Official Newsletter of the Cowgirl Cattle Company January 2007 IMPORTANT NEWSFLASH UPDATE (Date change to May 11th) Bunkhouse News   ]    Hello Cowgirls ! We hope you enjoyed a great Christmas and are looking forward to 2007. Please accept our apologies for not sending out a pre-Christmas memo but there have been many goings on and you know how it is. We are busy preparing for this year’s Rendezvous and are looking forward to seeing you all again! This year is going to be an old-fashioned visit, relax, shop, and eat a fine dinner with western music playing in the background…..no specific “entertainment”. We can entertain ourselves. The date this year is the first Friday in May…May 11th…@COP again….arrive about 5 o’clock. The mercantile will again be great with old and new western vendors! If you have any suggestions for vendors, please call. The door prize  challenge has been a huge success and we appreciate the creativity and  thought you put into the prizes/gifts. Keep it up! It is gratifying to know that we are not begging for handouts…..it’s more fun to share anyway. Our donations now are strictly voluntary…we don’t ask for anything! Feels good. Also, don’t forget to send in any nominations for Cowgirl of the Year…. Because of  our thriftiness and your generosity,  STARS, Alberta Children’s Hospital, and Breast Cancer Research, were all given $5000. each on behalf of the Cowgirl Cattle Company!!! That is Awesome!! The Cowgirl Scholarship continues and Judy Copithorne is the go-to cowgirl for information, questions, etc. There is a form included along with a membership form in your Newsletter.  If you are previous member, you do not need to fill out a whole new membership form every year – put your name and do include any changes and just check renewal.….. Just send us the money By April 1st….and any suggestions for charities for 2007. ……as well as any ideas, comments etc.. Encourage friends and neighbours who qualify to join us…we welcome everyone and some more young cowgirls would be nice,too. Is there anyone who would take on the job of Historian….just basic pics,photo album type of thing?! We are mailing snailmail as well as e-mailing so let us know at the AGM which you prefer. We’ll try to touch base again in March but in case we get behind – please get your memberships in ASAP (it really helps us plan) and we’ll see you at C.O.P. on May 4th. YEE HAW!!!                                                                     The Branding Crew The 2006 Cowgirl Rendezvous will again be held at C.O.P. on Fri., May 5th, 2006. The feedback we got was very positive and they were a great outfit to work with. Please keep in mind that we have checked out other venues but for now keeping in mind cost, travel, accommodation and plain old horse sense, this works for this year. Next year we are open to other sites if it works…ideas? ]    Again, proudly the CCC donated over $12,000 to our charities which included STARS, Breast Cancer Research, Alberta Children’s Hospital and Evan Shaw Fund. Congratulations!!! ]    It is important to get your 2006 memberships in by March 1st as we need to order the beautiful silkrags we discussed at the AGM. Joan is putting a place on the membership form to check off if you want one, or however many. Please add the cost onto your membership cheque. They will be $25.00 each as near as we can figure. If it’s a bit more, we have enough of a cushion to put in the rest. Put your brand on the form too so we can get in on the scarf…they will be so cool! ]    Cowgirl scholarship – think about a cowgirl, daughter, sister, mom, grandma who wants to attend college S.A.I.T. , N.A.I.T.,OLDS, WHATEVER…Let us know. Contact Judy Copithorne for details. ]    Please let other gals know about CCC no matter where they live or their age. Check out the website and if you want particular links or your website added, please let us know. Use the bulletin board…it’s for you. Encourage others to be apart of the super bunch of women…have fun, share commonalities, support their communities and keep the Cowgirl Spirit alive. ]    Look for another news letter in the early spring or sooner…Read Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine, hug a cowboy, eat what you want, help a neighbour, keep in contact.   Cowgirl Chapters   As you know many of our members are spread from northern BC to southern Saskatchewan.  What do you think of forming ‘Cowgirl Chapters’?  Those gals who can’t make the Calgary area rendezvous, but still want to make a difference in their community (however they see fit) can start a CCC sister chapter.  Think about this idea as we will bring it up at the AGM in May.  Contact Jill (932-5562) if you have suggestions or ideas or even if you don’t like the idea.  We want to encourage other cowgirls to have the opportunity to have fun and raise a few dollars, too.  We will continue to promote and support the cowgirl western way of life no matter where we live..... Cowgirl Scholarship Judy Copithorne & JoAnn Jones Hole will continue to oversee our “Cowgirl” scholarship. The criteria is as follows: Applicant must include a letter of recommendation from a member of the CCC in good standing. Applicant must also include a letter of recommendation from a person outside the CCC.  The person who recommends the successful  applicant may purchase a ticket to the dinner if they wish. Applicant must be a female. Applicant will  be a member, daughter or granddaughter , niece...of a CCC member in good standing. Will be attending a recognized accredited  post secondary institution.  Proof of registration submitted. Will have a strong background in agriculture, but does not have to be registered in an agriculture program. Application deadline - March 31st of each year.  (Received by the scholarship committee by this date).  Funds will come from the proceeds of the membership.  May or may not be more than one scholarship awarded per year, depending on funds. Applicant to submit an essay (500 words or less) stating reasons for application,  history, community work, clubs,  etc. Recipient must attend the Annual General Meeting and Rendezvous.  (May 6th, 2006).             All applications will be considered and put before of jury - consisting of no more than 5 members. Submit application to Judy Copithorne 252021 Range Road 50 Calgary, AlbertaT3Z 2L1 e-mail to jpwapita@hotmail.com (403) 932-2848  Doorprize Challenge Since last year was such a success and so much fun bringing doorprizes we again challenge every cowgirl to bring a doorprize, however small or large, homemade, purchased or recycled!  Value is not important.  Bring them to the rendezvous.  It’s just as rewarding  to be on the giving end as the receiving end.  Suggestions - your homemade jam, knitting, your special craft, western memorabilia (not necessarily new), books,  a gift that needs a new home or a new truck, or even 10 cows!    Cowgirl Silkrags those who wish to have their brands imprinted on a special cowgirl silk scarf for 2006 Rendezvous check the next newsletter for details... Click here to download the Membership Form Brandy! As you know Brandy (our cow) is what brought us all together in the first place.  She’s lonesome - if you wish to have her grace your event, or know of an organization that would like to rent our beautiful bovine for a conference or gathering call Judy at (403) 932-5633.  It’s time she earned her keep and she is a wonderful ambassador for the Cowgirls and agriculture in general.     Nag, Nag, Nag...Please get your memberships in ASAP!  (by March 1 for silk rags, March 10 without) and remember on your membership to include your choice of charity and also anyone you would like to nominate for the honouree, and a short biography on them.   COWGIRL CATTLE COMPANY Box 761 Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1A8 (403) 932-2825 Please complete the membership form and enclose your annual fee of $100.00. Make cheques payable to the Cowgirl Cattle Company and mail to the above address. Name ____________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address ______________________________________________________________ Province ________________________________ Postal Code __________________________ Phone # _________________ FAX ______________ E-Mail ___________________________ Brand ___________________ Location________________ Year Registered _______________ Silkrags (optional) Please print your brand clearly _________________. How many?___________ Cost for each scarf $25.00 in addition to your membership. Must be in by March 1, 2006. Membership Renewal _______ New Membership ______ (Please check). Can we list your name, address, phone number and brand on the web site? Please check below. Yes, _______ you may use this information, No _______you may not use this information. Suggestions for Honorees 1. ________________________ 2. _______________________ Please include a paragraph or more as to why you have nominated the cowgirl. Note: they must be a current member…or related to a member. Suggestions for charities 1. ____________________________ 2. ______________________ Memberships should be received by the Cowgirl Cattle Company not later than April 10, 2006. This is necessary to complete plans for the 7th Annual Shareholders Meeting and Cowgirl “Rendezvous to be held on May 5, 2006. Remember orders for Silk rags must be in by March 1, 2006! *** Note: If you do not want a silkrag, have your membership in by April 10… BUT if you DO want a silk rag, it must be in by March 1st. Who wouldn’t want a Cowgirl Silk rag? This form is double-sided to encourage you to find a cowgirl buddy to join up with you…be creative…let this year be the best yet!! Nag! Nag! Nag! Click here to download the Membership Form