Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

IHHA Asks For Horsemen's Help in Restructuring

February 15, 2005
Below is a proposal introduced at the IHHA Board of Directors meeting on February 16, 2004 for consideration by the Board to restructure the method of directors' election to the IHHA Board. The By-Laws committee of the IHHA Board will meet in the very near future to consider these recommendations, and any others recommended,
and will make a recommendation to the full board on a course of action.

Because these changes are of a substantive nature and will have a major impact on the functioning of the IHHA, we are asking members to make any suggestions you have regarding these ideas, or others that you feel should be considered. These recommendations are in response to the concerns of several members, and other harness horsemen who are not members, that the Board election procedures should be structured in such a way as to assure the involvement of all segments of the industry rather than, as present, to ask board members to represent all points of view.

Obviously there are many items to consider before implementing these proposals, or any others. Such things as how elections will be handled, etc. will be determined at a later date. Please send us your ideas to the office at 15 Spinning Wheel Rd., #432, Hinsdale, Il 60521, fax at 630-323-0761, or email at ilhha@sprynet.com.

White Paper on Board Reorganization: February 16, 2005
In response to what is perceived as an inadequate structure to represent all the various constituencies of the Standardbred/harness racing community in Illinois, the following suggestions are offered for consideration:

The IHHA Board shall be composed of a total of twelve individuals representing four constituencies; drivers/trainers, owners, breeders, and county fair representatives (drivers, trainers, fair personnel associated with the harness racing program).

Each constituency shall have a Board of nine individuals elected by the members of IHHA who designate that sector as their primary participation in the industry. In the cases of the breeders and the county fair individuals, the board members will be elected from districts (suggested number being three districts in each case). The owners and driver/trainers shall be elected at large. Each Sector shall elect their own Chair and Vice-Chair. Those two
individuals and one other member elected from that board shall serve on the IHHA Board (three for each sector).

The twelve individuals elected to the IHHA Board shall select another member of the IHHA as Chairman who shall convene and conduct all meetings, shall not vote in the normal course of events, and shall vote on secret ballots and to otherwise break a tie vote. The Chairman will be from any group and may, or may not, be a member of one of the sector
boards. The twelve Board members shall elect the Chairman by secret ballot and if after two ballots no one person has a majority there shall be a run-off vote between the two top vote getters. If still a tie, the two names will be put in a hat and a Chairman will be selected by blind draw. In this model, all of the Board members are elected by either their
Sector or the Board itself.

It is further recommended that the Sector Board meet every other month on a scheduled basis, the IHHA Board will meet monthly on a scheduled basis, and any of the boards may call interim special meetings as needed. Any and all recommendations approved by the Sector Boards will automatically be placed on the next agenda for consideration by the full
Board.

ISA President Terry Hunt At IRB Meeting on February 17
Read what Terry had to say:
I attended the IRB meeting Thursday. Please check out the website at www.sa-il.org for my report on the proceedings. Click on the link to the IRB meeting or go directly to the following address: http://www.sa-il.org/irb_meeting_21705.htm . Update on Friday, February 18 from Terry: In an attempt to answer the questions already posed, and some that are anticipated I have posted a response on our website. To go directly to the page click on this link: http://www.sa-il.org/position_statement.htm .