Dear OPRC Members,

The board and I look forward to another action-packed year! At the National level we plan to work on our National bylaws and policies. As with any organization, the needs of the organization change and so must our bylaws and policies. The need to review our documents has come to light based on questions I fielded in 2008 and upon our lawyer’s recommendation. 

The board of directors and I would like to encourage your chapter to develop bylaws and policies of your own. If you already have bylaws, dust them off and see if they need to be revised.  I know many chapters do not want to be bothered with bylaws or policies, but when things start to get sticky, bylaws and policies give you a road map to resolve the issue.  Here is a link I found that explains why bylaws are important: http://spac.ucdavis.edu/forms/leadership_tips/creating_a_constitution_and_bylaws.pdf 

As we all know, we live in a litigious society. I wish I could close my eyes and not deal with negative realities, but as president, I can’t. The truth of the matter is that we need to protect ourselves. 

In 2008, the board of directors provided our club with chapter liability insurance. At the National level we are also protected by Director and Officers insurance and by the fact that OPRC is incorporated. Each chapter should consider protecting themselves in the same way. I’m no expert, but I will be happy to help you as much as I can. 

NOW….back to fun!

National Rally: This year our National Rally can be hosted anytime during the year, as long as your scores are submitted to National by 1 November. We also revised the program a bit, making some improvements in the classes themselves, and you will receive your rally package via email in the next two weeks. We will create a secure online system by which chapters scores can be submitted in a more organized fashion. So start finding a date on your calendar to host your rally in 2009.

Year End Awards: OPRC Year End Awards will be adding a Driving Division for 2009.  This Division will include Pleasure Driving, Reinsmanship Driving & Cones/Obstacle Driving.  This Division will be placed the same as our English/Western Divisions (i.e. 1st through 6th).

OPRC will also be adding another class to our Dressage Division.  We have had requests for a 1st Level class.  All 1st Level tests will be combined for year end awards (i.e. 1st Level Test 1, 1st Level Test 2, etc).  In the other dressage classes, scores are being accepted for tests that were not included last year.  Our Intro classes are for Intro Tests A & B combined, the Training Level classes will be Training Level Tests 1 & 2 combined, and Training Level Tests 3 & 4 combined.

Our Eventing Division has had a class change.  Due to input from our members the Training Class is being dropped and a new beginner Novice Class is being added.

Also, there will be a 3 entry minimum in our classes for there to be a Year End Award for that class.  (i.e.  Training Level Tests 3 & 4 combined will have to have a minimum of 3 OPRC members competing for Year End Awards for there to be prizes sent out for this Division/Class).

You will also need to turn in a minimum of 1 score from 2 different shows/judges for a total of 2 scores for each class you want to compete in.   This will allow for a true average score, rather than only 1 high score for classes that are scored on a percentage basis.

Good luck to everyone and have fun.

Ratings Badges:  Badges are now available for all your previous ratings.  Last year we gave you the badge of the highest rating you currently hold.  This year your chapter can also request your back badges.  Example:  if you are a D3 you should have a D3 badge from last year. This year we can send you the D2 and D1 as well.  Have your chapter representative contact ratings@oprc.us if you want back badges.

Membership: The National membership coordinators would like me to tell you how very happy they are with how well the chapter Presidents and membership coordinators adapted to processing your membership thru the National database.  This new process is so smooth and has shaved hours off of their processes. Stephani reports “It has been a smooth and pleasurable job this year!”

New This Year: Getting to know you…

NOPRC is inviting each chapter to send us an article on an outstanding member, a noteworthy chapter event or member’s personal experience to be showcased on the national web site.   This will be a monthly feature, and submissions should consist of text and e-photos sufficient to work up a 1-2 page spread.  

Sincerely,

Shiela Haviland

President, OPRC