State of the Organization Address

Or

Where We Are and a Little Bit About How We Got There

Lisa Wolf, PLTA President

September 2, 2014

Greetings.

The last three months have been a time of upheaval for the PLTA. The annual membership meeting prescribed by the organization bylaws is now open. The Board of Directors has put a number of things forth for your consideration. We are asking for your input, feedback, comments, suggestions and ideas about what you want and do not want the organization to be. Specifically we are looking for your thoughts on:

• Creating a mission statement for the organization by combining and slightly rewording the statements of purpose in the articles of incorporation and bylaws to:

"The Pack Llama Trail Association is a charitable and educational organization. The mission of the PLTA is to preserve and promote working llamas, through education of the public, and members of the association as to breeding, raising, training, care, and safe and humane uses of working llamas as companions." 

• Changing the PLTA name from ‘Pack Llama Trial Association’ to ‘Pack Llama Trail Association’. A typo with the state of Idaho has the name recorded as the latter. We feel ‘trail’ is more expansive and reflects the broader vision of the organization we want to promote. We would like to formalize this in all our documents.

• The addition of two new programs, PLTA Challenge and GeoLlama to join the existing Mileage Program and Pack Trials. Details are on the website www.packllama.org .

• Changes to the Pack Trial allowing substitution of mileage for elevation. Details are on the website.

Background

There had been concern among PLTA Board members for some time about a perceived the lack of participation in pack trials and dwindling membership. This came to a head at the National Cara Association breeders meeting in May 2014 when a majority of breeders present indicated that they had no interest in PLTA. Recall that the trials were originally created as a way for breeders to demonstrate that their llamas truly could perform, and a way for purchasers to know they were acquiring a proven packer.

While only a handful of breeders were present, they generally indicated that the pack llama market was such that they did not need to prove their stock and PLTA served no purpose for them. Subsequent discussions by the Board of Directors led to a vote as to whether or not to dissolve the organization. The vote was tied. Nancy Hester, PLTA president at the time, allowed the three members wishing to retain the organization the opportunity to do so.

Those three members, Joyce Johnson, Susan Gawarecki, and myself set about finding people willing to take board positions and revitalize the organization. We welcomed Gayle Noga, Debra Langley –Boyer and Gina Obrien to the board. As we sorted out what needed to be done we each took on necessary assignments. I accepted the presidency, Debra took on the vice presidency and archivist duties, Gayle is secretary, Gina is handling the treasury, Joyce retains responsibility for membership, and Susan is dealing with the newsletter. Contact information for each of us is on the website, www.packllama.org

In sorting out where the organization is at via reviewing the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, tax status and financial accounts, we have found that the organization remains in good standing with the State of Idaho under whose laws we are incorporated, however, federal tax reports were not filed for a number of years and we have lost our non-profit status with the IRS. We will be required to pay a significant fine and do considerable paperwork to reestablish that status. That project is underway. There are discrepancies in the bylaws that need revision; that project is underway. There is a general lack of protocols for practices; these needs are being reviewed and addressed. Changes made to pack trial protocol last January were not officially written up and put in place. This is being addressed.

In reviewing the financial accounts we find there are no records from 2007 through 2013 with the exception of bank statements. The first five months of 2014 include very limited records. Prior to this period the records are in order. We are doing what we can to clarify the financial situation of the last seven years.

During this same period the website fell into disrepair. It is now being rebuilt. We envision it as a primary communication tool for all members of the PLTA, but with all else on our plates, it will take time to rebuild it.

Assistance

There is a lot of work to be done to reorganize and revitalize this organization. The members of the board have determined that it is a worthwhile endeavor and are working hard to put things in order. We welcome your support and ask you what skills you have that you would like to share to help make this a vital and vibrant organization. We are working to make tasks small enough that no one is overwhelmed, yet the work gets done and the organization thrives.

Please look for the soon-to-be-released PLTA newsletter, updates on Facebook and on the web.

Please do not hesitate to contact us. It is your organization.

~Lisa