Guys and Gals:
Just a quick note to remind everyone that we're only 2 weeks away from Atlantic Stampede 2002! The Rodeo Roundtable has been working furiously and plans are coming together nicely. Without spilling the beans, you'll find an entirely new site plan for the Fairgrounds, a wonderful new Stock Contractor, the hottest dances in town on Friday and Saturday nights, superb special entertainment at both sites, and the opportunity to "rub shoulders" with the contestants at the Chuck Wagon Surf and Turf and Awards Celebration at the Fairgrounds on Sunday evening. It's also the Tenth Anniversary Running of the Dolly Madison Race on Sunday-three folks to a team, $30.00 team entry fee (entirely donated to charity), you don't need to be an ASGRA member or a rodeo contestant, no animal contact (except possibly with our hunky lions-if you're lucky), and lots of fun. Entry forms will be available at the Front Gate all day Saturday and on Sunday morning before 11:00 AM. The race will take place immediately after Sunday's Grand Entry. Come on-line up a team for charity and have some real fun in the arena!

I'm pleased to announce that Eric Gangloff will chair our Elections Committee for this year. Eric and his team will be contacting all eligible voting members in the very near future. The Annual Election meeting will be on Sunday, October 27th at 4:00 PM. More details to follow from Eric and his team.

As I noted last Newsletter, we continue to be blessed by the generous donation of time from our many volunteers-member and non-members alike. Every moment volunteered is sincerely appreciated and each one makes a difference. But to make the most of this gift, we need a vacancy-free Board of men and women who are committed to the growth and improvement of the Association. Won't you please consider service in one of these important positions? In the weeks before the formal call for nominations, I urge each of you to consider the gift of service on the Board. I encourage you to visit the website to review the duties and responsibilities for each position. Think about it, and then please step forward with the gift of your skill, talents and time. Both you and the Association will be better for it.
Gaither Pennington, President

President: Gaither Pennington 133 Tull Place Alexandria, VA 22304
VP/Newsletter Editor: Lonni La Bel 11422 Waterbury Way Germantown, MD 20876
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

• We still need volunteers to help with various aspects of putting on the rodeo. If you can help out, fill out a volunteer form (available online at asgra.org) or contact Billy Collison at twobears@erols.com
• Your membership is due for renewal. If you have not renewed yet, you can contact me via email, phone or regular mail. If you have access to the Internet, you can either print off the form or renew online with your credit card (MasterCard, Visa or Amex only). Just follow the Membership link from the ASGRA web page. For those of you that are contestants, you MUST be a member of one of the IGRA member associations in order to compete.

As your liaison to the board of directors I remind you that if you have a concern or question, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will do my best to get you an answer or get the situation corrected. I'm here for you and your needs as members of this association.
Mike S., Membership Chair

"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: September 1st: Labor Day weekend kicks off Stampede week 2002 - let a relaxing trail ride be your own horse event! October 6th: Welcome the invigorating coolness of autumn with a ride through the colorful Maryland foliage! For further information and to RSVP, contact Glenn at (703) 538-2225.

MGRA Show Me State Rodeo Kansas City, MO August 30-September 1, 2002
ASGRA Atlantic Stampede Washington, DC September 6-8, 2002

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 2002: Bruce Forchheimer 1535 9th St NW Washington, DC 20001-3207
CAB Representative 2002: Patrick Hunter 410 15th Street, NE #26 Washington, DC 20002
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

Update!
ASGRA held it's Annual Bylaws Meeting on June 23. Although we did not receive enough mail-in ballots to make any changes to the bylaws this year, we do want to thank all those members who took the time to review the very detailed recommendations from the bylaws committee and returned a ballot. Your input into the process was very important, and your commitment to ASGRA is greatly appreciated.

Although we didn't have enough votes to make changes this year, none of the work that we've accomplished is lost! We will continue to move forward seeking additional ideas and feedback.

In order to get back on track with our regular calendar, and to ensure that we continue to build on the work of the previous bylaws committee, President Gaither Pennington has re-appointed Jason Hays as the Bylaws Committee Chair. Jason has nominated four members to serve on the committee for the next cycle. The two board members are Gaither Pennington and Scott Smiley. The two general members are JR Key and Eric Gangloff. Their names were presented at the August general membership meeting and will be ratified by the membership at the September general membership meeting.

Between now and next March, the new bylaws committee will continue to work on ideas for improving the structure and function of the organization. The committee is interested in your input. Please contact Jason Hays if you'd like to offer suggestions and ideas to the committee.

September 2002
1 11:00am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
1 8:30pm Sequins & Studs; Remington's, Washington, DC
6-8 ATLANTIC STAMPEDE 2002!!!!
10 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Capital Hilton
11 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
15 4:00pm ASGRA Membership Mtg; Sheridan's,Washington, DC
15 8:30pm Sequins & Studs; Remington's, Washington, DC
18 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
22 8:30pm Sequins & Studs; Remington's, Washington, DC

2002 ASGRA Meeting Schedule
August 27: Rodeo Production Meeting

Membership Meetings Board Meetings
September 15 September 10
October 27: Election Meeting October 8
November 17 November 12

ASGRA annual elections will be held October 27, 2002. This is a call for nominations. We urge all ASGRA members to consider serving on the ASGRA Board to help support the organization with your leadership. The duties and responsibilities for each of the offices up for election are found in the ASGRA Bylaws at www.asgra.org.

Vacancies

Executive Board:

• Vice President
• Secretary
  Committee chairmanships:
• Fund Raising and Sponsorship
• Membership
• Public Relations
• Rodeo Events and Training
• Social and Entertainment

  October 2002 issue: Submissions due: 9/23/02 Mail out date: 9/30/02

• All active members in good standing and who have completed a minimum of six (6) months of continuous membership may be eligible to run for any office of the Corporation except for the office of IGRA trustee;
• Members wishing to run for office may have no outstanding debts to the corporation or to any IGRA rodeo association at the time they stand for office;
• No member may hold more then one (1) elected office nor may be appointed to an office while holding an elected or appointed ASGRA office or the office of IGRA trustee; and
• Only individual members are eligible to hold an office.

  Nomination Procedure

• Candidates may nominate themselves.
• Each candidate must submit a statement of qualifications based on the attached instructions sheet "Candidate's Statement Guidelines."
• Notifications of nomination and the qualifications statement must be received by the Elections Committee Chairman no later than Wednesday, September 18th.
• Notification of nomination and qualifications statement may be delivered to the Elections Committee Chairman in person, by e-mail to elections@asgra.org, or by US mail to the ASGRA mailbox, marked ATTN: Election Committee. Please allow time for handling in the mail.
• Please feel free to contact the Election Committee Chairman by e-mail or at (301) 579-6073 with any questions you may have about your nomination.

The following are suggestions on presenting your statement for the ASGRA election. You should note that ASGRA standing rules require the submission of a biography that serves as a helpful reminder to members familiar with the candidate's background and as an important introduction to members who are unfamiliar with the candidate. Layout

• The biography should be typed (or word processed) on one 8 x 10 page. Handwritten or extra pages are not recommended.
• Biographies will be reproduced for the election packet as they are received. The Elections Committee will not correct misspellings, editorial errors, and other visual distractions. It is important to insure accuracy before submitting the final version.
• Use standard fonts, sizes, and features. Fancy fonts (e.g. script) can be distracting for people used to reading newspaper and business letter fonts. Excessive use of bold and other features can also distract from the content of the biography.

  Content

• Remember that you are writing for members who may or may not know you. Candidates should not assume that the reader is familiar with his or her experience in ASGRA.
• Keep all information relevant and concise. What is your vision for ASGRA? What are your concrete plans for the office you seek? Remember that the biography is meant only as a guide to members about a specific candidate and a specific office. Stay brief and on target.
• If you are seeking re-election or election to another position on the Board, please address your stewardship of your current office and your record of attendance at Board meetings and General Membership meetings.
• Remember that experience need not be limited to ASGRA activities. They should include any relevant professional or other outside experience.
• Answer questions in order and include questions on the form. Maintaining similar order among all the biographies will make it easier for members to review all of them.
• The heading is "I, [candidate's name], am a candidate for the ASGRA Office of [office title].

1. What experience do you bring to this position?
2. What do you expect to accomplish in this position? Please be concrete.
3. How do you expect to interact with the rest of the Board?
4. How do you expect to interact with the general membership?
5. What is your vision for ASGRA and for the position you are a candidate for?