Pennsylvania Llama and Alpaca Association – Mission and history of PLAA


	MISSION STATEMENT The Pennsylvania Llama and Alpaca Association is a cooperative group of llama and alpaca breeders and enthusiasts from Pennsylvania and neighboring states. The membership is diverse in size of herds, vocations and backgrounds. A primary purpose of the organization is to promote awareness of camelids. It also serves to educate the membership and provides opportunities for various camelid activities, socializing and supporting new llama owners. SOME HISTORY OF THE PLAA
	1995	The PLAA is established to promote llamas and alpacas and serve the needs of the owners. The founding Board of Directors are: Terry Duespohl, Dan Goodyear, Mindy Gardner, Carol Hicks, Chuck Leach, Karen O'Neill, Joyce Schenck, Richard Snyder and Gail Stewart. The first PLAA Newsletter is published by Mindy Gardner, Editor and T. Audean Duespohl and Carol Hick, Assistant Editors. Articles of Incorporation for PLAA as a nonprofit corporation are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
	1996	By-laws for PLAA are adopted with the stated purpose "to educate the members and the public as to the breeding, raising and caring of llamas and alpacas and to promote and advance the interests of the llama and alpaca industry as a whole". The first election of officers is held: Chuck Leach, President; Gail Stewart, Vice-President; Carol Hicks, Treasurer; Terry Duespohl, Secretary. PLAA creates committees to promote lama interests: Government Affairs, Marketing Committee, Membership Committee and Activities Committee. With Carol Hicks as editor, the newsletter is renamed "The Lama Letter". PLAA sponsors its first event - The Autumn Leaf Llama and Alpaca Festival.
	1997	PLAA holds its first annual spring membership meeting at the Radisson Hotel, Harrisburg, PA. Speakers are Jack & Donna Moore. T. Audean and Terry Duespohl become newsletter editors and an official PLAA logo is adopted.
	1998	Terry Duespohl is elected President of PLAA. PLAA membership grows to over 140 members.
	1999	Gene Reher is elected President of PLAA. PLAA sponsors a booth at the 31st Annual Ag Progress Days for the purpose of educating the public about llamas.
	2000	Efforts of PLAA Government Affairs Committee under the leadership of Dan Goodyear result in new Pennsylvania camelid travel regulations that no longer require health testing for travel within the state. Terry and Audean Duespohl are given lifetime membership to PLAA for all their dedicated work, especially being editors of the newsletter and annual directory.
	2001	Dan Goodyear is elected President of PLAA. PLAA donates $1000 to International Camelid Institute for medical research from funds raised by silent auction at annual meeting.
	2002	Annual meeting enjoys record attendance of 67 members and silent auction raises record amount of which $1000 is given to Morris Animal Foundation for camelid medical research. Carol Reigh is elected President of PLAA. Four veterinarians are awarded stipends to participate in the Vet's Only Seminar at the next GALA conference.
	2003	PLAA sponsors booth at annual meeting of the PA Veterinary Medicine Association in Hershey, PA.
	2004	PLAA website goes on-line at www.plaa-net.org. Bob Swartwout is elected president of PLAA. The first PLAA Llama & Alpaca Fun Festival held at Nockamixson State Park is a huge success with nearly 2000 people attending.
	2005	Linda Dellmyer is elected president of PLAA. The Partners With Vets awards program is initiated.
	2007	Audean Duespohl is elected president of PLAA.
	2008	PLAA Lama Festival held at Penn State Snider Agricultural Complex.

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