BOARD OF DIRECTORS  MEETING

MINUTES: MARCH 15, 2009

 

 

Board Members Present:

 

Joan Blankenship                                President

Sid Ryan                               Vice-President     

Pam Bryant                          Secretary/Treasurer

Steve Woodroof                  Region 2 Director

Bo Copley                             Region 3 Director

Bill Winemiller                      Region 4 Director

Mike Bryant                         Region 5 Director

Chris Merritt                         Region 6 Director

Rick Wisswell                       Region 7 Director

Ed Clayton                           Region 10 Director

Jeff Franklin                         Tournament Director

                                                Youth Director

 

 

Joan Blankenship, President, called the meeting to order at Clarksville, VA, at 9:00AM. 

 

Minutes from the last meeting were approved as read;  motion by Ed Clayton and Steve Woodroof second.  All approved.

 

Treasurer’s Report was approved unanimously motion by  Bo Copley and second by Ed Clayton.

 

Old Business:

 

  • Tabled vote for By-Law change:  Discussion for ideas.  Mr. BASS Reg. 1-NA; Reg.2 – yes, reg 3 – yes, 4- yes, 6-no 7-yes, 10-yes.  Fall Classic: all approved unanimously.

 

  • 2009 Calendar – Open on 3/14/09 on Kerr.  Bryant Copley, Big fish.  Bryant Copley and Bill Roberts won.  Really poor turn out.   Kyle and Jeff Steman of Virginia Beach won the $500 bonus provided by the town of Clarksville, Chamber of Commerce and CEDA (Clarksville economic development). 

 

  • Mr. BASS – Need workers:  Ed and Damien will help.  Chris Merritt – no. 

 

  • Clarksville room rates too high!!  South Hill cheaper.   Clarksville is providing bonuses for the members who participate in these events. 

 

  • Rosters and Dues – Do not send checks to BASS for dues.    Send to Pam for faster processing. 

 

  • Hook Set – Randy Hinman will start working on ads in February. Joan will do the issue for March.  Deadline 2 weeks from today.  Reinforced 3 ads per region to cover mailing to members.

 

  • State Team boat not sold.    Bo suggested that we sell on Ebay.  We could change the minimum to $20,000.  Consesus from state team w/their approval we will sell on Ebay. All approved.

 

  • Alliance Program –is still the best offer that we have and we need to support it.  All sponsors are cutting back this year.  We still are owed funds from some sponsors and hope to have it by the end of the month. 

 

  • The Optima batteries are too expensive according to board members!!! Even w/discount. 

 

  • Bassmaster Classic President Meeting - Toyota Bonus Bucks be sure to tell the dealership (both member and dealers will benefit), Lowrance, Optima; Triton Boats will mainly sponsor the federation nation and not big advertisers.  Mercury and Motorguide will be sending their products.  Stacy Twigg announced to work more w/youth and conservation.  They are asking for more articles.  They want president reports bi-weekly to monthly.  We need to give Joan info. For her to report to BASS.  It is our fault for not sending info. to Joan and forward to Bass Times and Bassmaster magazine to show Virginia news.  There are a few states that complain and do nothing to help the federation.  Better communication and responsibility for the media.  The Martinsville Bulletin will not print our news.  Maybe we need to use the Danville Register and Bee instead for Region 5. Many anglers are fishing for the money and not the federation.  Work in progress BASS is creating a template for the media.  Online BFN handbooks and online for conservation, community, etc.  Recognize people that does something great for their area send to Joan.
  • We need to promote VA more.  They will spotlight certain states for special things.  All divisional will be livestream w/ESPN360.com. (Since the board meeting we have received notice that federation events will be live streamed on Bassmaster.com)  Pushing the states to share resources.  Stacey and Jon want more communication and group participation.  They want more for the federation as a group.  Different banners and logos for the website.  Continue holding Casting Kids as before.  Deadline for 2009 is 6/30/09.  BASS  paid out the boat and paid each state team members.  They will cut out paybacks, but keep the boat as lst place.  A 3 hour discussion on the states funding the divisional from now on.  The presidents from each state will have a meeting to discuss the divisional and possibly each state have an entry fee of $3000 – 3500 fee to replace the payback.  The state could host the divisional and not BASS.  Mike met w/divisional people of Mid-Atlantic.  All  sponsor money would come back to the state with this proposal.   

 

  • Dues increase in 2010 to $25-30.  They will let us know whether 25 in 2010 and 30 in 2011 or go to $30 starting in 2010.  Mike asked them to increase and leave it alone for years.  It has been $20 for the last 4 years.  BASS said the extra $10 would cover the shortfall.  No longer pay more than 1 national dues no matter how many clubs you belong to.  . 

 

  • Berkley and Booyah – Use Berkley code and receive 30% discount.  Use the retailers and get our members to show the active federation membership and get the discounts.  If we can show more benefit to members the dues increase will not hurt our membership.  All of the Alliance programs could use the federation members card as the ID for discounts and everyone will benefit.

 

  • Conservation meeting at the Classic – Limited time of fish exposure.  They have new oxygen tanks to put in the boats for the fish.  New bag out w/seal top and mesh bottom.  Fizzing of Bass do not go through mouth anymore as you can hit a blood vessel.  Use Ύ” past fin do not squeeze them.  Recommend #18 needle w/ 1 ½”-2”.  Cabelas has kit for about $8.  BASS will get the same and put logo on it.  The profits will go to conservation.  The cost at this time w/BASS is $40. Steve will get a couple for the trailer.  Make sure you fizz under the water.  Acquatic vegetation management.  Two types of acquatic growth; natural slow growing and invasion which is fast growing.  You want natural and long-term in the waters.  Working w/political issues and get involved.  Take reps fishing and get them away from politics.  Thank organizations and shake hands to help get the organization recognized.  Be careful where you fish.  When waters are high you may be fishing private property and not lake waters.

 

  • OCHS donated one tube and we purchased two tubes from them at $75 each to put at Occoneechee state park.  DGIF wants us to partner w/them and maintain the Berkley recycling of fishing line. Ben Bresnahan can give us the specs and Steve wants to make some from scrap pipe and put at SML especially for the Elite in April.

 

 

  • The pump at Occoneechee had some problems but the park staff has fixed it.   Promote Southwest VA.  Develop a brochure to encourage more events in VA, but we do not have enough ramp access.  Franklin Co. trying to acquire 40 acres to put a new ramp on the Roanoke side of SML.

 

  • A joint venture between wildlife, DGIF and 40 different state agencies.  1st meeting in Wakefield, VA.  VA does not have a separate wildlife federation; we work from DC office.  Involved w/climate change in waters and loss of native habitat.  Also, concerned about lack of focus and leadership to help conservation.  #1 concern is clean water in state of VA.  We need a political person to take Conservation and check grants and other funds for rivers, lakes and streams.

 

 

New  Business:

 

  • The town of Clarksville gave us $2500 to add to the tournaments in Clarksville.  $500 to open and $1000 to team championship and $1000 to Fall Classic in a random draw.  Chances will be $10 at the Team Championship..

 

  • BASS Youth – Not represented.  The Casting Kids will partner w/Trailblazer Adventures.  Becky Gore has been using this in the northern part of the state for years.  Use w/boy scouts.  The Jr. Anglers will qualify this year like last year and go to the state team divisional.  The alternate from Mr. BASS will have to take the youth fishing the last day for them to advance to the championship. 

 

  • Region Reports:
  • Region 1 – Not represented

 

  • Region 2 –  Steve is full w/Elite and has 6 boats.  Joan needs help for Casting Kids on Saturday from 11-1 on April 25th.  Steve will provide help for Casting Kids.  Junior anglers who want to help may do so as well.  Region 2 will help BASS w/parking during the Elite.  They will take off 7:15AM.  Steve –picked the 6 boats from the ones that have helped every year and know the routine.

 

  • Region 3 –New club Flat Broke.  Getting ready for tournaments.  Conservation day for the region.  They weigh the trash and fish the afternoon and combine both for the winner.  This will be 3/21/09 at Osbourne Landing and Region 6 may come to help.  1st 4 hours is trash and last 4 is fishing.  He will take pictures and send to us.  www.region3bfnvirginia.com.  $30 per year through freewebs. 

 

  • Region 4 –  Bill has been out of town for months training for new job.  You need to send a backup if you cannot attend the board meeting.  Starts their season on Saturday and present their awards for last year.  Website has changed and no longer paying for website.  Region4bass.multiply.com.  This is free and you can post whatever to it.  This saves $250 per year.  www.multiply.com.  Also, Raidens Hope and Fishing for a Cure listed under open tournament on the state webpage.

 

  • Region 5 –  Picked up new club in this area.  Getting more members back. 1st region tournament last weekend took 20 lbs. in 5 fish.  Still working on conservation w/youth program.  Economy is having effect on all people.  Need to put reefs in SML now.  2 pontoon boats have been donated to use.

 

  • Region 6 –  Chris wants to hold boater safety classes to get licensed.  DGIF have hired extra people to help implement the boater safety.  Boatersexam.com and boatus.com charge $15 if you want a card.  March 28th.  June 22, 2009, golfing event at Berkdale Golf Course and they are selling ads for sponsors. 

 

  • Region 7 – Rick Wisswell, new region 7 director.  Jim Geiser went back in hospital, but out now.  1st event 3/21/09 out of Americamps.  1st weekend of June the full weekend is events for the youth.  $125 for special events area at Northbend plus permit.  Call Roger Anderson and let him know you have an event and less than 15 boats. 

 

  • Region 9 -  same as 1; not represented.

 

  • Region 10 – Starting their tournament w/SML 3/21/09.  Ed took 10 people from Blacksburg and Pulaski and only 7 youth showed up at Gander Mountain.  They did not advertise to get youth to the event.  Chris Lucas son won his age group and can go to the state championship. 

 

  • Tournament Director – We need to check on annual passes and which state parks they cover.  Need help w/weigh-in.

 

  • Youth -  Not represented.  1st JSQ will be April 18th at Claytor Lake.

 

  • Famousleesluckylures.com  and they are looking for youth clubs.  Creative advertising from youth like hand made posters, etc.  Letters w/applications will give you one month free advertising.

 

  • Bass Times has contests for youth to send to BASS.

 

  • We need creative ideas to raise funds for the state team.

 

Motion to adjourn by  Bo and second by Mike at 12:30PM.