Hello to everyone on the mailing list for HRH of NJ! Dues are due! Only $10 individual and center. PLEASE send in NOW (if you haven’t already) to: Sheila Fitzgibbon 41 Fordham Trail Hopatcong NJ 07843 checks payable to HRH of NJ.
This is Octavia Brown: I’d like to introduce myself as the new president of HRH – having held the position of treasurer for many years, I felt it was time to move on and consider another position for this organization.
Nichola Redmond has served HRH as president for a number of years, and she felt the need to step down after seeing us through a hugely successful 2009 Region Two conference in March. I happen to know that she is very much involved with the NARHA Center Advancement Committee, and will be devoting her considerable talents to that group for now. Thank you, Nichola, for your dedication to HRH!
The other officers for this year include two newcomers to the Executive Committee:
Vice president: Susie Rehr, PT. She is co-director of Special Strides, Monroe Township. Some of you may not know that Susie recently authored an excellent article in Hippotherapy, the newsletter of the American Hippotherapy Association, concerning the well-received GaWaNi Pony Boy clinic held at her center.
Treasurer: Mike Carlson – he has an accounting background (hooray!) and his wife Liz runs the Freedom Horse program in Long Valley.
Secretary: Sheila Fitzgibbon has graciously consented to continue yet one more year. She has held this position for many years, and manages our e-mail list-serv. It is thanks to her that we are kept up to date on so many issues of interest in our profession, from horses available to the doings of the Equine Advisory Board and the NJ Horse council. Sheila also works with the WHOA program.
For myself, I was a founder with Barbara Isaac of HRH back in the 80’s – and it was Barbara who pushed me into developing what is now the approved training course at Centenary College for TR instructors. As most of you know, I was also a founding board member of NARHA, and the rest is history. Horse council and EAB representatives Mary Alice Goss and Barbara Isaac continue to serve as our representatives on the Equine Advisory Board, part of the NJ Dept. of Agriculture. This is a very important link for us: thanks so much, Mary Alice and Barbara, for continuing in this role for us.
Vera Remes is our representative at the NJ Horse council meetings, and would welcome company to go to their meetings. It’s important that we stay in touch with our peers in this way. Thanks so much Vera! veraskismet@yahoo.com
Future directions: The following ideas were discussed at the annual meeting in January:
Peer mentoring: this is a potential pilot program under the guidance of Nichola Redmond and the NARHA Center Advancement Committee. It would put together people experienced in various admin-related fields with those wanting to enter the field of EAA/T so that they don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but can benefit from the wonderful resources offered by those of us with long memories and experience. For more information or to offer assistance, contact Nichola at: executivedirector@shhrc.org
Instructor Mentoring program: Plans are under way to offer a Mentoring Workshop for instructors wanting to become qualified under that program. In future, anyone mentoring an instructor in training will be required to show proof of passing this course. HRH will underwrite some of the cost so that this can be offered at a very reasonable price for all. Stay tuned for details! Advanced Workshop: Plans are being made to offer a workshop for potential Advanced Instructors – they must show proof of having taken such a workshop within two years of application, so we feel this would be a very timely way to encourage more people to move on up to the Advanced Level! Again, stay tuned!
Scholarships: Due to the overwhelming response to last year’s Regional conference, HRH is in the happy position of giving away more money this year! You can apply for up to $500, with a limit of $2500 for the year. If you are in need of support to attend an On Site Certification testing, the national conference in November or the Region Two conference in March, send in your application. Note: people who have received funds in the past are not eligible. We want to reach to as many new people as possible! You must be an individual $10 member to apply! You can download the application here, or request from me. browno@centenarycollege.edu
Vera Remes wants input on the idea of developing a “cookbook for lessons” project. HRH would put together some games or lesson plans in a book format to sell. Please contact her direct at: veraskismet@yahoo.com
As you can see, if you read this far, there is a lot going on! I personally will try to make contact with every program in the state during the year to see how HRH may serve you better. We have the money, we have the will – now we need your participation AND MEMBERSHIP DUES!!! Only $10 for individuals and programs. RENEW NOW!!
Looking forward to hearing from you, Cheers! Octavia J. Brown