Membership Benefits for 2005

All individuals who own ILR registered llamas are entitled to membership and involvement in the ILR. The ILR is the most complete source for North American llama information. It is the largest central data repository providing service through the Internet or when a person wants to ask questions to a real human being.

Being a member in the ILR supports critical llama services that an individual cannot do on his or her own. Membership in the ILR:

• Supports government relations with a liaison on the USAHA.
• Provides information for owners upon request concerning local and state zoning and health issues.
• Provides regular reports concerning government relations – see the USAHA report in this issue.
• Cooperates with other llama organizations to provide more efficient services.
• Provides Emergency Contact Information. Through the ILR's expansive list of owners and members, and technical expertise, information can be dispersed quickly, should the need arise. A good example of this was in 2003 during the Colorado fires. Within an hour of the initial request, the ILR provided a list of outlying llama farms and ranches for emergency personnel to contact with evacuation information.
• Offers member and commercial contact information. Many llama owners and llama industry concerns have llamas, goods and services to advertise to llama owners. The ILR provides advertising opportunities to ‘get the word out' to llama owners throughout North America .
• Offers llama owner contact information to regional, state and local llama organizations.
• Provides individual contact information for llama related contacts between owners and members.
• Assists llama shows and sales with entry confirmation.
• Provides web accessible llama information including photographs of most registered llamas.
• Provides discounted DNA analysis and parentage verification services through a recognized genetics laboratory.
• Provides current and accurate genealogical information to help llama owners make informed breeding or purchase decisions.
• Provides data services to camelid research.
• Compiles information for future camelid research.
• Provides upon request: extended pedigree information, herd lists and progeny lists.
• Many other valuable services.

ILR membership provides direct advantages to the member as well. If you own llamas, and have paid membership dues in the calendar year, you are entitled the following benefits.

• Eligibility to vote.
• Access to advertising opportunities in the ILRe-port, I Want a Llama! publication, and the ILR Locator.
• The opportunity to serve on ILR committees and run for a position on the ILR Board of Directors which could impact the future welfare of your animal and llama enterprise.

Other benefits include helping to maintain reasonable transaction fees. As with many other services, the cost of providing Registry services has been steadily rising. Think of the increases in postage rates, fuel and utility costs, etc. You can save $5 per basic transfer and $5 per basic registration by becoming a member.

By paying dues, you support the efforts of the ILR to strengthen the llama industry. You can help ensure the right decisions are being made for the benefit of your llama or other camelids. You are actively participating in forming the future.

Send in your membership today or go online ( Membership Form) and send in your application. The membership deadline for this years vote is March 15, 2005 .

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