[Ethan Tapper]

Hi Robin,
Sorry for the snafu. We are in the process of developing informational resources for our organization. What we do now is hand out the most recent copy of our newsletter (which just came out). Let me know about the specific events you will be attending (in private message form, so we don’t clog up this thread) and I will be in touch with Jean about getting you some newsletters. I will also contact the board of directors’ programs and events committee regarding that event. We are interested in finding ways of forming coalitions with regional draft animal groups, such as the group you mentioned, so that could be an opportunity for us to connect in that way. At the very least it would be great to have someone there representing DAPNet.

Do you have any interest in any of our committees? We sure could use your help if you do.

[Ethan Tapper]

I had a really great time. There were a lot of different skill levels but I don’t think anyone felt bored or overwhelmed. There was a lot of flexibility and different things going on with different instructors, and a lot of great opportunities to learn (and a LOT of opportunities to eat REALLY good food, too). I also felt that it was a tremendous value, very cheap for the level of services and instruction that were provided (and this for me, who paid the full price for only half the workshop).

[Ethan Tapper]

I can’t believe that this could actually be a solution for horses that are “past prime”… Given all the crap that most people give horses over their lifetimes (dewormers, etc.) I don’t want to eat that. I think a lot of the stuff we give horses we give them because we know we aren’t going to eat them. If we are we need to reevaluate all that stuff.

There’s a reason we don’t eat horses too, and I think it’s mostly because they’re super special animals, and you can form a partnership with them in a way that you can’t with most other animals. I’m not saying it’s wrong to eat them, but I might have a problem with it for just that reason.

Mixed feelings here.

[Ethan Tapper]

We still need volunteers for our committees. We have had some people come forward, but could definitely use some more help. Everybody’s volunteering their time, and the more people that share the load, the less we each have to do. It’s all about just getting folks into working with draft animals.

[Ethan Tapper]

Anybody contact any organizations yet/get any feedback?

[Ethan Tapper]

Well I guess that’ll do it, then.

[Ethan Tapper]

I think John Plowden’s the man for that job.

[Ethan Tapper]

I didn’t realize that the business membership fees had been brought down (see Erika’s post, above). Come to think of it, I think a higher price would make sense for businesses, given the benefits that they get (advertising and listing in the business directory). I suggest that we put this issue on the agenda for the next board meeting, and I will come with some sort of proposal.

Another way we could look at it would be to have businesses pay at the rate that they do currently (at the family/farm level) and have those who have paid dues at this level be able to purchase advertising at a discounted rate.

[Ethan Tapper]

Here’s that link again, in case you can’t find it. For you guys in the know, is there a button we could have that sends you to the map without having to find the link in the thread?

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=205614765580355733203.0004b1d89a1abbfa1eaad&msa=0&ll=44.087585,-71.367187&spn=117.314271,313.59375

[Ethan Tapper]

If people who have a connection with an organization could make an intitial contact saying just that we’d like to see if we can work together in some capacity, network together, that would be a big help. We could start to figure out what a connection with these organizations would look like. Maybe they have some good ideas in that respect.

[Ethan Tapper]

Hmmm. I’m not sure. Try right clicking the link and opening it in a new tab or a new window and see it that makes a difference. Maybe some more computer savvy people out there know better.

[Ethan Tapper]

I will start compiling them… Anyone who knows about some draft animal organizations out there can message or email me with them.

As we do this, I think we need to think about how we can benefit these organizations and how we could make our interaction positive for us and them.

[Ethan Tapper]

I set it up to be editable by anybody, so if you don’t see the edit button right away look around. It shouldn’t make any difference whether you sign into your gmail or not. And remember to save!!!

[Ethan Tapper]

Here is a link to a google map that anyone should be able to edit. Just go to the link, click the edit button, click on the blue arrow thing at the top of the screen and put it where you are. Make sure to click “Save” when you’re done. If this works out well we could embed a map like this into the website.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=205614765580355733203.0004b1d89a1abbfa1eaad&msa=0&ll=38.341656,-90.703125&spn=48.758339,90.527344

[Ethan Tapper]

That’s the way we’re doing it now, I’m pretty sure, and that’s the way it is on the website. Above the level of $75 a year we also have the founder’s club level ($100). One thing that we should probably publicize more is that fact that the concept of the business level was that members would get an ad in the newsletter and a listing on the website (correct me if I’m wrong). That’s a substantial benefit and one we should make clear.

Also, like Reva said, we need to think about people that wish to give over the $100 level, how to get them to give and feel valued by our organization.

[Author]

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