MCTA Meeting 2/11/25

MCTA Meeting 02/11/2025 @ 7:00 pm

via Google Meet: MCTA Meeting

MCTA Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 -· 7:00 – 8:00pm

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hyr-gfic-gvg

Or dial: (US) +1 413-779-5361 PIN: 929 320 278#

Next Meeting: 03/11/2025 @7:00 pm

President: Merrilyn Ratliff

Co-Vice Presidents: April La Barre, Ellen Kelly

Secretary: Melissa Fieldhouse

Treasurer: Chris Donovan 

1. Committee Updates
2. Membership (Ellen)
3. 102 full active memberships, 17 are new to MCTA

1. Education & Continued Learning Committee (April/Ginger L.)
2. The Studs Clinic wasn’t able to be live-streamed as planned but it was recorded; there were 11 attendees
3. Natalie and Susanna did a fabulous job thoroughly and concisely presenting the information
4. The April clinic (04/26/25) is A Judges View at Graham Equestrian: registration link: https://forms.gle/2XUu3Dar1Fjotxpw7 

1. Sponsorship (Holly C.) 
2. Not discussed

1. Hospitality (Ginger/Kathy)
2. This is a newly formed committee to serve our volunteers
3. This committee will begin finding volunteers now
4. We will establish a pop-up tent used as a gathering point for volunteers only with refreshments and chairs; this will be a social tent after the end of the last protest period
5. Volunteers will sign in, get a volunteer appreciation gift, and be registered for a prize for volunteering that day (Ellen will help source gifts)
6. Volunteers who volunteer at all three MCTA events will get a chance to win a cash prize
7. Volunteer shirts to wear at the event that identify stewards and volunteers
8. Under consideration: Red Polo shirts for officials/stewards, another style and bright color for other volunteers, thin safety vests, lanyards
9. We want to offer members a variety of MCTA-logo apparel in an online storefront
10. Consider having an organization sponsor the shirts
11. We would like to have stewards/chairs for each phase
12. viii. Rider packets will include apples and carrots
13. Treasurer’s Report 
14. Not discussed
15. Membership Dues will increase in 2026 as follows:

Individual Membership (Yearly) $60 [up from $40]

Family Membership (Yearly) $150 [up from $60]

Individual Lifetime $500 [up from $350]

Family Lifetime $750 [up from $500]

  5. Walk-On Topics

i. Young Rider Council/Junior Representative discussion has been deferred as we learn what is required and what role this would play

In Attendance

Ellen Kelly, April LaBarre, Melissa Fieldhouse, Ginger LaBarre, Eileen Pritchard-Bryan, Merrilyn Ratliff, Mardi Herman, Sarah Ferrell