The purpose of this task force is to re-evaluate programs, reconstruct them or develop new programs so they can be a better value for our membership and consequently create a better revenue source for AHA while maximizing our efficiency.


Programs like Sweepstakes were originally very successful. However, we are in a different era with our breed, and the time has come to re-evaluate this program in particular so that it will retain its integrity and value for the membership. Our members must feel they have an opportunity to at least win their investment back, or they will not participate. People will gamble and take a chance if they feel they have an equal opportunity. Unfortunately, like other programs in AHA, you must compete at the top in order to play. Although some people may criticize other breed programs like the AQHA Incentive Fund, my experience with Quarter Horses in my barn have been positive, and these owners have been rewarded for breeding, showing, and participating at all levels. These types of programs support the grassroots, local shows and breeding programs. These participants may or may not show at national competitions but are still rewarded for their participation in the program. I think we need to seriously explore the opportunities for growing our Sweepstakes program.


This task force's primary task will be to evaluate the function, objectives and productivity of our committee structure. The second objective of this task force is to assure that the best and most appropriate people are committee members and/or chairs.


The geographic position of an individual does not necessarily make them suited or productive on a committee. I believe the current committee structure does not allow the maximum productivity of its committee members. We have a system that is preferential and politically motivated. This system inhibits potential ideas and constructive views to be cultivated and does not bring the best people forward to serve. It is also a complicated and cumbersome system. Many times valuable, constructive people do not sign up in time, either through missing deadlines or having their committee sign ups sheets lost or misplaced. Because of the tedious process, chairs often have no idea that they are a chair until notified well into the year after Convention when they are busy with horse activities. Consequently, they lose valuable work time with their committee.


This task force is to re-evaluate the committee structure and come back with recommendations. I feel everyone who has input, ideas, and constructive criticisms should have an opportunity to bring their thoughts forward. Our current structure dictates that members are elected geographically by region. I do not believe this is productive. Productivity is not dictated by location but by interest and knowledge. I would encourage a system that will allow anyone interested in signing up to do so. This would provide an opportunity for every member's voice to be heard and each member's vote to be equal. I recommend that the chair of the committee be elected by all members of the committee and take office at Convention. The vice-chair would be the next highest vote getter. I believe to maximize productivity these terms should be two years. The current rule that requires people to participate or be removed from the list should be enforced. There should also be an avenue for removing unproductive chairs from duty.

Large committees should develop smaller sub-committees with their own chairs so special tasks and objectives can be shared and the productivity of the committee can be more effective. I propose initiating an Internet communication network that will allow chairs to easily communicate directly with all of the members of the committee and directly with the Board of Directors. Not only would this be an easier way of communication, it would be much more cost effective. I would like to provide each chair with all of the committee members' e-mail addresses that can be directly added to their PC e-mail system.

Members:  Larry Kinneer/Pam Kittredge/Mickey Aboussie/Fred Metcalf/Charles Burdg
Chair:  Dennis Valentine
Staff Liaison:  Janet Holloway



This group will monitor communication efforts by the AHA, Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, and offer insight and advice about how we can better present ourselves to the public, fostering open communication while helping to discourage negative comments which hinder progress.


One of the priorities outlined in my position platform for President of AHA and strongly supported by the Executive Committee is improved communications. I intend to make good on my pledge. Another of my statements to you, heard during my campaign, was that I feel we have a lot of talent within our industry that we are not tapping into. The challenge for this task force is to appoint individuals who have insight into what our community wants, and the ability to communicate those needs to those in leadership positions


The responsibilities of this task force include:

• Pursue providing committee chairs with a list of e-mails of committee members that can be easily incorporated into their PC's mail system
• Cultivate the expertise within our industry
• Develop a communication network among the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, staff and members
• Advise President on public relations and communications
• Investigate the feasibility of web casts for the Board of Directors

What I am asking this task force to do is advise us when we should take a proactive stance versus a reactive one. This task force has nothing to do with advertising or promotion, but is all about doing a better job of communicating with our leadership and with one another. It is my hope and intention that we will benefit not only as an organization but will have improved understanding among all of us. Realizing all the requirements required of this position, I am appointing Larry Kinneer as Chair of this task force. Most of you have seen his Region 14 Director's columns that exemplify his communications expertise. I have worked closely with him on the Local Shows & Events Committee and am personally aware of his communication expertise. Vice Chair of the Market Development & Promotion Committee, he currently serves as Chair of the AHA Amateur Committee. As a professional journalist, he also brings over 25 years in the communications field to us. The Vice Chair of this task force is Cindy Clinton. Cindy brings many years of experience within the horse industry and certainly has a sense of what those in our breed are seeking. Cindy has managed horse shows on all levels, is a breeder, and has been a Regional Director, Vice Chair of the U.S. National Show Commission and serves on other committees and boards. Cindy represents one of AHA's top leading soldiers in the field. Larry and Cindy will work closely with our own very experienced AHA staff professional Communications Director Susan Bavaria.

Members:
Chair:  Larry Kinneer
Vice Chair:  Cindy Clinton
Staff Liaison:  Susan Bavaria



I would like to re-establish this committee that was established several years ago. This committee was very productive, then it was dissolved. This committee did years of work and research and much progress was made. We need this committee now more than ever before.


If you study our local show and local club growth you will find that we are rapidly declining at an alarming rate. We must reverse this trend if we are going to succeed in building a stronger foundation and have a future. I expect this task force to explore ways we can grow our local shows and create an atmosphere where local clubs are more inviting for our newcomers and will consequently grow in numbers and further strengthen the foundation of our pyramid.


This task force's responsibility will be:

• Perform price and service comparisons with our competitors
• Evaluate why other breeds are growing while we decline
• Identify the problems and suggest solutions
• Work closely with the Market Development & Promotion Committee in suggesting and developing programs

Members:  Dean Meier/Cheri Clark/Pat Hough/Debra Hennington
Chair:  Jan Decker
Staff Liaison:  Steve Josephs



This task force is being established to review Resolution 5-90, as amended, and to come back with their recommendations and opinions. This task force is a part of the current Business Deployment Plan.


It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to be fiduciary responsible to the organization; therefore, it is imperative that programs, services and past business decisions are reviewed frequently and changed and/or modified to be the most productive in obtaining the original objectives.

• To use best practices and evaluate the entire Resolution 5-90 and review its objects, goals and accomplishments
• Review the financial impact Resolution 5-90
• Review the process and functions within the perimeters of the document
• Is Resolution 5-90 providing the membership with the desired results
• Research the possibility of any changes that may be more beneficial to AHA

Members:  Chris Culbreth/Bill Hughes/Alan Ehrlick/Eric Wolf
Chair:  Howard Pike
Staff Liaison:  Barbara Burck



The AHA Board of Directors had asked for input from our membership and for the evaluation of services to determine the value of USEF. This has been repeated many times by members as one of their primary concerns. Therefore, this task force has been created to compile a complete research study of all of the services, values and benefits of USEF.


As requested by the general membership a complete evaluation and study be performed using benchmarking as well as best practices to determine the value of USEF to the members of AHA.

• Define the objectives and goals that AHA wishes to obtain by its affiliation with USEF
• Chart the various costs to our membership correlated with the service provided
• Show the cost to AHA and the financial impact
• Provide statistical data that shows the effectiveness and costs of the drug testing program
• Provide research data that shows the growth of breeds governed and not governed by USEF
• Evaluate the effectiveness and costs of AHA to other affiliates within USEF

Members:  Cindy Clinton/Bill Pennington/Cheri Clark/Dale Harvill
Chair:  Frank Galovic
Staff Liaison:  Barbara Burck



Evaluate AHA national events using best practices and benchmarking and research the efficiencies of the current structure of all national events.


To make recommendations and/or proposals to the AHA Board of Directors for improving the management, structure and organizational efficiency of our national events to provide better service and financial responsibility.

• Review management structure
• Review organizational structure for efficiency
• Work cohesively with NEOPS to provide necessary changes
• Review contracts and purchase agreements
• Review staff functions relative to national events

Members:  Bill Addis/Mickey Aboussie/Kathie Hart
Chair:  Cindy Clinton
Staff Liaison:  Janet Holloway