Trustee's Update on Rodeo Rules Changes for 2012
At this year's IGRA Convention a number of Rule Changes were approved for the 2012 Rodeo Season. FGRA's Trustee, Bobby Fender, provided the following summary. Please note that the list below is not comprehensive, but just a highlight of the changes that are significant.
All IGRA contestants and members should refer to the new 2012 Rodeo Rules for full documentation of the changes. The 2012 Rodeo Rule Book has been published and is available on the IGRA web site.
- Friday Registration may be scheduled for a 2-3 hour time frame. Times must be published to contestants on the Association’s Web site, and e-mailed / mailed in Contestant Mailer.
- Late Registration Policy: Association must publish their policy a minimum of 90 days prior to their rodeo. Late Registration Fee cannot exceed $50.
- Pre-Registered contestant adding events – Association Policy must be published in the e-mailed or mailed Contestant Mailer. Fee cannot exceed $50.
- Judges are to make every reasonable attempt to notify a contestant of any penalties or disqualifications. They may incorporate the assistance of the Scorekeeper and or Announcer to do so.
- In Jr. Bull Riding, the word “Novice” has been added. Associations should advise their Stock Contractors that contestants in this event are beginner to amateur ability and request the appropriate level of stock.
- The 7” minimum horn length is specific to Chute Dogging only. Team Roping and Camp event Steers must have horns of uniform length.
- Photographs cannot be used in Rodeo Review Requests.
- Chute Dogging has been updated to include the Trustees Interpretation from 2010. The intent of the No-Turn / No Beginning to Dog prior to the 4th hove crossing the 10 foot line, is to provide the animal the advantage. “Turning” is in reference to a skill set used prior to dogging, and will not be interpreted to contestants using a controlled hold on the steer, or who use a slow turning method to slowly move the steer across the line.
- Announcers are not eligible to compete in any Rodeo Event.
- RULE 1.12 – Ambulance is not required to be on site – however, there are requirements for Medics, or Paramedics – (BLS / ALS) so make sure to review this rule. Medic Meeting Requirements are found as follow: Arena Director – XVII. 1. D & E Chute Coordinator – XVIII 1.F
- IGRA contestants are of an amateur ability and bucking stock provided must never exceed the level used in a high school rodeo.
- Calf Roping on Foot, a 10 second penalty will be assessed to a contestant for snaring, or laying the loop on, over, or in front of the calf in an attempt to have calf run into the loop, rather than skillfully throwing the loop to rope the calf.
- If any of the speed events are run back-to-back, and arena size & conditions permit, the pattern must be moved so as to not have barrel #3 (in Barrel Racing) or the end pole (in Flag Race and/or Pole Bending) in the same place.
- Those who choose to fill out the Optional Voluntary Medical Form must sign across the seal of the envelope.
- Fines for inappropriate stock are $100 per intended use in all rough stock, camp, and roping events.
President's Update for November/December 2011
I wanted to take a moment to touch base with you in a new role as your President rather than as your Secretary. As you may know, I assumed the Presidency of FGRA, Inc. in mid-August following the resignation of Carl Davis. Before moving on, I would like to thank Carl for his stewardship and years of faithful service to the Association as a member of the Board of Directors. I wish him every success and the very best in all his future endeavors.
I would like to extend a special thank you to the Members who joined us in Ft. Lauderdale for the 2011 Annual General Membership Meeting. We’ve received excellent feedback from those who attended and would encourage you to make plans to be with us at the 2012 meeting which will be held during September in Orlando. The Association’s business included the election of Nikol Hillman as Vice President, Jim Powers as Treasurer and Bobby Fender as Trustee. Nikol and Jim will serve two year terms while Bobby, as required by IGRA, will serve a three year term. A number of important By-Laws amendments were approved that collectively will better enable the Board and the Association to meet its business objectives. Additionally, each Board member provided an update on his work and accomplishments during the preceding year.
In the intervening weeks, the Board has concentrated on a number of items essential to the Association’s continued growth and success. Among these initiatives was the approval of the 2012 Sunshine Stampede budget, a review and updating of the annual Tracking Calendar of tasks and deliverables, approval of 2012 rodeo Officials and Staff and last, but certainly not least, drafting a comprehensive Association budget for 2012. Special thanks goes to our 2012 Rodeo Director, Voni Whitaker for her hard work in preparing a realistic rodeo budget proposal and for her flexibility and willingness to explore new ways to produce a first rate rodeo. I would also like to thank Jim Powers for his expertise in crafting a thoughtful and comprehensive budget proposal that enables each Board member to identify revenue opportunities and expenses. Our Trustee, Bobby Fender, has likewise been very busy with Convention planning for the upcoming IGRA National Convention which will be held in San Diego, California November 9th through 13th.
To paraphrase a well-known slogan, the Board is looking for a "few good men and women" interested in service to the Association through sharing time and talents as leaders on the Board of Directors. At the present time, we are seeking to fill two important positions, Secretary and Membership Director. I am happy to say that we have had some interest expressed in the Secretary’s position but still are looking for someone to step forward to serve as our Membership Director. I would ask that any member interested in service to the Association and by extension, service to our communities as a member of the Board to please contact myself or any member of the Board about formal or "informal" opportunities for service. And speaking of service, you will have or will soon receive your 2012 Membership Renewal notice. Please take a moment to renew. Your active involvement in the Association’s business and activities is crucial to our success.
In closing, I wish to assure you that the Board and I are committed to FGRA’s continued growth and success. Please feel free to share any suggestions, concerns or questions you might have by emailing President@fgra.org. Going forward, I plan to touch base with you every month or so to share information and to help "keep you in the loop" about important items that affect our Association. Until we next chat, I wish you and yours the very best.
Sincerely,
Gaither F. Pennington, II
President, FGRA, Inc.
Need to renew your FGRA membership?
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Won’t you please share your time and talents with us? Help FGRA make a difference to our communities by becoming an active member of FGRA. Download the 2012 New Member Application Form today. Please see the New Member Fees table for more information about our prorated membership options. Because FGRA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, your membership fee is tax-deductible on your Federal IRS tax return.
| Standard Memberships | | | Premium Memberships | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $25.00 | | | Silver Spur | Single, Family, or Corporate | $100.00 |
| Family | $40.00 | | | Gold Spur | Single, Family, or Corporate | $200.00 |
| Corporate | $75.00 | | | Platinum Spur | Single, Family, or Corporate | $500.00 |
New Member Fees:
To determine your new membership fee, first locate your desired
membership level and then the month in which you are joining FGRA.
Your fee is the amount in month column adjacent to your membership
level. If you have questions, please email the
| Standard Memberships | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $25 | $22 | $20 | $18 | $16 | $14 | $12 | $10 | $8 | $6 | $4 | $2 |
| Family | $40 | $33 | $30 | $27 | $24 | $21 | $18 | $15 | $12 | $9 | $6 | $3 |
| Corporate | $75 | $69 | $60 | $54 | $48 | $42 | $36 | $30 | $24 | $18 | $12 | $6 |
| Premium Memberships | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Spur* | $100 | $88 | $80 | $72 | $64 | $56 | $48 | $40 | $32 | $24 | $16 | $8 |
| Gold Spur* | $200 | $187 | $170 | $153 | $136 | $119 | $102 | $85 | $68 | $51 | $34 | $17 |
| Platinum Spur* | $500 | $462 | $420 | $378 | $336 | $294 | $252 | $210 | $168 | $126 | $84 | $42 |
*Single, Family, or Corporate
FGRA Royalty Program
For more information about FGRA Royalty please visit our Royalty Program page.
FGRA Yahoo Group Now Available
FGRA members are encouraged to join the "FGRAonline" Yahoo group. Here's the link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fgraonline/
Please feel free to post messages on topics you think will be of interest to other FGRA members.
If you're "new" to gay rodeo you can use this group to ask questions. If you're "not so new" to gay rodeo you can be a valuable resource to other members. You might want to ask for room mates at the Sunshine Stampede Rodeo in April. What is Chute Dogging? Goat Dressing? Wild Drag? Here's the place to ask questions.
This group is moderated by our Trustee, and our Webmaster,
You can also check out the IGRA Yahoo Group. The IGRA Group is open to members of the various IGRA Associations and can be a great tool for networking with other IGRA members from around the country. Here's the link to the IGRA Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/igra/
Enjoy!
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