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H
& L Online News American Farrier's Association Recent Changes (5 August 1997) -- Hello, everyone. The Internet and phone/fax lines have been buzzing for the past 24 hours, as rumors fly about recent changes in the American Farrier's Association. I thought I would share with you what I learned today from a very long talk with Lim Couch, president of the AFA, who was in the association headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky--and answering the phone! First off, the AFA's treasurer, Mike Rufe of New Mexico, sent in his resignation a week or so ago, citing difficulty in the execution of his responsibilities for the association's finances. As far as Lim knew, the resignation is not official until submitted to the AFA's board of directors, which hasn't happened. Second, the AFA has had some cash flow problems in recent months, which, along with communication problems between office manager Cindy Snap and the president, caused some tension. Lim said that Cindy reports only to him, and that he exercised his right to relieve her of her duty on Monday. Lim was accompanied on Monday by former AFA president Randy Luikart, who holds access to the AFA's safe deposit box, so that some financial transactions could be completed to help the AFA's current cash flow. The AFA holds considerable cash reserves, but the transfer of any of it into the operating account requires completing formalities with the bank. Rumors about the AFA being sued, embezzlement, and Lim's pending resignation are simply unfounded rumors, according to Lim. He says that he intends to stay on as president, and is planning to run for re-election in 1998. Lim said that he is willing to speak with anyone who wishes to contact him at the office, and that the remainder of the staff is still on board. He stressed that he did not "fire" Cindy, but that her execution of the terms of their contract was in question. He did not accuse her of any wrongdoing, and wished her well. In other news, Lim announced that Henry Heymering of Maryland has been appointed the new chair of the constitution and by-laws committee, which is charged with writing new documents for the AFA. Former chair Charley Orlando is pre-occupied with planning for the 1998 AFA Convention in Rochester, New York next February. It is obvious that the AFA continues to be plagued by competition between factions within its governing body. Once again, administration personnel have been used as an excuse for hostilities between individuals. In the almost-20 years I've been around, I've seen Hazel Senn, Kanza Curtis, Kelly Werner, and Dee Brown (did I forget anyone) used as excuses for great rifts in what is certainly the leading organization of farriers in the world. And those rifts have prevented the AFA from achieving its potential. If there's any really good news, it's that the AFA has a super new internet web site; get on your computer or head to your local public library and check out what's at http://www.amfarriers.com. This is a truly professionally done, factual and clean center of information about the organization, by the same site designer who did the AAEP site and the US Dressage Federation's. The professional touch pays off and the AFA really has something to be proud of... I found Lim open and willing to talk to me this morning, and I'm sure he'll be willing to talk to you, too. Call the AFA office at 606.233.7411 or fax him at 606.231.7862. That's all I know. I hope you are all enjoying reading the new issue of Hoofcare & Lameness; I'll be on vacation (wow!!) from August 7 to 12, then finishing up the big summer issue so it will out in time for the SNEFA contest/clinic weekend coming up September 19-20. I look forward to seeing lots of you there! Please email me anytime if I can help you in any way. All best wishes to all of you out there! Fran Jurga, © 1997
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