The Indiana Angus Auxiliary met for the annual Spring Luncheon at Auntie Aimee’s Tea Room in Hope, IN at 11 a.m. on April 12, 2008. Approximately thirty ladies enjoyed the delicious meal after which Gordon Elsbury presented a short program on flowering plants for outside gardens. He graciously donated his speaking fee to the Auxiliary’s scholarship fund in honor of the Glenn Boyd family for whom he worked as a teenager.
The meeting was then called to order by President Jamie Lowes who thanked the Southern Association ladies for the arrangements for the meeting and the lovely table decorations and favors. Secretary Karen Smith read the minutes from the December meeting and they were approved as read. The treasurer’s report noted a balance of $5839.04 in the general fund. Sharon Sommers reported the balances on our savings account and CD’s that are a part of the scholarship fund. It was noted that we have scholarship heifers promised for the next three years: 2008, Locust Hill; 2009, Jernas; and 2010, Steve Patton.
Discussion followed concerning changing age requirements for our Angus Princess due to the difficulty we have had over the last few years in finding girls who are willing to compete for the honor. Tracy Leeper did some research to find out what other states did and discovered that many states have multiple princesses from younger age groups. Julia Wickard moved that we change our current age requirements for the Princess to age 14 – 18 and add a position for a Junior Princess, from age 10 up to age 13. Karen Smith suggested amending the motion to say that a girl becomes eligible to run for Junior Princess from the time she can join the Junior Association until she reaches 13. Pam Lindemood seconded and the motion carried as amended. The Queen Committee will be asked to work out the funding details and the new rules will begin with the 2008 Annual meeting.
Julia Wickard reported for the nominating committee that Melanie Ritz has designated a willingness to be the 2nd Vice-President in 2009. Barbara Lacey has submitted her resignation from that office due to the difficulty of knowing how to take care of the Awards that are handled by that office. President Jamie Lowes suggested that a permanent Awards committee be established to provide continuity in providing the awards. She felt that the first Vice-President should chair the committee and the entire Executive Board should form the committee. Sharon Sommers moved that the Auxiliary delete the office of 2nd Vice-President in future years and have the Awards committee instead. Natalie Barker seconded and the motion carried. Sharon will publish the changes to the guidelines and a final vote will be taken in December. The Awards Committee may need to have a co-chair.
Following the business, Jack Sweeney gave a short presentation on the Indiana Angus Association History Project and asked for everyone’s help to compile the information he needs. He told us of the many documents he has found and the many people who have already helped.
Some discussion followed on the results of the silent auction at the Information Futurity. The donated items brought in a total of $400 this past March. The baskets sold at the Hoosier Beef Congress brought in a similar amount. By consensus the membership agreed to continue these projects if the Association continues to have the Futurity and participate in the Beef Congress.
It was noted that the Bose Public Affairs Group sent a $50 donation to the Auxiliary Scholar ship fund in memory of John Torr.
Door prizes were presented to those who had brought a gift to contribute and the hostesses were thanked for a wonderful meal and gathering. The 2009 luncheon will be hosted by the Southwest Association.
The meeting was adjourned and the Luncheon Committee presented door prizes.