I just got back from the midyear board meeting held in Kansas City, Missouri. Thanks to much advance work and Mike T.'s direction, we were able to get our work done in one day-long session on Saturday. Look for the minutes in a future issue and give your directors your input . . . please.

Remember that the directors are volunteers who put a lot of time and effort into trying to keep our sport moving in the right direction.

You can be also be a volunteer in many way. First, when you get your ballot or a questionnaire in the mail, please fill them out and send them back. Second, on the local level, go to a ride just to help or go early to help mark trail, or assist in finding sponsors to help the ride manager with expenses. Third, ride with a "newbie" and help them learn our sport. I am sure you can come up with more examples.

I had big plans for the next couple of months with lots of rides to tattend. Now my horse has a mystery lameness that--until solved--will keep me off the trail. I plan to go to most of the rides anyway. I will hang out with my endurance family and take more timing lessons from Nancy. I can't stay away even though I may not be able to ride. I think most of you are as hooked on endurance as I am, so get out there and volunteer in some way.

The election for directors at large is this year. Are you running? If not, please vote. If you are running, please vote. Most of the time the response is very small compared to the number of members.

Thank the volunteers at the next ride you go to from the ride manager on down. They will probably faint from surprise but they might be more willing to step up next time and volunteer again.