First off, the 2008 O’Brien Awards gala was another fantastic evening -- many thanks to Kathy Wade Vlaar and her staff for a first-class affair. I won’t list individual winners, but just extend my heartiest congratulations to all!
January was a very busy time for Standardbred Canada Directors as there were several Committee and Board meetings.
On the top of the agenda, the Executive Committee met and was presented by management with a revised 2009 balanced budget for approval and recommendation to the full Board. The staff did a great job after our November meeting, efficiently reducing expenses from the original budget. It’s also worth mentioning that a few additional revenue sources were added.
The Board was also provided with an update on the ongoing external review of our Information Technology services and Revenue Generation areas at SC. Though I cannot yet share the results as the review is still underway, I will have more information for you as it wraps up in the months ahead.
Just before the O’Brien ceremony, most of your Directors participated in a full-day workshop to discuss the current model of Governance under which SC operates. An outside facilitator was hired to help Directors engage in discussions and share their personal feelings. A Governance Committee was established of seven Directors from across Canada to examine the strengths and weaknesses of our current governance structure. I will continue to detail the actions of this committee as it moves forward in its mandate.
I am happy to report that (with your help) the claims experience on the Standardbred Canada Tri-Part Insurance Program for trainers, drivers, grooms and officials was down significantly in 2008. Because of that, the Board has decided to reinvest surplus funds back into the benefit program, which will increase the weekly benefits by 20% in each category.
I would like to thank all of the Directors for their time and help this past year in making my first term as Chair enjoyable and productive. In particular, I would like to thank the Executive Committee for their support in times when their help was needed. Departing from the 2008 Executive are Bill Pambrun, Ian Fleming and Byron Beeler. Myself (as Chair) Tammy McNiven (as Vice-Chair), and Chuck Ibey (Chair of the Breeders Committee) will remain in our positions for 2009. Joining us on the Executive Committee will be Ross Galbraith, Jim Lehman and Richard Veilleux. Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us, or any Director, with any concerns, issues or recommendations you may have that could assist SC in better serving the needs of our industry.
The Board voted to fill two of its vacancies from the Quebec region. Appointed to fill the unexpired terms for the next two years are Marcel Lacaille (as a Breeder Director) and Guy Talbot (as an Active Director). Welcome gentlemen! I look forward to working with both of you.
On behalf of the Directors, I would like to wish Bill O’Donnell all the best as the 2009 President of the Ontario Harness Horse Association. I look forward to his dry sense of humour that may, in some manner, calm some ruffled feathers along the way.
In closing, I’d like to congratulate British Columbia driver and trainer Bill Davis for banking his 5,000th driving win. I am fortunate enough to have made winners’ circle presentations to the only two drivers from Western Canada who have reached that milestone -- Keith Clark from Alberta, and now Bill.
I’m currently attending the joint Harness Tracks of America, Harness Horsemen International and United States Trotting Association Harness Racing Congress in Las Vegas, Nevada, so you can expect a report (and likely some entertaining anecdotes) next time around.
Talk to you next month!