New Mexico CowBelles Jingle Jangle

JINGLE JANGLE

Traditions

Traditions – we love them, we honor them, we participate actively in them. I love a good tradition. They pay tribute to our history. They’re something that we do every day, week, or year. Sometimes it’s “because we’ve always done it that way.” They are family traditions, holiday traditions, school traditions, industry related activities.

But how do we start new traditions? Do they just happen? Not in the literal sense. They come about because the times change, and we make changes to keep up with the times. We take a chance on something that will be better for ourselves, a group we’re a part of, or even our industry. Does that mean that we disregard our old traditions?

Not at all! But we can retire them, with reverence, for something new. A buzz word we hear a lot these days is “relevant.” We’re told we have to stay “relevant” to make a positive impact on our industry, to reach out to those who don’t understand what we do and educate them.

How do we stay relevant if we always stay the same? Honestly, you can’t. But you can make changes that honor your past and bring you into the future. We’re faced with challenges on all sides these days – policy changes, predators, prices, politics – just to name a few.

We do a pretty good job of keeping up with it all. But the optimist in me says we can do better. We can be more effective, but only if we make some changes. They don’t have to be big ones, but ones that allow us to be more effective in our communication, action, and industry.

I look forward to making some new traditions, and doing the best we can for our industry. I hope you’ll join me. – Michelle Greeman

Vice President

New Mexico CowBelles

Chamiza CowBelles met on January 6 with seven members present. Cathy read the Creed and Invocation, and all recited the Pledge. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report approved as presented. Two thank you notes were received and passed around. One was from St. Paul’s Episcopal church food bank for the over $500 collected at December meeting. The second was from the Cattle Growers thanking for donation of brand throw for their silent auction at the annual meeting. Nancy presented an extensive report on the annual CowBelle meeting. She feels the new officers are heading in the right direction and are trying very hard to bring the organization back on track. However, there are several “chairperson” vacancies and volunteers needed for these positions. It was recommended to continue with volunteer hour time sheets. Because 7,300 beef raffle tickets were sold this past year, Nancy suggested printing 7,500 tickets for this year’s raffle. It was decided to increase the second prize to $300 and third prize to $150. Current membership lists were passed out at this meeting. Mention was made again of the need to come up with new item(s) to sell but further discussion was tabled. Nancy suggested thinking about raising the amount of the vocational scholarship due to the balance in that account. More discussion will follow at the next meeting. Janet Franklin won the door prize of free lunch. Meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m. Submitted by Cathy Pierce

The Powderhorn Cattlewomen met at First Baptist Church in Ft. Sumner with nine members present. The meeting opened with the Creed, Pledge and Invocation. Minutes and treasurer’s report were given, and correspondence was read. Under new business, Brenda handed over the gavel to Ann Sleep, President-Elect who conducted the rest of the meeting. Also under new business, Carol Church, Treasurer, presented the 2022 budget which was approved. Sandy McKenna asked that any corrections to the membership book be given to her in order that Kari Henry and she be able to send out the 2022 membership books. Under new announcements, Sandy announced she and Kelsey would like to make another quilt to raffle off. The last one did so well, and the group is delighted they want to do this! Anyone can help make it! Next meeting will be at Nancy Schades’ home, February 10. Hope to see all members there! Joan Key Secretary

New Mexico CowBelles: Thank you to all who have submitted their news to Jingle Jangle. Please send minutes and/or newsletters to Jingle Jangle, Janet Witte, 1860 Foxboro Ct., Las Cruces, NM 88007 or janetwitte@msn.com by the 14th monthly ▫

Pat Nowlin Memorial Scholarship Apps Sought by CowBelles

Each year the New Mexico CowBelles accept scholarship applications to honor the memory of Pat Nowlin who was instrumental in beginning the first CowBelle organization in Arizona in 1947 followed by the New Mexico organization when she moved to the Cimarron area in 1957. Nowlin served as our first NM CowBelle president and was later elected to the position of national secretary / treasurer.

The CowBelles will again offer two $500 scholarships to be awarded to graduating high school seniors and one additional $500 scholarship to be given to a college upperclassman or adult returning to college to obtain their degree. Applicants must be a paid member of the NM CowBelles, a junior age member or a child of a NM CowBelle in order to apply. Scholarship applications must also include: 1) The NM CowBelle Local Verification Form signed by the local CowBelle president and secretary who have chosen to sponsor the applicant. 2) Applicant’s photo. 3) High school transcript, home school record of courses, or an official transcript of the college or trade school the applicant last attended.

Applications may be obtained from the scholarship chair, a NM CowBelle local, on the NM CowBelle website at https://www.newmexicocowbelles. org/ or the NM CowBelle FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/ NewMexicoCowBelles.

The deadline to submit scholarship applications with all attachments is April 15, 2022.

Scholarship applications must be submitted to Shelly Hathorn, the NM CowBelle Scholarship Chair, via mail at the address below or by email to: shporter@nmsu.edu. Contact the chair at 575/447-7447 with questions regarding the scholarship applications or to make a donation to the memorial scholarship fund.

Shelly Hathorn, NM CowBelle Scholarship Chair, 112 Scottsdale Drive, Clovis, NM 88101 ▫