APPROVED MINUTES FROM MBF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING 17 NOVEMBER 2005

I. MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: Approved with one correction, Under Newsletter/Update, change Brian to Brent.

II. MEETING LOCATION: Bass Pro Shops–Arundel Mills Mall, Called to order 7:02 PM

III. 2005 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Executive Board Members as follows:  President – Roger Trageser, 1st Vice President – Billy Sanders, 2nd Vice President – Randy Dotson, Treasurer – Brian Cox, Secretary – Rich Welden, Membership Committee Chair – Jim Horn.  Newsletter/Update Editor – Brent Nelson; Others in attendance, WR Dir – Gunner Beale, SR Director - Denis Schanberger, CR Director – Not present, NR Director – George Fortner, Scholarship Committee - Jim Kline, Conservation – Scott Sewell.  

IV. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: None.

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

Brian informed all that a check was written to an MBF member during national championship that was over the authorized limit.  Standing Rules state that the member is entitled to $1,200.00 and an additional $1,000.00 if warranted for expenses; provided that receipts accompanied the later amount.  The check was written (in error) for $2,000.00 and presented in advance of the tx.   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: (Roger and Jim Horn) According to Gary Jones at B.A.S.S. membership rosters will be mailed out to each club by BASS.  Jim Horn will also be mailing a roster to each club.  The idea is for each club to update those rosters and provide the copies to their perspective recipients (BASS and Jim Horn).  Jim mentioned that the membership rosters have been updated and will be mailed out to all clubs ASAP.

- B.A.S.S. raises membership dues: Roger received an email from TBF complaining that BASS was raising the dues without discussion/consultation with the TBF reps. The letter further recommended that state federations collect the normal $15.00 BASS membership dues and rosters.  TBF will be meeting with BASS in January and will discuss the dues issues at that time.  This solution may be problematic due to a possible lapse in insurance coverage - if not received by BASS by 31 December, no coverage is provided.  Original discussion by the Executive Board on how to deal with this issue, it was suggested that MBF clubs should send their total MBF dues plus $20.00 BASS dues amount ($40.00) to the MBF PO BOX and then Roger will send the BASS dues to BASS with a cover letter explaining that the MBF will wait for the outcome of the January meeting between BASS and TBF.  ULTIMATELY, THE BOARD DECIDED THAT THE MBF ACCEPT THE DUES RAISE AS NOT TO JEOPARDIZE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MBF AND BASS; AND HAVE CLUBS SEND THE INCREASED DUES AMOUNT OF $20.00 TO BASS ALONG WITH UP-TO-DATE CLUB ROSTERS.  JIM HORN WILL ALSO BE SENDING THE CLUB ROSTERS OUT TO EACH CLUB AT SOONEST OPPORTUNITY ALONG WITH THIS WILL BE A LETTER FROM ROGER EXPLAINING THE DUES ISSUE.

2. Youth: (Randy for Earl) Casting Kids - state finals are complete.  Congratulations to Alex Thomas and Douglas Neary who won their perspective age categories and will represent the MBF at the next series of CK events.  Earl held the youth raffle at the CK Event, 1st place winner was Mr Miller.  An additional $160.00 was collected in raffle ticket sales prior to the official drawing.  Randy will be disseminating certificates of appreciation to Bassin’ Bunch, Jr Pro Formance Fishing Team, Nat/Capitol area Skeeter owner’s club, Kickin’ Bass Anglers and Hawg Wild B/M for their support to the CK event.

- Potomac River Youth Invitational:  The MBF youth Potomac Invitational is set for 18 June 06 and has already received participation promises from MD, VA, DC and NJ.  WV, PN , OH , DE have also been invited and Randy plans on posting an open invitation on the B.A.S.S. website.  A committee will most likely be formed to handle the event and MBF members are highly encouraged to lend support for this tx.  Boat Captains will be needed as well as grounds support, boat launch and weigh-in etc.  Please come out and support this effort.

- Youth Bylaws and Standing Rules: Jim Kline is currently drafting those documents to outline duties, responsibilities and rules of the youth program and will most likely mirror those of the MBF.  

 

3. Scholarship: (Jim Kline): The board did meet and all six applicants received a $500.00 scholarship.  A congratulations letter from the MBF will be sent to each recipient. The following received scholarships: Danielle K. Shives,  (Elementary Education), Hagerstown Comm. College Drew C. Holler, (Exercise Science), Towson University                Joshua P. Fiedler, (Wildlife & Fisheries), Frostburg State University Jessica L. Jones, (Psychology), Towson University                   Breanne L. Pittman, (Business Mngt), Comm College of Baltimore      Amanda R. Dotson, (Psychology), University of Southern Maryland    

 

4. Conservation: (Scott) Wheelabrator update: A total of 509 bass fry survived, each was 6 to 9 inches long.  200 were distributed in the Middle River , and the remaining 309 to the Choptank.  Scott ensured that the fry were dispersed at the head-waters and backs of creeks for a better chance of survival. The project was a great success and next year Scott will be trying to get bass fry for no cost.

- MARC revitalization: Scott and Roger attended a meeting in an effort to help revitalize the Council.  Turnout was great and lots of issues were identified for future consultation.  During the meeting it was suggested that a representative from the MBF sit on the Sports Fishing Advisory Board, Roger volunteered to be the rep.   (MARC = Maryland Aquatic Resources Council).

- DCL Committee report: (Jim Kline) Personnel shortages are affecting operations at the lake.  Paul Durham (previous lake administrator) was present - representing TAD – Thousand Acre Development - plugging the construction of a 1000 acre country club/development for “Public/Private” members. Evidently, what that means is that the public is welcome to use the facilities after they become a “Private” club member.    

   

5. Newsletter/Update: (Brent): Update: - Brent has been updating the site, he was a little shy on pictures for the last issue.  The next issue (Winter) is under construction and the deadline for input is 15 December - Brent still needs as much input as possible.  Brent received the tx history files from Jamie and T.R. and is working on getting that info converted from EXCEL to a WORD/(FRONT PAGE) HTML format for publishing.  He also received the MBF history from Denis and will, in time, get that info posted as well.  An updated mailing list is needed by HBP to ensure every MBF member gets their Federation Update.  Brent and Jim will get together to handle this item.

 

VI. OLD BUSINESS: Skeeter boat update: Gary Wimmer has agreed to purchase the boat/note back at 25% off retail value.  Roger proposes that MBF members have the opportunity to silent (sealed) bid for the boat starting at the price ($13,000.00) that Gary will buy the boat back for if not sold.  Gary ’s deadline would be in February so the MBF should make the boat available for bidding immediately through mid January (Expo date).  Highest bidder gets the boat, or the note for the boat to use as an upgrade.  Deadline to submit a bid is 14 January via a sealed bid sent to the MBF PO BOX.  In the event of a tie, a bid-off will be held.

- TX trail 2006: Dates and locations for the tx trail were not voted on due to lack of quorum vote at the October EB meeting.  In order to get the dates and locations published in Federation update and on the website, The proposed dates and locations were summarily approved by Roger.  Jamie volunteered to accept and process the tx trail applications and perform the draw for the trail txs.  It was requested that a member from the EB stand in as a witness during the draw/pairing process; the Secretary volunteered to be the witness to dispel any perceived incongruities.  Discussion by the EB deemed it necessary to hold a quorum vote and modify the existing trail application to reflect: Specifically, that payout be disbursed to 20 percent of the placing anglers vice 10%, secondly that the Visa/Master card payment option be deleted due to overhead costs incurred for so few using that payment option.  A MOTION WAS MADE TO ACCEPT THE CHANGES AS STATED, THE MOTION WAS SECONDED AND A UNANIMOUS VOTE RESULTED.   

- Location for 2006 SQT:  Since a quorum vote was present, the EB held discussion on where the tx would be held.  Two proposals were received and possible sites are the Potomac River ( Smallwood State Park ) and the Upper Bay (Elk neck State Park).  A VOTE WAS HELD AND THE RESULTS WERE - FOUR VOTES FOR UPPER BAY AND THREE FOR THE POTOMAC .  The 2006 SQT will be held on the Upper Bay , third weekend in May.  Discussion ensued about the possibility of swapping the location for the SQT each year.  The location of the SQT is determined through a vote determined by tx committee receipt of proposals from the MBF membership via their regional representation.  It was also discussed that Smallwood state park was already booked and paid for to hold the SQT.  General consensus was to retain Smallwood state park for that event regardless of the switch to Upper Bay .  This would lock out the park to any other major tx venue.

 

VII. NEW BUSINESS:  MBF Region meetings/participation:  Discussion ensued whether regional club meeting attendance was meeting MBF Bylaw required numbers. Should the standing rule be changed to reflect 80 percent required participation.  Roger tabled the issue until the December EB meeting to give a chance for region reps to get input from their membership.  

- MBF 2006 Budget:  A reminder was submitted that the 2006 budget be outlined and presented at the next Executive Board meeting (15 December).  Roger asked Brian Cox to provide him a GAIN/LOSS statement ASAP.

– 1st Vice President vacancy:  Unfortunately for the MBF, Bill Sanders has announced his intent to resign from the Executive Board 1st VP position.  According to by laws, the position can be filled by elevating the 2nd VP to the higher position, or holding general elections to gain a replacement.  The 2nd VP declined the ascent due to his considerable contribution/support to the MBF youth program.  A general election will have to be conducted to rightfully fill Bill’s position.  Expect to see more information regarding nominations, etc in the very near future.

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 9:54 PM. Next meeting will be held 15 December, 2005 at the BPS Conference room.