NEWSLINE STORY

published January – February 2017

President's Message
New Year, New Opportunities

by Stu Sipma, NHPA President

Happy New Year! I hope all of you were able to spend the Holiday’s around family and friends. Here in Bismarck, winter started right away in the first week of December with 18” of snow the first week and then another 12” the second week along with subzero temperatures and wind chills down to -30 degrees F. As you know, horseshoe for me is on hold until spring however I hope the rest of the Charters are able to get out and pitch.

Our 2017 NHPA Council Winter Meeting is scheduled for January 20-21, 2017 in Las Vegas. I have scheduled this meeting for two full days.  Items on the agenda include rearranging the duties of the Council Officers and Directors, reviewing and setting our 2017 goals, review our NHPA financials, creating a 2017 budget, review the 2016 budget, planning the 2017 World Tournament, Charter concerns, membership growth ideas, 5 year plan, GRS, NHPA Directors concerns, just to name a few.

The NHPA Council would like to welcome Gary Roberts to the Council. Gary starts his duties January 1st, 2017. Gary will be handling the Rules and By-Laws along with other duties that will be announced after the winter meeting. We would also like to thank Dan Sanders for his years of service on the Council. Dan did an outstanding job (over the years) as the RD Director, Director of the Rules and By-laws, served on the rules re-write committee, and was instrumental in creating the Medical Exemption to name a few.

I would also like to announce one other duty change, which is the World Horseshoe Tournament Coordinator. I have currently been leading this duty however starting January 1st, 2017; Tina Hawkins will be taking over this duty. Tina has been attending the SPORTS conference the past few years and just last year, she attended TEAMS with me. I am positive Tina will do a good job handling this duty.

Each year the NHPA recognizes members for their contributions to the NHPA, their Charter, and/or local club.  The Council is asking all the Charters to provide a list of individuals who you believe would be a good candidate to receive an NHPA Achievement Award.  These awards will be presented at the 2017 World Tournament in St. George, UT. To obtain a form, visit our website at www.horseshoepitching.com.

The NHPA is also looking for your assistance in providing candidates who you believe would qualify for the NHPA Hall of Fame Award.  Candidates for this prestigious award must have been an NHPA member for at least 10 years and may qualify based on their distinguished outstanding performances in World Tournament Championship play or as a person who has made significant and beneficial contributions to the NHPA.   Nominations for this award should be submitted to our NHPA Hall of Fame Director Vicki Winston. This form is also available on our website. 

I would like to remind everyone that elections are open for the positions of 2nd VP, 4th VP, and Sec/Treas According to our By-Laws, candidates for NHPA office must announce their candidacy in writing to be received by the President and the Horseshoe Pitching Newline editor no later than April 1st, 2017. Incumbents however, must announce their candidacy in the same manner, by February 1st, 2017. I encourage competition therefore those of you who are interested in one of these positions, please let me know. 

The 2017 World Horseshoe Tournament will be held July 17– 29, 2017 at the Dixie Center located in St. George, UT. The NHPA trailer has already arrived from Montgomery, Al Topeka, and plans are being finalized for the preparation for this event. People looking at attending, should begin making your plans and getting your reservations made.  Information regarding the World Tournament can also be found on our website.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for all your efforts in making horseshoes what it is today – whether you’ve been involved at a local level, state level, or just a pitcher enjoying the game.  Stay warm and look forward to seeing you soon.

Stu