Equine clubs are the foundation of Manitoba Horse Council and receive one vote on any issue at the MHC Annual General Meeting and/or Council of Clubs meetings. Some items subject to voted approval of MHC member Clubs include:
• Provincial or local issues
• National issues requiring a Provincial vote
• Election of MHC Board of Directors
• Approval of MHC By-Law changes
Membership of Manitoba Horse Council's (MHC) club network is for provincial, regional, and local equine organizations (need not be based in Manitoba) which engage in the promotion and development of equestrian sport and recreation activities in Manitoba and which meet the following criteria:
1. Have a minimum of 10 members;
2. Are not-for-profit, volunteer based and democratic;
3. Have a written constitution;
4. Hold regular meetings;
5. Hold elections of directors and officers;
6. Maintain financial records which are available on request to MHC.
Benefits to a club are numerous, but the #1 bonus is eligibility to apply for preferential rates for insurance liability coverage for events such as shows and clinics. Clubs can also apply for grants and clinic support. For instance, distribution of excess "bingo" money is currently under way. Other operational and project grants may be available in the 2018 member year. Clubs also have preferential access to booking event space at MHC's equestrian facility in Birds Hill Park. Sport Manitoba meeting rooms and printing services are also available, at no cost/low cost.
Each club will also have a link and short write-up on MHC's website, to asisst in attracting new membership. Events will also be posted on MHC's web calendar and if your events are noted on Facebook, they will be circulated to MHC page followers.
As an insurance pre-requisite, individual club members are required to have appropriate membership of MHC, which is a security factor in case of untoward happenings at a Club show, for instance, an accident requiring an ambulance to be called, a liability issue if a horse damages a person or property etc.
More detailed information about equine Club membership can be found here: 2018 MHC Club Information
As part of the Club application, MHC requires contact information of the Club's Executive. A fillable PDF is available: 2018 Club Application and Executive Listing
Insurance is a technical topic and there are many questions which can be asked, too many to enter here. Detailed information on the insruance package from Capri Insurance is available here, and includes a club application form (to be sent directly to Capri Insurance, not MHC.)
The Director's and Officer's Liability Insurance is a new option for MHC clubs., and is a policy which responds to law suits which result from a bodily injury or property damage in which the complainant feels that the club bears some responsibility. Examples of claims could be; negligence of account procedures and mishandling of funds; personal benefit by a Director; jeopardizing tax-exempt status; interest that should have been collected and distributed; failure to adopt and implement appropriate safety and operational procedures at a facility causing the facility to be shut down by regulators, etc.
A Fact Sheet and Application are attached here.
If your club is not currently a member of Manitoba Horse Council and you would like information about signing up your Club, please phone Executive Director John Savard at 204-925-5719. If questions still remain please call Capri Insurance Services, 1-800-670-1877, or email [email protected]