Message from the President:
At the NHPA General Assembly Meeting, it was voted to increase the NHPA dues from twelve dollars ($12.00) to seventeen dollars ($17.00) for adults starting in 2009. This will automatically increase the Texas Horseshoe Pitchers Assoc. dues to twenty-six ($26.00) dollars starting for the 2009 membership cards.
Everyone’s cost of doing business is increasing including THPA’s. The cost of the Ringer has almost doubled, postage has increased, and the cost of trophies and jackets has increased this year along with some of the normal everyday business expenses. I do not think cost of doing business is going to go down in the near future if ever.
This brings me to a concern I have. As President, I normally do not print my opinion regarding proposed by-laws. I try to print both the pros and cons of the issue. Even though there are some of this year’s proposed by-laws I personally do not agree with, there is one in particular that concerns me deeply. It is the proposed by-law regarding the disbursement of the Travel Fund money. I strongly feel if this by-law amendment passes, it could be very detrimental to the finances of THPA. I hesitated about voicing my concerns but I feel it is very important to our organization to be sure the figures are available to everyone.
The proposed by-law could cost twenty-seven hundred dollars ($2,700) a year to be paid from the travel fund and from the general fund. THPA has never received that amount of money for the travel fund even on years tournament participation was at its highest. Based on the past few years, THPA would have to spend $800 - $1000 (or more) out of the general fund each year to meet the requirements of the proposed amendment. With the increase in other THPA expenses, I feel this amendment would be very costly and critical to THPA financially over the next two to three years. Tournament participation is down due to travel costs. I do not see this changing in the near future, therefore; less money is received in the Travel Fund that is funded by $1.00 per member from the tournament entry fee for each tournament.
The current by-law states the President may receive up to $100 per club for travel expenses. The President does not have to accept the full amount. They may elect to divide the balance of the funds collected among the other officers at the end of the year. Bottom line, is the officers can not receive more than is received into the existing travel fund with the existing by-law.
All I am asking is for each of you to review all of the proposed amendments and weigh the pros and cons between the current by-laws and the proposed by-law changes prior to casting your vote. Our by-laws should benefit our organization as a whole. Let’s keep it simple and not rule our self out of the sport of horseshoes.