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2009 Election Results

July 20, 2009: With 54% of eligible members having voted, the following are the results of the 2009 election. The new officers and directors take their positions at the annual meeting in August. Congratulations to those who were elected, and many thanks to all who ran for their willingness to offer their energy to the association!

President: Cindy Cieciwa

Vice President: Margaret Walters

Director at Large: Ron Andress

District 1: Ann McIntyre-Lahner

District 3:  Dan  Pence

District 5:  Randy Thompson

2009 Election Candidate Resumes

Resumes of candidates for the positions of President and Vice-President as well as At-Large and Districts 1, 3 and 5 Board Members appear below. We are fortunate to have at least two members seeking each office. Please read, talk with fellow members, and vote when your ballot arrives in the mail.

PRESIDENT …… Cindy Cieciwa, seeking re-election

I’m sure you have all heard that we are living in unprecedented times. Sometimes it is easy to forget problems and complications beyond our control as we watch ewes graze and lambs play, but I am well aware that the current state of affairs affects every member of ARBA and the organization itself. In the past two years, I have done my best to meet the challenges that have come before the board, and have put special effort into making organizational progress in spite of them. I am asking for another term to continue this work.

A review of the board minutes shows the hard work that this board has put forth in dealing with a number of difficult issues. In spite of these, the board has made excellent progress, including a vote to help fund the Agricultural Library Project as well as the Morris Culver Youth Scholarship. We have also moved to make low-cost, widely published advertising available to all through the newly established Advertising Committee.

My goals for the next two years are varied, but all focus on ensuring the continued growth of the organization, further developing the market for our sheep, and safeguarding the organization’s records. I will advocate more youth classes and activities at shows. I will continue to seek and encourage membership input as to ideas for growing and improving the organization. I also hope to improve the back-up protection for the registry and to computerize ARBA’s financial records.

It has been a privilege to serve as ARBA’s president for the past two years; hopefully the accomplishments of the board under my leadership have demonstrated our commitment to ARBA and its future. While progress has been made, I cannot say that the way forward will always be smooth. Continuity in leadership is instrumental in reducing organizational zig-zag in uncertain times. I would appreciate your vote as president of ARBA.

PRESIDENT …….. Toni Scholder

I, Toni Scholder, would like to represent you as your ARBA President.  I feel honesty, integrity and diplomacy are essential to serve in this capacity and I embrace and stand on those principles.  I have also worked with many diverse personalities, both in my professional and private pursuits, and feel that this attribute is also essential as President.  My experience with ARBA has been as the District 5 Director for the past 4 years and as the Chairman for the 2009 National Show and Sale.

ARBA is not immune to the current state of the economy.  The Board of Directors needs to be conscientious about how we spend ARBA funds and keep you the members informed and consider your input. My professional and volunteer positions have been in accounting and finance and will be a benefit in this area. 

I also feel it is imperative that we continue to support and encourage our young breeders. They are our future.

I have been raising Romneys as JTS Sheep Company since 1998 in Washington State.  My experience goes beyond ARBA.  I have been the Secretary/Treasurer for the SW Sheep Breeders Association for the past 12 years, served on the Washington State Sheep Producers Board and am a WSU Extension Livestock Advisor.  My non-sheep experience is with Ducks Unlimited.  I have lots of ideas that would transfer to ARBA for fundraising opportunities. 

I would be honored to serve as your President.  When you cast your vote, I sincerely hope you will provide me with that opportunity.

VICE-PRESIDENT …… Ray Gavin

Hello, I am running for Vice President.  I live in Michigan with my wife Marlene.  We have raised Romneys since 1977; our daughter showed Romneys in 4-H and open class.  I believe in the Romney breed for its prolificacy, fleece and carcass, and feel that as a dual purpose breed we can be successful in both the show ring and the market place.

I have served on the Board as District 3 Representative, Director-at-Large in the 80’s, Vice President in the 90’s and President (1999 – 2003) with the Romney Association.  Also, I have served as President of our Tri-County sheep association, and Superintendent of our county Open Class sheep show for twenty years.

Utilizing technology I encouraged the then Board to establish a website which as been a plus to the organization; reaching a wide audience and future breeders.  Also during my time as President our association implemented the computerization of all registrations enabling pedigrees to be printed on the registration form, and extensive pedigrees to be requested by the breeder.

VICE-PRESIDENT ….. Margaret Walters

I've been a member of the American Romney Breeders Assn. since 1982, when my husband Gary and I bought our first Romney's.  We've been active in the organization from the beginning of our membership, and our involvement has grown over the years.

I would like to continue to be involved by being re- elected Vice-President. 

I'm willing to travel to meetings, serve on committees, and help with whatever it takes to continue to promote Romney's as a good, useful breed for the modern shepherd.

During the last 2 years, as Vice President, I have been involved in committees dealing with the web site, by-laws, nominations, the budget and many other decisions.  

During the previous 6 years, as Director-At-Large, I  traveled to Board meetings and participated in  phone conference Board meetings, 
assisted in the decision making process in choosing  new editors for The Romney Ramblings, and acted as advisor for our first  Ramblings Jr. correspondent.

I have served on several committees, including nomination, auditing and promotional fund raising, and     
acted as Superintendent of the Romney Wool Show at the National Show and Sale in Salem, Or.

We have 50 White and Natural Colored Romney ewes on our farm on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.  We show our sheep at various fairs and shows and NAILE, believing that is a good way to promote the breed.  We also spin, sell wool products, freezer lamb and everything but the "Baa!”, maintaining a website to further promote our Romneys and their wonderful products. 

AT LARGE …… Ron Andress

My name is Ron Andress.  My wife Sue and I with our sons raise both white and natural colored  Romneys in eastern Pennsylvania. Currently, I am President of our local wool cooperative, which has been serving southeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than fifty years.  I have sat on this board for ten years.  Sue and I were leaders of the Bucks County 4-H Sheep Club.  Combined we have volunteered for the 4-H for over 20 years.  During my time with 4-H, I  focused my energy on youth education.  I have written two wool project books and co-authored three sheep management project books. I believe that ARBA needs to continue encouraging youth involvement in Romney sheep, not just through exhibition at shows, but the whole sheep management process.  We need to encourage our youth through education and fun to participate in all aspects of raising Romneys.  It has been my privilege to serve on the board of directors for the past three years, as an at large director.  During my time on the board I have served on the youth committee, the bylaw committee and many nominating committees. I am most proud of our work  on the youth committee.  We established a set of guidelines and rules for junior shows.  We started a scholarship program, The Morris Culver Youth Scholarship Award.  We will be awarding our first check for higher education in 2009.  We hope this can grow into something that can sustain itself into the future.  I am looking for your support so I can continue to work toward this end.

AT LARGE …… Randy Reuter

I live in Craryville New York about 40 miles South of Albany and 120 miles north of New York City. Sandy, Mercay and I have lived there for 9 years. We raise Romney’s and Mercay maintains a flock of Natural Colored Medium sheep passed down from her grand parents.

I started with sheep in 1976. I raised Shropshires and Columbia’s until I graduated from Ohio State. In 1987 I came east to work for Weathersfield, a Romney, Dorset and commercial operation running 300 ewes. In 1989 I became the sheep manager for the farm and at that time made the decision to change the operation to only Romney’s. This came not from the wool or the ever popular teddy bear lambs but a decision made from seeing Romney and Dorset carcasses side by side on the rail. The best kept secret of Romney’s is the carcass. Discontinuing the Dorset and commercial flocks we then added to the Romney flock, a few years later this operation became Anchorage Farm. Over the 13 years that I managed the sheep at Anchorage I had the unique opportunity to breed Romney’s not based on Show results but on integrity.

In 2006, Sandy and I were given the chance to get involved with Romney’s again. We could not pass up the opportunity. After many years directing others sheep, we had a chance to get back into a breed that we both loved. The people I have met over the years and the Romney’s I have seen only made the decision easier to put my name in for Director at Large. I look forward for the chance to represent the members of the ARBA.

AT LARGE …… Tracy Sands

Hi! I’m Tracy Sands from Wooly Wonders in Pennsylvania .  About 20 years ago, Ray Gavin gave me the Romney “bug” when I borrowed his ewe for lead line and helped him show at KILE.  I ended up focusing on colored Romneys – in those days they were few and far between but have become stars if you ask me!  I’m a mom, wife, and veterinarian.  We currently live in suburbia so my parents graciously house our flock at their farm in western PA.  We have about 25 ewes -half of them Romneys while the others are Natural Colored Longwools.  Every year we attend MDSWF and NYSWF, sharing laughs with many of you.  I am also the NCWGA promotions coordinator.  As a Director-at-Large for ARBA, I hope to focus on my two passions within the Romney breed:  1) Keeping Romneys true to the breed standard – in my point of view there are entirely too many show Romneys that can be hard to identify as Romney and not some other large sized wool breed.  The Romney breed has too many wonderful characteristics that need to be preserved rather than lost for the sake of size in the show ring!  2)  Starting out in 4-H makes me want to continue to better our youth programs.  I would love to see youth starter flocks, continuation of the Morris Culver scholarship, and perhaps even support for Romney youth to go into veterinary medicine!   I look forward to hearing your thoughts and using them to make ARBA shine!

DISTRICT 1 …… Kelly Corbett

Shepherding is a gift in my life.  My sheep feed my love of fiber arts, the yarns spun from their fibers, in the dyepot, feed my love of color, and each day in the paddock brings me pure joy and a sense of tranquility.  But most importantly, my sheep have helped me to build a successful fiber business doing what I love and allowing me to be home for my kids.

Currently I serve on the board of The Maine Sheep Breeders Association as Editor of our newsletter, website designer, events organizer, and as a contact person helping members connect and network.  Each June, I co-ordinate the MSBA Wool Pool, and design the booth at our Maine Fiber Frolic.  Last year I designed the ARBA Youth Brochure, and am now in the process of working with a great committee, designing the ARBA promotional ad.   Last October I judged fleeces at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival.

Serving on the MSBA, I have enjoyed connecting Fiber Artists to local farmers for sources of fiber for their projects.  Communication and promotion with a great website, and networking tools such as online groups and e-mail lists are key components in a good association as well as mentoring and educational events.

I am proud to be a member of the ARBA.  I enjoy knowing, and learning from my fellow Romney producers, and I plan to be involved in and supportive of the plans for the Northeast for the years ahead. Thank you for considering me.

DISTRICT 1 …… Anne McIntyre-Lahner

My name is Anne McIntyre-Lahner, and I am running for Director.

I have been raising Romneys since 1996.  I love the breed; I love the people - I especially love how Romney people share knowledge.  I started farming as an adult, and have found great support and wisdom from ARBA members.

I have two strong interest areas:

1. Helping newer breeders learn more about our breed, and helping newer shepherds learn more about shepherding.

Possibilities include a section in the Ramblings about breed-specific topics; or a section of the website on breeding, lambing, color, health - topics discussed on Romney groups, and that could become a great permanent resource.

2. Helping members find easy ways to sell sheep and sheep products.

Cooperative events are great ways to earn money without having large cash and time outlays.

In 2008, I ran the Wool Nook at Rhinebeck, and coordinated a cooperative booth where 11 members earned $3000.00.  We showcased lots of information about Romneys, and were visited by hundreds of people.  The booth was a great way to support each other and sell products without the high cost.

I also run Connecticut's fleece sale.  Last year we sold 100 fleeces. Sales were strong, and prices were impressive.

My strengths include organizational experience gained through other boards including The Guilford Agricultural Society, Connecticut Scrapie Board, Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, County 4-H Advisory Board, Guilford Agricultural Commission.   Professionally, I do strategic planning, grant-writing, and facilitate meetings.

DISTRICT 3 …… Dan Pence

Growing up on a small family farm I have been around sheep my entire life. I raised Suffolk's and club
lambs for 23 years prior to raising Romney's. Since that time, I have met a lot of Romney breeders
around the country. They are the first to offer advice and encouragement to people who are new to the
breed. Through my involvement in the local FFA Chapter and 4-H Club, [ have gained experience helping
and guiding youth. It is because of these experiences that I have come to realize that youth are the
future. The future of not only the American Romney Breeders Association, but all aspects of the sheep
industry. In traveling locally and to other states, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that a single
person can have on another. This is why I feel it is my time to give something back. While serving as
District 3 Director, my goal is to not only give back to the Romney breeders but to make youth a top
,priority.

I will do my best to meet the needs of the Association by listening and implementing new ideas and to
help advance the youth of the Romney Association. I stronglvbelleve it is not what you do but what you
give that will have the largest impact.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to working with and for all of you in the
future.

DISTRICT 3 …… Tammy Hardy

My name is Tammy Hardy. My husband, David, along with our 4 children began our Romney adventure nearly four years ago. After much research, we knew that Romneys were the only sheep for us. They have provided us with trophies, ribbons, a couple really nice canvas lawn chairs, extended family time and entertainment for all of us. During the lambing season, we can't keep the kids out of the barn as one of the rules is "you catch it, it's yours", meaning the first to spot the new lamb gets to name it and work with it. Romney lambs are just the cutest things.

I would love to serve District 3 as director. I believe that I can bring a new perspective to the joy of having Romneys having 4 very involved children. I would also like to work on getting our youth more involved. I am very organized and enjoy writing and conversing. I would do my best to represent the ARBA! Thank you for your time.

DISTRICT 5 …… RandAL Thompson

Hello my name is Randy Thompson, my wife Elaine & I have been raising sheep for over 12 years, Romneys for 11 of them. Currently our flock has 17 breeding ewes both White and Natural Colored. The Romney breed’s versatility and adaptability are perfectly suited for life here in the Northwest.

Both Elaine and I have day jobs and myself being a Senior Master Sergeant with the Air Force Reserve we don’t get to as many of the shows as we would like, but we have exhibited in several county fairs as well as Black Sheep Gathering, Western Washington Fair and the Spring Fair at Puyallup. We are also participating in bringing the true history of Romney Sheep back to life as part of the living museum at Fort Nisqually, Point Defiance Park in Tacoma Washington. Gracie a 2008 NC ewe lamb even appeared in a segment about the Fort on Seattle’s local TV show Evening Magazine! Elaine also has her vendor booth Blackberry Patch showcasing fleeces, roving, dyed locks and handspun yarns of Romney wool, which she takes to many of the fiber festivals in Washington and Oregon.

Serving in the military has given me the opportunity to see farming communities across Europe as well as those here in the United States. The communities that thrive are based on unity. Webster’s defines an association as “an organization of people having a common purpose…”. I believe that everyone in the ARBA, large and small breeders, equally play a vital role in the diversity and sustainability of the Romney Breed. Whether it be mentoring small land owners in the benefits of placing vacant land into sheep production, teaching the next generation of sheep breeders/exhibitors or just answering questions from the public during fairs we all play a necessary role in the future of the Romney Breed

DISTRICT 5 ………... Al Schwider

Al (and his wife Lin) have been raising Romney’s for about 30 years.  We started with 35 Arnold Sattler ewe lambs.  We have used rams from Lynn Barnes, the Judahs,  Bullocks, Kalinas and one from New Zealand.  In the mid eighties we obtained a NC ram from the Garitones and began a NC flock.  Over the years, we have been selecting for strong “top lines” and pasterns, fast weight gain, straight legs, black points, and uniform, soft fleeces.

If I am elected as Region 5 representative, I will keep in touch with the producers in our region, provide assistance as needed, report activities and achievements, and coordinate the regional show in 2010.

Page last updated 8/3/2009

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