IYAK BOD MEETING
EMBASSY SUITES, DENVER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2010

Mike Swartz and Cynthia Huber arrived early and spent half an hour reviewing the website and making notes for changes to be made by Chuck Ippolito, the new site master. These changes will not be noted in these minutes.

Vice President, Mike Swartz, called the meeting to order. Board members present were:
Tom Hansen
Larry Richards
Eddy Sanders
Bob Hasse
Doug David
Cynthia Huber

BOD not in attendance:
Jim Watson
Bob Payne

Doug David was asked to conduct the election for officers. He asked for nominations for president. Eddy nominated Mike Swartz and Tom Hansen seconded. Mike was asked if he would like to be president and he said he would do so for the next one year term. A vote was taken and Mike was elected president with no dissenters. Doug then asked for nominations for vice president. Doug nominated Bob Hasse and Cynthia seconded. A vote was taken and Bob was elected with no dissenters. There were no nominations for sec/treas/reg as the BOD members would not entertain Cynthia not filling those positions.

Mike Swartz then took over the meeting.

IYAK at the NWSS 2010 was reviewed. Mike gave thanks to Eddy for organizing the pen and halter shows and working with the stock show officials. A thank you was mentioned for new IYAK member and visitor Danny Fischer from Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, KS. He was a great help in setting up and taking down and the BOD voted to send him a $100 Visa gift card for his efforts and helpful, friendly demeanor. With that it was discussed the IYAK should hire a crew to help set up and take down every year at the NWSS as this is a lot of work for member who are already tired from traveling or from working the show every day. This will be considered for next year.

Doug David reported that his friend who has been at the banquet the last 2 years, Scott Milner has a wife, Michelle, who specializes in hotel and banquet set up for organizations. It would be at no cost to IYAK as the hotels pay her for advertising them. It was voted to let her do the set up for the rooms, meeting and banquet for the NWSS 2011. The venue should be close to the stock show, have shuttle service to the stock show, and adequate trailer parking. Doug will ask her to get started by spring so that we have some results by our summer BOD meeting.

It was also discussed to spruce up the IYAK tent and to find the old banners or get some new made. Bob thought he might have some banners from last year and will check out their condition. It was suggested that banners also be made to advertise the yak burger BBQing for the public, and that the grill be moved past the last alleyway to get the public down further and not miss those members who are set up in the second alleyway. Larry will check out the possibility of getting the newer pens further towards the front by the buffalo. He will ask Bill Abel if he can intercede with the stock show politicos for a better situation.

The judging by Bill Abel was discussed. Mike felt the judging of the halter show became a confirmation class and that there was no opportunity for members to show their yaks at halter. Bob felt that Bill judged on size only and ribbons went to the biggest in the class. This will be revisited in the summer meeting. It was decided to send Bill Abel a Visa Card gift for $100 for judging the pen and halter shows. Larry suggested that next year Bill Abel judge the pen show and that IYAK members with no yaks in the halter show be judges for the halter show.

Further discussion included forming a publicity committee for next year’s stock show, and a NWSS committee. Cynthia will see that Lynn Wilkinson’s NWSS folder get to Eddy for his input so that the process is tweaked even further to facilitate set up in the future.

The review board for the registration of yaks with unknown parentage was discussed. It was decided that the review board will remain in effect and any yaks needing reviewed will be done on a quarterly basis, or within 90 days of submission of paperwork and photos. Mike will write a set of criteria explaining the review process which will be put on the site.

Grants for meat analysis study are still needed. Bob Hasse will chair a committee for meat analysis and Mike Swartz will co-chair. Eddy Sanders will chair a committee for all aspects of marketing of yak products. It was discussed that IYAK needs more exposure in journals such as Rarebreeds, Hobby Farms, Drovers, etc. and also on Face Book and Twitter.

Mike reported on the exciting news that IYAK has been invited to participate in the 2010 event at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA. Mike will go in March to meet with Vanessa Schneider to discuss IYAK’s presence both inside with a booth and outside in the stock yards. Robert Payne would like to see IYAK at the Fort Worth stock show which overlaps the last week with the NWSS. It was decided to try and find members and yaks in that area that would like to attend the Fort Worth event.

Eddy spent some time describing and explaining Google Apps and how it can aid in the communication gap within IYAK and be a non-political forum for ideas and opinions.

The next meeting is planned for the last weekend in March and will online conference meeting.

Cynthia made a motion that the meeting adjourn. Mike seconded.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Huber
IYAK Secretary