GUINEA FOWL INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING
March 17, 2007
Warrenton, Virginia, USA

Guinea Fowl International Association (GFIA) Annual Meeting held at Warrenton, Virginia, on March 17, 2007. Called to order by Cindy Gibson at 9:20 a.m.

ATTENDING:

Cindy Gibson (President), Betsy Mahtani, Janis Hillman, Charlotte MacNeice, Dan MacNeice, Michaele Freund, Carl Schaler, Susan Schaler, Hedy McCarter, Linda Seymour, Charles Seymour, Connie Marshall, John Marshall, Jeanne Williamson, Tim Norman, Ferlin Mathews, Pam Mathews and Zoe Howland (Secretary)

NEW DIRECTORS

It was determined that in order to better facilitate the success of GFIA, the Bylaws needed to be amended to provide for additional directors to be added to the Board. There was a discussion of the merits of this idea. Carl Schaler made a motion that two new directors be added. Zoe Howland seconded the motion. After additional discussion it was determined that three directors should be added and the motion was amended and seconded. Vote was taken and the motion to amend the Bylaws to include three directors passed unanimously. The responsibilities for the new positions will be Information Officer, Convention Director and General Director.

ELECTIONS

Cindy Gibson turned the floor over to Zoe Howland for the election of President. Cindy Gibson was nominated for President. There being no other nominations, Cindy Gibson was elected President by acclamation.

Zoe Howland returned the floor to Cindy Gibson who then called for nominations for Treasurer. Michaele Freund nominated Carl Schaler. There being no other nominations, Carl Schaler was elected Treasurer by acclamation.

Barbara Buscemi is currently filling our Information Officer/Director position. Michaele Freund was nominated by Charlotte MacNeice as Convention Director. Betsy Mahtani was nominated for the General Director's position whose duties are yet to be determined. All nominees were appointed by the President and will be elected in the future. If anyone is interested in working on any of these committees, please notify an officer.

Current officers are:

Cindy Gibson, President
Lyn Dunsmuir, Vice President
Carl Schaler, Treasurer
Zoe Howland, Secretary
Michaele Freund, Convention Director
Betsy Mahtani, General Director
Barbara Buscemi, Information Officer/Director

OPEN FORUM

The floor was then opened for suggestions and input from members. The question presented was, "What kinds of things would you like to see this organization do?"

Betsy Mahtani suggested that it would be good if the organization could encourage members of GFIA to write articles to go into various poultry publications.

It was suggested that GFIA members should participate more in poultry shows to make people more aware of guineas and to act as ambassadors for GFIA. Jeanne Williamson suggested that GFIA provide signage and/or information to those members who enter guinea fowl in poultry shows to help increase awareness of guinea fowl and of GFIA. It was suggested that GFIA hold a future annual meeting in conjunction with a poultry show to help create more interest in guineas.

Dan MacNeice made a public/official acknowledgement of the work that Barbara Buscemi has done on the website and creating links for GFIA. The entire group appreciates the efforts made by Barbara.

There being no further business to transact, the meeting was adjourned and the group gathered to tour Harvey Ussery's farm.

Respectfully submitted,
Zoe Howland, Secretary