Just a little report from the GaTheRinG!
Camelid Community 2008 Report
“Outline for Change”
Aug. 1-3, 2008
Radisson Hotel, Kansas City, MO
“Outline for Change”
Aug. 1-3, 2008
Radisson Hotel, Kansas City, MO
Background and History
Camelid Community is the only national forum that offers the opportunity for dialog among representatives of national, regional and local camelid organizations as well as interested individuals and owners, providing a unique opportunity for an assessment of the “state of the union” of the camelid world. In the 1990s, the International Llama Association (now defunct) sponsored an annual Llama Assembly, the last of which was held in Colorado Springs in 1997. Representatives of a number of llama and alpaca organizations got together to host Llama & Alpaca Symposium in Kansas City in 1998, a highly successful and representative event. No group or combination of groups sponsored a similar national gathering in 1999. Feeling a need to see such a gathering held on an annual basis, several members of the Llama Association of North America tried getting it going again by hosting a Lama Community in 2000 in Kansas City. Though numbers were few at first, attendance grew as hosting and facilitating rotated among various groups and individuals. At the 2004 event the group voted to change the name to Camelid Community to better reflect the background and interest of attendees. Unlike most conferences, Camelid Community’s agenda is set by participants, and those unable to attend also are encouraged to submit proposed agenda items. Camelid Community is a “move forward and get things accomplished” group and not simply a weekend gathering to wring hands and re-hash old problems.
Camelid Community is the only national forum that offers the opportunity for dialog among representatives of national, regional and local camelid organizations as well as interested individuals and owners, providing a unique opportunity for an assessment of the “state of the union” of the camelid world. In the 1990s, the International Llama Association (now defunct) sponsored an annual Llama Assembly, the last of which was held in Colorado Springs in 1997. Representatives of a number of llama and alpaca organizations got together to host Llama & Alpaca Symposium in Kansas City in 1998, a highly successful and representative event. No group or combination of groups sponsored a similar national gathering in 1999. Feeling a need to see such a gathering held on an annual basis, several members of the Llama Association of North America tried getting it going again by hosting a Lama Community in 2000 in Kansas City. Though numbers were few at first, attendance grew as hosting and facilitating rotated among various groups and individuals. At the 2004 event the group voted to change the name to Camelid Community to better reflect the background and interest of attendees. Unlike most conferences, Camelid Community’s agenda is set by participants, and those unable to attend also are encouraged to submit proposed agenda items. Camelid Community is a “move forward and get things accomplished” group and not simply a weekend gathering to wring hands and re-hash old problems.
Reports and documents submitted at Camelid Community 2008:
“Report to Camelid Community 2008 from the LMRG”
“Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF) Report for Camelid Community 2008”
“Morris Animal Foundation 2008-2009 Approved Llama/Alpaca Studies”
“Alpaca Registry, Inc. Strategic Plan 2008-2010”
“Annual Report 2008—Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association” (excerpts)
“International Camelid Institute: New Look—New Services”
“IRC Council Report to Camelid Community 2008”
“Update on the National Animal Identification System”
“Southern States Llama Association 2008 Camelid Community Report”
Darby Vannier, executive director of ARI, reported that 2008 alpaca registrations are showing a bit of growth, while transfers are flat. For most owners, alpacas are not their primary source of income, he said, with the average farm having from seven to 10 alpacas. He also provided copies of ARI’s recently completed strategic plan, which is included with Camelid Community’s final report.
The Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association (AOBA) was represented by Gordon Anderson, executive director, who reported that AOBA’s show system is very active and growing. Though the 2008 show system on the animal side is “way up this year”, he said the fleece side of the show system is “struggling”. AOBA is working on a strategic plan, and right now much effort is being focused on the World Alpaca Conference and AOBA National Conference scheduled for June 3-7, 2009, in Cleveland, Ohio.