[dominiquer60]

Monday would work better for me as well, but I could still do Sunday if needed.

[dominiquer60]

I feel your pain Brad, I just want to get my team out for a walk but glare ice and hillsides make for a difficult time just crossing the drive to the barn. Lets hope for traction any way we can get it at this point.

[dominiquer60]

We have a draft that is being discussed and needs approval, we hope to have it done soon.

[dominiquer60]

Sounds like a great small breeds cross, good luck with her and post some pictures, she sounds darling!

[dominiquer60]

For this purpose I can be Erika Marczak of 341 Macintosh Hill Road, Randolph, VT 05060. I no longer have connection to Hoosick Falls, NY. Thanks
Erika

[dominiquer60]

You are totally right,
I was thinking Sunday probably because it will be easier for me to participate that day, but you are right Jen it is Monday. I will be traveling the first leg of my trip to FL that day, barring any bad weather I should be able to make it to my destination by 7pm. Sorry to confuse everyone, my work plans changed at the last minute and I am struggling to make the next 2 months make some sense.

Thanks for understanding, does Monday work for you (Ed and Ethan)?

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Yes Ethan,
Go for it, the newsletter and advertise with us sections are on my to do list. I may be wrong, but I think Pam was interested in working on this too. There is plenty to update, so maybe we should divide and conquer! I will be leaving for FL soon and will have five weeks of steer free/chore free boredom, so I will be happy to help too.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

I helped put together a Ledgewood Farm high tunnel, it was 30′ x 96′. I really like it and the slope of it helps shed the snow without putting pressure on the sides like a round house. http://ledgewoodfarm.com/pricinginformation.html. When I get settled someday, I am certainly getting one or two of these bad boys! The one that I helped put up came with excellent customer service, was well measured and pre-drilled which made assembly much easier than others that I have been involved with.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

I agree with much of the feed back so far, to cheat I quote Mark,”Good concept on #1 “looking to the future”. Great to have a perspective shot. graphically the off hame ball & blinder create a single lump. I would prefer a team. Longer tail. What about cattle, are they already somewhat marginalized? (#2 avoids that by having no animal) I always (?) use lower case for the “et” of DAPNet, thought the full uppercase gives a good “bottom” to the graphic.
#2 cool but, naaah… not the one for us.”

I like the tail, team and ox ideas. Simple is important, but I also don’t want the image of being just another horse group.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

According to the DAPNet Facebook thread on this topic, they should start showing the draft animal portions in early March, but I have forgotten the date.

[dominiquer60]

Yes, all events should have a proper title, for marketing and to minimize confusion for all involved.

Today we are doing the final edit, Jean and I have labeled this event the Spring Plowing Clinic with Sam Rich in the newsletter. If no one objects or comes up a better title we will leave it as is. Just let us know!

Thanks,

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Yes a clinic or an event that has one on one time does not mean a 2 day private lesson, it means that you get some individual instruction with the presenter not undivided attention. I have been to riding clinics and have done exactly as Jean described. It works out well especially if you can watch some of the instruction that others are getting. Often you may have one problem and someone will have another and by watching what eachother is experiencing the learning is enhanced. It is like one big happy group lesson learning from each others successes and mistakes.

For Promotions/Marketing sake we should give this event an official title so that we can refer to and promote it in a consistent manner. We are editing the Newsletter and I would like to address this ASAP.

Something like this would work well: Spring Plowing Clinic with Sam Rich, the key is everyone sticking to labeling it whatever is agreed on. I think that if we are breaking the mold with a new style of event that includes this level of instruction it should have a title that differentiates it from a “workshop/demonstration” type of event that we are used to putting on.

Oh and the auditors, while they don’t get the specific instruction they get the luxury of not having a team and being free to focus in on which ever teams or certain aspects peak their interests.

[dominiquer60]

I have used Carl and Lisa’s line for the last couple calls and have not received a bill yet. I can probably deduct it somehow, but as long as I can get good service and the weather is ok, I think it will be cheaper to drive the 4 miles to sit in the grocery store parking lot to use my cell. I have the conference call number on my friends and family list.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

I know that I am not part of this committee, but I have a lot of thoughts running around my head as we (a young organization) lay the foundation for our future.

As we talk about teamster or other professional compensation, would it help to categorize events into different levels of intensity?

This Jay Fischer event sounds like a nice social gathering that could be a “bring a good story and a dish to pass type” with no tangible costs to our organization other than a little promotion. On the small regional side the Plowing workshop with one on one instruction is the other extreme. Workshops with sought after professionals and technical skills are worth a lot to people that really want to learn these skills in this type of setting. Then there are events in conjunction with other groups like the Shelburne Farm Field Days, I have no idea about the details with that event, but it could be yet another different level of involvement.

There seem to be distinct social events that are small and strictly have a good time/volunteer type feel, were the education is very informal and as it happens with whom ever shows up. Some events are multifaceted and provide a good overview of style or technique from skilled teamsters/craftspeople, but these events do not tend to be hands on. Some events offer hands on the lines/goad opportunities and offer an even higher level of education. Then there is the NH National Forest project that provides a great opportunity for educational documentation, a different twist compared to our other events. Of course NEAPFD still stands on its own as far as categorizing our events, it is an effort on so many levels.

I feel that the level of educational intensity of each event should have a bearing on how much the teamsters are to be compensated. The greater the intensity (hands on, one on one, dissect it in the shop) the more a teamster should be compensated. The less educationally intense the event the less a teamster should be compensated if at all. I feel that there are some events where we should not have to pay teamsters, the low key more social/community events should really be about that, building community and freely giving of what we have to offer at the moment, attracting the beginners and cherishing our elders.

When I went to the Gathering at the Bailey’s this fall I paid for the weekend registration and food, I was compensated with a great time educating and being educated, it was totally worth the trip for me. The event was a laid back show and tell with some of the more experienced attendees lending a hand with the projects. There were some talks given to the people gathered around but nothing very formal, overall I saw it as a mildly educational social event not a professional one (the cost was justified for the use of the Bailey’s farm and food). Knowing that I would not be financially compensated I offered a one on one experience driving my team to 4 boys that had come all the way from Maine, some of us have a weak spot for sparking an interest in youths, this was worth it alone.

Just wanted to throw these thoughts out there as teamster/professional compensation gets hashed out in the coming weeks, categorizing may make it harder or it may make it easier, but either way it is something related that may be of help as we weave all of ideas together as one.

[dominiquer60]

Great points Ed about the RFP process, we certainly want this to be open to those that want to participate given the nature of each event, this isn’t to say that there should not be limits or certain standards to be met. If a teamster donates part/all of the compensation it would be good to give direct recognition of those teamsters as a sponsor/donor of the event. Just a thought.

I will add that any donors of time should be recognized not just teamsters, we are all one big community. If Kenneth wrangles up a crew, they and GMC should be recognized, if the film person/crew donates some/all of their time they should certainly be recognized as well. That is how we have so many great NEAPFD pictures, they were able to trade pictures for sponsorship recognition, in-kind trading at its best.

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