Message from the President,

A great time was had by all at the Heartland Show in Webser City, Iowa.

The General Membership Meeting provided lively discussions on a variety of topics. Several marketing and networking suggestions were made and below is a list of what I have been able to implement so far:

1. At one time there was a American Miniature Llama brochure. Several members suggested we either find a copy of the old brochure or create a new one and add it to our web site in PDF format. That way members could print out what they need, when they needed it for shows or any other llama related activity. This was not officially voted on but we all agreed that was a good idea. If any of you have a copy of that old brochure please forward to me and I will get it up on the web site. If not I will create one and put on web site as soon as possible.
2. We now have our own Blog: http://americanminiaturellamaassociation.blogspot.com/. This blog is for everyone to use. We would love you to post llama stories, show stories, health stories, birthing stories etc. This forum is not only for AMLA membership enjoyment but for the general public. The more the public learns about minis the more chances we all have to sell our minis. So check out the blog, become a “follower” and post your stories whenever possible.
3. We now have a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/American-Miniature-Llama-Association/187004328013253?sk=wall. This is another “free” way to let the public know about the world of miniature llamas. Not only can you post “short” and I do mean short (420 characters or less.) mini llama comments but you can even link your web site to our farm Facebook page. We should use AMLA’s Facebook page to educate the public, post pictures and talk to the AMLA group as a whole and it only takes minutes a week to add another level of marketing for your farm.
4. What if we want to have a private conversation with all AMLA members but not the general public? Well we can now do that also. americanminiaturellamaassociation@yahoogroups.com is a group email address that only goes to AMLA members. By the time you read this newsletter you should have already received an invitation to join this Yahoo group. Once you accept the invitation you can voice your comments to the entire group via one email so be sure to “accept” your invitation. There is one problem, Yahoo will not allow the use of “info@” so if that is the email address of record with AMLA you will need to provide me with another address in order to receive your invitation. If you are not sure what your official AMLA address is check our web site: http://www.miniaturellamas.com/membership.html.
   

Other discussions or suggestions included:

That we welcome/spotlight new members in the newsletter. I think this is a great idea. We will start the practice immediately and hopefully go back and highlight all new members that joined earlier in 2011.

It was also discussed, voted on and approved that we raise AMLA registration fees $5 in all three categories for non-AMLA members. This gives yet another benefit to AMLA membership. I will be notifying ILR of this increase as soon as this newsletter has been received by the membership.

Everyone involved with AMLA knows we have been talking for years about keeping birth weight and height records to see if it is at all possible to “predict” final adult heights. Both the board and all members in attendance at our General Membership Meeting agreed this is something we really want to try and do. It is strictly voluntary and a blind study. Here is how it will work:
I have created a page on our web site and the address is: http://www.miniaturellamas.com/Measurements.html

• There will not be any link to this page on our web site. The only way you can get to this page is to know the exact address and type it into your browser.
• Every farm what wishes to participate will provide their own identifiable name or number known only to the farm of each animal included in the study.
• At birth and then on or near each birthday of that llama for the first 4 years of its life the farm will provide current measurements and weights.
• You will need to email Pam your information so she can post to our web site.
• All AMLA members will have access to the ever growing list of statistics even if they are not providing statistics.
• If you have been keeping records over the years please include all previous information in order to get our study off to a flying start.

If you have any questions regarding the process or concerns regarding the privacy of your information please do not hesitate to give Pam a call at 706-258-2432.

I was finally able to obtain current number of registered miniature llamas per ILR.

Foundation =   176
Immature =      327
Registered =     489
Total registered minis  992

If anyone at the general membership meeting knows of something I forgot to include in this message please let me know so I can include in next months newsletter.

Sincerely,
Pam Fink
AMLA President

Annual Membership Meeting Minutes

April 29, 2011
Webster City, Iowa

Annual Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., CST. Board Members included Pam Fink, Darlene Awarski, Pat Behrens and Phyllis Wilkerson. Sue Morgan was unable to attend. General members present were Julie Chapman, Raven Dilley, Merle and Tami Mann, Gladys Moritz.

Treasurer’s Report:

2010 Financial Report
Balance on 12/24/09 $4913.80
Balance on 12/23/10 $5630.03

Gross Income
$1,037.00 from mini registrations, breeders page ads and membership fees

Expenditures
$250.00 Advertising
$ 52.50 Meeting room for 2011 annual meeting
$ 18.27 Postage
Total: $320.77

Net Gain $716.23

Up for Discussion:

1. Members vs. Non-Members mini registration:
Should non-members have the same benefits as AMLA members. We are the only group that does not have an up-charge for non-members. Suggested raising non-member charges an additional $5.00. According to the By-Laws a majority of members that are present can approve a Motion. The Motion to raise non-member pricing of $5.00 was approved. Tami Mann made the Motion and Pat Behrens 2nd.

2. Registering Mini’s:
One member asked how many non-members register mini’s? Someone said possibly 20’ish. Pam stressed for everyone to register all their mini’s, to better reflect an accurate mini count. Pam will be checking to see the actual count, to date, of mini’s, foundation, and immature registrations.

3. Official Measuring Stick:
Pam asked about the possibility of changing our Official Measuring Stick. After considerable discussion Merle Mann made a motion and Pat Behrens seconded that the official measuring stick with standard increments on one side and metric on the other should be the official measuring stick. The stick has a push button, fold up vertical beam and a plumb vial for accuracy. The motion was passed unanimously.

4. Llama History:
Is it important of how the mini came to be? Other animals have their history, what about the mini llama? We need people to be aware of the mini history. Pam asked for all members to share, whatever they have with Sue Morgan, our history chair.

5. Recording Birth Weights, Heights, Canon bone, ect:
No official vote on at this time. It was suggested that all members keep detailed growth records of all their mini’s at least until the animal turns 4 years of age. Members then need to share statistics with other members. Memo will go out to members at a later date. Pam will be building a page for members to record measurements of hock, canon bone, weight, height, starting at birth. This would be done on a volunteer basis only.

6. Maturity Age:
We all know that most llamas do not quit growing until 4 years of age, but we measure at 3 years to register. Discussed changing maturity height to 4 years. A memo will be sent to all members at a later date.

7. Breeding Females Too Young:
It was brought up that breeding females earlier than 2 years of age created many complications, most in attendance agreed 3 years of age was a better age.

8. Members, Marketing, Etc:
What can we do to be as fair as possible for members, marketing, etc.?:
This will be up for discussion at a later date. Discussion took place without a plan agreed on.

9. Blog for AMLA Discussions:
Pam asked if we wanted a Blog, Yahoo email Group, and/or Facebook for all AMLA members to use as a simple and fast way to communicate with each other. It was agreed it was a good idea. Pam will be working on it and will inform all members when it is completed.

10. Questions Regarding AMLA:
1. How can we make the organization grow?
2. How can we get more to participate?
3. How can we get a larger membership?
No concrete ideas were approved.

11. Newsletter:
Pam is open for any suggestions, comments, or ideas regarding for ways to improve our Newsletter.

12. Brochures:
It was suggested that AMLA needs new Brochures. This could help initiate new members. If anyone has a copy of past brochures please forward a copy to Pam so she can create a new brochure to add to our web site.

13. Additional Discussions:

• What can we do to get members from the West?
• Give free, yearly AMLA Membership to new members?
• Honorary Membership?

Nothing was officially voted on.

14. “The Gathering”:
“The Gathering” Llama Show, in Des Moines, Iowa will have mini classes.
The Iowa State Fair will have mini classes.
White Pine, TN will have mini classes.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m., CST. Raven Dilley made the Motion and Gladys Moritz 2nd.

Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Wilkerson
AMLA Secretary

Board Members
Pam Fink,President
Darlene Awarski,Vice President
Phyllis Wilkerson, Secretary
Pat Behrens, Treasurer
Sue Morgan, Registrar

Membership
AMLA membership dues must be sent to ILR. ILR is responsible for maintaining our membership list. Dues are $25 per farm and membership runs the calendar year.

Registration
Individual llama registrations must be sent to ILR. You will receive a combined ILR-AMLA registration paper for each mini llama you register or upgraded.

Fees for AMLA registration are:
Initial Registration: $10
Immature to Mature Status $6 Checks should be made payable to AMLA and sent to PO Box 8, Kalispell, Mt 59903. If you have any questions email ILRA at amla@lamaregistry.com

Annual Web site Ads
All breeder ads, both photos and copy, should be emailed to Pam Fink and the $50 fee should be made payable to ALMA and mailed to Pat Behrens, 1076 Harrods Creek Rd, Paris, Kentucky 40361

Newsletter Ad s
Business card farm ad's are free to all AMLA members. Please email a copy of your farm business card to Pam Fink. The number of ads used each month will depend on available space .

Lavinia & Alan Stevens
Millstream Miniature Llamas
355 Atkins Rd.
Victoria, BC V9B 3A1

Julie & Derek Sines
1132 W, Woodrow Rd.
Shelby, MI 49455
231-742-0931



Darlene & Ken Awarski
5265 Norris Run Rd.
Blacksburg, VA
540-808-8664



Joyce & Pete Barber
506 Jones Rd.
Mill Springs, NC 28756
828-625-4132



Sue & George Morgan
33693 Hibernia St.
Frontenac, MN 55026
651-380-2236



Tami & Merle Mann
2605 Luminary Lane
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
641-673-7740



Pam & Jerry Fink
65 Windy Valley Lane
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-258-2432

Toby is a proven male. He has many Grand & Reserve Champion Trophy's and has great cria's all have fine or silky fleeces. Toby has cria's that place in Reserve Champion, 1st and 2nd place. Cria's like The Chief, Fantasy, and Dustie Rose. If you want to see some of his fiber or Fantas's fiber let Bill Fisher know & he will send you some. Asking $1,000.00 but will take $750.00 right now.

AMLA's Newsletter editor and Web Master is Pam Fink.
Comments on how to improve both are encouraged. Please feel free to send comments, suggestions corrections etc.
to Pam anytime.