Dear CQHA Members!

As you may know from previous email distributions, Equine Canada has circulated proposed ByLaw changes to be voted on by August 24, 2012 (early on-line ballots) or in person at General Meeting to be held on Sept. 22 in Bromont, Quebec.  

The CQHA Board of Directors has reviewed and received feedback on these proposed changes as well as received feedback from some other breed associations and some provincial horse councils. All of the feedback received has been negative in terms of the proposals appearing to reduce the autonomy of Equine Canada  Councils (including the Industry Council of which CQHA is an affiliate member) and provincial/regional horse councils, and further empowering the EC Board. Other feedback indicates concern about the "timing" of these proposed changes and an impression of feeling rushed to judgment.

Many groups are recommending their members vote NO to these By-Law changes to force the Equine Canada Board of Directors to go back to the table and revisit these proposed changes. There is still time to meet the requirements of the new Not-For-Profit Corporations Act changes which does allow maintaining the status-quo until 2014.

The CQHA Board of Directors is in agreement with the feedback we've received that a NO vote would best serve CQHA and the Industry Council to which we belong. We would appreciate it if you would support this position.

See the Equine Canada email below for instructions on registering to vote and obtaining a ballot.  NOTE DEADLINE TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT IS AUGUST 24, which is currently taking up to 3 days to be returned by Equine Canada after you register to vote.  

You may only vote if you are a member of Equine Canada, which you may be if:                    you purchased a 2012 membership in your provincial/regional Horse Council, or                  you purchased a 2012 EC Sport License (to show in EC/FEI approved events), or                 you purchased an Individual EC Membership in EC ($10) before Aug. 7/2012. 

 You will need to supply said membership number if you plan to register to vote.

NOTICE is hereby given to all Equine Canada members that a General Meeting of its Members has been called for:

When: September 22, 2012 at 4 pm EDST

Where: 450 chemin de Gaspé, Bromont Equestrian Park, Quebec - Hospitality Tent, Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships 

Why:  For the purpose of voting on recommended changes to the official Bylaws of Equine Canada

As many of you know, the past several months have seen tremendous collaboration, on a number of fronts, on behalf of the country's equestrian sport and horse industry. At the same time, the Federal Government enacted new legislation in 2011 governing Not-For-Profit Corporations - Equine Canada is a not-for-profit organization. This combination of events has necessitated the revision of several sections of Equine Canada's Bylaws. The Board of Directors has therefore called a General Meeting for the purpose of voting on the recommended revised Bylaws.

You can read the new Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.

Additional useful information on the changes necessitated by the Act for organizations like Equine Canada can be found here.

Download the Equine Canada 2012 Revised Draft Bylaws

Voting will open August 9, 2012 and close August 24, 2012. Ballots must be received by Equine Canada by August 24, 2012 (11:59 pm EST).

On behalf of the (Equine Canada) Board of Directors, we hope you will take the time to exercise your vote on these recommended changes to the Equine Canada Bylaws, and to encourage that your members do the same.

Sincerely,

Michael Gallagher, President, Equine Canada 

Tony La Giorgia, Secretary, Equine Canada 

Eligible Voters

*          Any individual member in good standing (current 2012 membership as of August 7) with Equine Canada, including joint memberships with a Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization.   Members will be asked to show proof of membership and residency in registering to vote.  Junior members are not eligible to vote.

*          Every Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization in good standing for 2012 has one vote through an appointed delegate.

*          Equine Canada National Association and Corporate members, in good standing for 2012, have one vote through an appointed delegate.

*         All individual members who are under 18 on January 1, 2012 are juniors (for all of 2012) and may not vote (regardless of their age on August 7, 2012). 

*         All individual members who are 18 or older on January 1, 2012 are Individual members and may vote accordingly.

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