Alliance General Meeting Minutes via Zoom

November 16, 2025

Attendees: Syndi Kanzler, Jennifer Brown-Ostler, Janna Niesen, Erin Moore, Rob Crater, Amy Blossom, Marney McGovern, Laura Wright, Carlene Frawley, Judy Cates, Dori Hignight, Lonnie Purdue and Sheryl & Greg Shwartz

Meeting called to order at 11:08 am

Meeting minutes from February 23, 2025 were read and approved.

​

Rob Crater gave a Treasurer’s report. Current balances in both checking and savings were reported to members present. 2025 show report was presented to the membership present. Discussion regarding the financial loss for the 2025 show followed.  Rob Crater advised having a three judge show had a large impact on the bottom line, with the added cost of travel, ribbons and fees. The show did not see an increase in exhibitors by adding a third judge.

​

Cindy Kanzler gave a report on Convention. Area VIII was awarded the Area Show for 2026. Cost of membership and registration will go up starting December 1, 2025. Everyone was encouraged to renew their membership prior to the December 1 deadline. The Association will no longer give the exhibitors attending the Area National Show the added $3,000.00 in payback money. The Association will continue to give the $2,000.00 to clubs hosting the Area National show. The National and Congress judges were announced but had not been confirmed. They will be announced to the membership at a later date. There was discussion regarding moving Congress to a later date and Shetlands being required to qualify for Congress this will be discussed more and the spring board meeting. A new rule book will be printed in 2026.

​

Show report: There was a long discussion regarding our upcoming show in June. Show staff was announced. Judge will be Janice Silvio. Ring steward/ribbon person Bella Steward, announcer Phil Kearns (unconfirmed), Show Secretary Jennifer Dembowski, gate person Rob Crater.  Ideas were shared on cost savings. Ribbons are a huge expense and discussion about the elimination of the Supreme neck sashes followed.  Members in attendance requested the sashes be continued with sponsors being sought to cover the cost. Sheryl Shwartz offered a $50.00 donation to go toward the Supreme award. 

​

There was discussion about fund raising ideas and how to encourage sponsorships. The members asked about having a show photographer for center ring. In the past the club decided against having an “official” show photographer. Local photographers were allowed to offer their services outside the arena for private photoshoots.

​

Several members in attendance asked about having a photographer for center ring again. Cindy Kanzler recommended members reach out to photographers they would like to see at our show. The club will not be contracting to pay any photographers to attend our show. Any photographer that is interested in offering their services will be doing so at their own cost. No vendor fee will be charged to the photographer that offers their services for center ring.

​

The amateur supreme classes will continue for 2026. Cindy announced that two new awards were discussed by the Board and approved. There will be a Rookie Award starting in 2026. The Rookie Award will be presented to a person that is a new exhibitor in miniatures or Shetlands.  The Rookie Award will be based on nominations and further qualifications will be posted on the website. The Sportsmanship Award will be added for 2026. This award will be awarded to the person that exemplifies good horsemanship, exhibits good will toward fellow exhibitors and shows willingness to help and encourage others. This is open to both adult and youth members. Amy Blossom recommended calling the award the Inspirational Award. Nominations are open for both of these awards.

​

There will also be a special award being given out, starting in 2026. This award is the Sandi Powell Memorial Award in remembrance of Sandi Powell. Cindy Kanzler showed those in attendance the award that will be given out at the show. The horse head trophy was won by Sandi’s beloved horse Potlatch Farm Bixby Carried On (Bixby), who is a multi National Champion and Reserved Grand Champion Roadster, Country Pleasure, Singe Pleasure and Versatility horse. This will be a perpetual award, with the large horse head trophy being kept by the club and presented each year at the Alliance Show. The winner of this award will be chosen by the Judge and will be the horse that they feel represents the very best in driving. The winner will be given a trophy to be taken home to cherish. Cindy Kanzler will sponsor the trophy and the smaller trophies for the next 5 yrs.

​

Report on High Point Amateur awards was given by Cindy Kanzler. Cindy encouraged exhibitors to get nomination paperwork in and keep track of their points. The shows included are the Alliance show, WISK, Itty Bitty Show and the NWMHC Show in Ridgefield (new AMHR classes).  No amateur Shetland nominations were received for 2025. The winners of the 2025 awards were announced and can be found on the club website. Awards will be mailed to the winners as soon as they are finished being embroidered.  The awards for 2025 are a garment bag for High Point Ammy and a garment bag and matching halter bag for the High Point All Around Ammy.

​

It was announced that the BOD had agreed to an offer from the new Alpine Club to host this years exhibitor’s dinner at the Alliance show in June. Melissa Thompson and her new club asked to host the dinner with a live auction to follow. All the proceeds from the live auction will go to help promote the new club.  Melissa was then recognized to give a short report on the club and its upcoming events and fundraisers. There is ongoing discussion of possibly putting on a future “bare bones” show, tack sale and clinic later in the summer.

​

Election of new officers; This year the Treasurer and Vice President positions are open for nominations. Cindy Kanzler opened the nomination for Treasurer. Janna Niesen was nominated. There were no other nominations. No objections for the nomination were voiced. Janna accepted the nomination. Due to no other nominations and no objections. Janna was seated as Treasurer.

Cindy Kanzler opened the nomination for Vice President. Janna Niesen nominated Deb Sims-Boosalis. Judy Cates nominated Rob Crater. Rob Crater declined the nomination. There were no other nominations for Vice President. There were no objections to the nomination. Due to no other nominations and no objection, Deb Sims-Boosalis was seated as Vice President.

​

Other Business: Cindy Kanzler asked Judy Cates if she would be willing to produce a Newsletter for the Alliance. Cindy felt the Newsletter would offer the members another way to receive important information and an opportunity to advertise in our area. Some people do not visit social media and might miss the important information regarding upcoming deadlines and events. Also on social media post can sometimes get lost in the constant scrolling and information posted daily. The newsletter could be sent out via email so everyone can read and print it for future reference.

​

Judy agreed to do a Newsletter and Deb Sims Boosalis will put together a template for Judy to use. Sheryl asked that we move the location of the morning coffee at the show. It was suggested it be moved to the entrance of the arena where the measuring is done. This would allow for easier access and decrease the congestion in front of the show office and announcers booth. There was discussion regarding moving the show trailer in the future.

​

Members were reminded that memberships are coming due. We will be offering the drawing for a free class for those that renew their membership prior to December 31, 2025. There will be four winners from a random draw. Janna will post on our Facebook page and share on social media encouraging members to renew. She will also send out reminders regarding special awards and the Alliance hosting the Area VIII National Show.

​

Next General Meeting will be in February 2026. Date TBD.

Meeting adjourned at 12:55 pm