In attendance: approximately 18-20 members

Jimmie opened the meeting & distributed the August President's Letter to use as a meeting guide.

Topic 1: Improve communications with members. Jimmie explained these meetings are a start. Her President's letters is being expanded to include asking members for input on emerging important topics.

Topic 2: Share thoughts on limited entry rodeos. There was a discussion about pros/cons of them. Jimmie covered why they are important to rodeo committees and how the association has to balance the needs of committees with the WPRA's role to provide more opportunities for members to compete. Input was gathered on how to format Fort Worth.

Mountain State Director, Jennifer Noble asked for feedback on the idea of trying to get Cody's slack changed to after the performance for next year. She also asked feedback if Sheridan should be a 1 header.

Topic 3: Concern over the # of releases and turnouts at rodeos. Jimmie asked for thoughts on why the # of releases & turnouts are going up and how to handle them. Responses ranged from: entry open dates are as early as 6 weeks out causing members to enter even though much could happen to their horses between then and the rodeo, to higher than anticipated entry fees, to a large # of overlapping rodeo dates, etc.

Suggested solutions include:
1). Allow those in slack to move up into performances, allow more trades, etc.
2). Re-consider the current rule about Exhibition runs and the timing of them at rodeo performances.
3). Re-consider the current policy allowing 2 free trades a year. Why can't we have unlimited trades?
Note: a member requested that the party who participates in a Free Trade (but did not originate it) should not be penalized with losing one of their trades.

Topic 4: The role of the WPRA World Finals. Jimmie explained how the World Finals fits with the strategy of providing more opportunities to all members of the WPRA base to compete in a Finals situation. She explains how co-approvals, Futurity/Derby, Roping also fit into the Finals strategy.

Jimmie reviewed the Board's decision to allow $ won in the 2011 World Finals Card race count toward 2012 qualification standings for limited rodeos. She further explains that for the $ to count the member must also have competed at 10 WPRA/PRCA sanctioned rodeos in 2011.

During this discussion, Jimmie was asked to re-iterate what it takes to get into the 2011 All American Finals. She explained how $ won at the finals counts towards 2011 qualifications for limited entry rodeos.

Topic 5: Omaha supplemental bonus $. Jimmie explained how we have worked with Omaha to obtain inventory to offer to sponsors. She explained that in 2011 the WPRA is adding $18,500 as supplemental bonus $. She asked for feedback to a proposed armband idea. They think it is a good idea.

Topic 6: Puyallup supplemental bonus $. Jimmie explained that Puyallup has no inventory to offer the WPRA to use to seek sponsorships. A member request was made to re-consider the format at Puyallup in terms of how one advances to the finals round, given how weather can have a big impact on success at Puyallup. Jimmie will take it back to the Board.

Topic 7: Rodeo Pay and the need for a WPRA solution. There were questions asking if the WPRA is going to offer Rodeo Pay or something like it. Members would like their $ faster and not in the form of a check sitting in their mailboxes while they are on the road. Jimmie explained this topic is a priority for the Board to work on for 2012.

Topic 8: Review of the WPRA data base project. Jimmie reviewed what work had been started, what got accomplished and why it was stopped. She explained that the project is being re-addressed and that the Board thinks they have a good plan for going forward.

Topic: 9 Review of the status of the WPRA magazine. Jimmie discussed why going to a digital format (versus a paper magazine) makes sense both economically and from a timeliness perspective.

Topic 10: One member wanted to thank Jimmie for running for President and for being at the meeting.

Jimmie closed he meeting and thanked those who were able to attend.