ILR Show Division Youth Committee Minutes - March 11, 2009
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ILR Show Division

YOUTH COMMITTEE Minutes
March 11, 2009

The Youth Committee meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. CST on Wednesday, March 11th. Members present were Beth Myers, Seth Onsager, Debbie Shellabarger, Tabbethia Haubold, and Kelly Gisch. 

Concerns about the prior decision to allow youth to show the same animal in both youth and open were discussed. The committee voted that youth may share an animal in youth classes at the discretion of show management, but the number of youth sharing one animal in youth classes will be limited to two (2), in order to prevent undue stress to the animal. Youth may show same animal in both youth and open performance at show management discretion. This will apply only if that animal is not shared with another youth. In showmanship, llamas/alpacas will not be shared by youth in the same age group since the youth would be in the ring at the same time.

(Motion: Seth Onsager, Second: Tabbethia Haubold)  Motion passed with 4 "yes" and 1 "no" vote. 

Next to be discussed was the option of running open classes prior to youth classes. It was the consensus of the committee to recommend this. 

The discussion moved to lowering the age requirement for the junior class to 7 through 11. The committee is in favor of allowing the age requirement to be lowered. The age division in which the youth will show will be determined by their age on January 1st of that year, however, if a youth reaches the age of 7 any time during the year, they will be eligible to show as of their birth date.

(Motion: Tabbethia Haubold, Second: Debbie Shellabarger)  The motion passed unanimously.

 The committee agreed that the junior group (age 7 - 11) should not be combined with intermediate and advanced at any time.  If show management feels that there are not significant numbers to warrant three age groups, then the youth may be split into two groups instead of three by combining the intermediate and advanced classes and leaving juniors as a separate class.  There should be no less than two age divisions.

(Motion: Tabbethia Haubold, Second: Kelly Gisch)  The motion passed unanimously.

Youth showmanship dress/attire: There are no strict dress code requirements. Appropriate attire is requested. Such attire should be modest, professional and safe. Examples of appropriate attire could be slacks, trousers, neat jeans or skirts or tops with sleeves. Full shoes/boots required, no open toes or open heels. 

(Motion: Seth Onsager, Second: Tabbethia Haubold)  Motion passed with 4 "yes" and 1 "no" vote. 

Youth performance classes will have only one requirement: Full shoes/boots required, no open toes or open heels. Appropriate to class attire is suggested.

(Motion: Tabbethia Haubold, Second: Seth Onsager)  The motion passed unanimously.

The Youth Champion Award will be determined by the best combined score from 3 classes. Freestyle Obstacle and Companion PR will be required classes. The third class may be either Showmanship or Trail Pack. If the youth participates in all four classes, the scores from the Freestyle Obstacle and Companion PR class will always be used, and the third class will be the highest score from either the Showmanship or Trail Pack class. In the case of a tie, the Freestyle Obstacle class score will be the tiebreaker. The second tiebreaking score, if needed, will be the Companion PR class. 

(Motion: Kelly Gisch, Second: Seth Onsager) Motion passed unanimously. 

It was decided that there will be no mandatory obstacles for youth performance classes.

(Motion: Debbie Shellabarger, Second: Tabbethia Haubold) Motion passed unanimously. 

 Next to be discussed was an age limit for intact males being shown by youth.  Due to safety concerns, the committee voted to restrict youth in the junior age division from showing intact males over the age of 18 months.

(Motion:  Seth Onsager, Second: Debbie Shellabarger) Motion passed unanimously.

Due to safety concerns, the committee voted to restrict the use of live animals and animal skins for any youth classes.

(Motion: Debbie Shellabarger, Second: Tabbethia Haubold) Motion passed unanimously.

The committee consensus was to advocate for the lowest possible number of entries needed to qualify for points at a show.

 ILR YOUTH DIVISION MISSION STATEMENT

1. To provide beneficial services and opportunities for youth that enhance and encourage llama ownership and participation.

2. To develop diverse educational programs, material and curriculum that will position the ILR Youth Division as a leading resource organization in the camelid industry.

3. To provide guidance and a safe and enjoyable environment for a positive camelid experience now in the future.

4. To generate growth of ILR Youth membership via the marketing, promotion, advertising and publicity of the llama industry.

(Motion: Seth Onsager, Second: Kelly Gisch) Motion passed unanimously.

The need for a score tabulation form for the Youth Champion Award was discussed.  Kelly will work on this.

A suggestion was made to request a youth section or page on the ILR website. Prior to formal request, ideas for subject matter, space needed, maintaining updates, etc. will be proposed and tweaked.

Upon motion by Tabbethia Haubold, seconded by Debbie Shellabarger, the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. CST.

 Respectfully submitted by Kelly Gisch.