Spring is in the air and things are starting to get busy in the ASGRA corral. The Millennium March on Washington will be happening at the end of the month. In conjunction with Montage Events, ASGRA is sponsoring the country western dance and chaps contest over the March Weekend. This event will require much volunteer help in many areas over the weekend. Also ASGRA will be having a dance and information tent on the festival grounds. The call is out for your help. Please cowboy and cowgirl up and give ASGRA a portion of your time and talents to help out over the Millennium March weekend. If everybody can give a little, we can all have a fun and enjoyable weekend. Come out and party ASGRA-style with your fellow cowboys and cowgirls. Have a good time, share in the fun of doing and show the rest of the country how we do it so well! Please contact Jim Morgan or Marion Elledge to volunteer your talents. My name is already on the list. I want to see you there along with me and the rest of the ASGRA gang. Come on over! Come on in! Let's Rodeo!
David H, President

The Membership Committee is proposing the following changes to the Premium Memberships in Section 3 of the ASGRA Standing Rules and Procedures. These proposed changes are being posted for membership review. Any proposed change to the Standing Rules and Procedures must be approved by the General Membership at a regular General Membership meeting. A vote will be conducted at the May 7th meeting at 4pm at The 17th Street Bar and Grill in Washington, DC on the proposed changes. Please direct any comments to Membership Chair Tim Bills

SECTION 3. PREMIUM MEMBERSHIPS
The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Membership Committee, shall determine the cost to Members of each Premium Membership annually.
A. Silver Spur:
1. Any General Member or New Member paying yearly an amount of dues as defined by the Board of Directors for the Silver Spur Membership shall, be entitled to the following benefits:
Listing in the Rodeo Program
Annual Membership
Silver Spur Name Badge Hanger
2. Payment of the minimum dues shall be made with the completed and signed membership application form or with renewal forms; and
3. The minimum amount of dues may be accrued over a year's time by a cash or in-kind donation, as valued by the Board of Directors, to ASGRA to be applied to the next year's membership renewal.

B. Golden Saddle:
1. Any General Member or New Member paying yearly an amount of dues as defined by the Board of Directors for the Golden Saddle Membership, shall be entitled to the following benefits:
Listing in the Rodeo Program
Annual Membership
Golden Saddle Name Badge Hanger
2. Payment of the minimum dues shall be made with the completed and signed membership application form or with renewal forms; and
3. The minimum amount of dues may be accrued over a year's time by a cash or in-kind donation, as valued by the Board of Directors, to ASGRA to be applied to the next year's membership renewal.

C. Lifetime Membership:
1. Any General Member or New Member paying once an amount of dues as defined by the Board of Directors for Lifetime Membership, shall be entitled to the following benefits:
Listing in the Rodeo Program
Lifetime Membership Card
Lifetime Membership Name Badge
2. Payment of the minimum dues shall be made with the completed and signed membership application form or with renewal forms; and
3. The minimum amount of dues may be accrued over a year's time by a cash or in-kind donation, as valued by the Board of Directors, to ASGRA to be applied to the next year's membership renewal.

D. Business Membership:
1. Any Business Member or New Business Member paying yearly the amount of dues as defined by the Board of Directors for the Business Membership, shall be entitled to the following benefits:
1/4 page Stampede Rodeo Program Ad
Annual Membership (entitled to cast one membership vote on ASGRA business)
Identified in Stampede Rodeo Program as an ASGRA Business Member
Web page link on the ASGRA web Page
A business ASGRA logo will be provided by ASGRA for each Business Member to be used in the businesses advertisements if desired
Listing identifying the business an ASGRA Business Member in Thirteen Spurs
2. Payment of the minimum dues shall be made with the completed and signed membership application form or with renewal forms; and
The minimum amount of dues may be accrued over a year's time by a cash or in-kind donation, as valued by the Board of Directors, to ASGRA to be applied to the next year's membership renewal.

At the April General Membership meeting there was discussion about the formation of an ASGRA Foundation. VP Eric Gangloff presented the proposed Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and principles for such a foundation. The response was very favorable and this will be discussed further and put to a vote by the membership at the next General Membership meeting on May 7 at 4pm at the 17th Street Bar & Grill.

Guiding principles of the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Foundation

• There will be ten directors: The four executive officers of ASGRA will serve ex officio; the ASGRA trustee will serve ex officio; five members will be elected to the board annually by the general membership of ASGRA. These members will be ASGRA members.
• The President of ASGRA will serve ex officio as President of the Foundation. The VP of ASGRA will serve ex officio as VP of the Foundation. The Secretary of ASGRA will serve ex officio as Secretary of the Foundation. The Treasurer of ASGRA will serve ex officio as Treasurer of the Foundation. The ASGRA trustee will serve to represent the Foundation in any issue it may have with IGRA or any IGRA-affiliated organization.
• The Foundation will be established to help raise funds for the support of ASGRA activities, those of other associated organizations and for other charitable purposes as the Board of Directors decide. The foundation must be established in such a way as to be able to make distributions of its funds to a 501(c)(4) organization.
• The Foundation will complement the work of the ASGRA fundraising committee. It is not intended to replace it.
• The Foundation will be able to accept funds from corporations and from individuals.
• The Foundation will be able to accept funds that are earmarked for directed and immediate distribution.
• The Foundation will agree to serve the needs of other IGRA-affiliated organizations, and the IGRA itself, at cost.
• The Foundation will not operate any programs of its own. Its sole purpose is to help raise funds for outside activities.

Fundraising & Sponsorship: Remington's, upstairs; 7:00pm Meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of every month
Social & Entertainment: Contact Jim Morgan for location, date and time
Newsletter: Meetings are on the 3rd Monday of every month at 7:30pm Contact Lonni La Bel for location
July/August issue: Submissions due: 6/12/00 Mail out date: 6/17-18

Rodeo Events & Training: Sheridan's, upstairs; Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 8pm
Public Relations: Contact Patrick Hunter for location. April 20 meeting will be downstairs at Sheridan's at 7pm Meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:30pm

If you are interested, please send you nomination to Les Boggs, ASGRA Trustee, at Trustee@ASGRA.org or by regular mail to ASGRA, PO Box 22042, Alexandria, VA 22304-7716. Nominations for delegates/alternates will be open until midnight, June 8, 2001. (That means your email must arrive by that date; snail mail nominations must be postmarked by that date.) All candidates will be voted on at the June Board of Directors Meeting. If you have questions, please contact Les Boggs, at Trustee@ASGRA.org or at 703-671-0536.

Miscellaneous Notes of Note
The revised ASGRA Budget was presented at the April General Membership meeting. The budget will be presented to the membership for final approval at the May meeting. Please plan to join us for this important meeting on Sunday May 20!! Location and time for this meeting will be posted to the ASGRA website and hotline.

Hoedown is coming on July 14th!!
Join ASGRA at the Baltimore Museum of Industry in Baltimore, MD for dancing on the waterfront from 9pm to 1am. Tickets will be on sale starting in June. $10 in advance; $15 at the gate ($12 for ASGRA members at the gate)

Anyone interested in representing ASGRA at the IGRA Dance Competition at Convention this July in Long Beach, CA should contact John Paul Griffin by June 8, 2001!

Got some interesting pictures from ASGRA events or rodeo? Mike Sanders is looking for photos for inclusion in the program for Atlantic Stampede 2001!

Please include your name and contact information, the event and date it took place (if you recall). All photos will be returned to those who include their information. Submissions due no later than July 1, 2001. Questions? Contact Mike.

ISO organized, patient individual with sense of humor and excellent grammar and editing skills. Must be able to get information from busy Board and Committee members and send same to a diverse membership community. Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat, MS Word or other word processing/publishing software required. Folks, after 3 years of collecting and disseminating information for ASGRA, it's time for your Newsletter Editor to move on. Work has gotten busier and as you've probably noted from the past 2 newsletter arrival dates, it's impacting my ability to get a high-quality newsletter out the door on schedule. I will be happy to train anyone interested in taking this task on. I have kept hard and soft copies of every newsletter I've put out so you will have templates. I also have several folks who provide info for the newsletter and assist with the 'fold, spindle, mutilate, mail' portion of the process to whom I will be happy to introduce you. I plan to continue on until the end of the calendar year or until someone can get onboard and up to speed - whichever comes first! Please contact Lonni La Bel at AJTygger@aol.com or by phone at 703-847-9533.

April 28 9:00pm ASGRA Night and Royalty Shirt Auction at Sheridan's
29 11:00am Millennium Festival, Pennsylvania Ave. between 3rd and 9th St., NW (till 7pm) Come to the ASGRA Dance Tent!
29 10:00pm Chaps & Skin Dance, The International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC (till 4am!)
29 6:00pm Rehearsal for Chaps & Skin Contestants, The International Trade Center
29 11:59pm Chaps & Skin Contest, The International Trade Center
30 10:00am Millennium March on Washington, Lineup at the Ellipse
30 11:00am Millennium Festival, Day 2 (till 7pm)
30 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000

May 2 7:30pm ASGRA Board meeting, Hyatt Regency Hotel
6-7 9:00am ASGRA Roughstock Training School (till 5pm); Maryland
7 4:00pm ASGRA General Membership Meeting, 17th Street Bar & Grill
7 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
10 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
10 7:00pm Fundraising & Sponsorship Meeting
11 7:30pm Membership Committee Meeting
14 10:30am ASGRA Trail Ride at Piscataway
14 11:00am Ms. IGRA 2000 at Franklyn's Coffeehouse Cafe
14 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
15 7:30pm Newsletter Committee Meeting
16 8:00pm Rodeo Events and Training Committee Meeting
17 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
18 7:30pm PR Committee Meeting
21 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
28 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000

June
4 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
7 7:30pm ASGRA Board meeting, Hyatt Regency Hotel
7 9:00pm ASGRA Bar Night; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
8 7:30pm Membership Committee Meeting
10 Baltimore Pride Festival and March
10 4:00pm ASGRA General Membership Meeting, Baltimore, MD (location TBD)
11 DC Pride Festival and March
11 10:30am ASGRA Trail Ride at Piscataway
11 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
14 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
14 7:00pm Fundraising & Sponsorship Meeting
15 7:30pm PR Committee Meeting
18 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000
19 7:30pm Newsletter Committee Meeting
20 8:00pm Rodeo Events and Training Committee Meeting
21 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
25 NYC Pride Festival and March
25 9:00pm Country Jamboree at Club Chaos with Miss ASGRA 2000

Las Vegas, NV (March 3-5):
A contingent of ASGRA members headed out to the land of non-stop gambling (and on this particular weekend, NASCAR) to take on the Vegas rodeo challenge. The weather was almost as much of a gamble as the slot machines, but the use of 2 rings for competition kept this popular and well-attended rodeo to a reasonable length this year. ASGRA was well represented by members helping out in the arena and behind the chutes. According to several reports there was also a pretty busy party contingent (with several birthdays being celebrated it's not too surprising). We won't say whether that affected competition performance, but the lone ranger to place competitively was Snowden Clarke, who placed 8th overall in Barrel Racing and 8th on Saturday in Pole Bending. Good job, Snowden! Overall, ASGRA placed 13th, with a total of 40 team points.

Looking for reduced rates to IGRA Rodeos?
ASGRA is pleased to announce that it has been able to secure a special discount agreement with United Airlines unavailable to the general public. A 5% discount off the lowest applicable fare will be offered when you or your travel agent call United's toll-free number 1-800-521-4041 and refer to the Meeting ID Number 598EP. 10% discount off the unrestricted mid week coach airfare. An additional 5% discount will apply when you purchase your tickets at least 60 days in advance of your travel date. Discounts apply on United, Shuttle by United and United Express. At the time you make your airline reservations with United you may also receive a 10% discount on Alamo and Avis rental cars. Dedicated reservationists are on duty 7 days a week, 7:00 AM to 12:00 midnight EST. Book early to take advantage of promotional fares that give you the greatest discount. Mileage Plus members receive full credit for all miles flown using this Meeting ID number. Travels dates may be 5 days before and after those designated for the following cities:

To add additional meetings to your agreement please send a fax including the city(s), dates and the Meeting ID number of your meeting to the number listed above. In order for a meeting to qualify as part of this agreement, a minimum of 10 attendees flying is required per meeting. Check out the ASGRA website (www.asgra.org) for more details!

Interested in traveling with ASGRA as a group to the Chicago Rodeo? Social and Entertainment will organize group arrangements if there is enough interest expressed by the membership. We're planning to look into even greater discounts with United if enough people plan to fly. If you're interested, contact S&E Chair Jim Morgan.

Well spring has arrived and that means that a cowboy or cowgirl's thoughts turn to rodeo season! But before that, turn your thoughts to the International Trade Center for the ASGRA hosted Chaps and Skins Dance during the Millennium March on Washington. Believe me, there will be plenty to see!

Plans are to turn part of the International Trade Center into a Country & Western kingdom with dancing provided by Delaware's prime cut DJ's, Donna and Susan, along with performances from the Midnight Cowboys and our own hometown DC Cowboys. If that's not enough beefcake to get you interested, maybe the Best Chaps and Chest Contest will whet your appetite. The contest will bring up the best of the best in their state of undress - shirtless guys and scantily-clad gals in hat and chaps. Audience participation will determine the winners, who will receive a trip for two to San Diego. Could that person be you? See the information below for details!

Of course if you a more hands-on kind person, we'll be having the 4th Annual Gary Robinson Memorial 'Shirt Off Your Back Auction' at Sheridan's 1874 Steak House on Friday, April 28 starting at 8pm. Local apparel vendors donate various styles of western shirts to be auctioned off and then taken off the Cowboy/Cowgirl models.

And if you looking for a way to occupy the rest of your weekend days and maybe get your feet moving, stop by the IGRA/ASGRA hosted Country Dance Tent at the MMOW Festival on Saturday & Sunday. You can kick up you heels to the latest country western hits and pick up the all the information on upcoming rodeos, including ASGRA's own Atlantic Stampede 2000. But don't tire your feet out too much, you gotta march on Sunday!
Patrick Hunter

• Contest will start at 11:59 PM on April 29th during the Chaps & Skin Dance held at The International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC.
• The Grand Prize includes airfare and deluxe hotel accommodations for two to San Diego, California during Splash Dance 2000 weekend, August 24-27. 2 VIP Complimentary tickets will be given to "Splash Dance 2000 - An Aquatic Spectacle" with additional passes for other San Diego community events. ASGRA membership and other premiums will be provided to all contestants.
• Contest is open to men and women 21 years and older.
• Western chaps and accompanying attire required. (Chaps will be made available by contest coordinator if needed.) Western hat optional.
• Contestants will be required to model chaps and promenade on stage during a formal introduction.
• No exposed buttocks or genitalia allowed. Bare chests are suggested for men. Exposed breasts (nipples) are disallowed for women, but bustieres or comparable attire are suitable and encouraged.
• Judging Criteria:
• Style, fit and appeal of attire
• Physical fitness, physique, and grooming
• Confidence, cadence and poise during introductory walk
• Crowd acceptance and appeal
• Contestants must:
• Attend a dress rehearsal from 6 to 7 PM on the day of the contest.
• Complete an official entry form and biographical summary. (Bio will be used to introduce the candidates to the audience and judges.)
• Sign a photographic release for promotional use by contest coordinator.

A Night of ASGRA Stars

The fourth week in March was a time for the best of the western dressed as they had a chance to show their stuff at Sheridan's 1874 Steak House for the first Best Dressed Cowboy Contest. The evening, hosted by none other than 2 of ASGRA's Best Dressed Cowboys themselves, Daniel Lusk (Mr. IGRA 2000) and Sonny Koerner (Mr. ASGRA 2000), is a monthly event taking place during ASGRA Night (last Friday of the month) and culminating a year from now with the Mr. Sheridan's Contest.

Five duded-up cowboys had the chance to show their first-rate attire with audience applause selecting the winner. It was a veritable line dance of denim and shirt styles with star-spangled Mike Benner winning the audience over with both his patriotic shirt and his smile. Of course the contestants weren't the only pretty things to look at that evening. All the local ASGRA and IGRA royalty turned out to support the event, selling raffle tickets and explaining ASGRA and gay rodeo to the uninitiated. Sonny performed a steamy rendition of "You can Leave your Hat On" (maybe we should get him to sing that number when the DC Cowboys next perform it) while Daniel invited the crowd to dance along as he serenaded the room with a romantic ballad.

You already know that if you want to go somewhere for a good country/western meal, Sheridan's is your place. Now you know it's the place to go for some great country/western entertainment as well.

5th Annual Silent Bid For Life
Silent Bid For Life celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. Originally founded in 1995 by local Washington, DC advocates Ed Moore and Ray Hall, Jr., this joint venture between concerned local activists and BHT has now become an annual tradition here in DC as well as an opportunity for organizations and individuals to participate in raising funds that help the larger GLBT community.

Over the past four years Silent Bid For Life has distributed more than $20,000 to local and national charities that help and provide services for our communities. It has also helped to raise awareness about issues of concern and the challenges we face as we move into the future. This year's charities are Deaf Youth Rainbow, The Leather Archives and Museum and Joseph's House. Past recipients have included Grandma's House, Service Members Legal Defense Network, The SLB Project and MetroTeen AIDS.

On April 28, 2000, at 8:00 pm, with the generous support of the DC Eagle (639 New York Ave, NW), the Silent Bid For Life auction will feature the unique and original work of local national and international gay artists and photographers, including leather and erotic genres. If you or someone you know is an artist or photographer who might be interested in donating work, please contact Wayne Nesbitt, Randy Brown or Peter Lloyd . They are also in need of craftspeople that have accomplished framing skills, and folks to donate framing materials.

• On March 19, Miss ASGRA 2000 (Miss Jymmye Jaymes) took to the stage at the Zodiac contest at the Academy as well as at her own show at Chaos later that evening and raised $420 to benefit Youth Pride. Special thanx to the members of the Academy Awards of Washington, 17th Street Video, and Club Chaos and its patrons for their hefty donations to this worthy cause.
• Mr. IGRA 2000 Daniel Lusk and Mr. ASGRA 2000 Sonny Koerner co-hosted the first Best-Dressed Cowboy contest at Sheridan's on March 24. This month's winner was none other than ASGRA's own Mike Benner!
• All of our local ASGRA and IGRA royalty team performed at Sheridan's Grand Opening event on March 25 to an enthusiastic standing room only crowd.
• Miss ASGRA 2000 and Ms. IGRA 2000 performed at Remington's Corral Cabaret on March 26, for what turned out to be the final show. The crowd was especially supportive of the final number - from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
• First Runner-up Miss IGRA 2000, Miss Patty Como (aka Matt Komornik) along with Terrie Santana received rave reviews for their lively and hilarious "Flo & Vera at Mel's Diner" event at Sheridan's restaurant on April 2. Co-owner Steve Sabatini got into the act as well as Mel. All tips as well as 10% of the food totals were donated to NAMES Project, AIDS Ride and IGRA charities. Rumor has it that this was so popular that they may make an encore performance! Stay tuned!
• Miss ASGRA 2000, First Runner-up Miss IGRA 2000 and Ms. IGRA 2000 (as Miss Vykkye Jaymes, thanx to the cosmetic skills of Blair Michaels) entertained an enthusiastic crowd as part of the opening night show for the "Queens of Country Music" hosted by Terrie Santana at Sheridan's on April 5. They'll be appearing semi-regularly - next performance is April 19. Come on out on Wednesdays and support them and the other fine performers!
• Miss IGRA 2000 had the privilege of performing the National Anthem at the Miss Gaye Universe DC Ball at the DC Convention Center on April 9. Miss ASGRA 2000 was honored as a former Miss Universe as well at the event.

Just a reminder… Miss ASGRA 2000, Miss Jymmye Jaymes is your hostess every Sunday evening for Country Jamboree at Club Chaos (at the corner of 17th & Q St. NW). Dance lessons are offered from 6-7:30pm with open dancing following from 7:30-9pm. At 9 and 10:30, Jymmye will emcee shows featuring the best of DC's live and illusionist talent (including your ASGRA and local IGRA Royalty), with open dancing both between shows and following the last show. For more details, contact Jymmye or Club Chaos (202-232-4141) or see the Chaos webpage (www.chaosdc.com)

IGRA Royalty Update…
IGRA Royalty Team 2000 continues to raise funds in different and creative ways and provide a public presence that will make all our IGRA members proud. Here are some recent highlights on the local IGRA team:

Daniel Lusk has made several appearances in the DC area, performing at Club Chaos as well as at the 1999 ASGRA Awards event and the Grand Opening for Sheridan's. In January he presented Metro Teen AIDS with a check for $1,800, which he raised during his term as Mr. ASGRA 1999. On the rodeo circuit, he helped to judge the AGRA Royalty contest, worked with the arena crew and entertained in Phoenix as well as competing and performing in Las Vegas.

Miss Patty Como was a busy presence at both the Road Runner Regional and Big Horn Rodeos, working the chutes and entertaining. She has also performed several times recently in the DC area at Club Chaos, as well as at the 1999 ASGRA Awards event. Miss Patty even did a repeat of her IGRA talent number "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" to a very appreciative crowd at the Grand Opening for Sheridan's.

Ms. IGRA 2000 Lonni La Bel continues visible in diverse areas of the GLBT and straight communities. In addition to regular monthly performances at Remington's, Club Chaos and Sheridan's, her shows at Franklyn's Coffeehouse café have raised over $110 in tips for House of Ruth. She also provided the music for a special service at MCC-DC for the participants of the Leather Leadership Conference and sang the National Anthem at the Miss Gaye Universe DC Ball at the DC Convention Center.

The entire IGRA Royalty Team plans to be in Salt Lake City in June for UGRA's first rodeo! We thank you for your support and look forward to continuing to work with all of you throughout the year!

IGRA Royalty Team 2000 is selling entertainment books as part of this year's fund raising effort. The books can save you hundreds of dollars at hotels, restaurants and other businesses. You can purchase them via the Internet at www.entertainment.com. Enter code #614484 to ensure that IGRA receives the credit for the sale.

ASGRA's Royalty team works hard to educate the public on rodeo, ASGRA, IGRA and C&W lifestyle, as well as to raise funds for charity. We tip our hats to you and encourage you to continue your fine support and enthusiasm!