MINUTES FROM MBF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING 19 JANUARY 2005

I. MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: Approved with no corrections.

II. MEETING LOCATION: Bass Pro Shops–Arundel Mills Mall, Called to order 7:01 PM

III. 2005 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Executive Board Members as follows:  President – Roger Trageser, 1st Vice President – Bill Sanders, 2nd Vice President – Randy Dotson, Treasurer – Brian Cox, Secretary – Rich Welden, Membership Committee Chair – Jim Horn.  Update Editor/Webmaster – Brent Nelson; Others in attendance, WR Dir – Gunner Beale, SR Director - Denis Schanberger, CR Director – Randy Bottomly, NR Director – George Fortner, Scholarship Committee/Youth Director - Jim Kline, Conservation – Scott Sewell, Sponsorship – Dick Brown. 

IV. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Rick LaNore

TREASURER’S REPORT: Brian handed out a financial statement and explained all aspects to the Board members.

Brian purchased the software ($50.00) to process 1099 tax forms, which will save the MBF by not having to hire an expert to process the forms for us.   Brian is also preparing the advertisement billing to be sent out for ads in the Federation Update.  Brian stated that some MBF clubs are asking him about using the MBF’s tax ID number for holding txs or fund raisers.  Apparently some clubs are being turned down by banks to open accounts without a Tax ID number.  Brian wanted to know if it was legal for clubs to use MBF’s tax ID number. Jim Horn, a CPA, pointed out that a club would have to submit for their own ID number.  Roger will check into the legalities with other tax professionals/accountants.  A Motion was made to accept the treasurer’s report as presented; the motion was seconded and accepted by all present as record.

V. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

1. Membership: (Jim Horn) To date, out of 83 total clubs, five have folded and sixteen clubs have not sent in their rosters/renewal.  Jim named the clubs so the region representatives could verify/check on the status of those clubs.  Jim was concerned that an MBF member running for an officer position has not confirmed his B.A.S.S. membership and therefore may not be eligible to run for the position.  Jim indicated that until the member shows his BASS number, he would not be eligible for that position.  It was stated that the individual had until 23 January to prove his membership or his name would be removed from the voting ballot.  The Executive Board concurred with Jim’s decision for the deadline.  

2. Youth: (Randy & Jim Kline) Casting Kids, Randy thanked all MBF regions for their outstanding assistance at the Timonium Bass Expo casting kids events.   Randy also bragged on our youth members for their performance at the Youth Regionals competition in Florida .  Douglas Neary, took second place overall for his age group and Alex Thomas won the event overall and will be progressing to the National CK championship.  This makes two years back-to-back that MD has been represented at the National CK championship.  Randy and Jim Kline are working on the finalities of sending out youth invitational tx packages for the June 18th tx.  There is concern over the current BASS/TBF issue that State federations that have already agreed to participate may not be choose to do so after changing affiliation.   Jim Kline is working on renewing the MBF youth booklet, which was last updated in 2003, Jim is also working on youth rosters and will get them to Jim Horn when completed.  Jim asked if youth tx dates (Jr Mr bass/SQT, etc) had been booked yet?  Randy indicated that only the Youth Invitational was booked and that he would provide Jim a summary of previous youth tx dates, etc. Randy asked Jim to provide the dates for the tx and Randy would take care of reserving/booking them.  Jim reminded region directors about the youth auction at the upcoming President’s meeting, he needs their support to ensure a successful fund raiser.     

- Funding support for MBF Youth member:  Jim asked about obtaining funding support from the MBF for Zack Cable on his upcoming trip to the Jr World Championship tx.  Funding support to Youth members for CK is outlined in the Standing Rules and Jim wants to see an “all emcompassing” standing rule established to cover funding support for the Youth championship/National tx’s.  After considerable discussion from the Executive board, A MOTION WAS MADE TO MODIFY STANDING RULE UNDER SECTION XI – YOUTH: WHICH CURRENTLY READS: “That the MBF pay all reasonable travel expenses for the CastingKids State Champion contestant and one adult, regardless of the payment from B.A.S.S. (Participants must submit vouchers for reimbursement)” TO ADD THE WORDS AFTER CastingKids State Champion “, and JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION” contestant and one adult, regardless of the payment from B.A.S.S……  THE MOTION WAS SECONDED AND ALL BUT ONE BOARD MEMBER VOTED APPROVAL.  Randy indicated that outlining a figure for travel expenses did not have to take place this evening. Further discussion outlined that if the tickets are purchased, the MBF will reimburse the Cable family for reasonable travel expenses.   Finally, Jim asked for two tx (Skeeter) shirts be purchased and provided to the youth members traveling to the championships.  Dick Brown will check with Skeeter rep to check on availability of tx shirts.  The date for the youth banquet has not been set, Jim will ensure all are informed when a firm date is obtained.

3. Scholarship: (Jim Kline): Butch Ward Memorial Tx:  Jim asked that he be allowed to use the MBF’s trailer and equipment for the upcoming Butch Ward Memorial tx in PA.  Proceeds from the tx will go to the Scholarship fund.  Jim also asked that an inventory of the trailer be conducted.  Jim was given permission to use the trailer after Roger asked the Executive Board. 

4. Conservation: (Scott) Scott worked the Timonium Bass expo all four days and managed to come up with $180.00 in donations and sales of shirts, hats and old MBF patches.  Scott also received a custom “Gator” fishing rod ($120.00 value) as a donation to the MBF.   The MBF booth was adorned with a collage on the Wheelabrator project and other MBF memorabilia.  Roger expressed a personal thank you to all MBF members who stepped up to handle the booth and CK events.  Scott also received a round of applause for his dedicated time and efforts at/on the MBF booth.

- MSSA:  The Maryland Saltwater Sportsman Association had a display at the Expo of an artificial fish structure that they put in the Bay.  Scott believes the structures would be great for bass and will be meeting with the MSSA to encourage placement of some of these structures in the Middle River .  Scott and MSSA folks will be meeting with Baltimore county officials to try to obtain a permit for placement.

- 2006 Conservation Initiatives:  Habitat – fishing structures, Wheelabrator (DNR has agreed to give away the bass fry), Weigh station on Deep Creek Lake .

- Upcoming Meetings: There will be a MARC meeting on 20 January, on 25 January there will be a meeting concerning the opening of a netting season for yellow perch on Nanticoke and Choptank rivers.   

- DCL Committee report: (Jim Kline) Will be attending a Policy and review board meeting this Monday evening concerning changing the maximum boat length to exceed 30’ (to accommodate the 45’ tour boats).  There is also an issue concerning the ramped building of boat docks around the lake.    

5. Update Editor/Webmaster: (Roger for Brent): Brent is still working on the webpage.  His work on the Updates have been excellent, especially with posting the standing rules and executive board minutes.  Roger stressed that MBF members need to submit articles and pictures from club events etc.

6. Tx Report:  (Roger) Jamie Coyle has received 13 tx trail applications to date.  Jamie will provide Brian entry fee/checks received.  

VI. OLD BUSINESS: Skeeter boat update: Bid sheets have been mailed out, the deadline to submit a bid was extended to 31 January 2006.  If no bids are received, Roger will contact Gary at Highway Marine to close the deal.

- 1st VP nominations:  Ballots have been mailed out and all regions need to ensure that completed ballots are returned to the MBF prior to the February Executive Board Meeting.

- MBF Directory: Jim is working on getting the membership information completed (this is dependant upon the clubs returning an updated roster).  Roger will then contact HBP for an estimated preparation time, and adjust the submission of membership information to that point for a first week in March mailing date.  Any membership information that is not updated prior to submission to HBP, will not make it in the Directory.    

VII. NEW BUSINESS:  2006 Budget:  Roger asked all board members if they had looked over the proposed budget (previously provided) and if there were any questions.  There were questions raised over some to the areas in income and expenses, and as Roger pointed out, the budget proposal is just that, a proposal at this time.  The board will continue to discuss the figures with recommendations for adding/subtracting between now and the President’s conference in March.  

     - Federation National Championship: Kevin Waterman finished 5th place in the         Mid-Atlantic division and 29th overall, Congratulations Kevin on a strong finish.   

- Special Executive Board/President’s meeting: Roger reminded all elected board officials will be meeting at Rich Welden’s home on 21 January to discuss the merits of BASS and TBF proposals.   Also, on 29 January there will be a special President’s meeting for all MBF club Presidents at the Gamber fire hall in Finksburg. Hall opens at 10 and the meeting will begin at 10:30.  There was some discussion that the special President’s meeting should be open to more of the club members in the event a vote is called upon to determine BASS or TBF/FLW affiliation, Roger remained firm to a club president and/or a representative only. 

- Standing rules: It was brought to the attention of the Executive Board that a previously amended SR “a non-return of ballots will constitute a “Yes” vote, which was amended to “a vote of abstention” should include the wording “excluding by-law changes.”  Another Standing Rule states that there will be a patch provided for fishing the SQT. Since this hasn’t been done for 2005, Roger asked for someone to design a patch for 2006, Bill Sanders volunteered to take on this task.  Finally, since the EB voted to do away with the MBF Visa card there are a couple of Standing Rules which reference that card and should be amended.   A MOTION WAS MADE TO AMEND ALL STANDING RULES WHICH REFERENCE THE MBF VISA CARD - TO DELETE THAT REFERENCE.  THE MOTION WAS SECONDED AND ALL BUT ONE MEMBER VOTED APPROVAL.

- AND YET Another Standing rule change: (once again, this is item number five after Denis stated he had a “couple of items”)  It was pointed out that a standing rule made reference to the mandatory meeting before the SQT tx. Since that meeting was no longer a mandatory meeting, that reference to it should be deleted. A MOTION WAS MADE TO REMOVE “MANDATORY MEETING” FROM THAT STANDING RULE.  THE MOTION WAS SECONDED AND ALL VOTING MEMBERS APPROVED THE CHANGE.

- Financial account/books Audit: Standing Rule Article IV section 9 states “the Federation’s financial books and accounts are audited annually by a committee appointed by the President and an outside independent auditor.”  Discussion surrounding this requirement resulted in Roger appointing the special committee consisting of Randy Dotson, 2nd VP and Jim Horn, Membership chairman.  Roger will ensure the independent auditor is hired to go over the books, with the deadline for completion by date of the President’s conference.

- Awards: According to Standing Rules, the nomination for Person(s) of the year need to be input by 31 January of each year.  Therefore Jim Kline nominates Scott Sewell for “Conservation Man of the Year” and reads his nomination letter to all present.         

VIII. REGION REPORTS:  Southern: NTR, Central: NTR, Western: NTR, Northern: NTR.

IX   MOTION TO CLOSE: A motion was made to adjourn, seconded and the meeting was

     called to a close at 9:40 PM. Next meeting will be held 16 February, 2006

     at the BPS Conference room.