ILR Show Division
FLEECE COMMITTEE Minutes
January 12, 2009
Conference Call Meeting – January 12, 2009,
7 pm EST
ILR Board Member - Mary Jo Miller
Committee Members - Val Carmichael,
Lynda Carothers, Betty Moe,
Fran Soukup, Pamela Tait
Board member Mary Jo opened the conference
call meeting asking each member to introduce themselves and tell
the committee about their personal interests in fiber and what
expectations they had for the fiber committee.
From the
members comments, the following seemed to be a common theme:
1. Interest in the education of
the llama community and public on llama fiber
2. Marketing of llama fiber and
fiber products
3. Resources - need for a
listing of fiber mills, shearers and outlets for fiber
4. Make fiber exciting
5. Fiber Classes
6. Consider amount of
production of fiber as well as quality in shorn judging
Fran Soukup was elected chair
unanimously, and Pamela Tait was elected committee secretary,
again unanimously.
The Fiber Committee had received
several suggestions and input from Members that were
acknowledged and discussed.
Val suggested forming a yahoo group
for committee discussions other than during conference calls.
Val to check out the how-to and to make sure it would be
secure. Mary Jo checking with ILR board to make sure this is
appropriate.
Discussed possible fleece
divisions. 5 divisions suggested:
1.
Classic/light wool/double coat or dual coat
2.
Double coat or dual coat
3.
Single coat with crimp
4.
Single coat without crimp/Silky
5.
Suri
Mary Jo made a motion, seconded by
Betty to have the same 5 above divisions for both shorn and
fleece on the llama classes. Motion passed unanimously.
It was suggested that we use the
terms ccara, tapada, lanuda and suri for our fleece division
since those terms already exist. Terms may be combined until
members become familiar with them. Committee to research these
terms and definitions, and discuss whether they are appropriate
to use.
Fiber committee will be making a
list of classes that superintendants can choose from. It was
agreed that conformational classes and fleece judging classes
should be kept separate in order to keep conformation from going
by the wayside in favor of fleece production.
Committee suggested changing name of
Walking Fiber to Fleece-on-Llama
and keeping Shorn Fleece.
Age divisions need to be
determined. There was much discussion about age divisions,
including 5 – 12 mo.,
under 24 mo, 24 mo to 60 mo, and over 60 mo being more distinct
age differences in fineness of fleece production. Committee
decided to see what the Halter Committee does with their age
divisions so that we can take that into consideration and to see
what input members may have.
Currently fleece judges are being
grandfathered in. There have been a few fleece judges already
who have submitted their names for consideration. Judges
wishing to be considered should follow-up to make sure that the
Judges Committee has their names.
It was suggested that the Fiber
Division include not only Shorn Fleece and Fleece-On, but also
add a division for Yarns and Finished Goods or Llama
Fiber Products.
Also suggested was having high-point
fiber animal awards at shows.
Also suggested was having an awards
program to recognize Fiber Artists.
Also suggested was the idea of shows
offering finished llama fiber products as awards. Betty
suggested that we could get a list of names of fiber artists who
would be interested in providing such awards to
superintendants.
Classes suggested for Finished Goods
Division:
1.
Handspun Yarns
2.
Knit Items
3.
Crocheted Items
4.
Woven Items
5.
Machine-knit Items
6.
Felted Items
7.
Locker-hook Items
8.
Misc/Specialty (Lead ropes, Bolos, etc, etc)
9.
Authentic Llama Fiber Costumes
10.
Natural or Dyed
It was agreed that the above classes
would be offered in Youth and Adult. It was agreed that the
above classes would be offered in 100% Llama Fiber and 50%+
Llama Fiber Blends.
2009 is the International Year of
Natural Fibers. There are groups and guilds that are doing
educational displays on natural fibers around the country. One
such group has put together a Fiber Study book that has
samples of natural fibers in it for people to see and feel.
There might be a possibility of this kind of study book
being a marketable item, as it relates to llama fiber.
The Fiber Committee is interested in
putting together some displays for superintendants who want to
have better fiber displays at their venues for not only
exhibitors but the public as well. Promotional material and
pictures for superintendants to download and print out on their
end would be helpful.
At this point, Mary Jo suggested
that our committee may need to form into some sub-committees as
we have a lot of ideas and could use the help of those fiber
people who volunteered for the committee. Fiber Education could
be one such sub-committee, Marketing, etc.
It was discussed that both the Fiber
Committee and the Judges Committee will need to work together to
come up with the guidelines for ILR Fleece Judges.
The next conference call of the
Fiber Committee will be Monday, January 26, 2009, at 7 pm EST.
In the meantime, Fran will email the
Halter Committee about the age divisions. Fran will work on
developing scorecards for the Shorn Fleece and Fleece-On
divisions. Betty & Linda will work on Finished Goods scorecards.
The group is to contact local llama folks for their input and
feedback on the above thoughts related to fleece judging.
Committee members will work together
via email right now.
Agenda items for the next meeting
will include finishing rules, identifying sub-committees,
year-end awards, and life-achievement awards.
Meeting adjourned 9:10 pm EST.
Minutes submitted by Pamela Tait,
Fiber Committee Secretary