Message from the President

It is with great pride that I serve on the ILR board. Not only do we represent the world's most wonderful animal, but also we represent an industry which is diverse and adaptable, full of friendly, curious and cheerful people. Maybe that is why the llamas chose us as owners!

It is always a pleasure to call the ILR office. The staff is always so willing to answer questions or help get us in contact with the right person. YOU GET A LIVE PERSON TO ANSWER! In today's impersonal world of automatization it seems surreal to actually talk to a human being.

The staff at the ILR office is a gathering of skilled, motivated and caring people. They want to do the job correctly, efficiently and in a timely fashion. We are fortunate as an industry to have such a cohesive Registry, with a capable, competent and forwarding thinking Registrar flanked by a diligent staff.

The ILR Board of Directors, volunteers who are elected by the members for five year terms, have dedicated a great deal of time in resolving issues, making sound fiscal decisions and forming policies and procedures to assure the smooth running of the Registry. The ILR not only OWNS ITS OWN OFFICE but also rents out part of the building. This wise investment helps us operate in a fiscally healthy mode.

I am honored to have been elected President. I have a wonderful board to work with as well as the superb staff and Registrar. I feel fortunate to be on this board of directors in this industry.

As part of the responsibility of being on the ILR BOD and serving as President, I have spent many hours in trying to resolve an issue of an unpaid bill. It is with great disappointment that this unresolved bill is with the Alpaca Registry, Inc (ARI), which recently moved their operation from within the ILR office. As an alpaca owner I was completely satisied with the alpaca registry service provided while ARI was with ILR. Now that personal, efficient service is gone for all alpaca owners. There are many other alpaca owners who are realizing what a terrific office we have in Kalispell.

There appears to be a small minority within the alpaca community who want to waste valuable time and money while forestalling bill payment. Our Board has worked tirelessly with Jan Wassink, ILR Registrar, to answer questions, dispel numerous misunderstandings, quell misguided assumptions and verify the sequence of events. However even the most obvious facts continue to be misconstrued by the ARI.

I initiated conversations with the ARI board, resulting in hours spent on the phone discussing the issues with various ARI board members. The ILR has had joint conference calls with both boards, and with designees from each board as well as individual contacts. Just when there appeared to be some resolution to the issues, a contrary letter appeared from the ARI attorney full of erroneous statements. We, at ILR, have tried repeatedly to resolve this issue diplomatically. The ARI board continues to spend ARI time and money, as well as the ILR's, while they abdicate on their payment and refuse to negotiate in good faith. There was never a question with the service provided to the ARI by ILR during the contract period. Suddenly after the ARI decides to move their office they fail to make timely payments for services provided by ILR. Now that they have moved the office, and are planning to move AGAIN, they refuse to fulfill their contractual obligations.

I am astonished when I see the false accusations and blatant misinformation dispersed by some of the former and current ARI board. It is imperative that each llama and alpaca owner become informed and educated on this issue. Therefore, I invite you to browse our website at www.lamaregisry.com/ari_facts.htm to view some of the communications between ILR and ARI. We are wasting financial resources, time and energy which would all be best used in securing the long term well being of the Camelid community.

With cooperation, collaboration and consideration we can continue to build positively and peacefully. Call the office with any questions and talk to Jan Wassink at (406) 755-3438. Contact any of our board members with your thoughts or questions.

Thank you for being a part of this industry and caring for these wonderful, wise creatures.

Best wishes for happy holidays!
Karen Baum, President