B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of Virginia

“A Choice for the Future”

Minutes Meeting

March 5, 2006

The meeting of the board of directors for the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of Virginia was held at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Clarksville, Virginia, on March 5, 2006.

The meeting was called to order by Joan Blankenship, President, at 9:00 AM

Pam Bryant read the minutes of the meeting held February 4, 2006, and gave the treasurers report.

Directors present:

Joan Blankenship President

Sid Ryan Vice-President

Pam Bryant Secretary/Treasurer

Abe Street Tournament Director

Steve Woodroof Region 2 Director

Kenny Brown Region 3 Director

Dwayne Linkous Region 4 Director

Bill Winemiller Region 4 Asst. Director

Mike Bryant Region 5 Director

John Terry, Jr. Region 6 Director

Rick Wisswell Region 7 Director (Acting)

Jim Geiser Region 7 Secretary

John Britton Region 9 Director and Youth Director

Ed Clayton Region 10 for Jim Neece

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and approve the upcoming tournaments; items needed for tournaments (i.e. trailer, scales, ads, raffles, etc.) future board meetings, sponsor contracts and reports from each region.

We took a short break for breakfast and Joan Blankenship, president, talked about the Bassmaster Classic in Florida. John Britton, youth director, spoke about youth at the classic. Cheryl Britton received 85 fishing rods to give to kids with asthma in Rural Retreat.

Joan Blankenship, president, asked for report from each region director.

Region 2: Steve Woodroof, has signed almost every club to BASS in his region. He has contacted Hawg Callers, G. Loomis Rods, Jigs, Skeeter, and looking at others for sponsors.

Region 3: Kenny Brown, no report at this time; just getting started and trying to get as many clubs as possible to sign with BASS.

Region 4: Dwayne Linkous, region 4 kept about half the clubs with BASS and they are ready to fish. Any member that wants to stay BASS from other clubs should contact Pam Bryant or Joan Blankenship. Dwayne asked about decals for truck windows or use in other places. He has found someone to do 18” truck magnets for $50 set. Dwayne asked if patches available yet? No, but Joan has signed contact w/BASS for state of Virginia and we should be getting logo for patches and decals. Dwayne likes the new counters on the state website.

Region 5: Mike Bryant kept 8 of 14 clubs with BASS and one is fishing both BASS and TBF. Region 5 has approved their 2006 schedule and has a new website to link to BASS Federation Nation of VA. Philpott Reservoir has donated two night tournaments to region 5 to help raise money. Mike has purchased the trailer for our upcoming tournaments and has finished the inside wiring. Has spoken with the cabinet maker for the inside desk and drawers to be installed this week and the inside to be painted. We need to start selling ads for the outside to help pay for the trailer.

Region 6: John Terry, kept half the clubs in region 6 with BASS and several are fishing both ways. Next week they are having region meeting to setup tournament schedules for 2006 and get the web page done.

Region 7: Rick Wisswell, over 50% of clubs stayed with BASS a total of 14 to date. They have a presentation for the youth later today. They are donating scales and two tubs from a fundraiser tournament and also donating their old PA system to the youth program.

Region 8: Doug Fisher not present

Region 9: John Britton, Low number of clubs and may combine with another region for region tournaments. Most all of the youth clubs stayed with BASS. John talked about the “Casting Kids” program and clubs can order kits from John Britton or Richard Stanford in Region 4. The clubs cannot participate in Casting Kids if they fish TBF per B.A.S.S. rules. The “Casting Kids” kit contains; 3 rods, targets, backdrops, 50 magazines, flyers for Jr. BASS, 3 jig heads, pack of trailers. (Order for 50 kids and receive 50 forms). Max-10 Bassmasters from Region 5 has youth day each year and it is related to the churches. It is scheduled for June 3, 2006. We can post the procedures to our state website. John asked how many regions had youth day and what the dates were. John will be glad to send each region a kit for the youth and contact information for himself and Richard Stanford.

Region 10: Ed Clayton, attended for Jim Neece, who is in Florida at this time. Some clubs in the region are fishing both ways. They are having a tournament on Saturday, March 18, 2006, to see how many clubs show up for the region. They cannot link to VA website because of TBF. They will have to have two websites.

Joan Blankenship addressed Conservation from BASS. She had a conservation patch that had been out for three years, but had never seen before. Noreen Clough, head of B.A.S.S. Conservation told Joan about scholarships, grants for restoration of ramps that are available. We need to get a person in the conservation position who can work with the Game and Inland Fisheries and the many other conservation organizations. We are still accepting nominations for this position. Also, there is a rails to trails program in Martinsville in conjunction with the Dan River Basin association and many other programs that we can work with and link our federation website to their business.

Joan Blankenship addressed the Tight Lines magazine and its reference in the by-laws. We need to think about changing the name of our magazine and email Joan with ideas. Several people have asked about the magazine. It may be possible to publish one by June 2006. Also, publish one for January winter issue to go with each region calendar. Mrs. Abbey Ryan mentioned doing four per year or 1 each quarter.

Joan discussed the possibility of having club members that meet their participation requirement by helping with the magazine, tournaments and awards and to be a part of B.A.S.S. and be available to help when needed in a capacity other than fishing tournaments. .

Mike Bryant, Region 5, sold an ad to Anglers Choice for our trailer on the stage side. In return they will make all of our ads for the trailer and we pay for the materials. Joan Blankenship has requested the new logo from BASS but has not received it yet. Region 7, suggested we keep all ads the same color to prevent conflicts; black and white. Rick Wisswell, region 7, made a motion that we have three price levels for our ads; $300 for (8X14); $600 for (14X14); and $1,000 for (3’ X 3’); and if someone wants the whole side it would cost $3,000. The motion was seconded by Steve Woodroof, region 2. Six approved and one abstained. Joan Blankenship asked for motion of $3,000 for whole side of trailer and which can be negotiated. Steve Woodroof, region 2 made a motion and John Britton, region 9 seconded. The vote was six approved and one abstain. John Britton asked if the front of the trailer could be used for youth ads? We also need a lunker board on the inside door of the trailer. PHCC has donated a 4X8 chalk board if we need it.

Abe Street, tournament director, asked about the stage. Possibly 5X10 in diamond plate 1/8” thick a minimum of $500. The stage needs to be at least ¼” thick. Abe has a place to make the stage in Pulaski. It was decided to get 4X8X3 tall stage at ¼” thick and have rails. Sid Ryan made a motion to authorize up to $1,000 to build the stage and Mike Bryant, region 5 seconded. Eight in approval and zero opposed or abstained. Rick Wisswell, region 7 offered to loan their stage to use for the first tournament. We are looking into insurance for the trailer when a vehicle is not pulling it.

Region 4, Dwayne Linkous, discussed charity tournaments. His son has a fatal disease like Alzheimer’s and it would be a worthy cause to donate funds to the research for this disease. The website is nnpdf.org. Also, Abbey Ryan asked if we fish charity tournaments to also include the cancer association. The V Foundation was suggested which is also supported by B.A.S.S.. John Britton, region 9, stated this fall would be a good time to schedule a charity tournament. Our original articles of incorporation state we give to charitable organizations. There are also lures for cancer support you can purchase. Joan Blankenship asked for a motion. John Britton gave a motion and John Terry second to give to National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation. and The V. Foundation (cancer research) this year. The vote was unanimous.

Joan Blankenship said there were roughly 90 clubs in the past that fished Mr. Bass and she hopes for 50 this year

Joan Blankenship stated that now is the time to change by-laws if there is anything we want to change. We have a meeting scheduled with attorney on Monday, March 6, 2006.

Abe Street had looked at the ramps locally and Island Creek has added a gravel parking lot. They have two large lots that should accommodate 60. We will leave the ramp as Island Creek per John Terry, region 6 and Sid Ryan.

.John Britton said the youth need a vote. There are over 100 children that fish the youth BASS circuit in Virginia.

Region 7, Rick Wisswell, suggested that we change the qualification of officers by September board meeting and everyone brings nominations for next year. One suggestion is to have a cap on how long a member can hold an office (i.e. two terms).

Joan Blankenship asked the board if we could post minutes on the website instead of mailing to each member to save money. All agreed minutes only, no treasury report.

We want to keep the same dues $20 per member per Steve Woodroof and Mike Bryant. Joan announced that we would not accept dues or entry fees at the ramp for Mr. BASS or Team Championship. This year we will use a pairing of tournament participants instead of pairing of clubs.

John Terry, Region 6, asked if we could change the Team Championship to other place than Buggs Island. Joan will check.

Steve Woodroof likes the change in the Six Man to include 2, 4, or 6 people and make it part of our by-laws. Sid Ryan announced the 4 fish per day and 14” minimum will stay the same. There was other discussion about qualifying for Fall Classic and or trophy and no qualifier.

Host Regions

FALL CLASSIC MR. B.A.S.S.

Region 2– 2006

Region 6 – 2007 Region 10 – 2007

Region 4 – 2008 Region 9&1- 2008

Region 3 – 2009 Region 7&8 – 2009

Region 1&9 – 2010 Region 5 – 2010

Region 7&8 – 2011 Region 2 – 2011

Region 5 – 2012 Region 6 – 2012

Region 10 – 2013 Region 4 – 2013

Region Region 3 – 2014

Ed Clayton stated that South Hill gave $15,000 in cash for Mr. BASS to TBF. John Britton stated that Lowrance was upset when they found out about the split and the TBF group kept the award. Abbey Ryan stated that she thought that the youth and conservation received a $10,000 award. She is to try and get a copy of the letter from BASS about the award in 2005.

John Britton stated he had a conflict with the date for the Maryland youth invitational. Joan Blankenship said she would help. The Mid-Atlantic will be moved to Waldorf, Maryland, Potomac River, Smallwood State Park and keep the same date; Sept. 25-29, 2006. Joan will reserve the rooms now. Steve Woodroof, region 2, will check on the date and ramp to host the Fall Classic.

Steve Woodroof, region 2, asked about a raffle this year. To participate with the gaming commission you have to have non-profit status with the IRS. Steve may be able to go through Blue Ridge Marine for the raffle. Sid Ryan stated we may be able to use the boat for a prize if we cannot get a raffle permit this year. We are suppose to get ticket money back from TBF per club. Check to be issued to Steve Woodroof region 2 and each region director, normally in March.

Joan Blankenship, spoke about sponsorship and different contracts. Motor Guide, Mercury Marine, etc. Motor Guide has offered to give us 4 trolling motors for the price of two.

We discussed who would be able to help with upcoming MR. B.A.S.S. Ed Clayton, region 10, asked about payback from tournaments. It will be 80%. Everyone was happy; only 70% in the past. The Lake Motel is the host for this event and is helping with expenses for some of the rooms. The MR B.A.S.S. entry fee is $70 and $5 of it is for lunker. Ed Clayton will send excel spreadsheet to calculate the payback.

Dates for the remaining 2006 board meetings were set and will be posted on the web site.

Steve Woodroof motioned to adjourn and John Terry seconded motion.