Minutes of June 13, 1998 Meeting, 12 noon at Jay's Sporting Goods
Meeting called to order by President Ed Spinazzola. Board members present: Ed Spinazzola, Frank Myers, Phil Andres, John Williams and Boyd Wiltse. General membership attendees: Lee Brooks, Bill Sclesky, Dick Shellenbarger, Ron Southwell and Jim Williams.
Secretary Report: Brief overview of minutes presented by Boyd Wiltse. Motion by Lee Brooks and 2nd by Ron Southwell to accept minutes as written and publish to general membership. Motion carried.
Treasurer Report: Phil Andres gave Treasurers report and summary of expense items. Motion by Lee Brooks to pay outstanding bills and accept treasurer's report as stated and 2nd by Jim Williams. Motion carried.
Education Report: Ed Spinazzola reported that our September 12, 1998 annual educational seminar is set to be held at Gladwin High school and everything is progressing well. Ed presented the tentative seminar agenda. It was agreed that the agenda provided sufficient time for the speakers and provided flexibility in that speaker time and Q&A time could be increased and take up a portion of the 45 minute break periods. Dick Shellenbarger agreed to coordinate the specifics for the DNR portion of the seminar program. Ed also indicated that we needed about 3,000 copies of the seminar program to promote the event, which has proven to be very valuable in past years. Lee Brooks motioned that we purchase 3,000 copies (approximate cost of $200) for dissemination throughout the State to promote the seminar. Motion 2nd by John Williams and Frank Myers. Motion carried.
We are looking for volunteers to handle drawings and the handing out of door prizes during seminar breaks and intermissions (Ted Novak has performed this function in the past but has other commitments and will be unable to attend this year's seminar). Dick Shellenbarger will investigate getting wildlife prints for prizes. It is important that we get a volunteer or we will probably have to eliminate from this year's program. Anybody wishing to volunteer may contact Boyd Wiltse (810-231-9560) or Ed Spinazzola (810-739-8770).
Ed Spinazzola, Boyd Wiltse and Dick Shellenbarger provided feedback on the DMU 107 QDM Proposal (Three Point on One Side Antler Requirement) and the May 13th NRC meeting. There was obvious disappointment in the proposal not being approved. However from a positive standpoint, we came very close (perhaps as close as one of the NRC commissioners being absent and unable to vote due to health). And as Dick Shellenbarger pointed out, we have become well known and recognized by the DNR and NRC, and as a result are able to get their attention, which should be of benefit in any future QDM initiatives. We are looking for membership input and suggestions as to where we should go from here.
Ron Southwell spoke of Mid Forest Lodge (MFL) QDM efforts and successes. The program is voluntary but has various incentives for encouraging participation and more importantly members are finding QDM to be a rewarding process which increases hunter satisfaction. Ron also indicated that MFL has elected to reduce their deer-feeding program.
Boyd Wiltse gave an up-date on membership, QDMA plans and things to look for in the Whitetails Journal. Specifically, in addition to a new film on QDM, a current edition of the Al Brothers book will be available. Look for these in the next Whitetails Journal. We are being requested to have our orders in by September so accurate purchase requirements can be determined. Also, national QDMA will be coming out with a catalog to promote various QDMA merchandise that will help to financially support future initiatives.
Boyd Wiltse informed members that national QDMA had agreed to include all Michigan QDMA members as one group which means that our Mid-Michigan Branch QDMA membership increases from approximately 100 to 200 members. This will eliminate confusion and errors as to which group MI QDMA members belong to (general or Mid-Michigan Branch QDMA) and will help to further promote QDM efforts, including the signing up of additional members through our internet web page. At the same time QDMA headquarters had a concern with us advertising annual dues of $25 ($20 QDMA and $5 local) and they felt we could raise more additional monies through fundraisers with less effort as compared to local dues collection and follow-up requirements.
If another Michigan QDMA Branch is formed, a geographical region will be established for the new Branch and all members living within that area will become a member of the new Branch.
Boyd Wiltse motioned that local dues be eliminated and that current year member payments be treated as a contribution unless they specifically request a refund, in which event the entire $5 will be refunded. Motion was 2nd by Frank Myers. Motion carried.
This means that all annual dues follow-up and collection will be performed by national QDMA. Members will receive notice from QDMA when their membership payment is due and they will mail their dues payment directly to QDMA (no more double handling and follow-up by the Branch and QDMA).
It was suggested by Frank Myers that we have a banner and meeting notice displayed at the Jay's entrance and the Outback meeting room for future meetings, which would help to promote QDM and advise others as to our presence. Members agreed this was a good idea and Boyd Wiltse and Ed Spinazzola will coordinate implementation commencing with our August 15th meeting.
Jay's Sporting Goods is looking for volunteers to help out on Kids' day, August 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a good cause and is very rewarding from a personal standpoint. A sign-up sheet was passed around and several members volunteered their time for August 8th. If you would like to sign-up, please contact Boyd Wiltse (810-231-9560) or Jay's Sporting Goods - Ken Logan (517-386-3475). Jay's has been very good to us and this represents a small effort on our part to help out (which is fun besides).
Discussions were held on raffle ticket sales and possible good sales locations and dates. Ideas presented included Heritage day in Midland and Jay's Kids' day. It was also suggested that we could put on a QDM educational clinic for Jay's Kids' day. It was agreed that these were good ideas that should be pursued for 1999. Frank Myers will investigate Heritage day in Midland and Ed Spinazzola will see if he can get us booked up for the Outback room on Jay's Kids' day for next year.
As always, we had a very good meeting and as Ed says, let's keep the fun in hunting and deer management.
