By the time you read this column the new year of 2007 will already be underway! But, at this writing I have just returned from the USDF annual convention and symposium in Kansas City. Your ODS and Region VI representatives in my opinion had a little more intense experience than the past couple of years. We elected a new Region VI director from a slate of three good candidates. Donna Longacre was elected. I had a chance to get acquainted with Donna at the convention and I look forward to working with her for the next few years. She is enthusiastic and has a lot of valuable knowledge and experience. I think she will be an asset to USDF members at the regional as well as the national level.

Due to huge increases in health insurance premiums for our hardworking and dedicated USDF staff, and rising vendor fees for credit card purchases our USDF budget was not able to be balanced without a cut in programs or an increase in revenue. No one was in favor of cutting programs, but, the issue of increasing revenue was hot at the Board of Governors when we assembled on Friday. In the end by a margin of less than 50 votes it was decided to pass the balanced budget by raising revenue in the following three ways:
1. Discontinuing the $15.00 refund GMO members receive when they pay for their Participating Membership. This does not affect people who are only GMO members or those who join USDF as Participating Members without joining a GMO.
2. Raising the Lifetime Horse Registration fee from $65.00 to $85.00.
3. Creating a non member fee of $20.00 per show for non USDF members entering approved shows. These changes will be effective in the 2008 membership year.

I was especially pleased to present a check for $3,000.00 as our second installment on our Capital Campaign pledge. $2,000.00 of this check came from the Mid Valley Chapter and the remaining $1,000.00 was from our Championship Show proceeds. This puts us at the halfway mark for our pledge in just 2 years! I’m very proud of ODS and the chapters which have participated to move us toward our goal of $20,000!

Later in January our ODS board, chapter representatives and other interested members will be attending our annual retreat at Silver Creek Falls. Your dedicated ODS executive board, regional directors, directors at large and other ODS members will be planning the year to come and discussing and deciding on issues. We are looking at our bylaws, our current form of board representation and our league show and championship programs, as well as other topics.

ODS will be hosting an L graduate program in 2007. Francy Haupt is heading this program and received the go ahead from USDF at the convention. More information for applying for the program as a candidate or auditor will be available soon.

I am also happy to announce that our recognized and league show award plates will be sent out on time this year thanks to John Craven who is taking over recognized awards and Gene Hall who is continuing to do the league show awards and a host of members (organized by Corinne Stonier) volunteering to do data entry. This is just one of the many examples of why ODS is such a great GMO because we are able to work together to accomplish our goals.

ODS recently lost one of our Lifetime Members, Lynn Loomis, he died of lung disease recently. He is survived by his wife Alice Loomis (founder of the Central Oregon Chapter), his three children and grandchildren. Lynn was a hearty volunteer at almost all our Chapter League shows in the past three years it was a shock to lose him suddenly and he will be missed.

Happy 2007, I look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming shows and educational programs! Please look at the calendar of shows and clinics on the ODS website to see the amazing number of events that are already scheduled.

Thanks for your support in 2006! Marsha