 A Presidential Update
Guys and gals:
Since my last letter to you, I'm pleased to update you on a few important accomplishments.
- The By-Laws Committee, under the leadership of Jason Hays appropriately began its work by soliciting advice and guidance from the members as it tackles the first comprehensive revision of By-Laws since the Association's founding.
- The Executive Committee is finally complete with the Board's approval of Beth Brockelman to serve as Secretary for the remainder of the current term.
- The Rodeo Roundtable under the leadership of Mike Lentz has begun its formal work preparing for Stampede 2002.
- The Board has approved Rodeo Events and Training Chair Matt Komornik's slate of officials for Stampede 2002.
- Six proposals for Stock Contractor have been solicited, enabling us to select this year's stock contractor in the near future.
- Membership continues to grow through the efforts of Mike Sanders, our Membership Chairman.
- Treasurer Scott Smiley has mastered the books and is finalizing the Association's 2001 tax documents.
- The ASGRA website under the skillful hands of Frank Harrell has had more than 10,000 hits thus far this year.
Although the list goes on, I just wanted to give you an idea of the wonderful work the Board has been able to accomplish despite being seriously short handed. We continue to need willing hands to help with public relations, entertainment, fundraising and volunteer coordination. If you have an interest in providing leadership or support in any of these areas, please contact a member of the Board. I encourage you to become as active in the Association as possible. Please take a moment to offer any help that you can. Your help can make all the difference in the world.
Sincerely,
Gaither Pennington
President, ASGRA
Did you know
that several businesses have offered ASGRA member discounts on purchases when you present your ASGRA membership card?
- Remington's - no cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights,
- 10% discount on purchases at Carol's Western Wear,
- 10% discount on purchases at Red River Western Wear,
- An average of 27.5% discount on Avis rental cars (for personal, business or rodeo use)
- Plus you save about $10 on weekend passes for Stampede (when ordered at renewal time)
- You also get a copy of our newsletter Thirteen Spurs.
On the business side, if you have moved, changed your name or phone number, gotten a new email address, please let me know. I am trying to keep the membership database up to date and can only do so if I have all your current information. By keeping your information current, you will continue to get your newsletter, you will get membership renewal forms, election information, invitations to the volunteer awards party, etc.
One of the ways I communicate with the membership is by email. It's quick, easy and I can get to most of you in one shot. If I do not have your email address, you may get left out of the loop on things like membership and board meeting announcements or special events. So make sure that I have your current email address. (Note: if you would prefer to not get emails, please let me know that as well and I will remove your name from my distribution.)
Did you know that if you are a competitor, you must have a current membership in one of the IGRA associations to compete? If you have not renewed your ASGRA membership, now that the rodeo season has begun is the time to do so.
That's it from me. If you have any issues that I can help you with, feel free to contact me.
Mike S., ASGRA Membership Chair
Royalty Roundup
- Ms. ASGRA 2002 Beth Brockelman attended Cowtown Rodeo in Forth Worth, Texas in March, performing both at the rodeo grounds and at 2 local bars.
- Miss ASGRA 2002 Jymmye Jaymes hosted a successful benefit for Pets DC and SMYAL at Sheridan's on Friday April 5th.
- ASGRA night at Remington's is every Sunday with the Sequin & Studs show featuring the ASGRA Royalty team. Show Time is 8:30.
- The charities for the 2002 Royalty Team are Pets DC, SMYAL, BHT (Brother Help Thyself) and SLDN (Servicemen's Legal Defense Network).
DID YOU KNOW?
You can receive a discount every time you rent a car from AVIS, just because you're an ASGRA member! When making your reservations, mention ASGRA's AVIS discount code T238399. Not only will you receive a discount, but ASGRA will also get a rebate from AVIS once a year as a thank you for having our members rent through AVIS.
News 'Round the Corral
"Happy Trails Are Here Again!"
Remember, ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am!
Weather permitting, we will be holding a trail ride at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days:
- May 5th: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an amble through the budding foliage!
- June 2nd: Kick off Pride month by bringing a friend out for the trail ride!
For further information and to RSVP, contact Glenn at (703) 538-2225.
May 24-26, 2002: Great Plains Rodeo 2002 OGRA Oklahoma City, OK
May 31-June 1, 2002: Southern Spurs Rodeo 2002 SEGRA Atlanta, GA
May 31- June 2, 2002: UGRA Rodeo 2002 UGRA Salt Lake City, UT
June 14-26, 2002: Bay Area Regional Rodeo GSGRA San Jose, CA
June 28-30, 2002: Heartland Rodeo 2002 HGRA Omaha, GA
June 28-30, 2002: Canadian Rockies International Rodeo 2002 ARGRA Calgary, Alberta Canada
Royalty Night Alert!
Miss ASGRA 2002 hosts Bimbo Bingo once a month at Sheridans.
Drink specials and more for ASGRA members!
The first Friday of each month, Sheridan's will be having a country western dance party. There is NO fundraiser on these nights - NO COVER and the drink specials are $2 domestic beer and rail drinks. Come out and two step to your heart's delight! Hope to see you there soon!
- President Gaither Pennington
133 Tull Place, Alexandria, VA 22304
- VP/Newsletter Editor Lonni La Bel
2155 Mohegan Drive, Falls Church, VA 22043-2512
- Secretary, Beth Brockelman, Jr.
3417 Forestville Pl. Forestville, MD 20747
- Treasurer: Scott Smiley
21 Welbeck Ct. Montgomery Village, MD 20886
- Membership: Michael Sanders
7401 Eastmoreland Rd. #228, Annandale, VA 22003
- Fundraising & Sponsorship: Bruce Forchheimer
1535 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001-3207
- Public Relations: TBD;
- Rodeo Events & Training, Matt Komornik
826 D Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Social & Entertainment: TBD;
- Web Master: Frank Harrell
- IGRA Trustee Les Boggs
2514-C S Walter Reed Dr, Arlington, VA 22206-1289
- Publications Chair Billy Collison
18600 Walkers Choice Rd. #5, Gaithersburg, MD 20886-0539
- BHT Representative 2001 Bruce Forchheimer
1535 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001-3207
- CAB Representative 2001 Patrick Hunter
410 15th Street, NE #26, Washington, DC 20002
- Mr. ASGRA 2002 Jaret Austin
6180 Edsall Rd. #99, Alexandria, VA 22304
- 1st Runner-up Mr. ASGRA 2002 Oscar Mocelo
154 Scarlett Dr. Commack, NY 11725-4656
- Miss ASGRA 2002 Miss Jymmye Jaymes
(James Young) 7401 Eastmoreland Rd. #228, Annandale, VA 22003
- Ms. ASGRA 2002 Beth Brockelman, Jr.
3417 Forestville Pl. Forestville, MD 20747
News Notes
So You Want to Be a Cowpoke?
Rockville Musical Theatre will be presenting a production of Will Rogers' Follies on Friday and Saturday nights from Nov 1 - 23 at 8:00 pm and Sunday Nov 10 at 2:00 pm. They are looking for the following:
- A "trick roper" (an ASGRA calf roper would fit the bill quite nicely!)
- A banjo player
- A steel pedal guitar player (or preferably someone proficient on both instruments)
Rehearsals start late this summer. Interested? Please contact Gary Worster at Gary.Worster@marriott.com or at 202-674-8554.
Outdoors Enthusiasts Wanted for Adventuring!
Adventuring, DC's leading club for gay and lesbian outdoors enthusiasts, invites you to come along on one of their frequent hikes, bike rides, canoe expeditions, camping trips and similar excursions. Costs are low, the exercise is good for you, and the fun is contagious.
Check out their Website at www.adventuring.org, or call Bob at (202) 232-6131 to receive a free sample copy of their monthly newsletter.
ASGRA Calendar of Events
May 2002
3 9:00pm ASGRA Night at StageCoach Saloon & Restaurant, Baltimore
5 11:00am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
5 8:30pm Sequins & Studs with ASGRA Royalty 2002/Academy; Remington's, Washington, DC
8 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
10 9:00pm ASGRA Bar Night at the Tool Shed; Washington, DC
12 8:30pm Sequins & Studs; Remington's, Washington, DC
14 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Capital Hilton
15 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
15 9:00pm Bimbo Bingo w/Miss ASGRA 2002; Sheridan's, Washington, DC
19 4:00pm General Membership Meeting; Sheridan's, Washington, DC
19 8:30pm Sequins & Studs; Remington's, Washington, DC
26 8:30pm Sequins & Studs; Remington's, Washington, DC
2002 ASGRA Meeting Schedule
May 14: Board of Directors
May 19: Annual By-Laws Meeting
June 11: Board of Directors
June 23: Membership meeting
July 9: Board of Directors
July 21: Membership meeting
August 13: Board of Directors
August 18: Membership meeting
August 27: Rodeo Production Meeting
September 6, 7, 8: Atlantic Stampede
September 10: Board of Directors
September 15: Membership meeting
October 8: Board of Directors
October 27: Election meeting
November 12: Board of Directors
November 17: Membership meeting
June 2002 issue: Submissions due: 5/20/02 Mail out date: 5/27/02
The ATLANTIC STATES GAY RODEO ASSOCIATION is a charitable and social organization whose primary purpose is to promote the sport of rodeo and foster country and western lifestyles in the Gay community. Our members enjoy the fellowship of numerous social, recreational and educational activities. ASGRA educates, trains and fields teams to compete in International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) rodeos. ASGRA also sponsors Atlantic Stampede, its annual rodeo and country-western festival, held each fall in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since the founding of ASGRA in 1991, our association has raised and distributed thousands of dollars to Gay, Lesbian and other local charities in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. ASGRA is one of the largest Gay and Lesbian organizations in the Washington, DC metro area, with members throughout the United States and Canada.
As an IGRA member association, ASGRA subscribes fully to the IGRA's Statement of Animal Welfare:
The International Gay Rodeo association hereby endorses and adopts the promotion of animal welfare and the humane, responsible treatment of animals in their housing, feeding, training, exercising and competition. We shall strive to assure that our events are purposefully tailored and executed to provide animal and human participants the safest environment possible and shall act to immediately disqualify or reprimand any contestant, official or contracted personnel found to be treating animals in an inhumane manner.
Please send all questions, concerns or requests for information to:
Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association
P.O. Box 22042
Alexandria, VA 22304
13 Spurs is published monthly for the general membership, friends and sponsors of ASGRA. Copies of 13 Spurs can also be found on the ASGRA web site (www.asgra.org).
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