by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — The U.S. Trotting Association — for the first time — will offer live, online video streaming of the general sessions of its annual Board of Directors meeting when the board convenes here on Sunday, March 13.

A link to the live webcast will be available on the USTA’s Web page, www.ustrotting.com.

The USTA will offer two hours of live coverage on March 13, beginning at 12:30 p.m. (EST), and another hour of coverage at the second and final session of the full board on Monday, March 14, when it convenes at 3 p.m.

On the first day, the agenda includes the introduction of new directors, the election of officers, reports by USTA President Phil Langley and Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner and a discussion of rule and by-law change proposals. On day two, the board will hear and vote on reports from the various USTA committees and adopt the Association’s operating budget.

“I think our members will learn a great deal about the workings of their Association by watching,” Phil Langley, USTA president, said. “The Board will take on a heavy work load over two days, and grapple with the major issues facing us all in the Standardbred industry. I think viewers will come away with an appreciation of the work their representatives do on their behalf.”

For the first time in many years, the USTA annual meeting will be conducted over two days, instead of a three-day format that had been in place for more than a decade. Here is the agenda for the general sessions of the 2011 U.S. Trotting Association Board of Directors meeting:

Sunday, March 13 – 12:30 p.m.
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Introduction of New Directors
Election of Officers
Proclamations and Recognition of Former Directors
President’s Report
Executive Vice President’s Report
Financial Report
Discussion of Rule Change Proposals
Discussion of: Harness Tracks of America, Investigative Services, National Racing Compact, Electronic Past Performance Information, Pick-4, and “S.O.S.” – Support Our Standardbreds

Monday, March 14 – 3 p.m.
Committee Reports
Approval of Budget
Set Date and Place of the Next Meeting
Adjourn