Fur Takers of America Governing Board Meeting
Columbus, Indiana
June 9, 2010

 

Call meeting to order at approximately 8:00 AM
 President made opening remarks and thanked everyone for coming. Welcomed anyone who is not on the Board to the meeting, but cautioned all to the limited involvement.

President announced that Paul (Secretary) has resigned and that Tim Julien, General Organizer would be recording minutes.

Roll call - all 21 members present in person or by proxy. Steve Craig, Kenneth Jones and Dave Plueger were the three members represented by proxy, two members were not in attendance at beginning of meeting and joined late were Jerry Hall and Rick Benson. A quorum was met and official business could begin.

President introduced the NTA representative to the FTA; John Daniels and a special guest from the USSA Frank Price.

Motion carried to accept minutes from June 2009 meeting without reading.

Treasurer provided an unaudited report (attached)

President’s report--This has been a very busy year for me. We continue to get new chapters and affiliates. We continue to hold our membership numbers. Again the biggest thing that I have going is the Maine Lawsuit, which I will explain later. We also have the Montana initiative, and the problem in Wisconsin. All of these will be explained later.  We continue to stay on top of the BMP’s with Dave Hastings and Gary Jepson attending the meeting this past March. Also Dave and Gary attended the Midwest Fur Bearer workshop for the FTA in South Dakota. Robert Waddell attended the Southeast Fur Bearer workshop in Alabama. The sweepstakes and bear trap raffle has done great again this year, even with the economy the way it is. I had to attend an all day seminar to get our gaming license number. I would like to thank Tim Rose for getting the prizes for the sweepstakes and Louie Krumwiede for the donation of the bear trap.
     The January officers’ meeting again was a very productive meeting. Last year I attended a lot of FTA meetings. I think it does a lot to put the FTA in front of the trappers. I have already attended several meets this year, which have been very productive. I have already been asked to attend several meets, including the NTA directors meeting. I could keep on going, but it is time for the other officers to speak.
     If you have any questions see me after the meeting.

Vice- Presidents report--General comment that Vice President feels the past year has been one of the best and most successful year for the FTA. More input to be provided during the meeting on specific issues.

General Organizers report – Primary focus will be establishing a communications network with affiliates and chapters. Stated need to redefine goals and efforts to increase affiliates and or chapters. Solicit input from current chapters, affiliates and board members to encourage grass root involvement.

Chairman of the Board report--Tim Rose thanked the governing board members and encouraged the present board members to step up and nominate themselves to serve as this year’s chairman of the board.

Committee Reports

a. College Committee: Financial report provided to the board by co-director Gene Beeber (attached).

b. Magazine Editor Report: Presented by Editor Dave Hastings (attached).

c. BMP Committee Report: Attached at end of editor Report and Gary Jepson provided comments.

d. Financial Review Committee: Tim Rose and Gene Purdy have had access to detailed financial information on a regular basis. No problems reported.

e. Ethics Committee Report: Gary Jepson reports no current issues to report.

f. Nominating Committee Report provided by Cory Van Driel. Disappointed that all nominations were received by only four members. Report attached.

g. Promotional Committee report given by past committee chairman Tim Rose, and encouraged others to provide input on ideas for membership recruitment and retention.

h. Merchandise Committee report--Louie Krumwiede to give report and showed the Board new hat designs that are available and discussed the general concept of providing new merchandise. Louie also gave update on progress of Favorite Set of Top Trappers which has been steady.

i. Circle of Friends report provided by Treasurer Carol Krumwiede who explained the total included allocated support of Outdoor Channel project and general fund donations.

j. Scholarship committee report given by Jerry Schilling. Jerry removed himself from the evaluation of applicants. The committee selected Kenny Schilling as the recipient this year. Discussion on balance in scholarship fund was held and the board was reminded that the Southwest Arkansas Fur Takers Chapter donated $2000.00 to this fund last year.

k. Convention Committee report given by Jerry Schilling. He indicated all is well with no issues of major concern. The 2011 convention will be in Northwest New York on Lake Erie.

l. Website, Pro-Active, Rules, By-Laws and Education Committees all had brief discussions with no actions needed and no major issues of concern to report.

Old Business – None

New Business as follows:

m. National awards—President reports that "I hope that what happened this year will not be able to happen again; with the resignation of the Secretary we were scrambling at the last minute to complete the process." As a result the administration of the national awards program was not up to normal FTA standards. To prevent this from happening in the future we will be addressing the appointment of a Committee to handle this task instead of one person. The plaques have been made and will be ready for presentation at the National Council Meeting.

n. Motion made and carried to appoint the committee members for 2010-2011 as attached. A new standing committee was established as the Wild Fur Promotional Committee, which will be chaired by Tim Rose. The president encouraged all committee persons to get active on the committees as much as possible and to hold meetings in conjunction with the convention whenever practical.

o. Motion made and carried to review Outdoor Channel segments over lunch and tabled issue discussion and actions until after lunch.

Adjourned until 1:00 PM

Reconvened at 1:17 PM

New Business Continued:

p. Outdoor Channel report--Dave Hastings and Chuck Sykes gave report.

q. Treasurer gave report on funding of project. Raised $25,000 in dedicated donations of the $45,000 needed. The project is paid for, however if we intend to do this again we will need to raise more money.

r. Motion made and carried to produce "FTA Chronicles Segments" again with new funding a priority to succeed.

s. Motion carried to appoint Tim Rose and Rick Benson co-chairmen of a Fund Raising Committee with a goal of $45,000 in funding for the Outdoor Channel Project also known as the FTA Trapping Chronicles.

t. Election was conducted to elect a new Chairman of the Board. Gene Purdy was elected with unanimous vote.

u. Election was conducted to temporarily fill the position of Secretary for the remainder of the current term. Patty Lowe was elected by ballot vote of the governing board.

v. Motion made and carried to create a program for sponsorship of award plaques to be auctioned at next convention. President will research details and refine program. General discussion of program was: starting at the 2011 convention all the trap setting plaques (31) will be auctioned off during the FTA auction. About every 15 or 20 minutes a category like (boys multi) of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plaques are auctioned off. The buyer would have his name put on the plaque that he buys at next year’s trap setting contest as the sponsor. We will need to have some one keep track of the names of the buyers and how much he spends.

w. Motion made and carried to require the signature of both the President and the Treasurer or their representatives to withdraw any money from the Life Member Certificate of Deposit. This is an organizational requirement that does not effect the banking requirements of the CD and is an additional safeguard to prevent any one person from accessing the funds in the Life Member Account.

x. Motion made and carried to provide the WI DNR with footage from the FTA Chronicles production to support trapping thru media productions, broadcast and other formats on a non-commercial basis. A great deal of discussion was had and strong tones were expressed that the FTA not be connected with the collaboration between the WI DNR and HSUS. The FTA strongly rejects any and all co-operative endeavors with the HSUS.

y. Robert Waddell briefed the board on the South East Resources Workshop, which he attended as a representative of the FTA. A written report is attached.

z. Motion was made and carried to pay for biologist memberships gifted by Robert Waddell at the Southeast Resources workshop. These are memberships gifted by Robert Waddell to biologists in attendance at the workshop.

aa. Motion made and carried to provide magazines at no cost to state biologists involved with fur harvesting activities. Membership Coordinator/Treasurer will refine details similar to school program. 

bb. Motion was made and carried to renew the editor’s contract as presented.

       

Help at FTA booths---As you know the FTA booth at the conventions are always set up and run by the treasurer and secretary. At the NTA convention the booth is always set up and run by the FTA/NTA representative. We are asking that every director or officer, if they are present to spend some time helping at the FTA booth to relieve those working so that they may enjoy the conventions. I know this is not in your duties, but it needs to be done. Let Carol or Dave know if you can help.

Maine lawsuit--- President reported that the AWI has filed an appeal (which has been granted). At this time our lawyers have filed a 58 page contesting the appeal. We are currently awaiting a hearing date as part of the appellate process.

Montana ballot initiative-- The deadline is coming soon for the initiative to meet the signature requirements to be placed on the ballot. So far as we know the number has not been reached and it is possible it will be stopped for the time being. No additional funding is being allocated at this time.

Wisconsin problem--- President summarized the situation in WI as "The Wisconsin DNR has partnered with HSUS for an advertisement telling people not to pick up baby animals. They both put up $6000.00 each. We do not have a problem with the advertisement but with them taking the $6000.00 from HSUS to help pay for it. There have been a lot of complaints to the DNR. I sent a letter stating the FTA’s position of which I have not received an answer."
Dave Hasting explained the exchange of dialogue between the WI and himself. It is accepted that the WI DNR official position is that they defend their actions because it is a good message. The FTA will not accept this conclusion and it has been stated by some that "it is the equivalent of accepting money from terrorist to repair roads damaged by terrorist."

Membership report and membership incentive program was discussed with the discussion lead by treasurer. Statistical information attached.

Budget---Carol explained the process used to create the budget.

Reimbursement policy draft provided for review. Motion was made and carried as amended. New policy attached.

Donation to the USSA - Motion made and carried to donate $5000.00 as a general donation to the USSA.

Donation to the trail Blazer program – Motion made and carried to donate $2000.00 to the trailblazer program of the USSA.    

Donation to the USSA for the Maine lawsuit – Motion made and carried to donate $5000.00 thru the USSA towards the Maine Lawsuit.

Membership to the American Association of Fish and Wildlife Agency---We are a contributing member of the AAFWA that lets the FTA receive a copy of their annual report. We have the privileges of the association, including a vote when taken by non-government appointed officials. The cost is $1000.00 per year. This needs to be voted on every year.  We have been a member since 2001.
 Motion was made and carried to renew the FTA’s membership in the AAFWA (America Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Forming an Awards committee discussion--- President: "The reason I think we need to have a committee is so that what happened this year does not happen again. You know the problems we had with the National awards voting this year. This committee would call for nominations and see that the directors and Officers would get all the information about the nominees to be voted on. Receive the votes and notify the president who has won, also who ever has the plaques made. General discussion included and expressed intent to have the process in the hands of more than one person and that the program should maintain the governing board votes to decide award recipients.

Motion was made and carried to direct President to appoint Awards Committee with the purpose for reviewing current policy and to draft an awards policy for board approval.

Congressional Sportsmen Council--It was brought to my attention and suggestion that we should belong to this council which is made up of congressmen in DC. Detail discussion by the board about the issue with no action taken. 

Magazines for schools. - Motion was made and carried to continue with the Magazines for Schools program.

Auction discussion – Louie explain how the trap auction would work and how we will add a silent action during the National Council meeting. Louie has collected over 116 Traps from trappers and all will be available with certificates at Saturday night’s auction. Auction will also begin earlier than normal (4:00 PM) to facilitate the increase in items.

Insurance for the FTA – Tim Julien reported on problems finding an insurance underwriter as explained to him by Jim Pace and associates. The search continues.

Favorite Sets of Top Trappers--The executive council gave the go ahead at the January 2010 meeting for book #4 with Roy Greenfield and Louie working on this. Louie gave update.

Sweepstakes report---Gave report on 2010 sweepstakes and bear trap raffle. Drawing to be conducted at the national council meeting. President thanked Tim Rose for collecting the prize commitments and Louie for the success of the bear trap raffles. Treasurer Carol stated the final tally is not in yet, but it looks like another record year for sales.

Manufacturer’s meeting---President stated;"As you know last years meeting was a great success. I have sent out 31 letters to the different manufactures asking them to be at the meeting Thursday 7:00pm at the fair grounds. Greg Waters of the BMP’s will be there to answer questions. If you can be there you are welcome, come and see what happens.
Gary, Dave, Tim, and I will be there."

Charlie Dobbins Fund-- The scholarship is for $500.00, which was approved last year. We are always seeking more funding. Last year we had a generous donation by the Southwest Arkansas Fur Takers Chapter of $2000.00.

Bear foot bear trap setting and skillet throw contests – President reported that these two are always a big success and reminded the board that the changes voted on in 2008 will take effect this year. (copy of rules attached). Woodboy again will handle the contests and will need help in putting these contests on.

Motioned made and carried to adjourn at 4:18 PM.

 



         

 


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