Taken from the, oddley enough, still active fgra.org website on August 12, 2023
FGRA Votes to Dissolve Association...
On September 16, 2017, during its annual meeting, the FGRA membership voted to dissolve the charity organization. The FGRA Board of Directors is taking the necessary steps to legally close down and disperse assets in accordance with IRS rules and regulations governing 501(C)(3) groups.
Founded in 2005, FGRA grew rapidly to become the largest rodeo organization sanctioned by the International Gay Rodeo Association. FGRA's annual rodeo and associated events and parties changed the social landscape in the greater Fort Lauderdale area. FGRA's all volunteer Board of Directors worked tirelessly to organize a successful and respected rodeo event while working to identify and fund charity organizations. Initial protests over the presence of a gay rodeo in the small town of Davie, FL gave way to acceptance and a sincere welcoming by the town's elected officials and its citizens. During its 12 years of existence, FGRA held eight rodeos, donated thousands of dollars to deserving charities, and elevated the presence of the LGBTQ community.
The Florida Gay Rodeo Association was officially incorporated in the State of Florida as a Not for Profit corporation on May 20, 2005. On May 27th of that year, FGRA became the 23rd Member Organization of the International Gay Rodeo Association and scheduled its inaugural rodeo, the "Sunshine Stampede", for the Spring of 2006. By September of 2005, the FGRA roster topped more than 100 members.
During the weekend of April 7th to the 9th, 2006, FGRA held its first rodeo at the Bergeron Arena in Davie, Florida. More than 100 competitors from the U.S and Canada participated in the rodeo which raised funds for three charities: Camp Boggy Creek, EASE, Poverello.
In 2009, the Georgia Gay Rodeo Association disbanded. As a show of good will with their sister organization, FGRA placed all GGRA members on the FGRA membership list in order to allow them to compete for the remainder of the rodeo year.
In April of 2009, FGRA sponsored a Country Western Cruise to complement the upcoming rodeo weekend and the 4th edition of the Sunshine Stampede. In June of 2009, the FGRA roster topped 400 members and the association votes to create a Royalty Program.
In April of 2012, FGRA held the 7th edition of the Sunshine Stampede Rodeo. However, the following year, the FGRA Board voted to not have a rodeo but to instead focus on membership activities and shoring up the administration of the association.
In late 2014 FGRA officially changed its name to the Florida Georgia Rodeo Association and expanded its service area following approval by IGRA. This action finally closed the gap that was created in 2009 when GGRA closed its doors.
The tremendous amount of work required to manage an organization the size of FGRA, and which spanned the geography of two states, would prove to be daunting for the FGRA Board of Directors. As social trends changed, membership renewals dropped, and fewer volunteers would step forward to help with critical functions like fund raising and member outreach. Eventually, no volunteers would step forward to serve on the association's Board of Directors.
FGRA's closure was based on a thoughtful deliberation by the Board of Directors and was a business decision made based on the reality of today's social environment. Other rodeo associations in the IGRA family are also struggling with this same dynamic and several have ceased operations.
Thanks for the Memories
Taken from the FGRA website April 2, 2015
The Florida Georgia Rodeo Association is an incorporated entity in the State of Florida. FGRA was organized and launched in 2005. Below is an outline of some of the significant events in FGRA's history.
Todd Garrett begins researching and making contacts in Florida and with IGRA.
A packet containing research from Carl Davis, Cowboy Luke and Cowboy Dan is received containing research from the 1998 formation attempt.
A decision is made to do an informal survey of persons in attendance at Country Western weekend at Sawmill Campground later in the month and get their thoughts on a gay rodeo association for Florida.
Original email address for FGRA is formed.
Cowboy Dan creates first poster to be posted at Country Western Weekend.
Todd Garrett, Bryan Hodges, and Clint Hummon travel to Dade City and meet Cowboy Luke and Cowboy Dan in person. Informal survey along with sign up sheet for persons interested in assisting is obtained. Out pouring of support is overwhelming and somewhat unexpected.
Decision is made to move forward with the formation of a rodeo association.
Cowboy Dan submits four logo designs for consideration.
Steering committee consisting of Todd Garrett, Bryan Hodges, Cowboy Luke, Cowboy Dan, Carl Davis, Scott Kelly, and Jack Early put in place.
Sunshine Stampede is chosen for the name of the rodeo. Other names that were suggested were Sea 2 Sea Rodeo, Hurricane Roundup, and Cracker Rodeo.
Cowboy Dan secures domain name and begins work on website.
FGRA By-Laws and Guidelines finalized and approved by steering committee. FGRA Mission Statement drafted. Original FGRA Logo approved.
Membership Application completed.
The FGRA web site is launched.
FGRA Founding Officers Seated:
First press release announcing FGRA is sent out.
FGRA, Inc is incorporated in the State of Florida as a Not for Profit corporation. Paperwork submitted to IGRA.
Carl Davis appears on behalf of FGRA at the IGRA Board Meeting at the Oklahoma City rodeo requesting IGRA recognition of FGRA.
IGRA recognized FGRA as the 23rd Member of IGRA. Sunshine Stampede Rodeo is placed on IGRA schedule for Spring 2006.
Todd Garrett, Bryan Hodges, Cowboy Luke and Carl Davis meet with IGRA President Brian Helander and IGRA Secretary Larry Lindstrom in Orlando at Gay Days.
First Official Board meeting takes place at Courtyard Marriott in Orlando.
First issue of The Corral published.
FGRA membership reaches 50.
Randy A and Tom S “Stacked Wrangler's place at GGRA's Southern Spurs Rodeo and become the first FGRA members to place at an IGRA Sanctioned Rodeo.
FGRA membership reaches 100.
(Founding members are considered first 100 members.)
Sunshine Stampede Rodeo Round Table Formed.
Inaugural Sunshine Stampede Rodeo held at Bergeron Arena, Davie, Florida.
FGRA Membership reaches 200.
FGRA Annual Meeting held in Orlando, Florida.
First elections held:
Second Sunshine Stampede Rodeo is held at Bergeron Arena in Davie, Florida.
FGRA Annual Meeting held in Tampa, Florida.
Elections held:
FGRA member Linda Lee receives IGRA Woman Rookie of the Year.
Third Sunshine Stampede Rodeo held at Bergeron Arena, Davie, Florida.
Wolf Keller wins All Around Cowboy Buckle at Liberty States Rodeo in Philadelphia. First FGRA member to achieve this award.
FGRA Annual Meeting held in Davie, Florida.
Elections held:
FGRA members approve the addition of a Royalty Program to the FGRA Bylaws.
FGRA receives association Platinum sponsorship from Scandals Saloon, Wilton Manors, FL.
FGRA handles registration at IGRA Finals Rodeo. FGRA member “Little Hoss” receives the IGRA Rookie of the year award.
GGRA (Georiga Gay Rodeo Association) disbands. FGRA places GGRA members on FGRA membership list in order to allow them to compete for the remainder of the year. These memberships have no voting rights.
FGRA hosts Gay Country Western Cruise.
Fourth Sunshine Stampede Rodeo held at Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, Davie, Florida.
FGRA Annual Meeting held in St. Pete Beach, Florida.
Elections held:
Member at Large changed to Director at Large - Membership. Board expanded by the addition of Director at Large - Sponsorship, and Director at Large - Communications and Marketing.
Members presented with approved FGRA Royalty Program.
Members request that Sunshine Stampede Rodeo be moved around the state.
Membership is 398 (includes honorary members from GGRA).
Vice President Mitch Gill resigns.
Mike Fontenot is temporarily appointed Vice President.
First FGRA Royalty Competition held at Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg, Flordia.
Fifth Sunshine Stampede Rodeo Held at Bergeron Arena, Davie, FL.
FGRA Annual Meeting held in Davie, Florida.
Elections held:
Todd Garrett, Mr FGRA 2010 becomes Mr IGRA 2011 2nd Runner up in Reno, NV, becoming first FGRA Royalty member to gain a spot on the IGRA Royalty Team.
FGRA Royalty Competition held at Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Sixth FGRA Sunshine Stampede Rodeo held at Bergeron Rodeo Arena, Davie, Florida.
Voni Whittaker appointed as Rodeo Director for 2012.
Mike Fontenot resigns as Vice President then two weeks later Carl Davis resigns as President. By rules of succession, Gaither Pennington becomes President.
FGRA Annual Meeting held in Davie, Florida.
FGRA member Tim Mohle received the 2011 IGRA Rookie of the Year award.
Gaither Pennington and Bobby Fender call for Royalty competition to be cancelled.
Bruce Hoyt appointed as Secretary.
Sunshine Stampede Rodeo held at Bergeron Rodeo Arena, Davie, Florida.
Voni Whittaker reappointed as Rodeo Director.
FGRA annual meeting held in Orlando, Florida.
Gaither Pennington, President; Bruce Hoyt, Secretary; and Jim Powers, Treasurer do not attend the annual meeting thus abandoning their office.
Elections held:
The following appointments were made:
Board discusses postponement of the 2013 Sunshine Stampede Rodeo.
Bobby Fender resigns as Trustee.
James Young is appointed Trustee.
Carl Davis, FGRA Founding Secretary and President 2008-2011 loses his battle with cancer.
FGRA's first Town Hall meeting is held in conjunction with a Carl Davis Memorial BBQ and Bonfire at the Lonesome Oak Ranch in Myakka Head, Florida.
RJ Frank resigns as Secretary. Dan Kelleher is appointed as Secretary.
FGRA Annual Meeting is held at Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Elections held:
The 2014 Sunshine Stampede was the last rodeo held in Florida under the FGRA association name.
The Florida Gay Rodeo Association desolved in 2017. At the 2017 IGRA Convention, a new association, Suwannee River Rodeo Association, covering Florida, is seated.
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