed setting an age limit
for riding with the Patrol and for riding in Parades. HEre are our
ideas. 13 to ride with the patrol without parents in attendance. At
16 they can ride in parades without parents in attendance. What
are your ideas? Bring them up at the next meeting. We also thought
it might be a good idea to set up a
obstacles with their horses to ride in the parades. How do you
feel about this?
The meeting was adjourned at 8:28
Next training March 30 at the Township hall at 1:00
Next meeting April 10 at Fire hall
For Sale: 5-6 year old
10-12 gaited m spook, & good r 10 mth spotted
Contact Kermit Sizemoore
April 27 4-H used tack sale at county fair grounds in Saline 11-4
May 11 Spring Roundup Horse show. We're doing First Aid for this event.