In the last Zone 6 News & Updates, I asked for some topics that people would like discussed here. Thank you to everyone who responded. In all of the responses I received, one topic was brought up by everyone that I will discuss here. A couple more specific questions were raised, and I will save those for a later month or respond directly to emails. The question generally asked was: what does the zone committee do?
The simplest way to address this is to start with what the USHJA bylaws say about this subject.
Article 1104 outlines the Zone Committee Responsibilities. It states that “the duties of Zone representatives shall include the following:
a. Providing a forum to discuss and create nationwide Hunter and Jumper programs that tie the individual Zone programs together.
b. Exchanging ideas across Zones, communicating with other Zones, and interfacing on a national level with other Hunter/Jumper constituents.
c. Communicating with the Zone’s Hunter and Jumper constituency.
d. Providing Zone input for the Zone Championships and Finals.
e. Recommending, creating, and coordinating education opportunities and programs taking place in each Zone.
f. Raising funds for Hunter and Jumper Programs.
g. Providing input and feedback regarding the various USHJA Hunter and Jumper awards programs."
So there it is! Okay… this needs a bit of an explanation about what it is that committee does and does not do. Also, what the committee
can and
cannot do.
We, your committee members, are asked to make recommendations on rules, championships, programs, budgets etc. The key word here is “recommendations.” The zone committee’s recommendations move through the Working Groups and the USHJA Board of Directors and/or USEF Board of Directors for approval (depending upon the approval process).
Often, and especially when it involves zone specific events, the Working Groups and Board go along with the Zone recommendations, but it isn’t always the case. Each group plays an important role in ensuring that the concept serves members, fits in the budget and aligns with the organization’s mission.
This is an important part of the committee’s work. Lately, the committee has been trying to find Zone 6 specific events that focus on education, and we’re thinking both inside and outside the box. As these events come to fruition, we will work hard to promote them, but it’s a bit early to throw them out here.
There are many things your Zone 6 Committee members don’t have a say in, and beyond the standard rule change participation process that all members have, we don’t have many rule change proposals that we review or comment on collectively. We can help you get to the right person to get an answer on questions you may have related to rule changes.
If you have something that you’d like the committee to discuss, please talk to a committee member you know or feel comfortable approaching. Some of these people may be new to The Zone 6 Committee, so give them some time.
Please, keep sending topics or questions my way. I could type forever on these subjects, and my hope is that this has helped explain a bit about what your Zone 6 Committee does. Scroll on to read important updates about opportunities in and around our zone!
Cheers,
Mark Aplin
USHJA Zone 6 Committee Chair
