Pretty soon all the blood, sweat and tears we have put in to this will payoff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you that have put so much time and effort in to the planning. For any of you that are still waiting to get involved, there is plenty of work to be done. Contact me if you are interested!! SMRA needs you!!

Tickets are on sale for our many events that weekend. Get them early to ensure we don't sell out on you. Share the info with your friends and bring them along as well. This 4 day event is a party waiting to happen.

Thanks,
Bill Tedder
2006 IGRA Convention Chair
treasurer@smra. net

There’s a lot going on right now. Everyone is doing a great job at pulling together the 2006 IGRA Annual Convention! Y’all should be proud of the work and dedication put into this event. I know we are getting down to the wire and folks are feeling it. All I can do is say hang in there. I’m confident we will produce an excellent Convention experience for folks from all over the US and Canada. Let’s show ‘em the Southern Hospitality while they’re in Nashville!

The 2006 IGRA International Finals Rodeo and Royalty Competition, hosted by HSRA, is coming together! There will be plenty to do in Reno, NV during finals weekend. Folks will remember it as a spectacular event in a World Class facility. As a member of the Finals Committee, I’ve been watching HSRA pull everything together. They are doing a great job and I invite everyone to go to Reno to see the “Best of the Best” in IGRA. For more information, check out www.renogayrodeo.com.

And, just around the corner, is the 2007 IGRA University. This IGRA educational event has come a long way in its few years. It is well organized, and offers folks the opportunity to gain knowledge and certifications in areas such as Rodeo Arts, Fundraising, Administration and Technology. We also have a lot of fun in the city that never sleeps. Join IGRA-U Chancellor Brian Rogers and your buds from North America in Las Vegas this February and learn how to contribute to Gay Rodeo and your community, as well as make some new friends. For more information, visit www.igra.com/University.

That’s about it for now. I’ll see all y’all at Convention, and again in December for our monthly meeting. Until then, remember why we are all here and let’s keep on having a good time, and doing a good thing for SMRA, Gay Rodeo and our community.

Respectfully,
Tam Keltner
Trustee
trustee@smra.net

SMRA held its final Yard Sale/Car Wash event for this summer on Saturday, August 19th, at Lipstick Lounge. It was a VERY HOT day but quite a few people stopped to buy something and/or get their car washed!

Thanks to everyone that donated items, time, baked goods, supplies and enthusiasm! And special thanks to the Fundraising Committee for organizing all of this summer's yard sales, bake sales and car washes! Our charities appreciate your efforts!

It’s time to start thinking about this year’s Royalty Competition. The purpose of the SMRA Royalty contest is to select qualified individuals to represent SMRA as ambassadors to the community and at various events associated with SMRA, IGRA and any other organization that would further the purpose and goals of SMRA.

Candidates must be active members of SMRA for a minimum of six (6) months prior to declaration of candidacy. Candidates must then comply with several requests during their candidacy, such as meeting with the SMRA Vice-President and Reigning SMRA Royalty prior to approval as a candidate, preparing a brief autobiography and a “Letter of Intent” to be submitted prior to the beginning of the Royalty Contest, and donating tips at all events.

All approved candidates must be responsible for raising a minimum of $250.00 benefiting SMRA and its charities prior to the beginning of the Royalty Contest. A panel of judges will score each candidate in four different categories (personal interview, western wear, public presentation and entertainment), each with an assigned point value. Winners in each of three categories (“Mr.”, “Miss” and “Ms.”) will be awarded appropriate sashes and the candidate raising the most money will receive an award during the royalty awards ceremony.

IGRA’s Royalty Team is the prime source of raising money to fund a number of charities across the country and into Canada. They also create revenue to assist in operating IGRA and they accomplish all of this through a variety of methods. It is truly an honor to represent SMRA at the international level.

For more information on how to become a candidate, or to receive application forms, please send an email to the Royalty Committee. All SMRA members that have been active for six months are eligible, and encouraged, to compete!

SMRA's second "Gay Ol' Opry" night at the Chute Complex was a great show! All proceeds from the evening will benefit Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association and its charities. Everyone that performed did a wonderful job!

Special thanks to all the performers that gave of their time and talent to make the evening a success. Additional thanks Jack Marshall for organizing the event and to the staff at the Chute for always making SMRA feel welcome!

Dance! Dance! Dance! The International Gay Rodeo Associations annual Dance Competition will take place in Nashville on October 21, 2006 as part of IGRA’s annual Convention. All SMRA members are eligible, encouraged and invited to compete! Competing at the IGRA level will involve demonstrations of Two Step, Waltz, Line Dance, and Waltz Across Texas. There are “beginner” and “intermediate” dances as well as “couples only” dances. If you would like to compete in this event, the cost is $75.00 per person. You have the opportunity to win buckles, trophies, or ribbons during this event. Remember, this is the highest level that you can compete in so get your dancing boots ready! Additional information about the competition can be found at www.igra.com/dance or by email at membership@smra.net.

Saddle up and join the Human Rights Campaign as they host the third annual Wild West Showdown: A Shindig for Equality on Friday, October 22nd at the Two Rivers Mansion. This event is designed to not only raise money for HRC but to also provide awareness and promote participation in the fight for equal rights."

SMRA has been invited to "lasso prisoners" who will go to "jail" and need "bail" to be released. We'll be auctioning a date with Mr. Bud Light 2006, and possibly selling "cowboy kisses" to raise funds for our charities and generate excitement at HRC's event.

Our very own SMRA Dance Team has been invited to perform! Their performance will give you a little taste of what to expect when Nashville is placed in the nation's eye during the IGRA Convention in October.

So get your cowboy boots and hat and come support our dancers during this event!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 24th, when MR. BUD LIGHT NASHVILLE 2007 will be selected at Play. The comptetition will begin at 9:00 p.m. and should prove to be a great time! Tell your friends!

The “Mr. Bud Light Nashville” competition is composed of four parts centering more on creativity than looks so that any “average Joe” will feel comfortable participating. The first category is “Advertise Bud Light.” Contestants can make a pair of pants out of Bud Light labels, make up a Bud Light jingle ... do whatever they want as long as it includes Bud Light. The second category is “Fantasy Western Wear.” This can be traditional, modern, leather— anything the contestant wants as long as it is western in nature. They don’t have to come out in underwear and chaps. Third is “Show Us Your Clydesdale.” A contestants “Clydesdale”, for purposes of this event, is his “best feature”. It could be his smile, his personality, his nose, or yes, it could be his butt. The fourth category is “Audience Response.” During each round, the audience will have the opportunity to tip each contestant with the proceeds going to charity. Points are awarded to contestants based on the amount of money they raise. The winner of the final competition will reign as “Mr. Bud Light 2007” from 01/01/07 through 12/31/07. Please come support the contestants and have a great time!

The 2006 AIDS Walk will be held Saturday, September 30th. The Walk will be approximately 2.8 miles long and will take the average person about 45 minutes to complete. Water will be made available free to all registered walkers; other drinks and food will also be available for purchase. This is a family affair - so kids and pets are very welcome! (Just be sure to pick up any surprises your pet leaves behind!) Be sure to stay after the Walk for a brief Awards Ceremony and to cheer your fellow walkers on!

SMRA has it's own webpage to organize walkers and donors. Follow this link to participate!

To learn more about Nashville CARES and the 2006 Aids Walk, click HERE to visit their website.

Additionally, if you know of any groups or organizations that might be willing to volunteer, please send and email to record@smra.net and let us know who needs to be contacted.

More details will be provided as the convention date draws near but, for now, please save these dates!

In ARTICLE VIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY, SECTION I - Robert’s Rules of Order, SMRA's bylaws state that Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall be the sole parliamentary authority.

Click HERE to learn more about Robert's Rules of Order.

If you would like a copy of SMRA's current Bylaws and Guidelines, send an email to membership@smra.net.

Contestants vie for the fasted time in running a triangular, cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. The horse and rider are allowed a running start and time begins and ends upon crossing a visible starting line. A 5-second penalty is assessed for knocking over a barrel. The pattern can be started either from the left or right, and contestants that go off the prescribed course are disqualified.