(Newsletter)
Riding Sessions: Unfortunately, due to the extremely cold weather that settled in, we had to cancel the last riding session of the year. It’s not the ending we’d had planned but I think all would agree that staying home that day and keeping warm sure beat bundling up like Eskimos and trying to maneuver around the arena. Our riding session volunteers are getting a well-deserved break now. They have worked very hard this past year and put up with some extreme weather conditions. Some Sundays we roasted and some Sundays were extremely chilly. But the volunteers hung in there like the great troopers they are, never letting anything come between making the sessions a success. We owe you all a very big THANKS. May the generosity of your heart, come back to you ten fold. We are hoping you are enjoying spending time with your family and friends. The time off has been nice but Sundays just aren’t the same without the riders. I miss their smiling faces and sharing the thrills of their accomplishments. The spring class will be starting, weather permitting on March 14th.
Training: February 22nd, we will be having a training session at the Gold Barn, Washington Co. Fairgrounds, to prepare us for the upcoming session. Training will take place from 2 until 5 PM. We invite all seasoned volunteers and any prospective volunteers to come. The training will cover how to interact with the therapy horses to produce effective lead walking and side walking techniques, an overview of equipment and the proper handling of the equipment, a review of emergency procedures and disability awareness. Of course there will paperwork. It’s time to update the forms and wee need to have it all in order by March 10th.
Party: An appreciation pizza party, organized by the Independence Farms Board will be held for our volunteers following the training session at 5 PM on February 22nd. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate will be provided. We will be eating in the Commercial Bldg. located just east of the Gold Barn. All current volunteers are invited to attend and any persons that might be interested in joining the Independence Farms team. Please RSVP to Michelle at 348-5789 or mwoerner @bluevalley.net by February 17th, so we can have an idea of how many will be attending.
Next Board Meeting: Tentatively set for Feb. 10th at 7 PM at the KSDS administration bldg. Public Forum is set for the first fifteen minutes of each board meeting. What is public forum?? It’s a chance for volunteers, riders, parents or just interested person, to come and talk to the board. This is a time for the board to listen to you, intently, one on one. The board just listens at the forum. No action is taken.
Why public forum? We’re interested in what you have to say, your ideas, concerns or your suggestions. At a riding session, it’s very hard to listen and remember things when you have so many other responsibilities. It’s also better to hear your comments straight from you, not a third party. If you plan on coming to a public forum, give the Sec. Terri Gauby a call, at 325-2719, to let her know your coming. If meeting location or time gets changed at the last minute, she can notify you of the changes too.