Norwegian Fjord Horse Alliance Election
The Fjord Alliance Election is 2/15 - 2/28/26. Margaret Bogie is a candidate and asks for your vote.
Biography :
Owner, Ironwood Farm | 1998 – Present
• Trained, shown, and bred over 100 Norwegian Fjord Horses
• Active in the Fjord community since 2000, including being on the host committee for 9 NFHR Evaluations and promoting Fjords for 15 years as part of the Culpeper Farm Tour
• Business is transitioning to include Fjord centered agritourism activities and a future bed-and-breakfast
Volunteer Board Service
• Norwegian Fjord Horse Alliance – Communications Chair 2024 – present, Elections Chair 2024 - 2025
• Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry — Board Member | 2023 – 2025
• Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association — Membership & Fundraising Chair | 2006 – 2020
• George Washington University Health Services Management and Policy Alumni Association — Executive Director | 1993 – 2000
• Grinnell College, Class of 1976 — Class Agent | 2001 – Present
Employment / Non-Profit Board and Leadership Roles
• Pharmaceutical Education and Research Institute — Director | 2007 – 2013
• American Psychological Association Insurance Trust — Executive Administrator | 1981 – 1984; 1986 – 1991
• American Biodyne — Founding Director and Secretary | 1985 – 1986
• American Society of Hematology — Senior Manager of Education | 2013 – 2017
Other Relevant Non-Profit Experience
• American Professional Agency – Non-Profit Association Insurance Consultant, 1991 – 2001
• Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine – Start-Up Accreditation Manager 2005 - 2006
Education
• Bachelor of Arts, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA | 1976
• Masters, Health Services Administration, George Washington University | 1992
Candidate Statement
My professional career has focused on non-profit organizations and start-ups. When the Fjord Alliance was being formed, it was natural for me to be involved as a founding member. I served as the organization’s original incorporator, assisted in drafting the initial Bylaws, successfully fundraised, chaired the Election and Communications Committees, created the second version of the website, managed member email communications, and helped lay the groundwork for the Alliance. I am proud of this work—every bit of it performed as a volunteer, with many start-up expenses personally donated to the organization.
I did not believe it was appropriate to serve on the Fjord Alliance Board before 2026 because I was completing a term on the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry (NFHR) Board. Although my role there was limited, serving on both boards simultaneously could have presented potential conflicts of interest in certain matters. The ethical choice was to wait until my NFHR term concluded on December 31, 2025.
The founding of the Fjord Alliance has been a joy. At last, we have an organization dedicated to promoting Norwegian Fjord Horses without the turmoil, conflict, and drama that have characterized the NFHR. I especially value that the Fjord Alliance is not a breed registry, which provides the flexibility of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit able to seek grants and accept tax-deductible donations. I appreciate our focus on education, recognition, and support for all who share a passion for Fjord horses. Our inclusive “big tent” approach—welcoming owners and non-owners alike, regardless of registry status—is a principle I strongly support.
As a Board member entering the Alliance’s third year, my focus will be on strengthening governance and process. Start-ups often rely on rapid, informal decision-making and centralized leadership; however, this is the stage at which we must begin building repeatable, transparent processes and the infrastructure future Boards will need. Strategic planning, budgeting, and program development must be approached in an orderly and deliberate manner. Meaningful input from the membership—through volunteer committees and town halls—is essential.
The voice of the membership matters. To that end, I will advocate for member review and approval of our Bylaws. Recent changes made by the three founding unelected members (permitted under the original Bylaws) allow for appointed Board positions and leaves of absence that can impair the Board’s ability to function effectively. The revised Bylaws have taken the right to adjudicate removal of members from the organization, allowing the board to have sole authority to terminate memberships. The membership was not engaged in the revision process and the changes were determined by just three people. Members must make the decisions about how the organization is governed. If the membership wants any or all of the existing Bylaws, I will support that decision. However it is time for the membership to review the Bylaws to ensure that we operate in a manner guided by the will of the members—not individual Board members. I will be a driving force for immediate Bylaw review and revisions going to a vote of the membership.
I strongly support programs that directly benefit our members; in fact, that is where our resources should be focused. Members should have a clear voice in determining which programs the Alliance creates and supports. We have limited funds and expenses should not inure to the benefit of individual board members. Recently the current Board voted to hold a face-to-face meeting where the Fjord Alliance would cover meeting room, hotel room and at least one meal for the board. Conservatively, these expenses could be as much as 20% of our total income. I would be only one vote on the Board, but I can make two promises. 1) I will never take a penny for expenses that directly benefits me from the NFHA. I will never vote for such a payment to another board member. 2) I will pay my own expenses for any Board meeting, including travel, hotel, meals and other incidentals. I will cover my share of any meeting room or shared group expense.
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The Fjord Alliance is a grassroots organization, and its Board must always work in service to the membership. Our members need to engage with its Board to work together to celebrate Fjord Horses. We can do this together!