MIDWEST HIGHLAND CATTLE ASSOCIATION

Members of the Midwest Highland Cattle Association (MWHCA) met for their annual membership meeting, as required in the bylaws of the association, at the Potowatomi Inn, Pokagon State Park , Angola , Indiana , on February 15, 2003 . 28 people attended. A number of members mailed in absentee ballots.

Call to Order

Acting President Eddie Mackay called the meeting to order at 11:30 am .

Prior to conducting association business, Eddie Mackay invited each person to introduce him- or herself.

Agenda

With the addition of a brief presentation requested by Jim Pugh, the agenda was approved by acclamation.

AHCA International Show, Cambridge , Ohio

Jim Pugh of Misty Morn Farms at Cambridge , Ohio , requested assistance from MWHCA in coordinating the AHCA International Show held annually the second weekend of November at Cambridge . Jim started that show several years ago when the International Livestock Exposition in Louisville made it difficult for minor breeds to show there.

125 – 150 Highland Cattle from all over the country are entered each year in the show at Cambridge , according to Jim. There is just too much work for Jim and the small group of breeders at Cambridge . Jim is asking for the Midwest Association’s assistance in coming early to help set up and coordinate the show, Junior show, silent auction, publicity, and other duties normally associated with a large national show.

A motion was made by Larry Alber, with support by Dean Dykstra , that the Midwest encourage its members to take part in the AHCA International Show and help Jim set up and manage the show. Motion carried.

Luncheon

Acting President Eddie Mackay called a recess of the business meeting at 12:00 noon . The members enjoyed a good buffet luncheon in the hotel dining room. This was an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with members from various corners of the Association’s service area. Eddie Mackay reconvened the business meeting at 1:00 pm .

Door Prizes

Prizes were awarded to members in the following categories:

1. Who lives farthest from the meeting? Jim Pugh (297 miles)
2. Who lives closest to the meeting? Terry and Karen Dalrymple (4 miles)
3. Whose farm had the most recent calf? Pat White (7 days)
4. Who told the funniest highland story? Eddie Mackay (ice rescue of the calf who got the straddles)

Minutes

Secretary/Treasurer Mary Van Antwerp read the minutes from the 2002 MWHCA annual membership meeting. She noted those minutes had also been published on the MWHCA web site. There being no suggested changes from members present, a motion was made by Jim Pugh and supported by Valerie See to accept the minutes as read. Motion carried.

Reports:

President’s Report

Acting President Eddie Mackay announced that in the absence of President Bill Pruitt, there was no President’s Report. Eddie did say that in his opinion, 2002 was a good year for the Association. As he assumes the Presidency, his goal is to encourage fellowship among members, sharing of knowledge and experience, and having lots of fun with our critters.

Treasurer’s Report

Secretary/Treasurer Mary Van Antwerp gave the Treasurer’s report. As of December 31, 2002 , the Midwest Highland Cattle Association had a bank balance of $5,399.23. Revenues for the year totaled $2,112.90, while expenses totaled $2,086.53.

Junior Association Report

Junior Association advisors Dean and Michele Dykstra are hanging up their calf halters after five years outstanding leadership of that organization. Dean gave a final report on activities during the year. He thanked Eddie Mackay , Pat White , Jim Pugh and others who had donated money and prizes to the group. He also said that two large tubs of prizes and other materials had been given to the MWHCA Secretary/Treasurer for safekeeping until a new Junior Association advisor takes over. Dean then presented a check in the amount of $761.41, representing the ending balance in the Junior Association account. The Secretary/Treasurer will deposit that check into the MWHCA bank account.

Presentation to Dean and Michele Dykstra

Acting President Eddie Mackay presented a Highland Cow/Calf statue from Scotland to Dean and Michele Dykstra with the thanks of the association for their outstanding service to the Junior members. Their enthusiasm, energy and hard work will be sorely missed by the Juniors, but welcomed in other activities of the Association!

AHCA Report

1. AHCA Representative Larry Alber gave a report to the members from his attendance at the American Highland Cattle Association board meeting in Denver in January. The AHCA board has requested a letter from the MWHCA commenting on the manner in which the region’s AHCA representative is appointed and whether there is a term length or limit. Larry said the board’s discussion centered on the requirement in AHCA bylaws that directors elected by the membership have a definite length of term and a limit to how many terms they can serve, while directors appointed by the regions have no limits in the bylaws. Discussion by MWHCA members indicated that our region’s goal is to find someone with appropriate knowledge and experience that is willing to travel to the national meetings. The Midwest region has no intent to establish a term length or limit, but does not anticipate any appointed AHCA representative serving longer than AHCA ’s elected directors. The Secretary/Treasurer was directed to write a letter to AHCA ’s Executive Director stating the region’s position.
2. Shows were discussed, specifically whether membership in the association should be required to participate in a cattle show in the region. Some regions require joining the association prior to showing cattle in the region. The sentiment of our members was to encourage any AHCA member to participate in shows within the region without becoming a member. There seemed little reason to solicit members who have no intention of being active in the association.

Show Report

Eddie Mackay , coordinator of the AHCA Points Show at Centreville , Michigan , said the Fair Board at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair really appreciates participation by Highland breeders. At the September 2002, show in Centreville, Highlands represented the second highest breed in number of animals shown. The fair board pays excellent premiums to 9^th place and gives us a nice tent with adequate bedding for the animals. Cattle come in on Sunday and leave on Sunday. Breeders who are unable to stay that long can count on Eddie Mackay to do chores each day. Eddie noted that 400,000 people paid to attend the Grange Fair, giving an outstanding opportunity to show off our cattle to lots of people. Eddie’s secret to maximizing premium money is to bring animals that fit multiple classes. Rich Muntz noted that he showed seven cattle and took home $425 in prize money.

Old Business:

Web Site

Dave Van Antwerp gave an update on the web site, reporting that about 1,500 different visitors a month are viewing the pages. The most frequently accessed files are photographs, followed by classified ads. The size of the web site has grown dramatically since its inception two years ago.

After discussion of methods to raise money to help compensate for time spent scanning photos, entering information from membership forms, and setting up classified ads, a motion was made by Pat White and supported by Dean Dykstra to charge $50 per year for each individual member page that has photographs, plus $10 for each new classified ad plus $5 for each picture in classified ads. Motion carried. In further discussion, the Secretary/Treasurer was directed to amend the dues invoice to reflect a free web listing for members at no charge, a $50 fee for an enhanced web page, and the charge for classified ads. It was also decided that AHCA members outside the region would be allowed to advertise on the Midwest Web Site classified ad section by paying a fee equivalent to the annual membership dues plus the normal fee for classified ads.

Beef Expo

Eddie Mackay encouraged members to visit the Beef Expo at Michigan State University April 4-5-6 , and to help at the Highland Cattle display he will set up. Eddie has found the Beef Expo a good place to display cattle and meet buyers.

Cattle Feeders

Larry Alber gave information on heavy-duty round bale feeders he likes. Larry and Pat liked the feeders so much they purchased 10 of them. He offered pictures and recommended that contact information be placed on the web site. Rich Muntz reported that he has purchased round bale feeders fabricated by one of his Amish neighbors, and that he highly recommends these feeders. Rich will make a contact on behalf of anyone who would like to purchase one.

Display Board

The Midwest Highland Cattle Association display board was set up so members could see what it looks like. It had been cleaned and spruced up. The board is stored in a special case fabricated by Eddie Mackay . Rich Muntz took the display board home for use in displaying Highland Cattle
at Goshen College in late April. Any member may use the board for displaying Highland pictures.

Election of Officers

Eddie Mackay assumed the presidency of the Midwest Highland Cattle Association.

Two officers are up for election in 2003:

1. President-Elect, succeeding Eddie Mackay , who becomes President.  The ballot listed one nominee, Valerie See . There were no additional nominations in the absentee ballots. Nominations were invited from the floor, but there were none.
2. Director, the position currently held by Tom Snyder . The ballot listed one nominee, incumbent Tom Snyder . There were no additional nominations in the absentee ballots. Nominations were invited from the floor, but there were none.

A motion to unanimously elect the two candidates by acclamation was made by Cliff Wozniak with support by Dean Dykstra . Motion carried. Valerie See was declared President-Elect and Tom Snyder was declared director for a second term.

New Business:

Show Calendar

The Secretary/Treasurer was directed to send an announcement of the AHCA Points Show at Centreville to AHCA for publication in the Bagpipe magazine, and to Jim Pugh to include in publicity accompanying the AHCA International Show.

Junior Program

President Eddie Mackay called for a volunteer to take on advising the Junior Association. Dean and Michele Dykstra explained the duties of the advisor. There being no volunteers, the Junior Association is mothballed until someone steps up to reactivate that program.

Summer Barbecues

Members value summer Highland barbecues and would like to see them continue, discussion revealed. Dave and Mary VanAntwerp volunteered to host the first barbecue of 2003 at their farm near Otsego , Michigan , and offered to help find other sites to host additional barbecues.

2004 Annual Membership Meeting

Citing the central location of the Potawatomi Inn and the excellent facilities offered there, the members decided to return for the 2004 annual meeting. It was decided to move the date back one week to February 21, 2004 .

Concluding Remarks

President Eddie Mackay expressed enthusiasm in looking ahead to the future of Highland Cattle and the future of the Midwest Highland Cattle Association.

Adjournment