PATH Intl. is seeking Membership Oversight Committee Region Representative nominations. The PATH Intl. annual nomination process for region representatives is underway. This year nominations are being accepted for even-numbered regions: 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. PATH Intl. Region Representatives serve as ambassadors for the association and as the voice of their region's members. Responsibilities may include recruiting, retaining and recognizing members; collaborating with groups within and outside of PATH Intl. that can positively impact the success of PATH Intl. members; leading PATH Intl. recognition of center and individual members and participants; and helping coordinate states, regions and PATH Intl. communities into effective networking systems.

Click here for requirements and to download the fillable nomination form. Nominations are due to your current region representative no later than July 15. If you prefer, you may print the nomination form, fill it in by hand and mail it to the PATH Intl. office. All handwritten nomination forms must be received by the office by July 15 in order for the nomination to be considered.

If you have any questions please contact Jama Rice at the PATH Intl. office. Thank you to those nominees who are willing to contribute their time in representing the PATH Intl. members in their regions.

What a Catch! Jim Bergquist and Pike Place Fish to Keynote the 2012 PATH Intl. Conference Luncheon

Some people catch fish with a rod and reel. Some people catch them with a little bit of bait tied to a string. Others, like those at Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, catch fish as they are tossed through the air by fishmongers. When you attend the 2012 PATH Intl. Conference in Bellevue, WA, October 31-November 3, you will see a fish throwing exhibition, maybe catch a fish or two of your own, and learn some valuable team-building skills in the process.

PATH Intl. is pleased to announce that a few of the World Famous Fishmongers from Pike Place Fish will be showing off their skills and team-building adventures at the PATH Intl. luncheon on Thursday, November 1. Luncheon attendees will also receive the special treat of listening to keynote speaker Jim Bergquist, the president of BizFutures Consulting Company and coach to the World Famous Pike Place Fish. Through his coaching, Pike Place Fish employees have succeeded in creating a unique team environment and now travel the country inspiring other organizations to do the same. Jim specializes in cultural transformation and operates from a powerful intention to show owners and managers how to produce organizations designed to release and fully utilize people's natural creativity.

Registration details, session content and information about other fun events are coming soon in PATH Intl. eNews and in the registration book mailed with the summer issue of PATH Intl. Strides. Look for them soon!

2012 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting Scholarships - Deadline Next Week!
The 2012 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting Scholarship application and the 2012 Marjorie V. Kittredge Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning Scholarship application are due by email, fax or mail postmarked no later than June 11, 2012. Everyone is encouraged to apply! Click here to download applications.

2012 PATH Intl. Awards Nominations

Thank you to the members who submitted nominations for the 2012 PATH Intl. Annual Awards. Many deserving equines, instructors, equestrians, volunteers and veterinarians were nominated this year. Award winners will be announced in early August.

Remember, nominations may now be submitted all year round. All nominations received after May 15, 2012, will be considered for the 2013 PATH Intl. Annual Awards.

Click here for more information.

PATH Intl. Task Force Seeks New Member

The Path Intl. Faculty Development Task Force is looking for a new member. The mission of the task force is to develop criteria for new and continuing faculty trainers, to review processes and procedures and to recruit and train faculty for PATH Intl. credentialing and educational programs. Background in education or training is helpful, along with the ability to attend a morning conference call once a month.

To apply please fill out the volunteer application and submit it with a resume to Jeff Kelling.

PATH Intl. Welcomes New Membership Services Representative

PATH Intl. is pleased to introduce Amanda Walters, the new PATH Intl. Membership Services Representative. Questions about instructor certification? Email Amanda or call her at (800) 369-7433, ext. 126.

Amanda grew up in Southern Indiana but has been in Colorado for more than 20 years. She graduated from Metro State College with a degree in Kinesiology and worked as an exercise therapist with special populations for almost 10 years. Amanda has had clients, family members and friends with a variety of disabilities who have benefited from therapeutic riding. "I was lucky to grow up riding horses and have experienced their magic first hand," she says. "I'm proud to work for this great organization helping people provide such a valuable and beneficial service for special and deserving people."

PATH Intl. Community Connections
PATH Intl. Community Connections is growing! Last month the Equine Welfare Community was created to provide a voice and dialogue on best practices for equine care and welfare. To join this community and many others, log in to your PATH Intl. Community Connections profile today. Click here for more information on PATH Intl. Community Connections.

Book Opportunity for PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers

Dori Eppstein-Ransom, former Executive Director of Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center of Northern Colorado, is launching a book project, "Walk On: Stories of Hope, Courage, and Inspiration," to help centers raise awareness of the benefits of therapeutic riding in their communities. Twenty stories will be included in the book, and the top five stories will receive assistance in marketing material development directly from Dori, who will collaborate with the winning centers. Email Dori for more information and to share your center's most heartfelt success stories.

Upcoming Region Conferences: Save the Date
Region 11 June 22-24 Minden, NV Contact: Alexis Hill Region 10 July 6-8 Fort Collins, CO Contact: Jan Pollema Region 5 August 3-5 Tampa, FL Contact: Susan Lutz Region 8 August 3-5 Stephenville, TX Contact: Joan Cutler Region 7 August 10-12 St. Louis, MO Contact: Monica Marsh Check the region conference calendar or your region's webpage for the latest details.

PATH Intl. Events Calendar

Unless otherwise noted, contact Abby Hendren at (800) 369-7433, ext. 104, with questions. All dates are subject to change. To register for an event, please contact the host site directly. You can locate its contact information under Find a Center on the PATH Intl. home page or on the PATH Intl. events calendar.

PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Workshop and Practical Skills Testing
August 9-12, 2012
Healing Reins in Bend, OR

August 27-30, 2012
National Ability Center in Park City, UT

September 14-16, 2012
Sunnyside Equestrian Center in Lincroft, NJ

October 17-20, 2012
Hearts & Horses, Inc. in Loveland, CO

PATH Intl. Driving Workshop and Certification combination event
Workshop is held the first 2-1/2 days, certification held the last 2-1/2 days. Specific schedule sent by host site.

August 7-11, 2012
BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre in Poplar Grove, IL

September 25-29, 2012
Horse Power @ Touchstone Farm in Temple, NH
The event will start the evening of the 25th and end the evening of the 29th; contact host site for detailed schedule.

PATH Intl. Advanced Certification Event
September 10-12, 2012
BraveHearts in Harvard, IL

October 14-15, 2012
EQUEST in Wylie, TX

November 16-18, 2012
Maryland Therapeutic Riding in Annapolis, MD

PATH Intl. Vaulting Workshop/Certification Event
October 21-24, 2012
Hearts & Horses in Loveland, CO

PATH Intl. Mentor Training

June 22-23, 2012

Region 11 Conference in Minden, NV

July 27-28, 2012
Dream Catchers in Williamsburg, VA

August 25-26, 2012
Equul Access, Inc., in Hutchinson, MN

October 15-16, 2012
Horses Help in Phoenix, AZ

Please visit the PATH Intl. events calendar for a list of 2012 Registered On-Site Workshops and Certifications.

Please direct correspondence about this newsletter to PATH Intl. eNews coordinator. PATH Intl. eNews is a benefit of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International membership. No portion of this publication may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, scanned or electronic process without written permission from PATH Intl. PATH Intl. reserves the right to reject, accept and edit submitted material. PATH Intl. eNews is intended as an information exchange and an opportunity for communication for members in the field of equine assisted activities. The opinions, practices or products presented in PATH Intl. eNews do not necessarily reflect PATH Intl. policy, imply PATH Intl. endorsement or comply with PATH Intl. standards.

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