The meeting was called to order at 10:10. We allowed extra time because some people were unaware that the meeting was moved indoors due to the inclement weather, and some people had to take their furry friends home.
Treasurer/Membership report: We currently have $1,415.85 in our checking account. Before today’s meeting, we had 24 new households join the club so far this year, and an additional seven joined today.
At our Board meeting on September 16, we voted to increase dues for 2023 to $15 per household.
Joni explained that we must present a slate of candidates for the 2023 Board by October 15th and invited anyone interested in running for the board should contact Diane Rosen, Jo Phillips, or Debbie Blonder by October 10. Contact info is available on our website.
We are also looking for the following:
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Someone to maintain the website, which involves sending out messages to members and updating the calendar. Contact Debbie Blonder for more information.
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Photographers for our meetings and events.
Our October meeting will be our annual Halloween Party and Pet Parade. Start planning those costumes!
Following our Election at our November meeting, our speaker will be Lori Hereen, Executive Director of the Nevada SPCA. We will be collecting new or gently used blankets and towels (no pillows or comforters) for the facility, as well as dry and canned dog and cat food for the Pet Pantry that serves needy residents in the area.
We received $61 in cash donations and earned $78 from our White Elephant raffles to support local animal welfare organizations.
Following the meeting, Shannon Borden Esq., from Young Law Group, explained how we can protect our pets when we pass or become incapacitated.
A few key items from her presentation:
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Wills and Trusts are only a component of estate planning. You need to have a life plan as well, that addresses incapacity, medical directives, etc.
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A will ends up in probate, which gives a judge control over the distribution of your assets, regardless of your wishes. The cost involved can eat up 5-8% of your estate, and the process takes two years.
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The way to avoid probate is to set up a trust. You can include a Pet Trust, which outlines everything you want for your pet, and the Trustee distributes the money you dedicate to the care for your pets to the new guardian.
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Nevada has some of the best laws regarding Trusts, and if yours was made in another state, you should have a new one established in Nevada.
Ms. Borden made a special offer for Pet Club members:
If you use her to set up a new trust (they start around $2,000 and go up, depending on the scope), she will:
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Waive her fee of $745.
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Include a Pet Trust ($1,000) at no additional cost
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Give you an additional $250 discount.