Post by marafia on Sept 9, 2009 21:13:37 GMT
please see a copy of all the words in my chairmans letter
Chairman’s report
By Stuart Finlay
The Groups Future
I shall start this report getting straight to the main point. A few weeks ago the committee was sent a letter from the Arab Horse Society. This letter gave a clear instruction that by December of this year, all regional groups must no longer be associated with the AHS and any association must be removed from group’s names i.e. the use of AHS. The reason for this instruction was to give both the AHS and the group’s legal and financial security. The letter also gave advice on possibly becoming a limited company. As you can imagine I was somewhat shocked when I read this as it had many far-reaching effects on our group. The biggest is that the name the Scottish Regional Group of the Arab Horse Society will no longer exist.
Since the group’s creations many people have played a major part in the promotion of the Arabian horse here in Scotland, nothing will change this in the future. Our name will change but our horses will still be there, so it is important that we take this as an opportunity to take a fresh new approach to the group and create a new name as soon as possible. We have had several suggestions for a name but we would like you to play a part in this. So would appreciate your input.
Some suggestions include: -
Scottish Arabian Group (S A G ) ,
Scottish Arabian Horse Group ( S A H G ) ,
Scottish Arabian Horses and Riders Association ( SAHARA ) .
Please contact us with your suggestions to allow a name to be chosen to take the group forward.
I have spoken with Christina Roebuck, who is on the AHS council and asked her to play a part in the future of the group by sitting in on our committee meetings. Christina has previously played a very important part in the Scottish group and I am sure many will know her. This input from her will give a positive tie with the main AHS and I am sure this will be a major benefit for the group.
Christina will also be at the AGM where she will be able to reassure everyone regards the changes. The shows we hold will still be affiliated to the AHS and under the AHS rules.
If you have any concerns, feel free to contact anyone on committee and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have.
The committee has also had a new member in recent weeks Susan McArthur, she too has had previous experience on committee and her knowledge and experience will be a great bonus for the group. Already she has represented us at the Post Royal Highland Show meeting and put forward many suggestions, which I am pleased to tell you they will take the points on board and we will see changes at the Royal Highland show next year.
Kaye Ferguson has now left the committee due to personal commitments, but she will still be part of our sub committee and continue with the forum.
Experience is vital in best serving our group and it has been a pleasure to see Lynn Scott Cockle take on board the role of show secretary for the northern show. This event was professionally organised and was a total credit to her. Along with her other business skills and jobs she has played a very important part in the daily running of the group.
The committee has many other stars, Moira Pickering who has total control of the purse strings as our treasurer, Alison Murray who has shown her wonderful talents as our merchandiser. Margaret Bower has done a terrific job with the newsletter and her contribution with crabbet horses has been of great benefit too. Lynn Tait and Elizabeth Ferguson have both done superbly raising sponsorship for our shows and they have been of great support to the group. Lorraine Robertson, Audrey, Angela and Joyce also play a very important role too.
I am sure you will agree we have a great team, and the strength of it has shown through by our achievements this year. I am certain this success will continue.
This brings me to my own news, due to personal commitments at work and my health; I will step down from my role as show secretary. I will still stay on as Chair and try my best to create a strong foundation to take the group forward. Along with Lynn Scott Cockle we will share our experience with the new show secretary.
I have a plan B if this role is not filled in the immediate future but let us see if there is an energetic person with good computer skills who can assist. Can you help?
I had considered coming of committee completely, but I have changed my mind
It would be wrong of me to step down as the group needs to stay fully on course over the months ahead and to be honest I would miss everyone. You are all under my skin now.
This will leave the position of show secretary open. So from now up until the AGM I would ask that if anyone is interested in filling this role please join the committee.
If you have past experience as a show secretary or on our committee or other committees please come forward. We have a fantastic group and I am 100% sure it will go on and continue to grow in strength.
A fresh approach is a good thing.
The group has gained a true living spirit through the forum this year and it has brought us all together. Sharing sad times, the joys of days out and of course our horses. It has also closed the distance gap between us all. It also lets us share together in the successes at shows in Scotland and down south too. It has been a fantastic year for the group and a great joy to see the numbers taking part in events and shows increasing.
We are proud of you all.
The committee will keep you posted with developments and I give an assurance that we will continue.
So I shall finish by saying, “keep flying the flag for our Arabians”.
Yours faithfully
Stuart
Chairman’s report
By Stuart Finlay
The Groups Future
I shall start this report getting straight to the main point. A few weeks ago the committee was sent a letter from the Arab Horse Society. This letter gave a clear instruction that by December of this year, all regional groups must no longer be associated with the AHS and any association must be removed from group’s names i.e. the use of AHS. The reason for this instruction was to give both the AHS and the group’s legal and financial security. The letter also gave advice on possibly becoming a limited company. As you can imagine I was somewhat shocked when I read this as it had many far-reaching effects on our group. The biggest is that the name the Scottish Regional Group of the Arab Horse Society will no longer exist.
Since the group’s creations many people have played a major part in the promotion of the Arabian horse here in Scotland, nothing will change this in the future. Our name will change but our horses will still be there, so it is important that we take this as an opportunity to take a fresh new approach to the group and create a new name as soon as possible. We have had several suggestions for a name but we would like you to play a part in this. So would appreciate your input.
Some suggestions include: -
Scottish Arabian Group (S A G ) ,
Scottish Arabian Horse Group ( S A H G ) ,
Scottish Arabian Horses and Riders Association ( SAHARA ) .
Please contact us with your suggestions to allow a name to be chosen to take the group forward.
I have spoken with Christina Roebuck, who is on the AHS council and asked her to play a part in the future of the group by sitting in on our committee meetings. Christina has previously played a very important part in the Scottish group and I am sure many will know her. This input from her will give a positive tie with the main AHS and I am sure this will be a major benefit for the group.
Christina will also be at the AGM where she will be able to reassure everyone regards the changes. The shows we hold will still be affiliated to the AHS and under the AHS rules.
If you have any concerns, feel free to contact anyone on committee and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have.
The committee has also had a new member in recent weeks Susan McArthur, she too has had previous experience on committee and her knowledge and experience will be a great bonus for the group. Already she has represented us at the Post Royal Highland Show meeting and put forward many suggestions, which I am pleased to tell you they will take the points on board and we will see changes at the Royal Highland show next year.
Kaye Ferguson has now left the committee due to personal commitments, but she will still be part of our sub committee and continue with the forum.
Experience is vital in best serving our group and it has been a pleasure to see Lynn Scott Cockle take on board the role of show secretary for the northern show. This event was professionally organised and was a total credit to her. Along with her other business skills and jobs she has played a very important part in the daily running of the group.
The committee has many other stars, Moira Pickering who has total control of the purse strings as our treasurer, Alison Murray who has shown her wonderful talents as our merchandiser. Margaret Bower has done a terrific job with the newsletter and her contribution with crabbet horses has been of great benefit too. Lynn Tait and Elizabeth Ferguson have both done superbly raising sponsorship for our shows and they have been of great support to the group. Lorraine Robertson, Audrey, Angela and Joyce also play a very important role too.
I am sure you will agree we have a great team, and the strength of it has shown through by our achievements this year. I am certain this success will continue.
This brings me to my own news, due to personal commitments at work and my health; I will step down from my role as show secretary. I will still stay on as Chair and try my best to create a strong foundation to take the group forward. Along with Lynn Scott Cockle we will share our experience with the new show secretary.
I have a plan B if this role is not filled in the immediate future but let us see if there is an energetic person with good computer skills who can assist. Can you help?
I had considered coming of committee completely, but I have changed my mind
It would be wrong of me to step down as the group needs to stay fully on course over the months ahead and to be honest I would miss everyone. You are all under my skin now.
This will leave the position of show secretary open. So from now up until the AGM I would ask that if anyone is interested in filling this role please join the committee.
If you have past experience as a show secretary or on our committee or other committees please come forward. We have a fantastic group and I am 100% sure it will go on and continue to grow in strength.
A fresh approach is a good thing.
The group has gained a true living spirit through the forum this year and it has brought us all together. Sharing sad times, the joys of days out and of course our horses. It has also closed the distance gap between us all. It also lets us share together in the successes at shows in Scotland and down south too. It has been a fantastic year for the group and a great joy to see the numbers taking part in events and shows increasing.
We are proud of you all.
The committee will keep you posted with developments and I give an assurance that we will continue.
So I shall finish by saying, “keep flying the flag for our Arabians”.
Yours faithfully
Stuart
