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These minutes are a draft,
subject to change until approved at the
next regular meeting.
MI State Chapter Board of Directors
January 16, 2010
Herb Lorentz, President, called the
meeting to order.
We recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of August 29, 2009 were
approved (Pete, Gary, carried).
Introductions and Roll
Call
Present Region 1: Roger Shoemaker and Ken
Buchholtz
Present Region 2: Herb Lorentz, Craig Meredith, and Pete Demos
Present Region 3: Jan Kuhtic, Troy Hopkins, Dave Godley, Frank
Brazynetz, Gary Salmon, Phil Kuhtic, Tony Snyder, Sam Giese,
Bert VanderWeele, Ron Hopkins, Hugh Marx, and Gary VanDyke
Present NWTF National Board: Al Bobrofsky
Absent: Past President Mike Kennedy
NWTF Staff: Steve Sharp, Tom Karsten, Keith Rubin, and Randy
Showalter
Guests: Dr. James Earl Kennamer, NWTF Chief Conservation
Officer, Al Stewart, MI DNRE, Jim Maturen, Randy Vlier,
Anthony Decker, Dave Newhouse
Treasurer’s Report (Troy)
The General Fund has $27,480.93 in the
checking account, $2,958.42 in the savings account for a total
of $30,439.35. $5,537 of this is allocated to the seed
program. Winter Survival has a total of $677.24. The Patch
account has $57,921.91, with $51,618.42 allocated to State of
MI Gift Fund for turkey habitat, habitat projects for
chapters, and symposium money, making the available funds
$6,303.49.
The Treasurer’s report is accepted (Sam, Tony, carried).
National Board Report (Al Bobrofsky)
Priorities of the National Wild Turkey
Federation Board of Directors include memberships, bylaw
revision (expected to be approved in Feb., to be required by
all chapters), return to conservation and hunting heritage
roots, and the value of the volunteer (local, state,
national).
The IRS requirements of the NWTF include an annual audit and
access by NWTF to all accounts.
NWTF Staff Reports
Dr. James Earl Kennamer reports that MI
has achieved the $3 million mark, and is to be applauded. The
NWTF is in good shape, in the black at end of the fiscal year.
The National Board and NWTF staff recognizes that these are
trying times, but we have a strong board leading us. Project
TOM (Target Our Membership) will feature internet improvements
in records and some methods to improve income. Money will be
managed responsibly. The future is bright!
Steve Sharp reports that the logo has changed. Now it
features the 3 walking turkeys, with the words “Conserve,
Hunt, Share” or “Wheelin’ Sportsmen”, “Women in the Outdoors”,
etc. under the turkeys.
Our mission statement remains the same “The conservation of
the wild turkey and preservation of hunting tradition”.
The chapter president weekend in July will coordinate with the
next State Board meeting, both at the Carl Johnson Center at
Mitchell State Park. Campers are welcome. There is the
potential for a state JAKES event, since there is a pellet gun
range and archery.
The State Chapter should consider a presence on Facebook for
more exposure using modern media. We could post photos,
notices, and reminders.
Many chapters are participating in the JAKES Of The Year
recognition for 2010.
Project TOM, will make online tickets available for banquets,
and have local participant’s names at hand with address, and a
record of their expenditures. When a banquet is planned, we
can pull up names in our area with similar interests in
addition to past attendees. We will be able to initiate
mailings with bulk mail rates. We can sort patch buyers in
our own area, and many other options.
The chapter treasurers will have to sign a signature card for
NWTF, to protect our funds from taxing by the IRS.
All JAKES memberships are $10. Our insurance covers members
at events. Memberships are required at all JAKES events.
In the future, Golden Gobbler status will be revisited, cash
contributions will be moved into gross income figures, and
possibly requirements will change for the old 70% club.
Note that we continue our support for the U.S. Sportsmens
Alliance.
Randy reports that conservation staff and professional staff
have been added, thanks to 77% pay from outside financial
grants. Of course, these grants require productivity and
reports. More emphasis is evident on conservation. Our goal
is to get grants and hire more help in MI in order to cut down
the territory of each biologist.
Thanks to his Regional Director background, Randy helps at
banquets in 3 states.
Keith and Tom have no report.
DNRE Report (Al Stewart)
Apply or buy your spring hunt turkey
license now.
This is the end of 3-year cycle, so now turkey regulations are
being discussed.
The NRC meets April 8 with interested parties, and then votes
on May 6 on any changes starting with the fall regulations.
Spring regulations are discussed now, presented in October,
and acted on in November.
Thanks to the MI State Chapter and local chapters for
supporting habitat projects through Super Fund.
Fundraising Committee (Ron Hopkins)
This is our 10th year of knife
sales. We have a few left of 2008 and 2009, so chapters are
encouraged to buy at discount prices for their banquet or
raffles.
This year’s Hess knife is made locally. Only 40 were ordered.
This committee welcomes ideas for fund raising projects,
appreciates collectors, and always keeps costs low with little
profits.
The #1 Hess knife is available for auction tonight.
When we run out of patch sets for 5 star awards, consider
using knife collections.
Ron keeps records of collectors and this information is
available upon request.
We have one gun still in inventory.
Winter Survival Committee (Pete Demos)
$1,425.00 has been processed this winter
so far. The buyer pays 50%.
Some requests made by phone still need paper application.
Chapters are doing less fund raising, which is a concern.
Winter Survival has been trimmed down a lot in the last few
years. Requirements are tougher, co-pays are in place, and
grain vendors have cut costs.
We are cooperating with Wildlife Unlimited by paying 50% of
costs for feeding.
Guns are available from the State Chapter for fund raising,
with the understanding that profits are saved out to buy the
next gun.
We promote habitat planting and long-term solutions, such as
crab apple trees. The DNRE and Wildlife Unlimited cooperate
to buy and plant trees and apply for grants. Fencing, good
soil, tree guards, and fertilizer are required for success.
This benefits all wildlife, not only the wild turkey.
When using corn for turkey feeding, remember that deer feed is
considered contaminated, and standing corn can be moldy. Use
only corn that can be used for cattle feed.
The feeder design was on the website, and needs to get back on
the web site. Pete has improved the feeder to keep squirrels
or rodents out.
To avoid damage, take the feeders inside after the feeding
season. Be sure to spray with Lysol, dry the inside or at
least tip to the side. Craig’s area has a problem with avian
bird pox, easily identified with the help of DNRE and NWTF web
sites.
January is turkey-counting month, with reports to DNRE
management units to help biologists plan ahead for future
seasons.
Rules and Regulations Committee (Hugh Marx)
This is the end of a DNRE 3 year
stabilized plan. Suggestions for fall hunting are welcome
now. We support open season for turkey starting September 15,
and the expansion of area M to include the entire UP.
More hunter recruitment is necessary for all ages.
We support the increase in youth hunting opportunities,
including a tag for one bird, used in any open zone for $3.
We do not support OTC licenses except leftover tags, and no
increase in hunting where birds are scarce.
In the northern MI Lower Peninsula, bird numbers are showing a
downward trend. Deep snow and the deer-feeding ban have hurt
us. We are down to 1987 levels. Is this correctable? Is
there a creative way to feed turkeys where deer feeding is
banned? Fewer birds mean unhappy hunters and possibly a loss
of NWTF members. We need input and solutions. Southern MI
Lower Peninsula has more hunter satisfaction. The Rules and
Regulations Committee will meet with the Winter Survival
Committee to discuss this.
PR and Media Committee
The State Chapter has a booth at
the Deer and Turkey Spectacular Show on February 12. Frank,
Steve, and other volunteers will work selling patches and
knives. The State Chapter will reimburse the entry fee for the
workers (Phil, Gary V., carried).
Web site management can be done by NWTF. Cost, convenience,
and other considerations will guide the committee, and they
will make a recommendation in July.
Super Fund Committee (Herb)
Note the totals requested and approved on
line 486 of the spreadsheet, and note the allocations and
percents in lines 490-492. The percentage of Super Funds
dedicated to JAKES and education are emphasized due to 5 Star
requirements.
Electronic forms are a great improvement. With electronic
signature approval, the process is streamlined. Thanks to
Mike for the good job compiling. Mike sends each request to
NWTF.
Some of the outreach minimums are lowered, but every attempt
was made to honor chapter requests, especially habitat. Some
projects are listed under patch monies now. We suggest that
all chapters emphasize habitat, realizing that habitat funding
may be shared with other groups.
NWTF likes a record of our outreaches, because it shows
supporting agencies where our priorities are, and grant money
or matching funds may be available.
NWTF staff is paid to help us keep good records, and good
accounting for all Super Fund money is necessary.
Approval is automatic (see August 2009 decision).
Outreach (Sam)
Regional Directors ticket all events.
This is needed for insurance and scheduling.
NWTF has an agreement with the Boy Scouts of America, with a
trial program in some eastern states. Boy Scout projects can
interface with our JAKES for joint events, which increases
exposure, and may gain more urban youth. Boy Scout merit
badges/patch can be gained with a hunting tag or hunter safety
course. Everyone gains with groups coming together, such as
FFA, 4H, and Boy Scouts, and each group benefits the others.
Costs and resources are shared.Each chapter is invited to
choose a JAKE Of The Year, to be honored at next year’s
banquet.
Convention Committee (Jan)
We are happy to be at the Big Rapids
Holiday Inn for the second year. We enjoyed the hospitality
room last evening. Today Dr. James Earl Kennamer, NWTF Chief
Conservation Officer and Al Stewart, MI DNRE will give a
workshop/seminar of the MI wild turkey and the return of the
wild turkey and its future. The banquet starts at 4:00 with
welcoming and registration, silent auction and raffles.
Dinner is at 5:30 with pork loin and chicken. The Awards
Committee is prepared to announce the individual and chapter
awards. The live auction follows, then the raffle winners
will be announced. This year we have a live band to entertain
until midnight.
Thanks to the Big Rapids chapter for their set up help, and
more than 25 chapters that donated money or merchandise.
Thanks also to Ron Hopkins, our gun dealer, and Auctioneer
Darrel Holmes. Thanks to the volunteers who will help with
games, the WITO table, and raffles.
We are considering a location around Grand Rapids for 2011,
and welcome input.
Awards (Bert)
The individual and chapter awards are
ready for presentation tonight. Each recipient deserves our
applause for his or her hard work and accomplishments.
Eight scholarship applications were received. It is not
always easy to make our scholarship known in the schools.
Chapters should make a good effort to talk to the counselors
and provide the applications for students that are eligible.
Conservation Seed (Dave)
About the same numbers of orders placed
as last year.
2,750 bags of seed are ordered, or 4,000 acres at $9/acre to
plant.
The corn is round up ready.
The pick up date is tentatively April 10.
Seed Subsidy is not done through the state chapter/???NWTF.
We are not doing anything with perennials as a state chapter,
and this is not funded through Super Fund. For the general
membership, orders are placed directly with NWTF, and 1/3 of
the cost is for shipping.
Patch Program (Troy)
The new 2010 patch is passed around.
Post cards have been sent to previous purchasers by bulk
mail.
The patch winner will be acknowledged tonight, and will go to
the NRC meeting.
Students design these patches. D. Elshof promotes this
activity in schools and the rules are posted on the internet.
The DNR and NWTF patches are on display at MSU, thanks to
everyone’s great cooperation.
Our Educator of the Year, here tonight, has had several
students from his classes win the patch contest.
Elections for Executive
Board
Nominations for President: Tony Snyder
(Sam, Ron), Herb (Pete) declined.
Nominations closed (Craig, Pete, carried). Tony carried,
congratulated.
Nomination for Vice President: Roger Shoemaker (Pete, Troy).
Nominations closed (Craig, Pete, carried). Roger carried,
congratulated.
Nomination for Secretary: Jan Kuhtic (Herb, Troy).
Nominations closed (Craig, Pete, carried). Jan carried,
congratulated.
Nomination for Treasurer: Gary Salmon (Roger, Herb).
Clarification on Patch Program manager with Patch checkbook:
Troy will continue to manage the Patch Program and will be
responsible along with the new Treasurer for money and
accurate reporting. (Bert, Pete, carried).
Nominations closed (Craig, Pete, carried). Gary carried,
congratulated.
The new officers commit to be accessible by email and phone at
any time.
Terms of all board members must be considered subject to NWTF
bylaw changes.
Old Business
Dates have been set for the 2010 board
meetings: July 17 at the Carl Johnson Center, September 18,
tentatively at Jay’s in Clare, and January 15, 2011 at the
convention location. All meetings start at 9:00 am.
Jan asked for a response to the newsletter. Response was
positive. A newsletter will be sent after each board meeting
if possible with a calendar and highlights from the meeting.
Members are invited to contribute articles.
Craig congratulates everyone involved with our turkey patch
program, and comments that other patches are not as well done.
Finally we have a map of chapters and regions, with board
members assigned to each chapter in the state. Phil handed
out sheets with each board member listed with 3-7 chapters.
The purpose is to keep every chapter in touch with their Board
of Directors. After telling the chapter contact we are from
the State Board, we will give them any pertinent information
and invite communication, or visit the chapter. The Regional
Directors can provide phone and email information. Changes
to this list are made with Phil. This information will be put
in the next newsletter.
New Business
Rebecca Humphreys thanks the NWTF for
their support of her position as Director of DNRE (DNR
combined with DEQ).
Gary VanDyke suggests we offer a turkey hunt as part of the
“Pure Michigan Hunt” program. Three hunts are offered now, not
including the wild turkey.
Ron encourages us to keep up with our legislators about gun
rights. There is an attempt now to push out the small gun
dealers. Don’t take our rights for granted.
Keep up with the current news. Ron offers to keep us up to
date by email. James Earl reminds us that the NWTF also
monitors legislation on this topic, and will not compromise
our rights.
Other Business
Dave Newhouse, US Forest Service, thanks
us for the NWTF Making Tracks award given at the NWTF
convention in January 2010.
Al Bobrofsky thanks EVERY volunteer on behalf of the NWTF.
Barry, from the Elk Country Gobblers, would like to plan a
Golf Tournament with local chapters of NE Lower MI to
participate. This could be a statewide tournament for 2011,
with a goal of funding education, habitat, Winter Survival,
JAKES, or WITO programs. He will chair and organize, but
needs committees for corporate donations, registering up to 36
teams of 4 persons, and local chapter assistance. There are 2
courses, and a hotel on site with others nearby. Dates will
probably be around Labor Day weekend. NWTF members will be
invited, with many potential members for NWTF. We support
this statewide project (Gary S., Roger, carried) and will
discuss in July when more details are available.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 pm (Pete, Phil, carried).
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Kuhtic, Secretary
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