Since our August seminar that was conducted by North Carolina SART your Board of Directors has been busy. We have made considerable strides in moving MD SART forward. Here is what we have accomplished and where you can help in ongoing programs.

Accomplishments

1. We have received the first payment of a $5000 startup grant from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. (AVMF) This grant will help us pay for some of our organizational and startup expenses.

2. We have designed and printed a recruitment/donations brochure. A copy of this brochure is attached. Supplies are available from our management offices. You can contact Ron Sohn and request as many copies as you need to distribute to individuals, animal groups or potential donors.

3. We have expanded and redesigned our website. There are 8 tabs along the side you can click on to go to another screen with more information about that tab. The tabs are: About us, How to volunteer, How to donate, Calendar of events, Board of Directors, SART news, Links, and Maryland Cart. Details of each tab are being developed and will change periodically. So visit the site often. If you have anything you would like posted just e mail it to mdsart@managementalliance.com. Also if you have any ideas for other tabs or information let us know by sending it to that address. If you click on contact us it will bring up an e mail box with the correct e mail address inserted.

4. We are in the process of purchasing the supplies for and designing a portable display that can be taken to seminars, shows, fairs and exhibits. This display that can be set up in a booth will explain what SART is and how to donate or join. Once completed any SART member can borrow the display by contacting our management office. We may also ask your help in staffing the display booths where they are exhibited as we would want someone there at all times to answer questions.

5. We are in the process of investigating the purchase of liability, workman’s compensation and Board of Directors insurance.

6. A committee headed by Dr. Laura Martin is developing a marketing plan for MD SART. This plan will be used to obtain donations and supplies. Once completed we will post pertinent information on the website.

7. On May 5 and 6 at the Timonium Fair Grounds there will be an Equine Rescue Symposium. MD SART is actively working on planning the program and assisting the organizers with the financial arrangements .

8. Your Board of Directors has met several times and the next meeting is scheduled for April 4 at 10 am at the Maryland Department of Agriculture offices in Annapolis. The dates of future meetings which will be held every other month until SART is operational will be listed on the website. Board meetings are open to all members. Just let us know if you will be attending so we will have a large enough meeting room.

9. A committee is being formed to write an operational plan for MD SART. As developed the drafts will be put on the web for your comments.

Areas where you can help

1. Fundraising and Donations: We need considerable help in identifying sources of revenues, writing grants and requests and obtaining funds and in kind donations. If this interests you contact Dr. Laura Martin who is heading this effort.

2. Website development: If you have any ideas for content of our website send the information to our management office.

3. Committee Staffing: As our operational plan is developed and committees are formed we will be asking you to serve on those that interest you. Likewise if you have thoughts as to which committees should be developed let us know.

4. Recruitment: We need help in attracting volunteers and groups that should be part of SART and can assist in helping animals during disasters, You can assist by staffing booths at exhibits and distributing our brochures.

5. Training: We need to identify those areas where you need training. Please let us know what subjects you would like us to obtain training for or specific courses you are aware of that we should consider. Assist us in the planning of meetings and seminars for members.

6. Legal: Occasionally legal questions arise including documents such as MOUs that organizations want us to sign, We would like a lawyer to look at these before we sign them. We need pro bono or inexpensive legal help. If any of you know lawyers that would be willing to help, please let us know.

7. At the August meeting you signed up to assist in certain projects that were identified at that time. Please let the management office know what you have accomplished in those projects and where we need to go from here.

MDSART is your organization. We have made considerable strides since our initial startup meeting in August. Only through your help and input will we be able to continue to build this organization to be Maryland’s premiere animal response organization during disasters.