2023 Rules Change Proposal

OBRA Membership Meeting 2023

Call to order: 8:34pm

Rule Change Proposals:

Weeknight races

Current Rule

Approved OBRA races during the week including Open, novice and 4D/5D classes with the approval at the discretion of the president. Races will start no earlier than 5 pm. An attempt will be made by the president to equalize the number of weeknight races per side. Friday night races are not considered as a weeknight race. Double Header Races shall have a minimum of 15 minutes between races or less if agreed upon by all contestants. The 15 minutes to begin after the end of the last scheduled class as opposed to the last time only run. *The exception being enough time to work the ground if warranted. There shall be a maximum of one hour between; if there is a specific advertised time on the website then the race may not start before that time.

Proposed

Approved OBRA races during the week including Open, novice and 4D/5D classes with the approval at the discretion of the president. Races will have no limit on how early the race starts, however if a race starts prior to 5pm, there needs to be an option (example, time slots offered later or a later draw option without late fee assessed) for people to enter at 5pm or later. An attempt will be made by the president to equalize the number of weeknight races per side. Friday night races are not considered as a weeknight race. Double Header Races shall have a minimum of 15 minutes between races or less if agreed upon by all contestants. The 15 minutes to begin after the end of the last scheduled class as opposed to the last time only run. *The exception being enough time to work the ground if warranted. There shall be a maximum of one hour between; if there is a specific advertised time on the website then the race may not start before that time.

Reasoning

I do not believe we should not allow producers to offer the race starting earlier than 5pm, as sometimes earlier races, even on weekday nights works better for some contestants. Also allows for bigger races, making our producers, as well as OBRA more money. However, I also believe that people need later options because of work. This would satisfy the most people; contestants, and producers alike.

Pass__x_______ Fail________

Open/3500/1000 Classes

Current Rule

If there are not enough contestants to constitute a class the contestant must move up to the next OBRA prime class (Open, $3500 Novice, $1000 Novice class) or a lower class must move up to make an OBRA prime class. The entry fee will remain that of the larger class that was affected. A racer may enter an individual horse only once per class. (ex: One contestant in the $500 novice class must move up to the $1000 Novice class. One contestant in the $1000 Novice class with a lower novice class offered, lower novice class must move up to the $1000 Novice class. One contestant in the $1000 novice class and no lower novice classes offered, then contestant must move to $3500 novice. If one contestant in the $3500 novice, then they must move to the Open. If one contestant in the Open, then the $3500 moves to the Open)

Proposed

If there are not enough contestants to constitute a class, co sanctioned producers shall have the option of running all the classes combined.

If producer is offering Open, 3500, 1000, they may combine and run as a 3D

If producer is offering the Open, 3500, 1000 and 500, they may combine and run as a 4D

This shall not apply to Prime races.

It will still be the producers responsibility to mark the names of entries with a notation of which class each runner has nominated for, to keep tracking points easier for the points secretary. Points shall be counted in a similar fashion as the 4D.

Reasoning

Currently producers are offering the classes less and less. The reason being its too time consuming to swap runners around to meet the current rule just before the race. The number one reply I hear when I inquire, its too much of a pain for the very few that use it. This is easy to verify when you see one or two in each class in the results.

I’m afraid as some point we will entirely lose the classes, and what sets this club apart from others. So my attempt to rethink how the club might get more entered up, and then also raise revenue over all is below.

Pass_________ Fail___x_____

Weeknight races

Current Rule

Proposed

Weeknight races may have a split start with two sections of runners. 1st set of runners may run before 5 pm. Second section must be allowed to enter after 5pm

Pass_________ Fail___x_____

Current Rule

OFFICERS

1.Election of officers to be made at the annual fall meeting by the majority present.

2.Officers will serve for one year, from election date to election date.

3.The Officers of the OBRA shall be as follows: President, Vice- President, Secretary-Treasurer, Novice Chairman, Webmaster, Awards Chairman, Finals Chairman, and Ways and Means.

4.All candidates for all offices must be at least 21 years of age.

5.The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and Novice Chairman. Executive Board of Directors and Board of Directors shall be involved in major decisions.

6. All members elected to the Executive Board and Board of Directors positions shall have their membership fee, limited to two nominations (ie., two classes, a class and a 4D or two 4D) and one entry into finals with two nominations, (ie., two classes, a class and a4D or two 4D a class and 4D), waived.

Proposed

7. All elected positions shall not exceed 3 years consecutively. Persons shall still be eligible to run for other positions.

Reasoning

There are no term limits mentioned. As we have seen in congress, too much of a good thing is still too much. I propose no person shall exceed 3 years in any position. A person may run for a different position on the board, but shall not exceed 3 years consecutively. In the event current officers are in excess of their 3rd year, a final additional year can be considered and voted on by members in good standing.

Pass_________ Fail___x_____

Proposal

6. ALL MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITIONS SHALL HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP FEE OF $50 FOR NO COST. ADDITIONALLY, ELECTED MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE ONE ENTRY TO EITHER A CLASS OR 4D WAIVED

Reasoning

The price of all the races has increased significantly. It is my opinion this would be better scrutinized by elected officials if there was not such a hefty benefit of paid fees. After all, nothing is free, we the people are paying for it.

With finals this year costing $300 for a class and the 4D, plus hefty stall and rv costs, on top of having to drive into a entirely different state, I feel the board is out of sync with the costs we the people are paying.

Pass_________ Fail____x____

Current Rule

MEETINGS

1.Meetings shall be held at any designated place, advance notice must be sent to all members. Efforts are to be made to have the meeting place in a central location.

2.Rule changes can be made only at the annual fall meeting with any rule change proposals being submitted on the website 10 days before the fall meeting. Any proposals submitted after shall require the general membership vote at the Fall Meeting as well as a Board vote. Said proposals to be in By-Law format. Changes to be submitted to the President.

3.All OBRA meetings will be run in a civil and orderly fashion. All attempts are to be made to follow the guidelines of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Proposed

2. Rule changes can be submitted 30 days prior to the annual meeting at finals, in the correct format and will be available for all members to vote on via online poll, which shall be open for at least 5 days, and closed on final review at the meeting. Any member attempt to double vote shall be banned as a member.

Pass_________ Fail___x_____

Proposed

1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO BE MADE AT THE ANNUAL FALL MEETING.

SITTING ELECTED MEMBERS SHALL DECLARE IF THEY ARE RUNNING FOR THE NEXT YEAR, AND OPEN NOMINATIONS A MINIMUM OF 15 DAYS BEFORE THE FALL MEETING. ONLINE POLLING OF ALL MEMEBERS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO PRIOR TO, AND FINALIZED AT THE MEETING TO ENSURE ALL MEMBERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

ANY MEMEBER ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE A VOTE SHALL BE BANNED FROM MEMBERSHIP FOR LIFE.

Pass_________ Fail___x_____

Current Rule

The State is divided into 3 areas; Area 1 (Oregon West), Area 2 (Oregon East) and Washington. Refer to the forward of rule book for breakdown of the areas by counties.No two races that are PRIME will be scheduled within 90 miles in the same area, on the same race day. No two races that are CO-SANCTION will be scheduled within 50 miles on the same race day. Same-day mileage protection can be waived with approval from all race producers involved. Scheduled dates will be on a first come first serve basis.

Proposed

The state shall be divided into 2 areas. Area 1 (Oregon West) and Area 2 (Oregon East)

Reasoning

Looking thru the Oct- August calendar we had 59 races on the Eastside, and 92 on the Westside of which 17 were located in Washington. The number of opportunities for members to acquire points is nearly double on the west side of the cascades. For that reason my proposal is the omit all Washington races until and unless there can be equal numbers of races on the East side of Washington to provide equal opportunities. Without the Washington races, there were still 16 mores race in Oregon on the Westside then the Eastside. There is ample opportunity for Washington riders to drive to Oregon should they want to join and acquire points. Additionally, we have the buy in option at finals.

Pass_________ Fail___x_____

Current Rule

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

1. To be eligible for Rookie of the Year you must be a 1st year OBRA member with less than $1,000 lifetime earnings on the rider.

Proposed

1. To be eligible for Rookie of the Year you must be a 1st year OBRA member with less than $1,000 lifetime earnings on the rider. Excluding buy in at finals prior year of nominating. Must be first full year being a OBRA member.

Pass_________ Fail___x_____

Current Rule

Special Awards #2

2. Horse of the Year Award: Based on the horse’s athletic ability and versatility during the year. Will be voted on no later than 2 months prior to finals for the purpose of the awards committee to procure a more personalized award.

Proposed

Special Awards #2

2. Horse of the Year Award: Based on the horses who are sitting top 5 in each class (OPEN, 3500, 1000) As of July 1st during the year. Horse of the Year needs to be with the current nominator (if different than owner). Horse of the Year will be voted on no later than 2 months prior to finals for the purpose of the awards committee to procure a personalized award.

Reasoning

Why I think this is because there were a lot of people who had no idea what horse to pick from out of 200 (rough estimate) nominated. I think this would help more people vote if they had a list of horses who were eligible for Horse of the Year.

Pass_________ Fail___x_____

Vote in 2023-2024 Officers

President: The President shall preside at all meetings of OBRA and will work with the Officers of OBRA to perform duties necessary for the proper administration of OBRA, including: approval of races submitted, sending an updated race packet, rule book and necessary forms to each producer as needed race approval packet to each race secretary producer upon approval of an OBRA race, backing up the webmaster, maintaining appropriate insurance coverage and monitoring financial documents. The President will work directly with the Secretary-Treasurer to file appropriate reports with the Internal Revenue Service, Oregon Department of Revenue and the Oregon Secretary of State. They will work with the Secretary-Treasurer to insure the status and continuation of the nonprofit status of the organization.

Nominations: Heidi Tillotson – elected

Vice President: The Vice-President shall be back-up points keeper for the Open, 3500 Novice, 1000 Novice, 4D classes and Rookie. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President will preside at meetings, compile the yearly progress report and perform duties assigned to her.

Nominations: Stephanie Chike – elected

Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary-Treasurer shall record and keep meeting minutes, keep complete roster of membership and keep records of business transactions. She will have custody of OBRA funds accounting to the Association at the meetings. It shall be her responsibility to prepare and have a monthly financial statement and send to the Executive Board for review. It will be available to all members in good standing by request. sent to webmaster to post on the website. She will send the nomination forms onto the Novice Chairman and Vice President within two weeks, of receipt.

Nominations: Marie Ellis – elected

Novice Chair/Points: The Novice Chairman will be the primary points keeper for the Open, 3500 Novice, 1000 Novice, 4D classes and Rookie. She will also send the webmaster a list of the Open, 3500 Novice, 1000 Novice, 4D and Rookie nominations to be published for further verification by the members.

Nominations: Niki Davila – elected

Ways and Means/Social Media: The Ways and Means Chairman shall be in charge of facilitating OBRA sponsorships and fundraising projects fundraisers throughout the year, as well as assist with recruiting new members. They will work with the Webmaster and Finals Committee chair for insuring the advertising for sponsors is completed. Fundraising projects are to have the advance approval of the Board. Monies generated from these projects to go to the OBRA general account to be used for operation of OBRA and for year-end awards.

Nominations: Emily Hampton/Shelly Mitchell – elected

Awards Committee: The Awards Committee will be responsible for obtaining year-end and final’s weekend awards. Written communication with Executive Board and Finals Chairman to include budgets and awards lists to be submitted 90 days, 60 days and 30 days prior to finals. (The purpose of this is to keep communication between committees and the executive board in order to decrease last minute issues with prizes)

Nominations: Shelly Mitchell/Deanna Nelson – elected

West Side Fundraiser Chair:

Nominations: Dani Grant/Brandy Bailey – elected

East Side Fundraiser Chair:

Nominations: Emily Hampton – elected

Finals Chair: The Finals Chairman will be responsible for overseeing the Final Race for the year. Finals Chairman to provide dates, bids and locations to the Executive Board to vote on by November 30th. Budgets to be provided to Executive Board at 90 days, 60 days and 30 days prior to finals.

Nominations: Brandy Bailey/Dani Grant – elected

Meeting adjourned: 9:53pm