Dear NASMA Members,
The Honorable Judge John H. Fostel, District Court Judge for the
271st Judicial District of Wise County Texas has ruled from the bench
that the meeting of the Board of Directors held on July 6, 2005 in
Shelbyville, TN did not have the required quorum to conduct business
and therefore the meeting was invalid. All actions of any persons
acting as Officers of the Association including elections of officers,
appointments, disciplinary actions or decisions have been declared
invalid.
The Judge then ruled from the bench that the only valid officer of the
Association was the last legally elected President-Elect who,
according to NASMA By-Laws, becomes the President. This is a direct
quote from the Judge:
o The Court: “Okay. I’m going to grant both of your
temporary injunctions. I will make a - - I haven’t been asked to,
but I’ll make a finding that under the bylaws, which cover just
about everything if your read them, that Tim Dowd (sic) is the
president, but you have, in fact , no officers.”
As you know, the members called a Special Membership Meeting back
in October 2005. Unfortunately, the Judge also ruled that the By-Laws
require that the signatures must all be on one sheet of paper for that
to be a legal petition. In reading the By-Laws, it appears that the
language does indeed suggest this so the Judge ruled that the petition
was not properly filed and that the October meeting was not properly
called.
I do want to assure you that the Plaintiffs have used no NASMA funds
in our pursuit of justice and the return of this Association to its
members. We have operated on generous donations from members who, like
me, want nothing more that to have NASMA run according to the By-Laws
by the members.
So where does that leave us? In your hands, where it should be.
I am calling a Board of Directors Meeting to elect Officers according
to the methods specified in the By-Laws at 2:00 PM on April 1, 2006 at
the hotel Super 8 Vegas, 4250 Koval Lane, Las Vegas, NV 81801. This
meeting is open to all NASMA members. Special room rates are available
until March 24, 2006 at 702-794-0888 by identifying yourself as with
North American Saddle Mule Association.
You may join or renew your NASMA membership by sending them to me or
online at www.nasma.net. All membership renewals, registrations, show
points and awards will be honored regardless of the office that issued
them. The 2005 Awards will be presented at the Annual Membership
Meeting. Check the Official Web Site of the North American Saddle Mule
Association, www.nasma.net for details on these meetings and the NASMA
office contact information.
I am excited about the future and am looking forward to sharing it
with you as your President. Please feel free to contact me.
Warmest Regards,
Tim Doud
307-527-6103
president@nasma.net |