The Tennessee Llama Community is
a fun and active group of people in and around Tennessee who love
llamas and alpacas. TLC is an organization of about 50 members in
Tennessee and nearby states.
If you own llamas and/or alpacas in the Tennessee area, you are
invited to be a member of TLC! Here are a few reasons why:
Events
TLC sponsors a variety
of events. TLC is a co-sponsor of the University of Tennessee Annual
Camelid Veterinary Conference in Knoxville, with talks, demonstrations,
and discussions on all aspects of llama care and the latest in research
findings. Continuing Education Credits are offered for your vet.
This Saturday event includes lunch and a silent auction to benefit
UT’s llama and alpaca research program. TLC has also sponsored
clinics on cart driving, spinning and weaving, preparing and showing
llamas, and farm management and pasture maintenance. Members also
get together for driving days, hikes, parades, and other fun events.
Meetings
TLC holds an annual
membership meeting each summer at a member farm, state park, or
other interesting venue. Meetings are informal and include lunch
and are often combined with a fun llama or fiber event. All TLC
members are welcome at all meetings.
Networking
TLC is a strong, well-informed,
and helpful organization. Members are genuinely interested in other
members and help is always available for any question or problem
that arises. Help is not limited only to other TLC members, and
in fact, some members spend considerable time working with non-members
who encounter problems or difficulties. TLC also has a Yahoo! Group
list – find it at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TennLlama
.
By Laws
Voted in by the Board
on June 20, 2009, these are the governing version of bylaws.
What are some TLC
Member Benefits?
TLC members enjoy the many benefits of
networking with each other. TLC has a support network where people with llama crises can
find help. Information on almost any aspect of llama care or training is also available
from many of our members.
TLC has a large lending library (books, videos, magazines) that is available
for the use of all members. The only charge is for postage. TLC
members also receive a quarterly newsletter that contains articles on shows, events,
medical care and treatment, members' experiences, etc.
Here are some of the many benefits TLC members enjoy:
Opportunities to network and learn from other llama owners
around Tennessee
TLC members represent
all llama- and alpaca-related interests. Trekking, hiking and packing
are popular in the mountains of East Tennessee, north Georgia, and
North Carolina. Obstacle courses are popular everywhere and obstacle
course events are included in each show. Spinning and weaving are
growing in popularity and spinners and weavers are numerous in East
Tennessee. Some members are professional llama and alpaca breeders,
while others simply enjoy llamas as pets.
Some members have large
farms with many animals; other members have small acreage just a
few llamas. Many members participate in the shows, entering llamas
in either the halter or performance classes, or both. Some members
are interested in llama rescue work. Members also use their llamas
for educational purposes and may bring them to local parades, public
and private schools and senior citizens' homes.
If you own llamas and/or alpacas in the Tennessee area,
you NEED to be a member of TLC!
The TLC membership year
is from June 1 through the following May 30.
There are three levels of
membership: the Associate membership ($10), which is limited to
first-time members and commercial vendors (no voting privileges), the Individual
membership ($25, 1 vote), and the Joint or Farm membership ($30,
2 votes). All membership dues are prorated, and members joining in the middle of the
membership year will have the following year's dues prorated accordingly.
TLC eagerly welcomes new
members, and has a place for all interests. To join, simply complete and print the
online membership application, and send it along with your check
for the appropriate amount to:
Please include your name, address,
farm name, e-mail address, website URL address, phone number, and fax number. Your name
will be added to the TLC mailing list for the newsletter and links to your e-mail and/or
website address will be added to the TLC website. In the near future, you will receive a
membership packet with all the information you'll need to become an active member of TLC.