An exciting development for BFLs!

I received this email today from Kelly Ward, the secretary/treasurer of BLU, the Bluefaced Leicester sheep registry, to its membership. This is an exciting development, and long awaited! As you may have guessed, I am thrilled with the news, and look forward to serving the membership in some capacity, whether on the board, or as a committee member, etc.
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The Bluefaced Leicester Union of North America (BLU) began as a business I registered with the State of Michigan in 1998. Creating a registry and association of members were the two primary goals; in addition, promoting the breed, expanding its numbers, educating the public and helping the breed find acceptance in the North American sheep world. BLU has done all that and more.
Originally there were seven association members in only a few states. Since then BLU has grown not only in the number of members, but the breed has spread coast to coast in the USA and Canada. It's the individual breeders' dedication and promotion that has been a major force in Bluefaced Leicester growth. BLU's service to the breed and the breeders is based on the premise that the Bluefaced Leicester is a multi-purpose sheep with a wide variety of applications.
BLU issues a yearly flock book, recording the registrations from the registry. BLU has its library of UK flock books, Bluefaced Leicester memorabilia, reference books and photographs. BLU maintains an informative web site where all members are listed, breed standards, photographs, downloadable forms, and the monthly e-letter are published. BLU places ads in national sheep publications and show catalogs promoting the breed and the breeders.
The registry and association are on solid ground and it's time for BLU to move from private ownership to a full-fledged association. BLU has been incorporated as a non-profit organization. There will be an election of officers under the supervision of an independent third-party unaffiliated with me or the breed. The elected officers will be: President, Vice-president and five Represenatives to take office January 1, 2010. All those currently enrolled in BLU as full members may place their names as candidates and be eligible to vote.
There will be a mailing shortly detailing the BLU bylaws and election information. Please look for it.
Kelly Ward, Secretary/Treasurer
Bluefaced Leicester Union - BLU