Summer has finally arrived and our ODS activities are really picking up. Last month on June 28, 29 and 30th we were honored to have Charlotte Bredahl-Baker come for a 2 day youth clinic and a half day reserved for adult rides. The clinic was held at Tom Murray and Steven Schachter of Viola Farms with perfect clinic weather. Charlotte was wonderful with our youth. They were invited to sit near her before and after their rides. As she was giving instruction to a rider she often would quiz the youth members as to why she was asking the horse or rider to do an exercise or movement. She made them think as to why they were doing something and the purpose behind it. See the August issue of Flying Changes Magazine for an article written by two of the kids who participated. We are hoping to have her back on a regular basis. You will want to make it a must to go clinic the next time she comes.
Of course since it is August it must mean that the ODS Youth Camp is taking place followed up by the Jr/YR Team Competition. As an ODS member you should be proud of our youth programs. Not all GMO’s have a strong youth program and if dressage is to continue as a sport we need to support our youth because they are our future leaders.
On another note regarding our youth, recently ODS awarded the Winnie Heiney Duncan youth scholarship to Lauren Martin and Lauren was able to meet Winnie in person at the Cascade Dressage Show hosted by the Cascade Chapter- ODS held in Tulelake, CA. (insert picture IMG_0435, please) “Here is a picture of Lauren with Winnie at the Tulelake show. They were two peas in a pod! Adorable. Lauren brought her a Thank You card and a plant. They talked about how Lauren would spend her scholarship. Thanks for everything- Nichole Martin ”
A few short weeks the ODS Championship Show will be held. Tom Murray has taken on the role of Sponsorship Coordinator. He is actively looking or sponsors at all levels. The ODS Championship show is one way that you can get involved and help. If you don’t have time perhaps you may be able to provide financial support? This show has provided a major financial support to our budget. It is because of this show and other activities that we have been able to hold the cost of our memberships. The last time ODS has asked for a dues raise was in 2011.
Elections are also coming up and we need new people and new ideas. Last year at the Annual board meeting I announced then that I would not be serving a third term. It would be easy to continue, but I have always believed that there needs to be new people take the helm with new ideas. I look at my years on the board and one of the gratifying things I can say I take from my activities are the friends and relationships I have developed. I have not had my leg over a horse’s back in more than 10 years and miss that, but I know I would miss my friends more.
Keep your news and feedback coming to me – we love to hear how you are doing.
Gaye McCabe
From Joyce Stride, Special Awards Chair:
Awards Committee:
August 1 is the deadline to nominate a person for the ODS Volunteer of the Year and for the Chapter Newsletter. Nominations can be sent to the ODS Office or directly to the chair, Joyce Stride. Nominations for these two categories have been light over the past 2 years. Look around within your chapter for those doing good things and perhaps receiving a little recognition and write a quick note outlining why the person is the best choice. The ODS recipients for these two categories are automatically submitted to USDF to be considered for the USDF Region 6 GMO Awards Recipients. The balance of the ODS Special Awards nominations are due on October 1st. Joyce Stride (503) 647-0168.
Office Updates:
ODS Office Summer Hours:
Office hours are typically Tu/Th from 9 – 1, however the ODS Office will be intermittently closed throughout the months of June, July and August. If you have an urgent situation and cannot reach our part-time staff person, please contact an ODS Officer or Director as listed here in Flying Changes or on the ODS Website.
Insurance for Chapter and Committee Activities:
Every event that involves horses hosted by your chapter or committee must have an insurance application submitted. Reminder that we are submitting our insurance applications to our agent only once a month, on the second Tuesday; if we submit more than once a month, we are subject to additional processing fees. The correct application to use is an active PDF which you can type in before printing – posted online. Please make every attempt to type it out because it helps reduce errors due to trying to read handwriting. Do not use applications saved in your computer as older versions are now obsolete. Please review our website insurance page as it contains forms in regards to insurance including a general ODS waiver, a volunteer waiver, an accident form, vendors with current liability on file and more.
Office Notes:
We Need Your Input and Leadership: Nominees for ODS Board of Directors Positions Sought!
Please take this opportunity to have an input to the workings of ODS. The ODS Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for members who wish to serve on the ODS Board of Directors. Two Directors-at -Large are to be elected along with at least one Regional Representative from each of the four ODS regions. A Director-At-Large serves a 3 year term and represents the interest of all ODS members at Board meetings. Regional Representatives serve a 1 year term and represents the interests of their specific regions. ODS Officers are elected from Directors-At-Large. Their term year is November through October of the next year. All Directors-At-Large and Regional Representatives are expected to attend all Board Meetings (generally 4 per year), serve on committees, participate in discussions between meetings, and vote on issues presented. Regional Representatives are expected to discuss issues with Chapters and general members within their region and represent those views at Board or committee meetings. Nominations may be made by any ODS member in good standing – you may self-nominate if you so choose.