COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The El Paso County District Court issued a ruling today in the matter of James Warren v. PRCA. In summary, the Court held that a special PRCA membership meeting will occur. However, all of Warren's past and present proxies are invalid.
The Court also held that Warren must develop a specific agenda for the special membership meeting, including any and all proposed bylaw changes. In addition, Warren must provide that agenda to the member prior to obtaining his or her proxy. The Court confirmed that the PRCA and any voting member of the PRCA will also be allowed to solicit proxies. By doing so, the Court has placed numerous procedural protections in place that will govern what is to be addressed, as well as what may be accomplished at this special membership meeting.
The PRCA is dissatisfied that the Court agreed with Warren's request to exclude the voting rights of more than 800 members who joined after August 7, 2006, and also granted his further request that more than 1,600 Life (Gold Card) Members, specifically those who have not completed their membership renewal forms, will not be entitled to vote at this Court-appointed meeting.
The PRCA strongly disagrees with Warren's attempt to deny these members their right to be involved in any meeting that will have a direct impact on their membership. The PRCA, however, is pleased with the Court's decision to deny Warren's request to prevent PRCA rodeo committees from voting at this meeting.
The PRCA is in the process of reviewing the Court's ruling to determine the impact on all PRCA members prior to making any final decisions. The PRCA is dedicated to the protection of its members' rights and to the integrity of the sport of professional rodeo.
