At its monthly meeting on December 2, 2006, SMRA's general membership voted to elect the following executive officers to serve throughout 2007:

• President - Grigsby White
• Vice President - Jack Marshall
• Treasurer -Bill Tedder
• Secretary -Terry Sharp

Congratulations to the newly-elected Executive Board who will be planning a new and exciting year. We are a strong and growing organization in our community.

As committee chair, let me give special thanks to Tom S-W, Tam K., and Gary J. for their help with the committee through elections. Let me assure all members that the integrity of the elections process was our utmost concern. There was a wonderful amount of participation from the membership in the voting process, for which we are all grateful!

Terry Sharp
Elections Chair

On Saturday, November 4th, the Nashville GLBT Chamber held its 2nd Annual Life and Business Expo at LP Field. SMRA was 1 of over 60 booths involved in the all day event. Other participants included local newspapers, bars, churches, realtors, insurance agents, massage therapists, florists, sports teams and more. Expo attendees had cards that were punched at each booth, allowing them to enter drawings for great prizes once completed.

The SMRA booth focused on our continued efforts to expose and educate the Nashville community to gay rodeo. A slide show of pictures taken at the IGRA Annual Convention gave folks an inside look into the fun and excitement of the weekend. Additionally, pamphlets and fact sheets were handed out to visitors that highlighted our activities and website.

Special thanks to SMRA members that worked the booth throughout the day including Justin W., Bill T., Jack M., Skip F. and Terry K.

On Tuesday, November 14, 2006, approximately fifteen SMRA members and friends met at Lucky's Garage for a "Cowboy Happy Hour". In addition to happy hour drink specials, Lucky's decorated for the occasion, played country music/videos, prepared a wonderful taco buffet, and began their regularly-scheduled Tuesday night "Game Night" early!

The staff and management at Lucky's Garage went out of their way to make the cowboys feel welcome in what would ordinarily not be a country atmosphere. Thank you, Lucky's Garage!

Watch for announcements from the Membership Committee regarding upcoming "Cowboy Happy Hours"!

On November 17, 2006, representatives from Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association attended the Fourth Annual Cowboy Ball and Second Annual Art Show to benefit Angelheart Farm.

Held at the historic Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, the Cowboy Ball is Angel Heart Farm's biggest annual fundraiser and Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association was there to show its support.

Angel Heart Farm, Inc. is a Middle Tennessee non- profit therapeutic program that uses equine-assisted therapy for children from 0 to 18 years of age who have chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Children and their families are welcome to visit the farm at their convenience. Children may experience the joy of riding a horse or pony best suited to their abilities. They are also invited to build relationships by grooming, feeding and petting the horses, as well as the rest of the Angel Crew, including Gus and Gabby, Little E and Cash.

SMRA is proud to include Angel Heart Farms among its 2006 Charity Partners.

Well everyone! I have to say SMRA has really made its mark this year! Locally and on the IGRA level! And as your president, I cannot be more proud of each and every one of you who stepped up to the plate. You all know who you are! I won't start mentioning names cause I'm gonna forget someone! *smile* Your work and time spent is not going unnoticed! One great year is coming to a close and that means that the door is opening up on a fresh new year! A year for more growth and expansion. Hopefully in 2007 we will see some growth in Knoxville, Memphis and maybe even Lexington or Louisville, KY! You just never know! The education of our members is always a goal of mine. I hope to get more members involved so they can find out just how rewarding being actively involved in SMRA can be!

I hope to see you next year out and at our events. As many as you can make!

Sincerely,
Your very proud president,
Justin James

Upon advice from the Membership Committee, SMRA's Executive Board recently voted to present an Honorary Membership to Jean "Momma" Burch for her extraordinary fundraising efforts. Momma sells "hugs" at Rodeo Nights and other events throughout the year. By selling hugs, Momma has raised several hundred dollars for Smoky Mountain Rodeo Association and it's charities.

Honorary Memberships are held by individuals who have shown continued dedication to SMRA and are for a one-year term. Honorary Members do not have any voting privileges but receive the monthly e- newsletter and have full access to all membership discounts, promotions, etc.

Congratulations, Momma! Keep on huggin'!

Howdy Everyone! What a great year for fundraising! We all did an incredible job! But just because this year is coming to an end, doesn't mean we are done. We have all of 2007 to fill with fun, new fundraising ideas. The Fundraising Committee could sure use some new and fresh ideas from ya'll. Jeff Germany, Mr. SMRA Emeritus, sent some ideas and I sure hope we get many more. I'm not known for being creative but what I am good at is taking ideas and possibly expanding on them. Making them fit the Nashville area! So, if you haven't made a Fundraising Meeting, please watch the YahooGroups Calendar* and/or our Website for the next meeting. SMRA needs all its members input whether in-state or out- of-state; whether via email or phone calls! Our next big fundraiser is the Winter Round Up slated for February 2007 and we are in desperate need of silent auction items. Please contact me if you have some yourself or know of anyone who would be willing to donate.

Thanks again everyone for your hard work! This is how a non-profit, all volunteer group gets going and stays going....with support and donations of time from all it's member!

Sincerely,
Justin James
Fundraising Chair

*EDITOR'S NOTE: SMRA members are encouraged to join YahooGroups so that they have access to group email and calendar systems in addition to those found at www.smra.net. Friends of SMRA and prospective members are welcome to sign up for this service as well. To learn how, send an email to membership@smra.net.

Save the dates and plan to attend SMRA's TRAILBLAZE III to "Rodeo on the Rock" in Little Rock, Arkansas. Hosted by Diamond State Rodeo Association, this rodeo will take place April 27-29, 2007. Travel packages (including round-trip transportation, lodging, rodeo admission) will be arranged and details will be shared as they become available!

After much debate and study, SMRA's Charity Committee has determined that, to include as many suggested charities as possible, in 2007 SMRA will contribute to charitable organizations in four different categories:

• Animal Health & Welfare
• Children's Health & Welfare
• Community Support
• HIV/AIDS Education & Support

At the general membership meeting on January 6, 2007, representatives from seven different charities will deliver brief presentations and members will select one charity from each category to be a Charity Partner for 2007. This meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. to allow time for the special presentations.

Please plan to attend this important meeting.

On Friday, December 1, 2006, the Mr. SMRA 2007 competition took place at TRAX in Nashville. A distinguished panel of judges awarded the title to Justin James (pictured, with Mr. SMRA 2006, Skip Flathers).

The competition consisted of four segments: a personal interview, westernwear, public presentation and entertainment. Justin completed the personal interview portion, modeled western wear, answered a random question in front of the crowd, and performed live for the entertainment portion.

The purpose of the SMRA Royalty Contest is to select qualified individuals to represent SMRA as ambassadors to Tennessee and Kentucky communities and at various events associated with SMRA, IGRA and any other organization that would further the purpose and goals of SMRA.

Special thanks to Grigsby White (MC), the judges (Angelica DeVil, John Glassmeyer, and Mr. DSRA 2006 John Tyndall) and the staff at TRAX for making this event a success!

Please mark your calendars and join us at the Chute Complex beginning at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2007 for SMRA's third "Gay Ol' Opry" night! This all- country show is scheduled to include Dominique Alexander, James Allen Clark, Angelica DeVil, Kitty Kincaid, Gary Jackson, Justin James, Tina Louise, Steve Mogck, Bianca Page, Victoria Parker, Mr. DSRA 2007 John Tindall, Stephanie Wells, and more. As close to the Grand Old Opry as we can get without being there!

The Board of Directors may place any active member (Associate, Individual, Joint, Mustang, Corporate, or Honorary) on probation for un-sportsman-like conduct, non-compliance with rules of By-laws or standing rules of the Corporation, as well as failure to follow through with committed projects or duties.

CLICK HERE if you would like to print a copy of SMRA's current Bylaws. Questions or comments concerning SMRA Bylaws and Guidelines can be directed to the Bylaws Chair at bylaws@smra.net.

Hours of hard work go into the training for this event. This event is loaded with hazards, such as collisions, entanglements, and worst of all, possible loss of fingers. The team consists of two ropers and two well-trained horses. One roper is called the "header" and his or her responsibility is to catch the steer by the horns while the teammate, called the "heeler," has the responsibility of catching the steer's back legs, or heels. When the header makes the catch, he or she must wind the rope around the saddle horn, called "dallying off," and turning the steer away from himself causes the steer's heels to fly in the air for the heeler's loop to catch. When both ropers have been successful in their tasks, they must turn their horses to face the steer and pull their ropes taut.

Details will be posted at www.smra.net as they become available.