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It has been one of
those weeks. The snow came and went and for the time being we seem
to be out of the cold spell and life on the farm will be a little
easier. I’m sure many of you are doing the same things we are on
the ranch; getting ready for bull sales, calving, and at our
house, sports. Going to basketball games, tournaments, football
camps, and lacrosse workouts take a large chunk out of the week.
Since I did not get to Louisville this year, I was interested in
what was on the agenda as far as the funding and expenditures
issues that has been brought up regarding the National Junior
Angus Show. I was pleased that Ben Eggers appointed a “Task Force”
for assessing the current funding of the National Junior Angus
Show. My wife and I are also the advisors for the Oregon Juniors
and this issue was of particular interest to us. I guess there are
others out there that feel the same way we do and that is that the
NJAS has become too expensive from a hosting state standpoint. We
have been involved with the two junior shows that have come to
Denver and know first hand how expensive these shows can get and
all the fund raising which is required.
Providing meals at
these events has become a major part of the NJAS budget. The one
meal our family has always taken advantage of was lunch. During
the middle of the day, the convenience of having lunch on site
seemed to make a busy day go a little easier. In my opinion, if
the committee is going to look at which meals are better utilized
by the participants, I would have to say that would be lunch. It
seemed my kids never had time for breakfast because they were
rinsing, feeding or working on their animals. As for dinner, many
families are busy feeding, getting their cattle to tie outs,
making beds and by the time they are finish they’re tired and
ready to head back to the hotel or just spend sometime with
friends away from the barns. It seems to me that if we are looking
for a place to cut costs, meals might be a good place to start.
As far as social
activities are concerned, banana split parties and dances are a no
brainer. Whenever you have the chance to bring a large group of
kids together in one place, you allowing for the opportunity to
create lasting life long friendships in a non competitive,
relaxed, fun environment. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not
saying that competition is bad, or we wouldn’t be showing cattle,
right? But it’s always nice to have a little balance and the kids
seem to enjoy the time together away from commitments of the
cattle. For the money spent on this functions-dollar for dollar, I
think you are definitely getting your moneys worth. Did I forget
to mention that these activities also provide us parents some time
to socialize and meet other adults from around the country with
the same, “Angus addiction”?
As far as funding
goes and knowing first hand how difficult it is to keep asking the
same generous individuals for financial contributions time after
time. I would like to see the Angus Foundation help cover more of
the basic expenses in this show. I know the foundation already
funds elements of the National Junior Angus Show and believe me
when I say that we are tremendously fortunate to be involved with
a group of breeders that are so willing to continually offer
financially to such an outstanding organization. It is a fantastic
thing that the Foundation has already achieved 25% of their 11
million dollar goal which was set to be reached by 2011. With
these kinds of resources and the added growth of this fund the
foundation might realize a way to help cover even more. I can not
think of too many functions that would utilize those dollars in a
better way and benefit more individual all at the same time then
reinvesting even more into the NJAS.
The funding issue
and monumental expenses of the National Junior Angus Show are ones
that will never cease to exist. Certain basic costs will continue
to rise. It is a good thing that we now have a task force to help
set some basic guidelines and parameters. We want to continue to
make the NJAS the premier event that it is known for, the bench
mark that other breed shows strive meet. But we must forgo getting
in an arms race and continually trying to out do last years show
at any cost. Let’s step back and re-evaluate; are some of these
cost necessities or overpriced niceties? Who picks up the tab when
budgets are not met? If we do not address these questions now and
plan for the future we would be doing this association a terrible
disservice.
If you have never
had the opportunity to attend the National Junior Angus Show you
may want to mark your calendar for July 1-7, 2007 in Tulsa, OK.
This is an event you won’t want to miss and one that will keep you
coming back year after year. So check your NJAA show packet for
deadlines, check out all the great contests that are offered, pack
up the kids or even the neighbors kids and head to the National
Junior Angus Show. If you’re like most of us, it will become the
annual family summer vacation spot from now on. Being the largest
single breed cattle show in the world, it really is a site to see
and an experience you will never forget! My hats off to all the
dedicated, talented individuals that tirelessly continue to work
year after year to make this such an outstanding event!
If you have any
ideas or suggestions about the NJAS, I would encourage you to
contact a member of the advisory council and let your opinion be
known. Remember, this is your association and you do have a voice!
Hope to see you all
in Reno!
Troy Van Roekel
WSAA Director
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