The USMMA wants to ask all our members if they are willing to volunteer to serve as Regional Directors in ALL regions. The term is 4 years from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029. In 2029, there will be another election for a 4 year term. 

We need to elect Regional Directors in 7 regions. Membership ranges from 10-50 members in each region, but growing.

1. Canada/International – all Canada and members living abroad.
2. Midwest Region- Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Louisiana, Kansas, and Arkansas
3. Northeast Region- Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Je5rsey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
4. Northwest/Mountain Region – Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska
5. Pacific Region – California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington
6. Southeast Region – Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
7. Southwest Region – Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah

Please nominate yourself, or give us the name of a USMMA member to contact that you think would be a great candidate for these important positions. 

The calendar is as follows:

November 5 – November 25 Nominations Open for Regional Director Members interested are asked to submit their name, and a one page introduction of yourself to the membership. (This one page could include a statement about you, your Marchador and perhaps other things you want people to know, such as: qualifications, any previous USMMA activities, your ideas for the USMMA or for your region; other job or horse-related experience that apply, particularly with the MM breed).

December 5: Election held if there are multiple applicants. This is a National election as each regional director will sit on our Board of Directors and gets one vote. We do not need to fill each position if there are no candidates in a region.

December 10: New Regional Directors Announced 

January 1: New Regional Directors take office.

Thank you all for your considering this important position on the USMMA Board of Directors.

Sincerely,

Cathy Pierce, USMMA VP and Committee Chair

From the Bylaws: 

“To be considered for Regional Director, the individual must be an active FULL member or LIFE member for at least 60 days before the election, and be a USMMA -registered Marchador owner at the time of the election. Each Regional Director must remain an active voting member of the USMMA for the duration of their responsibility.

A full term will span 4 years. There are no term limits as long as the individual is willing to volunteer and is deemed capable to fill the position. Each Regional Director must submit their name to the Election Committee to be placed on the ballot and be elected by the members every four years. The first election was held in 2020.

The USMMA Regional Director elections will be staggered elections with the USMMA Officer elections so that elections are held every 2 years beginning in 2020.

Regional Directors shall be full members of the Board and required to cast their vote on USMMA budgets, bylaw changes and other motions requiring a vote of the board. They are required to attend at least two Board meetings a year. The USMMA President will request resignation of the Regional Board Member should they not make the required meetings.

Regional Directors are responsible to encourage participation and cooperation among breeders, owners, trainers, and other equine professionals in support of the Mangalarga Marchador and the USMMA goals within their region and to affiliate and coordinate with other local organizations and associations in support of the vision and mission of the USMMA. They are expected to know all of the USMMA members in their region and hold one Marchador or member event at least every 4 years. When a regional event is planned, the Regional Director needs to submit a plan and budget for the event to the USMMA if they are requesting funding for the event.”