  | Volume XIII, Issue 3 March 2004 | Last update Jan 21, 2020 |
 The March Hare"The March Hare ... as this is May, it won't be raving mad - at least not so mad as it was in March" - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll.
Hares behave excitedly in March, which is their rutting season. I won't ponder the potential implications of that, but let's just say that spring fever is among us. We have a bunch of fun ASGRA activities scheduled this month to give you the opportunity to get out of your winter doldrums and back into the social whirl.
Besides our monthly trail ride and Board meeting (which is open to all ASGRA members, btw), we have several ASGRA and IGRA events this month, including ASGRA Bingo nights at Titan, the Fort Worth rodeo, the annual GLBT Business Expo in NYC as well as a Friday night at the NYC Eagle with the chance to ride our Bullmaster Bam-Bam. There is also the Equality Virginia Dinner if you're inclined to political action events. And we always encourage everyone to 'wear your ASGRA colors' on the 3rd Saturday of the month to whatever venue you choose to visit on that evening. Come on out and celebrate March Madness!
Do something. If it doesn't work, do something else. No idea is too crazy. Jim Hightower
 Adventures in St. Louis
To be completely honest, I've been a volunteer with ASGRA for the past seven years. Not an IGRA volunteer, but an ASGRA volunteer. My focus and my interest were only on the local level. I never really gave thought to or felt compelled to be involved with the umbrella association of IGRA. This year, in taking on the role as Public Relations Chair, I was encouraged to attend IGRA University in order to get a larger view of ASGRA within context of the International Gay Rodeo Association.
I honestly didn't know what to expect at the conference but guessed I would learn some rules regarding sponsorship contract compliance and maybe even have a chance to give some feedback about a couple of shortcomings I perceived in IGRA support of the member Associations. I did get to do both of these things, but I also gained much more than I ever anticipated.
I have returned home to DC with new energy, excitement, and ideas. I return, too, with a greater appreciation of ASGRA's strength as an organization and confidence that we're moving in the right direction. I can also see areas in which we have room for growth and improvement. The challenge now, for me and the other ASGRA members who participated in IGRA University, is to communicate what we've learned back to the local membership, to convey and engender that shared sense of purpose, and finally to translate all of this into actions that will help us plot the 'course corrections' needed to ensure ASGRA continues developing on the right path toward even greater success. Here's to the a great year ahead....and I'm already looking forward to IGRA University next year. JR Key, PR Chair
 ASGRA announces new buckles for the 2004 rodeo season.This year several more buckles have been added to Atlantic Stampede 2004 and for ASGRA awards. There will be new buckles for Stampede 2004 Rookie Cowboy and for 2004 Rookie Cowgirl. If Atlantic Stampede 2004 will be your first Rodeo, you could be the Rookie! All Around Rough Stock and Camp buckles will be back, as well as All Around Horseman and Woman! For ASGRA Awards this year, there will be an All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl of the Year, based on number of points earned throughout the 2004 Rodeo season and an All Around Rookie Cowboy and Cowgirl if this is your first Rodeo season of competition. And there will be an Outstanding Volunteer Buckle for the volunteer who is actively involved during the year at our numerous events. Mary Lynn Logsdon, Fundraising Chair
 More Adventures in St. LouisThe weekend of February 6-8 several members from ASGRA attended IGRA University in St. Louis, MO. Reports from the attendees showed that a good time was had by all. This was my second trip to University and while they are similar, there is really no way to compare them.
Friday while the IGRA Board of Trustees met, I got a chance to spend some time with several members of our 2004 Royalty team and do some touring of St. Louis. Buddy and I went thru the Lewis and Clark exhibit under the Arch. A wonderful experience if you are a fan of US history and the expanse of the west. We met up with Destiny, Rudy and Mr. Remington's, Tim and went to Union Station for some shopping. While the trains no longer go thru this structure, it remains in its original condition, with all of its beautiful architecture. Friday night, we met up with several people from MIGRA and had a blast. I want to thank our Royalty and the MIGRA guys for helping me to celebrate my birthday. Classes at University began bright and early Saturday morning. Many topics were covered including making meetings run better, how to get more contestants and volunteers, gender & sensitivity and a 2-day session devoted only to Royalty. ASGRA's own Michael Lentz taught several classes and I assisted Mitch Gill (IGRA's Vice President) with his class on Royalty. While it would be impossible to attend every class, we had a large contingent and I think we managed to make most of them. We made new contacts with a lot of people from other associations, as well as met with old friends. We were also able to share information with every person we came in contact with, making IGRA a better place for all of its member associations. Mike Sanders, Membership Chair
 ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am!
Regardless of the weather, ASGRA's monthly trail rides are held at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days:
Upcoming 2004 IGRA Rodeos
Royalty Roundup
MsTer ASGRA Cody Jaymes was on the road the weekend of February 21-22 at Buddie's Pub in Trenton, NJ. They had a drag king contest which was a fundraiser for Ms. Buddie's Pub Leather PUP. It was sponsored by Buddie's Pub and New Jersey Andromeda (which is the local women's leather club). Cody sends a thank you out to everyone involved for a wonderful weekend! MsTer ASGRA will be judging the Maryland Leather Sir/Leather boy contest on March 13 at Club Phoenix; for information on the event check out www.Hookernboys.org ASGRA BINGO night at Titan is on March 9th and 23rd beginning at 9:00pm. $7.00 to play 7 games, win $250.00 in prize money plus additional door prizes. You can catch Destiny, Jymmye Jaymes and many current and former ASGRA Royalty every Sunday night at Freddie's Follies, starting at 9pm!!
The ASGRA 2004 Royalty Team Charities are:
Submissions for the April 2004 Thirteen Spurs are due by Monday 3/22/04!!
ASGRA Calendar of Events March 2004 7 11am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD 9 9pm ASGRA Bingo at Titan 10 8pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC 11 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Hyatt Regency Hotel; Washington, DC 17 8pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC 19 9pm ASGRA Visits the NYC Eagle w/Bam Bam 20 pm ASGRA "Wear Your Colors" Night 20-21 All Day GLBT Business Expo; Jacob Javits Convention Center, 11th Ave. in NYC 23 9pm ASGRA Bingo at Titan 2004 ASGRA Meeting Schedule
Board Meetings
Membership Meetings
A Royal Congratulations From the 2004 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in March: Matt Komornik, Andy Pittman, Tom Sachs, Tomī Finkle, Patrick Nelson, Carolyn Kelley, Diane Vasaturo, Annie Carroll, David Jones, CJ Liotta and Ed Oseroff! Happy Birthday to all of you! (Note: If your birthday is this month and you aren't listed, we either don't have your birthday on file or you have requested that we not print your name. We wish you a happy birthday as well!)
The First Annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth DinnerCome join us as Equality Virginia celebrates its 15th anniversary fighting for equality in Virginia.
Buy Your Tickets Online Now! You and your friends are invited to enjoy a wonderful evening and a delicious dinner with members and friends of the gay and lesbian community from across Virginia while noted speakers detail our past accomplishments and outline our goals.
With Special Guests:
When:
Where:
Tickets: Contact with questions or for information regarding table host and sponsorship opportunities. |
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I can say without reservation that I believe IGRA University is a "MUST ATTEND" event for any ASGRA member who has an interest in really being active within the Association. For me personally, this event was invaluable and my perspective has been greatly expanded. I have a renewed excitement for my participation in ASGRA as well as a new-found respect and understanding of our Association in context of the larger community of country western and gay rodeo enthusiasts. The presenters and the content of the seminars were exciting and inspiring, as were the interpersonal contacts I made with other IGRA members, Associations, and sponsors. IGRA University was a wonderful, rewarding experience.
June 10