RHINELANDER

RABBIT CLUB OF AMERICA

Volume 03, Number 2

September 2003

 

Newsletter Editor Report:

 

Please excuse the change of format. I have been trying to get reports from Directors since the middle of July. Now as can be seen in the Secretary/Treasurer Report, it is imperative that I get this out as soon as possible.

 

There are several items in this Newsletter or much importance to the membership. Read carefully, try to understand what is being stated, and make sure you Vote.

 

Please reference your Constitution and By-Laws regularly. They are the rules that the Rhinelander Rabbit Club of America must follow, or we risk sanctions by ARBA.

 

The Secretary/Treasurer has included a new item “Clubs that have not filed their Show Report.” If one of your local clubs is listed, contact the Show Secretary of that Club and insist they get if filed. If it is not filed, you risk not having you Sweepstakes Points counted.

 

By the time you receive this, you should be getting your entries sent for the National Convention. It would sure be nice to see another increase in Rhinelander Entries.

 

What I have decided do so is list the Reports as they were received by me, so there may be a jump from Director to Officer and back again. Hope it isn’t too confusing.

 

 

Vice Presidents Report: (Received July 8)

 

Last December I sold my house and was forced to sell or place all my 100 rabbits A most difficult and sad chore. But I moved to a "senior village' of small (2bed/2bath) places where two dogs of any size (as long as they don't bark or bite) are welcome but rabbits are considered "farm animals"...(where have we heard that before?) I had to rent for a bit until something came up to buy and had a sad holiday, putting my dear Corgi down on Christmas day.

 

However a remodeled place come up for sale and I bought it and moved AGAIN, only a few blocks away from my rental.  So here I am, watching the hundreds of darling cottontails darting about and eating my garden as fast as I can replant. Somehow they like my yard better than the golf course!

 

I really miss my rabbits and mostly my rabbit friends…  It’s hard to go to shows as there are no local ones anymore and my heart condition prohibits a long drive. GOSH, its hard to get old.

 

Terry and Linda, and Herb, and Cara have my animals and keep me posted on rabbit affairs. I will not be running for office again but read with pleasure each newsletter, thinking how far this club has come these past 20 years.  (You know,   Janice and Jake )

 

Thank each and every one of you for bringing back this wonderful breed ...and for all the friendships over the years…  It was a wonderful experience!

 

ps.. Elsa, the companion rabbit I wrote about in the last newsletter ...is now living in Fullerton, California.  Her companion,  (Wes's father) passed away at 95.

 

Joanne Purpus

1757 Pleasantdale Dr

Encinitas, Calif  92024

760-942-5018

jpurpusproductions@msn.com

 

 

Directors Report: (Received July 14)

 

Hello fellow Rhinelander members!  I hope summer is going well for everyone!  It was nice to see other Rhinelander breeders in North Carolina.  It was a great weekend full of laughter and fun!  My mom and I arrived Friday night to the fairgrounds not sure where to go.  We ended up at a building on the fairgrounds where a pre-wedding bbq was occurring.  Even though they didn't know us, they invited to stay and eat thinking we were family, no matter what we said!  We eventually found the show area and settled in.  Saturday was full of fun and laughter.  Keith took care of us with unlimited snacks and soda too.  The show ran smoothly throughout the day and I was amazed at the beautiful junior's there were!  The Halsey's, Dustin Carr, and Megan Smith had such beautiful ones that keep beating my stock.  It was a nice loss though because they were so beautiful.  I was actually thinking about becoming a robber and stealing a few!  The Smith family also brought their family friend, Whitney, with them.  She kept us laughing throughout the day and through the night at dinner!  I don't think Evelyn Halsey ever stopped laughing through dinner.  I did receive a pleasant surprise when the group surprised me with the wait staff singing me happy birthday.  It was very nice!  It was a shame to leave everyone, but convention in Kansas is very close!

 

In other events, for those that have e-mail there is a great e-mail group for Rhinelander people on the web!  Join in on the fun!   E-mail for more information!

 

Also, if you have any questions about the club or things that are happening, please ask!  A few members had a question about sweepstakes at Nationals and I am so glad they asked me!  It is never hard to fix things or ask questions, so please do.  That is why all of the directors and officers are there. 

Elections are also around the corner.  I am sure Linda is mentioning it in her report.  I know I sent my three signatures to run for Director, did you?  This club needs willing people to get it running strong!  If you want a Breed Guidebook or anything else, talk to us and consider running for an office!  The club needs strong members behind it if we are going to grow!!

I hope to see everyone in Kansas!  I will have a nice surprise at the booth as booth chairperson!

Julia Krout
RRCA Director
Pennsylvania
JuliasJewels@juno.com

 

 

Presidents Report: (Received August 7)

 

Having resigned as President I don't have an article.

Bob Price

 

Secretary/Treasurers Report: (Received August 9)

The following are sanction results not received.

Spring Nationals- Keith Burges- May 31,03
Southwest Exposition -  Tom Barker- Feb2,03
Pike-Gieson RBA- Billie Gendren-June 28, 03
Blue Ridge Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Assoc.-Valerie Harrell-Nov 2,02
Rabbit Breeders & Fanciers of Capital District-Karen McGee-Sept 7,02
Friendly Rabbit Club of Trempeleau-Erik A Bengtson-June 28,03

 

Sweepstakes Year End

July 1, 2002 – June 30, 2003

(Received August 9)

 

 

 

KANSAS CONVENTION REPORT: (Received September 8)

 

It's almost here!  I cannot believe it.  After all the fun in North Carolina, I cannot wait to see y'all in Wichita.  I volunteered in Peoria to run the booth and then agreed with Linda to do the show awards recently.  For the table, it is going to look different this year!  It is going to look like THE Rhinelander table.  Enough said on that because it is to be a nice surprise. 

 

What I am asking from you is to bring things for the raffle table!  My mom and I have been stocking up like crazy as we have been hitting all of the local and county fairs.  We always wanted to see fairs besides our own and we did it this summer.  Some things we had to buy two copies: one for the raffle table and one for us! The Saums will not be in Kansas this year, but we still have a quilt! Lorena Ferchaud in CA has agreed to make us one. I am also going to be running pre-sales on this quilt!  This gives all those that can’t attend, a chance to win this beautiful item. See the flier elsewhere in the newsletter for complete details.

 

The next thing I need help on is the courtesy area for members. I plan on having snacks and drinks for us to enjoy through the day, so bring something along or pick something up as you head over to us. There will also be a message board set up. You may be asking why I do this. It is very simple, I want us to become close and personable. We are a very small club, but we do not know many of each other. If this club is ever going to get on solid feet, we need to come together as a club. What better chance over food?  :o)

 

Finally, be prepared for nice and servicable awards this year. Some may know what I am getting, if they receive e-mail. I would like it to be a surprise for everyone else. Here's a hint: it can carry things and will be used often by the winners.

 

See you soon!  Also, please note my new e-mail address below!

 

Julia Krout
JuliasJewels@enter.net

 

 

Vice Presidents Report: (Received September 10)

 

I would be happy to move into the office of President due to the resignation of our current President?

Joanne Purpus

1757 Pleasantdale Dr

Encinitas Ca 92024

760-942-5018

 

 

Directors Report: (Received September 10)

 

I have been asked by Kimijo Maresko to write an article on Rhinelander judging for the publication in the judges news letter.  I told her I would be happy to do so but would not submit it until after the National Convention as I would like to solicit members in put. Please make available to me any pro's and con's you may have. Either give them to me at convention or e-mail them to me.
Also please think about any changes you may feel strongly about for the up coming new Standard of Perfection. Clubs are ask to submit any changes to standards committee about a year in advance and the time is fast approaching. This item will be up for discussion at National
Convention.
Hope everyone has their best of Breed rabbits ready for convention and hope to see all of you there.

Sincerely
Terry Carter
cartersdesert1@Juno.com

 

 

Secretary/Treasurer Report: (Received September 10)

 

As many of you may not now Bob Price, resigned as President of the Club in July.  When the Vice President, Joanne Purpus, was advised she said she would assume President role and appointed Terry Carter to full fill her term as vice President.  Terry accepted the position to finish her term.

At this point in time I have only 5 people soliciting positions on the executive board.
They are:
Terry Carter -- President
Linda Carter--Sec/Tres.
Julia Krouts---Director
Dave Gerling--Director
Frank Gale-----Director

Ballots will be sent by Oct 1, 2003 to all members in good standing and must be returned to chairman of election committee postmark by Oct 15, 2003.  Anyone wishing to run for an office, that is open with no candidates, may wager a write in campaign. In this particular election
they are Vice President and 3 directors positions. Should these offices be left vacant the new president may appoint someone to full fill these positions.
All new executive board will assume office at the general meeting at the National convention. 

If any one wishing for a nomiation ballot can write to me.  They need to be signed by 3 members in good standing. 

Linda Carter
1560 Vine St.
El Centro, Ca. 92243

 

 

Directors Report: (Received September 11)

 

Dear RRCA Members:

 

You are probably getting sick of me by now with all of my letters in this newsletter.  However, Jerry agreed to include this in the newsletter because I had planned to personally mail this to all of you anyway.  Many of you do not really know me, but I hope you have read my reports in the newsletters these past two years, talked to me via e-mails, etc. and seen that I really love this breed.

 

Since joining the RRCA, I have found that we have been rather laidback in all the things that we do.  This would be okay if people or things didn't fall through the cracks.  It is not any one person's fault, but a continual lack of communication between officers and members.  The RRCA has not had a meeting at quorum where decisions could immediately be voted on for as long as I can remember.  This was finally fixed last year in a voting packet sent to all of the members. 

 

With this in mind, I hope members will come to Kansas ready to discuss and vote on ideas to get this club going in a better direction.  Do you think that we should have a guidebook?  Should we meet more than just the annual meeting?  The meeting is Monday, November 3, at 2.30 PM in Room 202B and I really hope you will come.  I also hope that everyone will bring their thoughts on where they would like Sweepstakes to go. You want to know what is going on with the Standards Committee?  This meeting is the perfect time because the new Executive Board will be in place and ready to hear from you, the members.  As a director and a member, this is what I plan on asking for discussion at the meeting:

1.       Increase communication channels:  We need to get the newsletter out and this means reports have to get in.  The biggest problems caused by communication are the lack of unity and knowledge among members.  EX:  the president resigned and no one knew

2.       Committees:  Since Bob resigned, a merchandise committee head was never assigned and we again have no merchandise for members.  Also, the new Standard of Perfection is coming out very soon and no reports or news have come from the committee members appointed by Bob.  Finally, a guidebook of some sort for all members.  If there is no money to make one, let the committee research finding sponsors/ads/etc.  If there is no committee even to do this, maybe we should because a breed guidebook is a very good tool to have.

3.       Expand the job of secretary/treasurer/sweepstakes to 2-3 people.  This job is a big deal and I think our organization would improve if these jobs were shared between 2-3 people instead of being on the shoulders of just one person.

4.       Expand sweepstakes in some way to give individual rabbit of the year awards etc.

5.       Have meetings bi-annually:  ARBA Convention and RRCA Nationals

What do you think of my five topics for discussion?  Do you have ideas, suggestions, or complaints?  Let me know or come to the meeting in Kansas!  I hope to hear from people before KS or there!  I will be at the booth!

 

 

Julia Krout

3538 Limekiln Pike

Chalfont, Pa 18914

(215) 997-9655
JuliasJewels@enter.net