This year we had six candidates for the Board of Trustees. Three vacancies were created due to terms ending for Jill McElderry-Maxwell, Kristie Smoker and Sue King

 

The election closed on July 15, 2018 and the results have been certified.  Close to 60% of our members voted.  To fill those three terms, the three candidates with the highest number of votes were:

• Sue King
• Liz Vahlkamp
• Beth Sheets

These three individuals are elected for three-year terms ending in 2021.

 

Congratulations to all incoming members of the Suri Network Board of Trustees, and a special thank you to all the nominees who agreed to run for a position on the Board.

 

New Board of Trustees members will be officially installed at the Suri Network Annual Meeting August 4 at the Summer Symposium.

With a successful 2017 Symposium behind us, we have set the date for the 2018 Suri Symposium on August 3-4, 2018 in Loveland, CO.  We are moving from a three day event to two days to better accommodate our members.  Two full days of internationally acclaimed experts speaking on topics relevant to your alpaca farm business; networking opportunities with other suri breeders, fiber mills and fiber related businesses; Plus the famous ALL Suri Fleece Show, judged by top senior AOA certified judges-- the largest suri fleece show in the country!

Save the date now.  If you can only attend one alpaca conference next year, this is THE ONE!!

Suri Network members voted the following new trustees onto the board in the recent 2017 election:  Jennifer Hack, Nancy Lindemood, Deb Christner and Michael Alpert.  These individuals will serve a three year term.  Congratulations to our new board members!

This year we had eight candidates for the Board of Trustees. Three vacancies were created due to terms ending for Jill McElderry-Maxwell, Randy Coleman, and Patty Hasselbring.

 

To fill those three terms, the three candidates with the highest number of votes were:

• Kristie Smoker
• Jill McElderry-Maxwell
• Sue King

These three individuals are now elected for two-year terms ending in 2018.

 

In addition, Alvina Maynard and Andrew Reed are resigning from the board. The Board has approved appointment of the two candidates with the next highest number of votes. To fill the final year of those positions, which end in 2017, are:

• Michael Alpert
• Deb Christner

Congratulations to all incoming members of the Suri Network Board of Trustees, and a special thank you to all who agreed to run for a position on the Board.

 

New Board of Trustees members will be officially installed at the Suri Network Annual Meeting August 6 at the Suri Symposium.

Proposed Breed Standard for Review

The Suri Network's Breed Standard Review Committee has prepared their recommended revisions! The Board of Trustees has approved the revisions and we are now in the phase of soliciting input on the proposed revisions.

Comments are being solicited from Suri Network members through a special forum, at Suri Network rallies at various shows, and via social media.

Non-members are also invited to provide comment. The revised Suri Breed Standard may be read here, and comments provided directly to Patty Hasselbring at patty@hasselbringsharmonyranch.com. 

Deadline for all comments is May 6, 2016. Comments and suggestions will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and the final proposed Breed Standard will be submitted for vote of the membership in June 2016.

Continuing to break ground as your Suri Breed Association!

The current Suri Breed Standard was adopted by the Suri Network membership in 2006. You can find this document along with some background information here.

This standard was written with input from any Suri breeder who wanted to contribute. The Suri Network realized from the beginning that for this process to be effective that an all-inclusive approach was crucial. There were at least three surveys that went out to all Suri breeders, members and non-members alike, regarding breed standards. There were open large group discussions at two Suri Network Symposiums in 2005 and 2006.
 
At the Suri Symposium in 2005 a rough draft was written with the participation of over 100 Suri breeders. At many of the regional AOBA Affiliate-type conferences, which were open to any Suri breeders, there were Suri Network representatives facilitating input by interested Suri breeders. There were therefore many opportunities for breeders to participate if they chose to do so. Every attempt was made to make this as open and as inclusive as possible. Recognizing the need to include the opinion of other stakeholders such as fiber processors, designers, other fiber industry experts, veterinarians and judges, there were opportunities for their input as well.
 
At the same time the standard was adopted, the Suri Network membership also agreed that a review of the breed standard should take place every few years.  This review would determine if any changes should be suggested to the membership. 

It’s now been almost 10 years since the Breed Standard was implemented.  Many trait improvements in the Suri breed have been made in this period of time and the Suri Network Board believes that a formal review of the standard is warranted. 

A core committee has been formed consisting of the following stakeholders:

• Tim Sheets – SHIP Committee Chair, Suri breeder & past Suri Network President
• Linda Kondris – SHIP Program Director, Suri breeder & past Suri Network President
• Randy Coleman – SN Board Member & Suri breeder
• Gail Campbell, DVM – SHIP Classifier Trainer & Suri breeder
• Karl Heinrich – Fiber processor, fashion manufacturer & Suri Breeder
• Cheryl Gehly – SHIP Classifier, Senior AOA Judge
• Amanda Vandenbosch – Senior AOA Judge & Suri breeder

The core committee will organize early this and will create a plan for the Breed Standard review.  Then, 4-6 additional Suri Network members will be invited to join the committee.  Ideally, the additional members will represent different regions of the country. The entire committee will then begin the review process and solicit input from the Suri Network membership and fiber/textile experts.  Input will be welcomed at various Suri Network rallies to be held at the spring alpaca shows.
 
Once a review has taking place and input gathered from the SN membership, a new draft breed standard will be presented to the membership for approval.  It is planned that the new Suri Network Breed Standard will appear for adoption on the same ballot as the election of new BOT officers in the summer of 2016.

We are excited about this undertaking, and look forward to input from Suri members as we continue to break ground for Suri breeders everywhere!
 

The 2015 Suri Network Summer Symposium is only a few weeks away!  This is the premier Suri event of the year and we hope you are planning to attend and/or enter Suri fleeces in the fleece show.  Here are a few comments from past attendees:  

"This is a great event where members can meet, socialize and learn together. Like that it is not associated with a halter show so that members can focus on learning and having fun. The themes and topics have been very valuable the past few years. I always take away several things I can apply to my business. Love that it is in Colorado. We usually tie a vacation to it and enjoy the Rockies a few days!" "I attended last year for the first time and plan to attend every year from now on. It renewed my excitement in the Suri industry." "Have only missed one since they started. I learn more at summer symposium than any other alpaca educational opportunity overall."

Don't miss the deadlines!  For your convenience, here are some important dates to remember and links to take action:

• July 15 - Designers deadline to enter the Suri Strut Fashion Show
• July 16 - Deadline for the reduced room rate at the Embassy Suites
• July 16 - Earlybird deadline for symposium registration
• August 3 - Online registration for the fleece show closes
• August 7 - Silent Auction donations must be received at the Suri Network office
• August 10 - Fleece show entries must be received at the Suri Network office

All eligible voting members of Suri Network will be receiving by mail a revised copy of the candidate's statements and bios for Board of Trustees.  Inadvertently a bio was left out for one of the candidates.  The new statements and bios will be mailed Monday, June 29th.

For your convenience you may read the revised candidate statements and bios now by clicking on this link: http://surinetwork.org/resources/2015 election Info updated.pdf

The Suri Network Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the 2015 candidates for Board of Trustees as follows:

Jason Brehm 

Rogue Suri Alpacas 

Medford, Oregon 

 

Laurie Findlay

Alpacas of El Dorado

Somerset, California

 

Alvina Maynard 

River Hill Ranch 

Richmond, Kentucky 

 

Andrew Reed

Over Home Alpacas LLC

Bethel, Pennsylvania

Eligible Suri Network members in good standing will receive a ballot within a few days.  Ballots must be received at the Suri Network office no later than July 13, 2015.  Results will be announced on or about July 21, 2015.  The 2 candidates with the most votes will become Trustees at the conclusion of the 2015 Summer Symposium which is being held in Loveland, Colorado August 13-15, 2015.

Many thanks to the following Nominating Committee for their volunteer work:

Tim Sheets, Chair

Heritage Farm Suri Alpacas

 

Cindy Harris

Alpacas at Windy Hill

 

Karl Heinrich

Long Hollow Suri Alpacas

 

Kristie Smoker

Sweet Valley Suris

 

Jill McElderry-Maxwell

Bag End Suri Alpacas of Maine, LLC

This year the Suri Network's 'Suri Strut' and AOA's Student Design are teaming up to offer you a great deal on two alpaca fashion events for one sponsorship fee. There are fourteen students working with Suri this year and we would like to get each and every one of them a sponsor.

Sponsor both a Student Design competitor and the 'Suri Strut' for only $300. Your name will be paired with a participating student and the student's design board will be presented at this year's Suri Symposium. Of course you will also be recognized in the program and on the fashion banner for the Suri Strut. Please support our two great fashion programs!

You also have the option of sponsoring a Design Student for $100.00 or the Suri Strut for $250.00 Please contact the office if you have any questions. Click the link for mailable sponsorship forms or you can sign up online here.

The Student Design Competition was created by the Alpaca Owners Association to promote the use of alpaca fiber in fashion, textile, and interior design at the fundamental level of educational institutions. More information can be found here.

The first ever “Suri Strut” Fashion Show was held during the Suri Network Summer Symposium in August 2014. The lineup featured the latest in high end Suri alpaca apparel from 7 North American designers. All garments featured on the runway were made in North America from at least 50% Suri fiber. The second annual Suri Strut will be held during the 2015 Suri Network Summer Symposium in August 2015.  More info here.