Officers and directors have been selected to the 2018 RUS New York Management Committee.
Ashley Eldred, who ran unopposed, will serve as the group’s president and be the lead contact for membership. Eldred has served as secretary and has been participating in racing under saddle for six years. Her goals include, but are not limited to, creating more competitive/conditioned races, more participation from riders/owners/trainers and more qualified horses and to reevaluate the terms necessary to gain wagering.
Hillary Hartnett has accepted vice president responsibilities. She will also be the lead contact for sponsorships. Hartnett has two years of RUS under her belt including having captured the RUS NY Fair Final Championship last season. The Morrisville Equine Breeding Management alum does not come from a harness racing background but does love working with horses. Hartnett works at Leatherstocking Equine Center in New Berlin as a breeding manager.
Michelle Miller, who served as president of RUS NY since establishing the group into a more formal non-profit in 2015, will be the group’s acting treasurer and marketing director. Hannah Miller will fill the secretary seat, a role she has served in the past.
Those accepting director roles on the committee include Sophie Engerran, Jocelyn Gale, Heather Reese, Sasha Moczulski, Michelle Crawford, Cathy Gearwar and Victoria Labelle.
Directors commit to taking on at least one lead responsibility for the group and attending meetings either physically or via internet.
Duties of those on the Management Committee shall be to:
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Provide leadership and strategic direction for the organization
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Ensure that an organization remains accountable to its donors and to the general public
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Evaluate financial policies, approve annual budgets and review periodic financial reports to ensure that the organization has the necessary resources to carry out its mission
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To act as liaisons to our members and represent their best interest when voting
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Directors are expected to actively participate in organizational planning and decision-making and to make sound and informed judgments. When acting on behalf of the organization, directors must put the interests of the group before any personal or professional concerns and avoid potential conflicts of interest.
Membership of RUS NY is open to any individual who supports the sport of Racing Under Saddle and is interested in helping the group to achieve its aim and willing to abide by the rules of the group. Members do not need to be from New York but are encouraged to attend meetings, help fundraise and participate in discussions. Membership does not give the power to vote. The only time members get to vote is during the group’s annual general meeting to elect a Management Committee.
Benefits of membership:
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Networking opportunities and more racing opportunities
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Staying connected with what is going on; getting emails and updates (members are responsible for keeping contact info up to date)
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Members can sit on committees and help with proposals that will go in front of the Management Committee
Anybody interested in membership should email [email protected].
The organization’s Management Committee must consist of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and at least three directors. The positions are voted on annually, generally at an annual meeting.
RUS NY’s aim is to help organize and promote under saddle races for Standardbreds across the state. The main goal is to promote racing under saddle and the versatility of the Standardbred breed as both a racing and a riding horse, to help Standardbreds find great homes after they finish their days on the track.
To learn more, visit rus-newyork.com.
(RUS NY)