July 2014 

Summer also means the Suri Network Summer Symposium and Fleece Show is just around the corner! We hope you are planning on joining us in beautiful Estes Park Colorado from August 14-16. Board members Kristie Smoker and Joyce White have been working hard since the beginning of the year to bring you a fantastic program with great speakers. The theme this year is LIVING THE VISION: U.S. as the Worldwide Suri Source.

In 2009 the Suri Network Board of Trustees developed a long-range strategic plan. That plan has provided guidance for organizational activities since then. In 2014, the Board of Trustees has undertaken the process of reviewing and updating the long-range plan, and has elected to develop a general framework that will guide establishment of annual work plans for the board and committees.

To do this, accomplishments to date were identified, and membership was surveyed for input. The results of that work appear here in a broadly focused list of identified goals for the Suri Network over the next five years. Each year the Board of Trustees will establish annual plans with measurable objectives for each of the focus areas.

1. Communications
The Suri Network will continue to take advantage of technology in communicating relevant and substantive information to membership. Face to face communications will be planned as feasible. Innovative means for promoting networking will be explored.

2. Education
The Suri Network will provide education to existing members in topics of interest. Additionally, the Suri Network will help members educate new clients with materials and seminars. Educational events will include, but not be limited to, the annual Symposium.

3. Marketing
The Suri Network will continue assisting members in marketing through print materials available electronically or in print. The Suri Network will explore marketing of Suri fleece in the textile world, collection of graded fleece, and expanded milling capabilities.

4. SHIP (Suri Genetic Advancement)
The Suri Network will promote advancement Suri genetics through the Suri Herd Improvement Program and education of Suri breeders and potential breeders regarding the breed standard and EPDs. Education will be provided in clear and understandable terms so that results can be fully utilized by all breeders in advancing their own herd and the national herd.

5. Funding
The Suri Network will pursue avenues for fund generation, such as fleece shows, written materials for sale, and grants. Creative mechanisms such as a Suri specific fiber co-op and processing with end product will be explored.

6. Product Development
The Suri Network will continue focus on fiber related interests, including promotion of a market for Suri fleece that encompasses every grade of fiber.

7. Membership
The Suri Network will continue to build membership, reviewing, revising and communicating member benefits clearly.

8. Youth Program
The Suri Network will work to expose young people to alpaca farming, through avenues such as FFA and 4H.

Please send any input on these proposed goal statements to Patty Hasselbring at patty@hasselbringsharmonyranch.com.

Kudos Korner                                                                                                                 
This issue we give kudos to the Suri Network Product Development Committee, chaired by Deb Christner of Akuna Matada Suri Alpacas. The committee committed to a major undertaking in 2013 – the development of a comprehensive six-hour video guide of all things fiber.

The committee set about raising the funds needed to produce the video, and, using Kickstarter, successfully raised what would be needed to get the project underway. Project Manager Alvina Maynard diligently worked with a videographer and committee members to arrange for filming, wrote the script and narrated the video.

Today, P2P: Pasture to Process, Product to Profit is available for sale to Suri Network members for $73, or for non-members at $88. (And what a great gift for new Suri clients!)