Arabian
AHA Board of Directors pass certain fee increases for FY 2011; Moves will help maintain organization on solid financial footing
By
Feb 3, 2010, 22:51

In recent months the Arabian Horse Association has downsized and cut employee benefits to offset the decline in revenues due to the economy. At the Friday January 29th board meeting, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to increase certain fees, most of which have not seen adjustments in years, in order to further strengthen AHA financially. New fees take effect April 1, 2010.

Approved was a $2 per horse service fee increase bringing the total to be paid per horse to $3 at AHA recognized shows. Also passed was a $5 - $10 increase to various award programs fees. A summary of all fees and their history can be found by clicking fee history.

The Board also recommended fee increases to Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian transfer of recorded ownership ($10) and Purebred transfer of recorded ownership ($10). These fees still must be approved by AHA's Registration Commission, which is expected to meet within the next 14 days. If approved, the fee increases would go into place April 1, 2010 along with the other fee increases.

In a move to make Modern Arabian Horse more financially sound and position it to compete in the advertising world, a $10 subscription fee for members was instituted for them to continue receiving the magazine. This action will ensure that AHA's some 33,000 members will continue to receive the Arabian industry's number one breed magazine. This new subscription fee will apply to new and renewing members beginning April 1, 2010. Life members will be unaffected.

Lance Walters, AHA President stated, "While fee increases of any kind are never popular, these actions will help position AHA to further weather the current economic times. On an extremely positive note, through ongoing financial efforts and controls, the interfund balance has been reduced by approximately $500,000 since mid-year."

Also acted on over the weekend by the Sweepstakes Trustees was approval of a motion giving the Sweepstakes Commission authority to establish an additional prize money program announced at Convention in the President's speech. This new program will be known as the Premier Breeders Sweepstakes Series and will have Prize Money Payouts for both Nationals and Regional classes through a PBS Stallion Service Auction Program and a PBS Mare Program. It will also provide a percent of its receipts for AHA Youth Programs and the Arabian Horse Foundation. Specific detailed information will be released shortly from the Sweepstakes Commission.

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