Just wanted to let everyone know, your Junior High Director (Greg Cole) and I just got back from attending the National Mid-Winter meeting in Denver Colorado. I guess the big news is that we have a new Executive Secretary in our National office. Kent Sturman Retired and Michael Dickson will be officially on the team on Jan.31st.

There were lots of committee meetings and lots of discussion with some changes being made. The full board meeting was on Sat. and all the committees reported their recommendations to the board for a vote. This meeting started at 8:00 and ended about 3:30. The Insurance committee, of which I was part of, recommended the changing of our Ins. provider for the next two years. This motion passed. I am also on the membership development committee and the big discussion was that our numbers are down Nationally. Our local numbers are holding steady and up a few this year. Noting that we have a few more Seniors than the past couple years. The consensus of the committee was that we can get all the kids in the states interested but, if we don't get the parents interest we won't get the kids.

I am also on the livestock inspection committee and we set the numbers of livestock needed for the 2012 and 2013 National Finals in Springfield, Illinois. We also discussed who would inspect the livestock before Nationals.

Probably the committee I enjoy most is the Crisis fund. This fund gets most of it's money from the State basket auction at Nationals. By the way, our basket turned heads last year and brought in more money

than we ever have. Thanks to everyone who helped our Queen prepare the basket. From the donators of items to the gatherers of those items. From the kids that helped carry the items in, to the artistic arrangers

of those items. Job well done. Side note, since the crisis fund was started in the 90's it has collected a net of around $280,000 dollars and has paid out around $125,000. So, the fund has paid out about 25% over

the few years it has been in existence.

All in All our assoc. looks strong for the future, with new leadership and new ideas. Welcome on board our newest National Sponsor "Lubrisyn".

Let’s concentrate on recruiting new members. It is up to you kids to talk to your friends and let them know the fun and opportunities you receive from our association.

Lets Rodeo,

Russell S. Kreider

Ky. High School Rodeo Assoc. National Dir.