Third Annual GFIA Conference
March 10-12, 2008
Perryville, Arkansas, USA
GUINEA FOWL INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING
March 10, 2008
Perryville, Arkansas, USA
Meeting called to order by President Cindy Gibson at 7:30 p.m.
ATTENDING:
Lynda Cass, Amy Polivka, Susan Schaler, Hedy McCarter, Cindy Gibson, Zoe Howland, Howard Hodges, David Hanks, Janis Hillman, Bob Kitchell, Betsy Mahtani, and Carl Schaler
ELECTIONS:
Elections for two-year term of Vice-President and Secretary were held. Lynda Cass will be Vice President, and Zoe Howland will be Secretary.
NEW MEMBER PACKETS:
Hedy and Carl will work on developing a brochure to be sent with the New Member Packets explaining about our organization’s purpose. Testimonials will be added to the packet, as well as magnets and note pads. A bound booklet of articles regarding raising keets and other information will be sent to new members who do not have online access. A Membership Directory and a Recommended Reading List will be included in all New Member Packets.
We will look into the possibility of adding pens with GFIA logo to membership package.
MERCHANDISING:
We will look into other organizations to see what they are selling successfully and determine at a board meeting if that is what we want to do with GFIA.
It was suggested that we research the cost of logo imprinted pens for distribution with the New Member Packets.
BROCHURE ON CARE AND FEEDING OF GUINEAS:
It has been suggested that we develop a brochure on care and feeding of guineas for distribution at bird shows. It was decided that we will use the brochure that Hedy and Carl are developing.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY:
It was agreed that we should have a Membership Directory available to only members and should send it in the New Member Packet. We should continue with the Breeders List and include a copy of this list in the New Member Packet as well.
OTHER:
It was discussed that a logical growth path for GFIA would be for a green earth and to redirect our attention to those areas as opposed to the general public. Basically, this would mean touting guineas as a natural part of sustainable agriculture.
We could accomplish this idea by sending articles regarding use of guineas rather than chemicals for pest control for publication in magazines such as Home & Gardens. Extension agents and master gardeners would be a good possibility for distribution of the brochure.
Motion was made and seconded that a special recognition of Barbara Buscemi’s remarkable efforts on the GFIA website be made. Motion carried. Zoe will mail same to Barbara.
Bill and Connie have agreed to do ground work to prepare for the 2009 Guinea Conference to coincide with the Delmarva Poultry Show in April 2009.
It is recommended that we have the 2010 Guinea Conference in Texas at A&M during their spring break.
Discussion of providing sponsorships for a GFIA officer/member to attend various meetings for the purpose of presenting information about guineas as a part of sustainable agriculture ensued. The thought was that someone might make a guinea presentation at a conference similar to the one at Heifer International. Final decision was delayed until next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Zoe Howland, Secretary
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