Camelid Community 2010: Pulling Together in Fragile Times
Join Us July 30-August 1 in Kansas City, Missouri
How is the economy affecting our world as camelid owners and what can we do about it?
Our community in the camelid world comes not from what we do with our animals but from the very fact that we have them. It is critical that we identify with the whole of our community and not just one of its constituent parts. Can we be more inclusive rather than exclusive?
Can we achieve a sense of commitment and solidarity that plays out in real life? The driving force of any community is cooperation, and that has been one of our main goals at Camelid Community.
Camelid Community 2009 produced a packet of business ideas designed to help people recognize the potential of their llamas and alpacas and how they can capitalize on the qualities that make them unique. Called “Customize to Maximize…because one size doesn’t fit all!”, the packet encourages owners to use some of the ideas in putting together their own individual plans to maximize use of their animals. Camelid Community 2010 plans to build on that momentum by continuing to move forward together in these unsettling times.
In today’s economic climate, we in the camelid world need a vision that goes beyond mere plans for adjustment. We need to imagine new ways to accomplish our objectives if we are going to do well by ourselves and our animals. More of the same—including bigger and better of the same—just isn’t going to cut it in our new economic environment. We need
to realize that and move on.
The main purpose of Camelid Community is to discuss “the state of the union” within the camelid world, and we would like to continue to have representatives from all geographic regions, national groups and local and regional breeder/owner groups. Past Camelid Community gatherings have provided significant contributions to the community at large and proved that
our various alpaca and llama groups can work together without taking away from each other.
We need to expand that cooperative effort even further. To propose discussion topics for this year’s open forum, contact either Barb Baker (bebaker@hughes.net) or Sheila Fugina (bsfugina@pressenter.com).
(A complete report on Camelid Community 2009 is available at www.icinfo.org, the web site for the International Camelid Institute.) More specific details on this year’s agenda will be forthcoming as we receive your input.
Camelid Community is being held in Kansas City with easy airport access and central proximity for people coming from all parts of the country. The name Kansas City is synonymous with great food, and Saturday night dinner at a popular area restaurant is included in your conference registration fee. Kansas City is also a sight-seeing and shopping mecca, and the nightlife is nationally renown—so you might want to extend your stay a day or two.
Because we try to keep costs as low as possible for everyone, the registration fee for Camelid Community 2010 is still only $75 (a late fee of $15 will be charged for registrations made after July 5). This includes conference fees, as well as Saturday breakfast (continental), lunch and dinner.
The conference is being held at the Radisson Kansas City Airport, located at 11828 NW Plaza Circle (just off Ambassador Drive), which is about two miles from the Kansas City Airport (MCI).
The hotel offers free shuttle service to and from the airport.
Radisson has reserved a block of rooms for Camelid Community 2010 at a special discounted rate of $65. Rooms must be reserved by July 5 to guarantee this rate.
The hotel offers in-room data port hookups, fitness facilities, indoor pool with Jacuzzi and free parking. Reservations should be made by calling the hotel directly at 816-464-2423 and specifically mentioning you are part of the Camelid Community group. Fill out the conference registration form and mail it in today!
Tentative Schedule: (All events will be held in the Platte Room.)
Friday, July 30 7-9 p.m. Breakout Discussion Groups
Saturday, July 31 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Discussions (lunch break noon-1 p.m.)
6 p.m. Dinner
Sunday, August 1 8:30 a.m.-noon Discussions, Wrap-up, Take-aways
(The specific agenda for this year will be provided as we get closer to the date.)
Camelid Community 2010 Registration Form
Mail this registration form and a registration fee of $75 per person (checks made out to Camelid Community) to: Sheila Fugina, 1331 130th Avenue, New Richmond, WI 54017
If you have questions about the event, e-mail Sheila at bsfugina@pressenter.com or call 715-246-5837. There will be a late fee of $15 charged for registrations made after July 5.
Name__________________________________________________________________
Organization (if representing)_______________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip_____________________________________________________________
E-mail___________________________________________________________________
Phone___________________________________________Payment_________________
Proposed Discussion Topics: