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Annual meetings are held to keep the membership informed as to the business of the organization, restate the organization's goals and position on political issues as they pertain to the organization, etc. Most importantly, establish open communication with the membership. By doing so, the officers humble themselves thus promoting good input and exchange of ideas. I am sure there are other attributes to annual meetings worthy of noting; however, these are what came to mind as I reviewed the events of the past meeting.
As one of the older farms with Gypsy Vanners and long time members of AQHA and AHA, we are familiar with how organizations are effectively or not.. run, the internal politics, etc. We have also witnessed the creation, progress or lack of progress of the four breed registries in the USA. Not old, about 17 years now, the GVHS has held the distinction of being the oldest organization; though at its inception, it was not open to the public. UNLESS you bought a horse from the marketing brain behind the term "Gypsy Vanner", you were not considered to own a Gypsy Vanner. We were aware that he promoted the Gypsy Vanner, as did his close followers, as different, the ideal, the breed, selectively bred .... all terms bantered about with an air of exclusivity. Without an explanation, distrust and palpable dislike for anything to do with the GVHS existed. This alone did much to turn even the curious inquiry away. For those who subsequently visited the Gypsy herds and imported their own, it was insulting. Many were good horse people with an understanding of the culture they were approaching, while a few took the ugly American approach ... insulting the breeders who in turn willingly sold poor quality animals filling a shipment with youngsters that might otherwise end up on a plate in France. Would you sell your best to an outsider who tried to get the best of you in a deal....I rather doubt it. In addition, the Romani breeders, as a culture, were understandably wary of outsiders. It reminds me of dealing with the American Indians years ago. They were suspicious of the English ( Amish term for non Amish) so presenting computer products (my job) to their organizations was difficult. At the end of the day, a respectful, sensitive approach opened doors and paved the way to mutual good business with the tribes. That is called a win win.
I digressed..... back to the meeting. Keep in mind, seventeen years later,a presentation was made at the 2013 GVHS Annual Meeting that cleared up a lot of questions as to how a small handful of owners came to a way of thinking that was so offensive to many of Gypsy Vanner/ Horse/Cob owners. Having a great deal to do with history and genetics, the Joyce Christian's presentation also revealed the unusual political culture of the organization with personal reflections and more importantly, where we stand in our effort to legitimize the breed as a breed. We have, as a registry, experienced more turmoil than most and yet GVHS continues to grow. I believe we are on our way to becoming a professional organization that is truly a service to it's membership and most importantly...to the breed we hold dear. Communication is critical to our success, as are well thought out educational programs for potential and current judges, a strong youth program as they are our future, and for owners to understand what it takes to make this breed more than a phenotype. The infusions of other breeds and lesser quality animals makes this a challenge for all of us, ...for GVHS and the other three registries..
.
When asked what the goal of the organization was, the President, pointed to a quote by Sponanberg and Bixby, equine dna experts, it read:
Understanding a breed history is essential if breeders are to adequately steward the breed as a genetic resource.
Now the question remains....is everyone on the same page in regard to what is adequate stewardship?
GVHS has consistently put on well attended annual meetings that include engaging programs, farm tours, demonstrations, and discussion groups. The spirited nature of the discussions is a reflection of the passionate attitude held by the membership. They cannot all be wrong in their choice of registry. Perhaps Our choice of registry is a reflection of our decision to support the registry most capable of moving into the future. No guarantees of smooth sailing and no controversy is actually healthy and allows for many different opinions and ideas. If working on diplomacy is our biggest hurdle, we will succeed.In the meantime, I must ask where was the representation from the West Coast Farms? The meeting was held intentionally for the benefit of those farms that would probably not attend an East Coast meeting. If you are reading this, we missed you and had you chosen to attend, I guarantee you would have been as pleased as we were with the overall content, positive atmosphere, and membership participation. Till next year, let us all commit to being stewards of the breed as a genetic resource.
As one of the older farms with Gypsy Vanners and long time members of AQHA and AHA, we are familiar with how organizations are effectively or not.. run, the internal politics, etc. We have also witnessed the creation, progress or lack of progress of the four breed registries in the USA. Not old, about 17 years now, the GVHS has held the distinction of being the oldest organization; though at its inception, it was not open to the public. UNLESS you bought a horse from the marketing brain behind the term "Gypsy Vanner", you were not considered to own a Gypsy Vanner. We were aware that he promoted the Gypsy Vanner, as did his close followers, as different, the ideal, the breed, selectively bred .... all terms bantered about with an air of exclusivity. Without an explanation, distrust and palpable dislike for anything to do with the GVHS existed. This alone did much to turn even the curious inquiry away. For those who subsequently visited the Gypsy herds and imported their own, it was insulting. Many were good horse people with an understanding of the culture they were approaching, while a few took the ugly American approach ... insulting the breeders who in turn willingly sold poor quality animals filling a shipment with youngsters that might otherwise end up on a plate in France. Would you sell your best to an outsider who tried to get the best of you in a deal....I rather doubt it. In addition, the Romani breeders, as a culture, were understandably wary of outsiders. It reminds me of dealing with the American Indians years ago. They were suspicious of the English ( Amish term for non Amish) so presenting computer products (my job) to their organizations was difficult. At the end of the day, a respectful, sensitive approach opened doors and paved the way to mutual good business with the tribes. That is called a win win.
I digressed..... back to the meeting. Keep in mind, seventeen years later,a presentation was made at the 2013 GVHS Annual Meeting that cleared up a lot of questions as to how a small handful of owners came to a way of thinking that was so offensive to many of Gypsy Vanner/ Horse/Cob owners. Having a great deal to do with history and genetics, the Joyce Christian's presentation also revealed the unusual political culture of the organization with personal reflections and more importantly, where we stand in our effort to legitimize the breed as a breed. We have, as a registry, experienced more turmoil than most and yet GVHS continues to grow. I believe we are on our way to becoming a professional organization that is truly a service to it's membership and most importantly...to the breed we hold dear. Communication is critical to our success, as are well thought out educational programs for potential and current judges, a strong youth program as they are our future, and for owners to understand what it takes to make this breed more than a phenotype. The infusions of other breeds and lesser quality animals makes this a challenge for all of us, ...for GVHS and the other three registries..
.
When asked what the goal of the organization was, the President, pointed to a quote by Sponanberg and Bixby, equine dna experts, it read:
Understanding a breed history is essential if breeders are to adequately steward the breed as a genetic resource.
Now the question remains....is everyone on the same page in regard to what is adequate stewardship?
GVHS has consistently put on well attended annual meetings that include engaging programs, farm tours, demonstrations, and discussion groups. The spirited nature of the discussions is a reflection of the passionate attitude held by the membership. They cannot all be wrong in their choice of registry. Perhaps Our choice of registry is a reflection of our decision to support the registry most capable of moving into the future. No guarantees of smooth sailing and no controversy is actually healthy and allows for many different opinions and ideas. If working on diplomacy is our biggest hurdle, we will succeed.In the meantime, I must ask where was the representation from the West Coast Farms? The meeting was held intentionally for the benefit of those farms that would probably not attend an East Coast meeting. If you are reading this, we missed you and had you chosen to attend, I guarantee you would have been as pleased as we were with the overall content, positive atmosphere, and membership participation. Till next year, let us all commit to being stewards of the breed as a genetic resource.
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