February 2011

A few thoughts....

Happy February everyone! Sure hope the weather will start warming up – but even so, just a little more sun would be really good for EVERYONES soul, don’t you think?

This past weekend, the Officers got together and worked out details on some of the things we talked about at the Fall Meeting for the 2011 calendar year. Make sure to read thru this month edition of ALL EARS so you know you have all the great information!

As in 2010, we have already had a couple of our members express interest in hosting a Farm Day at their farm in 2011.  If this is something you would like to do, send me an email and we will add it on the calendar.

In this months issue:

Calendar Updates

Mission Statement for our By-Laws

2010 Season - Awards Banquet

Fundraiser – 2012 TDA Calendar

Health Issues

Classified Ads & Business Card Ads 








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Calendar Updates

The Event Calendar has been updated with the following information:

2.26: Awards Banquet
3.19: Spring Members Meeting
4.2: Mule Day Show
5.21: Donkey Day Expo (for Members Only) - Basic Clinics and Advanced Clinics
6.11: Novice Clinic and Mock Show

(more events on calendar for 2nd half of the year.)


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MISSION STATEMENT

2010 Season Awards Banquet

The awards banquet for 2010 is on Feb 26th 4 to 6PM. Everyone is welcome! The location is the Ramada Inn at 704 South Cumberland Street Lebanon, TN 37087 (615) 444-7400. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAP




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2012 TDA Calendar - fundraiser

TDA 2012 Calendar Fund Raiser
by Theresa Puckett, Club Reporter

TDA is embarking on their first ever fundraiser and we are very excited about this project. We are going to publish a calendar for 2012. What does this mean to you our members?  Well, this means several things. First off, you can buy the calendars when they are published to help support your club and second, is that you are invited to help us showcase our longear friends. We, the fundraising committee want you, our members, to send in your favorite photos of your donkeys for a chance to be in the calendar. The photos will be submitted to the committee anonymously for the voting process. If your photo is chosen there is a $100 publishing fee. This fee gets you, the winner, a month in the calendar which consists of the full page photo of your donkey, a place on that month to advertise your farm or add a message and one copy of the calendar. You will also receive any additional calendars you may want to purchase at a discounted rate (discount to be decided at a later date).

Calendar Layout:

Rules:

·         The photo must be at least 300 dpi to be considered.  Anything less will be discarded. If you need help with this or do not understand what we are asking please contact us. Your photo can be submitted via email or regular mail but if you email make sure that the photo does not get compressed in the emailing process.

·         The photos can be whatever you like, a donkey at liberty, a person with a donkey, even a show photo may be submitted.  A copyrighted photo cannot be used unless it is accompanied with written permission from the photographer!

·         The dead line for submitting photos is March 1st 2011.

·         Please keep in mind before submitting a photo that you must be willing to pay the publishing fee if your photo is selected.

• A person or farm can submit as many photos as they wish but can only win once unless there is lessthan 12 people or farms represented. 

• All photos must be emailed to Dayle Haworth at minidonks@united.net or mailed to her at 2356 Feed Mill Road  Chapel Hill, TN 37034

Any questions about the calendar can be directed to Theresa Puckett, at ccrdonkeys@comcast.net  or by phone 615-230-7260, Kay Allen at kayy@united.net or by phone 931-364-5057 or Dayle.

The committee reserves the right to veto any photo or message that they deem to be inappropriate.

A copy of the calendar contest contract needs to accompany your photo (contract found below).

Contest Contrast:  

I understand that by submitting a photo or photos to the TDA fund raising committee that I am willing to pay the $100 publishing fee if my photo is selected. I own all rights to these photos or I have written permission from the photographer to use these photos. I am not infringing on any copyrights with the photos I am submitting.

Signature:____________________________________

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Health Concerns and TDA's Effort to Educate via Web Page

TDA At Work on a New WebSite Page
by Katrina Fleener, Murfreesboro, TN

On several occasions, club members have inquired about health related issues such as proper nutrition and feed, plants that are harmful to their donkeys, worming techniques etc.  In response to various inquiries, the club has updated the Website and introduced a new page entitled, “Health Issues”. Our goal was to provide the membership, as well as others, current and informative data on equine health issues, allowing us to recognize problems with our own stock. To date, we have articles, videos and links on 23 health issues, including issues such as: Colic, Worms, skin diseases, examining a placenta & vaccinations (and much, much more!) The information has been gathered from equine industry professionals. We continue to search for other interesting topics.

Regardless of your experience level with equine, there is something to be learned by everyone from this page. Feel free to browse this new page and invite your friends to view the information. If there is a topic that you would like to have on the page, feel free to contact a TDA Officer. 




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Classified Ads on TDA Website & Business Advertising

One of the discussions at the Officers meeting was standardization of the TDA's Classified Ad page. Beginning March 1st, the following items will apply:

1. The classified ad can only contain donkey advertisements or donkey related equipment/services.
2. Only one photo per ad.
3. Items will rotate off the classified page after 90 days.
4. Equine related businesses that wish to advertise (that are not members of TDA) will be charged $40 per year to advertise.

Continue to email your ads to Dayle Haworth at minidonks@united.net 




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January 2011

A few thoughts....

Happy 2011 to each of you!  Your Officers are working on lots to activities and events for this year and as we have updates we will let you know. Keep an eye on the CALENDAR OF EVENTS for the first look at updates.

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New Members

Please welcome these new members!

Trevor, Amanda and Clare Collins or Calvert City, KY   trevorl@windstream.net

We will chat again soon!

Diana 

Specialty Awards Log due now

This is a reminder that the deadline for turning in your points for the special awards (non showing awards) is January 15^th.  So to help you with these I am republishing my article about the awards and how they work. There are several different awards program, so let’s talk a little about the awards programs.

MIKE PALLOTA MEMORIAL AMBASSADOR OF THE BREED AWARD:

Annual award for any event, in any state, that promotes the breed (outside of the show ring). This award is open to all members and there is no sign up fee. Parades, exhibitions, social events, plays, pet days, etc count. Only one event per day will count unless the second event is totally different than the first. Exp: Parade counts 1 point but later that day you do a driving or jumping exhibition that would count separately, but a breed parade two or three times the same day is only 1 point. Group visits, such as schools or other groups to educate or promote the breed also count. Due to a change in our by-laws, this year only, the award will run from Oct 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2010. Deadline for turning in these points is Jan 15, 2011.

KERRI LITTLE MEMORIAL ROOKIE AWARD:

This award is open to a “novice” person or farm. The winner would be the farm or person that has just started participating in our clinics, exhibitions, parades, shows, or any event that promotes our club/breed and each event is worth 1 point. A person/farm is considered a rookie for two years, unless they win the Rookie Award their first year, which will then make them ineligible for this award the next year. There is no sign up fee for this award.  Due to a change in our by-laws, this year only, the award will run from Oct 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2010. Deadline for turning in these points is Jan 15, 2011.  

The TDA awards committee is responsible for the above awards. If you have any questions or need copies of any of the point tally sheets, please contact one of us. Dayle Haworth minidonks@united.net  931-364-3715, Theresa Puckett ccrdonkeys@comcast.net  615-230-7260 or Kay Allen kayy@united.net .

Next year all the awards will be from January 1 to December 31.

MARTHA WILHOIT MEMORIAL DRIVING AWARD :

This award was named after Martha because she loved to drive, so this award is for the members who have her passion for driving. There is a $5 sign up fee per donkey which must be paid prior to any driving time to be counted.  This award is tailored with an emphasis on driving. A member that signs up for this award is expected to keep a driving log of the time spent at the reins, which includes ground driving. The only driving time that a member can’t claim is time in the show ring.  Due to a change in our by-laws, this year only, the award will run from Oct 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2010.  Deadline for turning in your driving log is Jan 15, 2011. If you have any questions about this award please contact Lydia Spears, Ph #931-796-4920 or email:  miniacre@bellsouth.net .

Your 2011 Officers

During the fall meeting on November 6^th, members of the Tennessee Donkey ASSociation elected in the new Officers for 2011.

Diana Poole, President
College Grove, TN

LJ Mix, Vice-President
Gallatin, TN

Sandy Carroll, Vice President
Shelbyville, TN

Katrina Fleener, Secretary
Murfreesboro, TN

Lydia Spears, Treasurer

Hohenwald, TN

Theresa Puckett, Reporter & Awards Committee
Gallatin, TN

Dayle Haworth, Webmistress & Awards Committee

Chapel Hill, TN

Kay Allen, Awards Committee

Lewisburg, TN

Membership Dues

Just a quick reminder, 2011 membership dues are due this month. We are asking each member to complete the MEMBERSHIP FORM on our website so that we can make sure we have the most up-to-date information about each member. Go to: http://tennessee-donkeys.com/MembershipForm.html to fill out the form and then dues of $15 per Senior Member and $5 per Youth Member can be mailed to:

LYDIA SPEARS, Treasurer
142 Salem Road
Hohenwald, TN 38462
Make checks payable to: Tennessee Donkey Association, Inc.

November/December 2010

A few thoughts....
Our Annual Meeting and Elections were held this past Saturday at Ag-Expo Park and we had quite a turn-out! Thirty people in attendance! We learned a wealth of information about various topics by State Veterinarian Charles Hatcher and a variety of subjects from club members too (more info to come in Meeting Minutes and future ALL EARS.)

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We have new members to our club again this month! Each one have been members before!

Sally Dunn of Parrish, Florida cbfrm1942@yahoo.com
Tiffany Pierce of Hohenwald, TN loveybp@yahoo.com
Ricky Spears of Hohenwald, TN (Lydia Spears husband)

Please join me in sending out a big, “WELCOME BACK!”

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Officers Board for 2011

Elections were held on November 6th and the following members were elected to take office beginning January 1st, 2011.

PRESIDENT – Diana Poole

VICE PRESIDENT – L.J. Mix

VICE PRESIDENT – Sandy Carroll

SECRETARY – Katrina Fleener

TREASURER- Lydia Spears

REPORTER – Theresa Puckett

SHOW COMMITTEE- Theresa Puckett, Dayle Haworth & Kay Allen

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SIDENOTE: I read an article online that referenced this 5k run call the DONKEY DASH. Just wanted to share….. http://www.donkeydash.com/

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This will be the last ALL EARS of 2010. I am giving myself a break in December. Next publication will be January 2011.

So, as I close my thoughts for 2010, I want to thank each and everyone for supporting this club in the ways that you have over this past year! And remember (this is one of my favorites!):

You tell a horse,
You ask a mule,
You negotiate with a donkey!

We will Chat Again Soon!
~Diana Poole, President

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In this months ALL-EARS

Membership Dues
TDA Christmas Party
Reporters Corner
TDA By-Laws
Facebook
Calendar Updates

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MEMBERSHIP DUES 2011

Since the inception of TDA, membership dues have been $10 for Senior members and $5 for Youth Members. During the Annual meeting held this past weekend members were told about the rising costs of running the club.  It was voted by the majority to raise the membership on Senior members (only) to $15 per Senior member. This has gone in to effect immediately for the 2011 dues.  These dues are due on January 1^st.

Also, we are working on an updated membership form and will get that out to everyone asap.

Until further notice, the option to use Paypal to pay has been suspended.

TDA Christmas Party

Just a reminder to everyone that the TDA Christmas Party will be on Sunday December 12^th beginning at 2pm at the Williamson County Ag-Expo Park (Franklin, TN).  Tiffany Pierce of Hohenwald is putting the fun together this year! We will email more details soon. However, if you have any idea’s or would like to volunteer, contact Tiffany at loveybp@yahoo.com or 931.628.3881.

REPORTERS CORNER: 2010 Awards Programs

REPORTERS CORNER: 2010 Award Programs
by Theresa Puckett


It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by and it is time to tally your points. There are several different awards programs and not all are related to showing. So let’s talk a little about the awards programs.

MIKE PALLOTA MEMORIAL AMBASSADOR OF THE BREED AWARD:

Annual award for any event, in any state, that promotes the breed (outside of the show ring). This award is open to all members and there is no sign up fee. Parades, exhibitions, social events, plays, pet days, etc count. Only one event per day will count unless the second event is totally different than the first. Exp: Parade counts 1 point but later that day you do a driving or jumping exhibition that would count separately, but a breed parade two or three times the same day is only 1 point. Group visits, such as schools or other groups to educate or promote the breed also count. Due to a change in our by-laws, this year only, the award will run from Oct 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2010. Deadline for turning in these points is Jan 15, 2011.

SHOW AWARDS PROGRAM:

There is a $10 fee per donkey. Fee must be paid prior to a show for that show’s points to count for the 2010 show season. At the end of show season, you may only count four (4) Tennessee shows for points. Exhibitor will choose which four (4) shows he/she wishes to count. There is a champion and reserve in all categories. There are 8 awards in halter, In-hand and in harness which are broken down by sex and one for Standard/Mammoth in each category. There are two color awards, one for solid and one for spots, a best matched pair (must be the same two donkeys) and a Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. In addition to these awards there are two youth awards (the donkey being shown by youth must be signed up). This program runs from October 1st, 2009 thru September 30th, 2010. Each member is responsible for turning in their own points! The cutoff date for turning in your points is Dec. 1st 2010. The rules for these awards can be found at http://www.tennessee-donkeys.com/HighPointAwardRules.html

KERRI LITTLE MEMORIAL ROOKIE AWARD:

This award is open to a “novice” person or farm. The winner would be the farm or person that has just started participating in our clinics, exhibitions, parades, shows, or any event that promotes our club/breed and each event is worth 1 point. A person/farm is considered a rookie for two years, unless they win the Rookie Award their first year, which will then make them ineligible for this award the next year. There is no sign up fee for this award. Due to a change in our by-laws, this year only, the award will run from Oct 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2010. Deadline for turning in these points is Jan 15, 2011.

The TDA awards committee is responsible for the above awards. If you have any questions or need copies of any of the point tally sheets, please contact one of us. Dayle Haworth minidonks@united.net 931-364-3715, Theresa Puckett ccrdonkeys@comcast.net 615-230-7260 or Kay Allen kayy@united.net .

Next year all the awards will be from January 1 to December 31.

MARTHA WILHOIT MEMORIAL DRIVING AWARD :

This award was named after Martha because she loved to drive, so this award is for the members who have her passion for driving. There is a $5 sign up fee per donkey which must be paid prior to any driving time to be counted. This award is tailored with an emphasis on driving. A member that signs up for this award, is expected to keep a driving log of the time spent at the reins, which includes ground driving. The only driving time that a member can’t claim is time in the show ring. Due to a change in our by-laws, this year only, the award will run from Oct 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2010. Deadline for turning in your driving log is Jan 15, 2011. If you have any questions about this award please contact Lydia Spears, Ph #931-796-4920 or email: miniacre@bellsouth.net .



CARSON CARROLL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD:

This is a $250 scholarship based on merit awarded to our youth members as they prepare for college or technical school. This award must be asked for and be accompanied by the member’s high school transcript through the third semester prior to graduation. Any member that wants to contribute to this award fund is welcome to do so. If you have any questions or have a youth member that wants to apply for this award, please contact Diana Poole, Ph #615-807-3848 or email tda.president@gmail.com.

By-Laws on Website

Our illustrious web-mistress, Dayle Haworth has added the Tennessee Donkey ASSociation By-laws to the members only area of our website. This will enable all members to be able to view the most up-to-date version of the by-laws at any time.

We are on Facebook

The TDA now has it’s own stand-alone Facebook page.  If you haven’t already been by for a visit, make sure to go to:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennessee-Donkey-ASSociation/157669827586808?v=wall and make sure to click the LIKE button  This helps promote the page on Facebook and will help it get seen by more people that enjoy donkeys.

Event Calendar Updated

The calendar has been updated with some club functions for 2011. The Awards Banquet has been set for February 26^th and the Spring Meeting has been set for March 19^th.  For more details, go to the Event Calendar.

OCTOBER 2010

A few thoughts………….

It just seems I can’t be pleased with the weather this year. First it was too wet and cold, then too hot and now its DRY. I know, whaaaa! LOL! I do love fall and am thankful that it is here. Time to be outside and do fun things with the donkeys before it turns wet and really cold again. It’s also a good time to get some maintenance things done also. For example, make sure to check your water trough heaters BEFORE you need them!

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Just a quick reminder that this coming Saturday, October 9th is our Trail Ride/Drive (all sized donkeys, horses or bikes!) in Elkmont, AL http://www.traillink.com/trail/richard-martin-trail.aspx  and, next Saturday, October 16th ,is a FUN DAY at Sandy Carroll’s farm in Shelbyville, TN. Information has been emailed and is on our calendar.

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A couple of years ago I started a Facebook page for the Tennessee Donkey Association to help promote the club in Facebook -land . I have had several remarks from members that it is confusing (and I agree) to have the TDA’s facebook page set up as it currently is – under my personal facebook account. I am in the process of setting up a stand-alone Facebook account that can be linked to the TDA’s website etc. And will only have TDA info showing up on it.

As I make changes to convert everything over to the new page, current “Friends” will be notified. Once it is completed I will update all the club membership and invite them to join. This helps promote the page on Facebook and will help it get seen by more people that enjoy donkeys.

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Please join me in welcoming new members to TDA!

Kenny & Sherry Puckett of Cookeville, TN (muleman101@yahoo.com  and sassy.p@live.com )

Marybeth McGrath of Mt. Juliet, TN (marybethmcg@comcast.net )

Hope to see you all soon at a future function!

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ALL EARS needs articles! If you have an article you have written that would be of interest to club members OR have seen an article in a publication - please email it to me!

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In this month’s edition of ALL EARS:

OFFICER ELECTIONS & FALL MEETING

REPORTERS CORNER

TN STATE FAIR RESULTS

2010 SHOW AWARDS

OFFICER ELECTIONS & Fall Meeting

 We need members to participate! Is this the year that YOU actively promote the donkey breeds? The Tennessee Donkey Association is a great club. It's your club!

 We come together as a group that loves donkeys and wants to promote the breeds. For the club to flourish and grow, members should participate in different ways – could being an Officer be your way to participate this year? Deadline for the election is tomorrow, October 6th. Please send me an email at tda.president@gmail.com  to throw your hat in the ring!


Another way to have your voice heard is to take part in the Fall meeting on November 6th (begins at 4pm) – watch for details via email.