hello everybody!
i talked to jennie and since we are going to have more than 8 california youth at nationals, we are probably going to split up into two teams for points for classes and such but then still do the skit together.  for the skit, i think we are going to do "may the horse be with you" by relient k. thanks brittney!
we also need to get our recycling thing together.  if someone wants to take charge of that, it would be great.  tiffany kell said that she has a lot of cans if someone wants to go pick those up and we also need to put a bin up at the barn.  we should also try to get one at all the shows.
i assume that we still plan to have a meeting on the first monday of next month? we need to finalize time and whatnot.

The caterer at the show will be the same one that was at Indio, if any of you went.  He has meals, but doesn't have a lot of snack and breakfast stuff.  Here are some of the things I think we will need:

• pastries or muffins or something else for breakfast
• donuts
• starbucks fraps. these will probably need a cooler.
• coffee. does anyone have one of those big coffeepots?
• baked goods
• any sort of snack you think people might enjoy?

Michelle, Riki and I are going to get bags of horse treats together.  Leave comments on the entry so we can see what everyone is bringing.  I volunteer for brownies and maybe some cookies.  We can look at what we will be having and decide on prices on Friday, maybe.

Also, we are going to have a donation can out.  We talked about having a trash can to collect recyclables and raise money from that. 

The Youth team is going to be an umbrella California organization so that we can include people from up north and other regional cluns.  I am going to make up some flyers for the show this weekend that will include information (like our website!) about the new group  that we are starting and possibly have an informal application on the back.  This weekend is going to be important for letting people know what is going on.  We need to start promoting ourselves.

We discussed getting information on getting awards for 4h classes.  Click here to download all the necessary forms to get awards for 4h or any open shows you do. 

Also, please let me know if you find anyone willing to sponsor a class at Worlds!  It's actually a good advertising opportunity because they get to submit an announcement to be read during the show.  I have the forms if anyone is interested. 

And again, if anyone wants to be able to post updates (kim, maybe?), it can be done, so let me know.

In March, the AYA Board of Directors will be holding a meeting, and I will need your input on the issues we will be addressing.  Any new ideas are welcome.  Some of the issues we will be discussing is the possibility of the removal of the Girls and Boys Showmanship divisions at Youth Worlds, the addition of more Walk/Trot classes, and reallocation of classes to only two age divisions.  I support the deletion of Boys and Girls Showmanship and the addition of W/T classes in their place, and I think that we should keep three age divisions. 

One of the biggest issues we have is fundraising.  Funds for the AYA go to things like scholarships, essay and art contests, and jackets to every class winner at the Youth World show.  The funds for these come from fundraising like class sponsorships, donations, and the "You've Been Spotted" flower delivery at Youth Worlds.  If you have any new fundraising ideas or if you know anyone interested in sponsoring a class at Youth Worlds or making a donation,  let me know.  Please help me to seek out sponsorships and donations!

• March 1: Regional Youth Club of the Year scrapbooks due
• January 1- May 1: submit artwork and essays
• May 1: Photo contest entries due
• May 31: Team Tournament Entries due

I will be continuing to update.  Please leave me lots of feedback!