• What is your background in llamas?2005 ILR Board Candidates!
The 2005 ILR Board of Directors Candidates are listed below in alphabetic order by last name. You can click on the name to review the candidates statement to the following questions.
| Gayle Dumas | Mark Smith | |
| Lynda Carothers | Helen Feick | Gayle Woodsum |
Karen Baum
Little Doc's, Huddleston, VA
lildoc@mindspring.com
• What is your background in llamas?
I have worked with llamas for over 20 years. I am a large animal veterinarian and raise camelids, having 45 llamas. We show in youth, performance and halter classes. I am a lifetime member of ALSA. The llamas we sell are used as companions, as guards of alpacas, sheep, goats or cattle, for showing, for youth, for therapy, for performance, for packing and hiking as well as for plain enjoyment.
I work with owners and breeders of a wide range of sizes of herds; those showing and those just enjoying them at home. We take our animals to nursing homes and work with special needs children.
• What skills and experience would you bring to your position as a director and how would you use this to benefit the membership?
I have been on the Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF) Board of Directors since its inception holding offices of secretary, vice president and president. I am on the Bedford County Agricultural Council. I was president of Lama Association of MidAtlantic States (LAMAS). I am currently fulfilling a five-year term on the ILR BOD having served as treasurer, vice president and currently president. I have knowledge of the ins and outs of the Registry.
I represent a diverse array of owners including small and large breeders, new and established owners including nonbreeders and PR animals. Having overall knowledge and experience of the industry I am able to relate to a variety of owners. I have diversified skills and knowledge, am a team player and am always willing to work to improve difficult situations.
• What issues of the llama community would you like to see the directors address in the next five years? Include ideas you have to insure stable funding for the registry.
I would like to be able to:
• What position should the registry develop regarding future importation of llamas and what criteria should be used in approving animals for importation?
There needs to be further discussion of the pros and cons of importation. We need to finalize staunch guidelines for evaluation to insure quality animals only are approved if/when the moratorium is lifted. The screening guidelines need to be better delineated for any animals admitted to the registry.
Lynda Carothers
Carothers Country Farm, Minnesota City, MN
lcarothe@hbci.com
• What is your background in llamas?
I first saw llamas in 1987 and purchased my first 3 llamas in 1989, they have been a part of my life ever since. My farm is located in SE Minnesota about a mile from the Mississippi River on approximately 70 acres. The llama herd has slowly grown and I keep it at about 30 llamas.
I am actively involved with our county 4-H program as the llama project leader for the last five years. Ninety percent of the children in my project are from the city, therefore most borrow llamas from me and work with them for 6 months. They learn to care, train, show and love their llamas. As a group they participate in several shows, parades, educational displays and take llamas to nursing homes and schools. We even used llamas to pick up food for a local food drive.
I co-chair a Midwest marketing event called Llama Magic. This is a private treaty sale with free seminars on all aspects of llamas. We have over 3000 people attend each year. Our “fun llama show” focuses on youth with classes such as llama limbo, leaping llama and more the more traditional classes of obstacle and showmanship.
This spring my dream of a full service fiber mill will reach fruition. My plan is to concentrate on llama and alpaca fiber to enhance the market for these fibers. My daughter and I have been felting for years and we do a little spinning and triangular weaving. I look forward to promoting both llamas and their fiber through this new venture.
My farm provides many services. Not only do I offer llamas for sale and at stud, but also offer boarding, training, and birthing of crias. I feel it is very important to share any knowledge I have of these grand animals. I do most of our medical care and I work closely with our wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Kristy Brown.
My family has been actively involved with showing, both in halter, performance and fleece. As a member of Llamas of Minnesota, Iowa Llama Association, Wisconsin Organization of Llama Enthusiasts, Iowa Fiber Guild, Minnesota Spinners and Weavers Guild, LANA, ALSA, ALA and ILR. I have interaction with many different aspects of the llama community.
• What skills and experience would you bring to your position as a director and how would you use this to benefit the membership?
My professional background is in retail, having 20 years experience as a Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising for a small retail chain of women's specialty apparel. Prior to that I was a computer programmer and have a Biology degree from St. Mary's University. In my retail position, I focused on natural fiber products, including llama and alpaca apparel and was responsible for 20 retail location across the Midwest and a retail catalog. Always known as an honest and hardworking individual, I love a challenge and have open arms to ideas and changes that benefit the organization.
I hope my experience can help the ILR become more financially stable and uphold the integrity of the registry. My vast experience with working with all types of people and getting things accomplished will serve the membership well…. and servicing the needs of the member is of the utmost importance. I know that the ILR membership has diverse needs and each member has it's own unique business. I respect those differences and would commit myself to help reach the needs of the members.
• What issues of the llama community would you like to see the directors address in the next five years? Include ideas you have to insure stable funding for the registry.
First of all, I would like to say that I believe the registry is doing a great job. It is so wonderful to have the llama database at our fingertips… and the service the registry gives is outstanding.
Communication with the membership of the ILR is something that can always be improved. I see great strides being taken in that direction with the on-line newsletter that is now published monthly. I believe there are even more ways to make that communication even better. I would like to see an easy way for members to communicate to the ILR BOD with concerns regarding the llama industry.
The integrity of the llama database is so very important; I would like to see new screening procedures put in place. At the very least…having FTA cards on file would be a good step. If only one llama in the registry has a forged ancestry, is one too many for me. I also am in favor of printing a photo on the registration papers.
The data collection and accuracy of the ILR has set an industry standard and we should all be very proud of what we have. I think that offering this service to other registries could help provide income. I also think the promoting youth and their involvement is very important to the whole industry. I would like to see a youth program put in place as I feel the youth are our future.
I know I do not have all the answers to funding, this takes time and experience within the registry. I do know that I can be very creative when needing funding of my own and that same creativity can help the registry “find” money. Finding money is not just looking at ways to increase the income, but to also look at how money is now being spent.
• What position should the registry develop regarding future importation of llamas and what criteria should be used in approving animals for importation?
I think the ILR position should reflect what the membership wants. I think it is then up to the BOD to uphold that policy and make sure that it is being followed. I personally am not opposed to importation of llamas as long as they can pass strict screening criteria that are agreed upon. I would like to see imported llamas be the offspring of screened llamas. The screeners must be well trained and above reproach. There needs to be serious consequences in place for those that do not follow their guidelines, both in letter and intent.
In closing, I would like to thank the nomination committee for all their time and effort into putting this great slate of candidate together. I would be very honored to serve the llama community in this position. I feel it is my chance to give back for the twenty wonderful years I have had with llamas. Here is to twenty more!
Gayle Dumas
The Fuzzy Farm, Saluda, VA
pupmom@oasisonline.com
• What is your background in llamas?
It was love at first sight…I was at the Virginia Classic to see the Alpaca Show the day I met my first llama face to face. Struck dumb by the regal beauty that glided past me…all I could do is stammer…What is THAT? I was told by the alpaca people…”Oh, that's just a llama.” JUST A LLAMA!!! It is a walking breathing piece of art! From that moment on I was hooked. As a child my big impossible dream was to have a horse. After becoming acquainted with llamas, I am convinced that the dream was of llamas…dreamt by a child that had never met one and could only equate the animal of her dreams to a horse.
The beauty, intelligence and graciousness of this lovely animal has turned me into a “Llama Cheerleader” every where I go. Anyone who expresses the slightest interest is regaled with the awesome traits of the llamas…not the least of which is their Fabulous Fiber. I promote their fiber at every opportunity and have had more than one alpaca farmer admit that my llamas have finer more beautiful fiber than their alpacas.
Our herd primarily is made up of Argentines and Miniature Llamas. We also have full size llamas and alpacas…so anyone who comes to our farm gets the full camelid experience. The Fuzzy Farm (my obsession) prides itself in raising adorable well behaved healthy llamas which I find are in high demand. We do all the work for our herd of about 40 ourselves including worming, immunizations, shearing and training.
• What skills and experience would you bring to your position as a director and how would you use this to benefit the membership?
One of my best (and worst) qualities is my inability to accept “that's the way it is”. Something is either right or it's not…I am not able to settle. The total “llama experience” is something that I teach to everyone who comes to our farm, whether they buy from us or not. Daily care, checking for possible health problems, cleaning up after them…and just loving them; new owners are given the lowdown on “the good, the bad and the ugly”. From trimming teeth to behavior problems…no topic is taboo. Promotion of the llamas' beautiful fiber, logo and website design and participation in shows and community events…all tiny steps that I believe help promote a healthy understanding of our glorious creatures.
• What issues of the llama community would you like to see the directors address in the next five years? Include ideas you have to insure stable funding for the registry.
I am a firm believer that in order to establish the credibility necessary to insure the future success of our industry and registry…DNA testing is necessary. We cannot fend off the slurs and innuendos cast at our integrity without it. I would hesitate to make DNA testing mandatory at the moment, but would look for a way to encourage owners to validate their beloved animals and be able to guarantee that “A llama is indeed a llama!”
I am very proud of the quality of service that is received from the ILR staff and wish to do every thing possible to guarantee this level of service and the excellent lines of communication available to us continue.
I am willing to admit upfront, that I have a bunch to learn…and funding opportunities is one area that I must study before I can make any recommendations.
• What position should the registry develop regarding future importation of llamas and what criteria should be used in approving animals for importation?
Importation cannot be indiscriminate. Set goals….We need to establish what is needed to improve our current bloodlines. Only the best will do…the best blood and the best health. Find those and import in limited numbers.
Helen Feick
CTERS Llamas, Geronimo, TX
cters@the-cia.net
• What is your background in llamas?
I fell in love with these great animals in the late 80's but we didn't buy our first animals until 1991. At that time, I told my husband that those two were all I would ever need. Well, a few years ago we had over 50 animals but have reduced that number to between 30 to 40 animals, which is a manageable number for us.
• What skills and experience would you bring to your position as a director and how would you use this to benefit the membership?
I was raised on a ranch and always have had some kind of animal. I know the ups and downs of ranching...cattle, goats, horses or llamas..the challenges are the same.
I have over 30 years of banking experience and for the last 10 years have worked as a Stockbroker's assistant. And, I believe that my financial experience and ranching background would help to bring a "common sense" background to the industry, where we are facing financial and husbandry concerns.
• What issues of the llama community would you like to see the directors address in the next five years? Include ideas you have to insure stable funding for the registry.
Include ideas you have to insure stable funding for the registry. The board and the industry has been faced with embryo transplants (which the board has handled very well) and now, we have crossbred animals and could have "cloned" animals in the future. The board needs to have a plan in place to handle these concerns now and in the future.
With the membership dues in place and the fees for services, we need to carefully invest some of these funds for the future. We may need to set up a foundation for tax free donations, to help offset the expenses of the future.
• What position should the registry develop regarding future importation of llamas and what criteria should be used in approving animals for importation?
I don't think we should close the registry to importation, but we do need to be more selective and limit the number of animals being imported. The board should set time limits between importations (i.e. 5 years, 7 years or 10 years).
The ILR should have representatives (not necessarily llama owners) that will screen the llamas for importation. The animals should be DNA'd before they leave their country of origin to ensure that the animal is pure llama, vicuna or guanaco.
Mark Smith
Mark Smith Farms, Crawfordsville, IN
msfllama@tctc.com
• What is your background in llamas?
I bought my first 2 llamas in 1994 as guards for our purebred sheep flock. That first year those two geldings intrigued me so much that the following year the first females were purchased. Our herd has now grown to approximately 60 and is now a viable part of our diversified farming operation.
I am an ALSA llama & alpaca judge, judging around 14 shows a year. I have served as Secretary and Vice President on ALSA's BOD.
• What skills and experience would you bring to your position as a director and how would you use this to benefit the membership?
For 18 years I served on the Board of the American Southdown Sheep Breeders Assn. and served as its President. This is one of the oldest livestock registries in North America . Being in the purebred livestock business for 35 years has given me a good perspective on what is happening in the other species and how it could benefit the ILR.I believe my leadership skills and ability to listen would benefit this association.
• What issues of the llama community would you like to see the directors address in the next five years? Include ideas you have to insure stable funding for the registry.
Over the next few years I would like to see the ILR:
• What position should the registry develop regarding future importation of llamas and what criteria should be used in approving animals for importation?
I don't believe that the ILR has the right to tell breeders how to run their breeding programs – to import or not. I do believe that the ILR has the right to expect the llamas that are imported to show the phenotype of what many of us expect a llama to look like.
Llamas are the only species I know of that do not have a “Breed Standard of Excellence”. I realize that many of us own llamas for many different reasons but there should still be some basic standards that should be set, i.e.… head shape, ear length, top line and rump structure just to name a few.
I know other species use a 3 person classifier system where the majority rules when deciding if an animal looks like it's breed or not. Others use a “3 strikes and your out” system. Many times we need not reinvent the wheel when we can adopt something that is already proven in other breeds.
Please take the time to vote and help determine the future direction of the ILR.
Gayle Woodsum
Double J Llamas, Laramie , WY 82073
dbljllamas@aol.com - www.llamasatdblj.com
• What is your background in llamas?
In 1990, I hiked the Grand Canyon alone with 60 pounds on my back. That great adventure was a wonderful turning point and motivator for my discovery of llamas as companions and agreeable helpers in making the wilderness quests of my middle years less physically painful than those of my youth. A friend who had turned in her backpack for a llama string got me started, but little did I know how varied a route my lama journey would eventually take.
Today I live with a mixed herd of 50 domestic and imported llamas and two alpacas. It is the many physical types and personalities available in the camelid world that keeps me excited by and committed to these extraordinary animals. The breeding program at my ranch is carefully considered and reconsidered each year to match the multiple uses being asked of the lamas, which for me include commercial fiber use, working/companion animals, sales, and national halter/performance showing competition.
I believe that my love for lamas brings with it a responsibility for their long term value, health and welfare. To this end, I have been active in various organizational efforts for many years including founding and continuing to lead our local 4-H llama project, creating and superintending the Laramie Llama Festival, superintending the Estes Park Wool Market llama show, working as the current editor of the RMLA Journal . I participate in fundraising efforts that support the promotion and welfare of lamas and write regularly for camelid publications. To increase my knowledge base and contribute to the ongoing conformational health of llamas I trained to be an ALSA certified judge, now working as a level III llama judge at shows throughout the country. Last year, I served the ILR as a member of one of its focus groups, developing recommendations for youth programs, participation and education.
• What skills and experience would you bring to your position as a director and how would you use this to benefit the membership?
Professionally, I am a writer who has spent much of the past 25 years in the nonprofit sector from local grassroots work to national foundation service, with extensive experience as both a board member and employed executive director. I have given board training, fundraising and lobbying instruction to groups throughout the United States and Canada.
• What issues of the llama community would you like to see the directors address in the next five years? Include ideas you have to insure stable funding for the registry.
The ILR fills a crucial role as a setter of standards and practices for the viability of camelids and the goals of their human caretakers. The enormity of this responsibility is increasingly daunting in an age of get-rich-quick schemes and faltering ethics. I would love to have the opportunity to serve this amazing organization with a view toward long term planning in an open, transparent system of governance, backed by an increase in public outreach, education and coordination.
The abilities of an organization are limited without a solid blueprint for ongoing, diverse funding sources that extend beyond fees and dues. Such financial planning must be diligent in serving principled guidelines springing from a clear mission statement.
• What position should the registry develop regarding future importation of llamas and what criteria should be used in approving animals for importation?
On the matter of revisiting ILR's support of camelid importation, my stand is that this entire issue must be meticulously studied from every possible perspective. At the forefront of any decision making or action must be absolute dedication to the health of all North American lama herds, backed by the strongest possible sense of ethics.
ILR is uniquely positioned to help increase vibrancy in this industry by offering, in part, a safety net for the animals that are the substance of its very core, and by serving as a bridge-building meeting place for the immensely diverse groups and interests connected to those animals. It would be an honor to serve in the next phase of growth and change for ILR.
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