SURI NETWORK
SURI ALPACA
BREED STANDARD VOTE

Dear Suri Breeder,

As a result of your participation, we have a Suri breed standard!

On behalf of everyone involved, we would like to take this time to thank all of you for your input on the development of the Suri Network Suri Breed Standard.  Many of you have been involved over the past three years and this standard could not have been developed without the attention given to this by you.  We particularly want to honor and thank all of you who took the time to weigh the merits of this proposal and to voice and vote your opinion.  Whether your vote was for or against the proposed standard, your participation has been very much appreciated.

It is clear that this issue was of great importance to you as fully 56% of eligible members voted on the standard and it passed by 70%.  A number of non-member Suri breeders also voted and among that group of voters the standard passed by a margin of 59%. It is so gratifying to be involved in an organization that generates this level of participation.  It is very clear that you are vitally interested in our industry's future.

The Governance Process which involves setting up the Breed Standards Council passed by similar margins; 72% of members and 60% of non-members approved this process. 

It is extremely important right now that we honor the opinions of those who voted against this standard by ensuring that the standard is utilized in appropriate ways to further the success of our industry.  The majority certainly has spoken and has a high degree of confidence that this standard will be a cornerstone in the future success of our industry.  It will not only serve to be a catalyst for the further genetic improvement of our Suris but also an important cornerstone of our marketing strategies for Suris.  With victory comes responsibility, and ours is to use the standard wisely to help improve all facets of our industry. 

We would ask those who voted against the standard to acknowledge the majority's opinion and give this a chance to work.  We would urge you to get involved on the breed standard's council.  Start working with a standard and your opinion just might change.  Even if it doesn't, there is room in our organization for a diversity of viewpoints and we urge your continued involvement in Suri Network activities.  There simply is no other group in our industry that represents your interests as well as the Suri Network does. No one ever said that we must agree totally on every issue.

It is time to initiate the formation of the Suri Alpaca Breed Standards Council.  This is undoubtedly the most important next step for the Suri Network to accomplish in order to reap the maximum rewards from adopting this standard.  This Council will not only serve the important role of directing future refinements and revisions of the breed standard.  It will also be pivotal in determining the ways in which the standard will be used to add value to this industry and to our membership.  Look for an announcement in the near future of the mechanism for enrolling on the very important Council.  We want and need your involvement.  This could prove to be the most important leadership group in our industry.

The first public meeting anticipated for this Council will be at the Summer Symposium in August in Estes Park.

It is difficult to express how proud we are of you for turning out in such high numbers to cast your votes on this critical issue.  You are truly a remarkably responsible group of individuals.  This level of participation bodes well for our industries future.

Sincerely Yours,

Suri Network Board of Trustees
Dick Walker, President
Miriam Donaldson, Vice President
Jim Barker, Secretary
Toni Cotton, Treasurer
Mike Murphy, Member at Large