Below is the resume of the candidate for President for the 2014 BLU election.
Presidential candidate statement for Margaret Van Camp
I’m Margaret Van Camp, and I am running for the President of the BLU board. I have been a partner in Pitchfork Ranch in Swartz Creek, Michigan since 1996, where Cindy Cieciwa and I have a flock of 40 ewes, one third of which are BFLs.
I have served as Vice-President for the last three years, and have become familiar with the operations of the board. The policies and practices we have implemented have the BLU on a solid financial footing, with and excellent outlook. I organized and oversaw the 2014 National BFL Show in Allegan, MI in August. Most importantly, I have enjoyed the company of many and varied BFL breeders, both established and brand new, while cussing and discussing the many and varied attributes of BFLs.
Few would dispute that ours is a breed on the rise. Judges are more familiar with them, more breed shows are including them, shepherds of other breeds are more interested in them, and most BFL breeders I know of are getting more calls for breeding stock, fiber animals, and fleece. We need to take advantage of this moment while continuing to ensure that American BFLs retain their breed character and value as mothers, fiber producers, and crossing sires. I continue to view the Registry a “big tent” under which we all can gather and share our enthusiasm for the breed, no matter which aspect of it most appeals to people.
I would like to work on capitalizing on the growing visibility of our breed by pushing for more breed shows, familiarizing more judges with our breed standard, and try to coordinate more joint advertising opportunities for our members with breeding stock and fiber products to sell. I would also continue to in encouraging two-way communication between the board and the membership.
I would appreciate your vote.