BOARD OF DIRECTORS  MEETING

MINUTES:  NOVEMBER 18, 2007

 

Board Members Present:

               

Joan Blankenship                                President

Sid Ryan                               Vice-president

Pam Bryant                          Secretary/Treasurer

Robert Blankenship            Conservation

Jeff Franklin                         Tournament Director

Paul Thomson                      Youth Director

John Britton                          Region 1 Director

Steve Woodroof                  Region 2 Director

Bo Copely                             Region 3 Director

Mike Bryant                         Region 5 Director

J. T. Williams for                  Region 6 Director

Jim Geiser                              Region 7 Director

Scott Taylor                          Region 9 Director

Ed Clayton                           Region 10 Director

 

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

 

Minutes from the last meeting were approved as read, Mike Bryant, Region 5 motion and second by Bo Copley, Region 3.  All approved.

 

Treasurer’s report was tabled until one week; motion by John Britton, Region 1 and second by Jim Geiser, Region 7. All approved.  Need to send one week in advance to all directors.  Also, show costs summary of tournaments for 2007. 

 

Joan Blankenship, president, gave a summary of the Federation Nation Championship and the president’s meeting in Florida.  Jeff Freeman won the federation nation championship.  We as VA did not win the new Triton boat from BASS due to a violation of our agreement.  Copy of letter that was sent to Jeff from Don Cochran was given to all board members as this in the president’s opinion is the source of the misunderstanding.  The federation nation championship will air the week prior to the bassmaster classic.  

 

Joan discussed the boat alliance agreements.  She will mail all the different agreements to the board and ask for a vote before December 1, 2007.  Ranger and Skeeter will get her the agreements by 11/26/07.  Mustang will be providing more state support for year 2008.  Evan Williams also provided promotional support  for 2007 and 2008.  We need to send photos to Evan Williams whenever we promote their product.   Purolator has a cash award for clubs in 2008.  Ramada Inn has headquarters in Virginia Beach and will work with us.  Long Horn Tobacco is also a national sponsor.  They will also be providing state support this year due to their location in Virginia.  Advance Auto gave a t-shirts to the president and she will contact them to develop a relationship at a state level.  Also, Joan will see if they will offer a discount for federation members as their corporate offices are also based in Virginia.

 

Lowrance, made a presentation at the meeting.  Presidents will have to go through special programs.  Lowrance asked for a list of state team members for 2008 ASAP.  They require a form be filled out by each member of the team.

 

ESPN is still committed to the federation.   BASS expects our members to get involved in youth and conservation.  The BCWC overall was successful.  The schedule for 2008 is listed.  There will be team format for the 2008 events and there will not be a draw.  Selected winners will take a polygraph.  Junior youth cannot qualify for the junior state championship and the adult state team.  They have to choose which one.

 

The board of directors wants some type of appeal to BASS for the outcome of the Alliance Contract.  Earl Bentz is already looking into our alliance agreement.  The board wants to hear back from Mr. Bentz before sending a letter to BASS.  John Britton of region 1, said the letter should be from Joan and the whole board of directors. 

 

BASS will not be mailing any club rosters to any clubs this and year and all rosters have to be updated electronically.  The region directors will call each club and let Pam Bryant know which ones need for me to update and send them rosters.  B.A.S.S. is working on a new chapter handbook that will be on their website.  All members need to check the BASS web site as well as the Federation web site for updates frequently. 

 

BASS is encouraging the use Bass Times and Bassmaster for award recognition.  We need to send BASS times articles for the paper. 

 

If you have any boat shows in your regions try to set up booths to encourage bass membership.  It will help the state in the long run.  Drive the nation program is not settled and do not know if they will have it in 2008.  We hope to have more information at the President’s meeting at the Bassmaster Classic in February. 

 

Joan reviewed BASS insurance.  Sid Ryan asked the specifics of the BASS insurance.  This needs to be discussed at a later time and copy to each director.

 

Casting Kids is using a third party vendor for kits.  There will be a longer lead time and kits should be ordered early.

 

Joan introduced Scott Taylor as the new region 9 director.  He will try to increase the membership in the region.

 

Old Business:

  • We took a vote for Sid Ryan as vice-president.  Region 1 – yes, region 2 – yes, region 3 abstain, region 4 not present, region 5 - yes, region 6- yes, region 7- yes and region 10- yes, youth- yes, conservation- yes and tournament director- yes.

 

Updated 2008 Schedule of Events.

 

  • Checklist to host state events given to each director

 

  • Travel time and costs to the events are a concern for the state members.  There is low participation when tournaments are too far away.  Sid Ryan suggested that we divide the state into divisions and they hold a state tournament and take a certain number of people for the state team.  Another idea is to centralize all the tournaments at Kerr and Gaston.  We need to look at the process.  Get the expenses for each event and send to the board.  We need to look at what’s best for the state and not just the regions.  Paul Thomson, the youth director used the different locations in the state and the youth doubled.  John Britton suggested that we still keep 4 tournaments.  Steve Woodroof, suggested that we keep Mr. BASS and the six-man and Fall Classic and add two OPEN tournaments for the entire membership.  Make the opens a two day tournament.  We could do a cut for the second day.

 

  • Bo Copley, region 3 director, made a motion to change the by-laws for our tournaments and the tournament committee.  See attached motion.  Mike Bryant, region 5, 2nd motion.  John Britton asked if we take this vote back to the members of each region.  Vote tabled for January vote.

 

  • Bo Copley, region 3 director made a second motion to be voted upon about the locations of our state tournaments.    There is option A or B.  Ed Clayton says to do what is fair for the state and not the regions.   Steve Woodroof made a motion to take the by-law changes back to the membership to vote for January.  Also, Steve Woodroof, suggested that we make Mr. BASS an open tournament for all membership.  It will still be a draw qualifier for the state team. 

 

  • Paul Thomson, youth director, suggested we have a committee to work on the tournaments.  John Britton said to bring votes from the members and make all changes by the March meeting.  Get all info. to Joan and have a committee to work up changes.

 

Mr. BASS 2008:

  • Sid Ryan, vice-president, said members need to have NC license for the Mr. BASS tournament due to part of the water in NC. 

 

Magazine:

  • Motion to put Hook Set on the website and only print one copy per club instead of thousands.  All in favor:  region 1 – yes, region 2 – yes, region 3 – yes, region 5 – yes, region 6 – yes, region 7-yes, region 9-yes, region 10-yes.  All approved except 4 (absent).

 

  • Sid Ryan, spoke about the deadline for the Hook Set, and he still does not have 4-5 regions articles.  In 2008 we will try to set a better date and enforce it.  When taking pictures at the events, the sponsors don’t care about he people in the picture, but you do need the sponsor logo in the picture.  Make sure to show the banners in the picture.  We need the pictures for the Lowrance notebook and any other things for our archives.  We need to get a large banner from Advance Auto for our tournaments. Bo Copley offered to print banners for any regions that want to use them. (There is a fee)

 

Legal Issues:

  • Joan discussed the Triton alliance contract and the deadline of December 1, so that it can be signed by 12/15/07.  All board members need to read carefully.  Joan will call each director for their vote in a few days.

 

  • Website advertising.  A lot of companies are getting free rides on our webpage.  We may want to open the door to people being able to advertise for a fee on our web page to help generate revenue.  Joan sent letter with a proposal to help with revenue.  Joan needs to resend email about advertisement. 

 

  • Region numbers.  We do not have ten regions and we need to renumber our regions.  Absorb region 8 into region 7.  Joan proposes that we renumber the regions as follows.  Region 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and region 7 & 8 become 7.  and region 9 becomes 8 and region  10 would be 9.  Table to members and change Checklist to host state events given to each director in January. 

 

  • Tournament Rules changes:  BFV VA safety of equipment states wear a vest while engine in motion.  B.A.S.S. states while the motor is running and we need to change our rules to the same.  #15 rule states $100,000 liability insurance change to $300,000.  #18 says boats may not be moved by trailer during tournament hours.  This means they cannot be moved by trailer and brought to the nearest ramp.  You are not DQ, but you cannot weigh- in for that day.  They cannot be moved by trailer and weigh in fish that day.  Section #23 emergency conditions say you can give your fish to the rescue boat to weigh in fish.  Add the by-law section to the tournament rules for emergency conditions.    #19 says permitted fishing locations.  B.A.S.S. made changes and we need to delete marina gas pumps from the locations.  Will we penalize people when they have live fish when they are moved by trailer and they die before weigh-in.  Check w/BASS for their rules. 

 

Conservation:

  • The ACT program.  Robert does not have anything on it.  Joan does not know how the ACT program went in 2007.  The primary issue for conservation is lake access state wide.  Warren Co. has received a huge grant to help with clean-up.  Orange, Frederick and Warren will participate.  Paul will send the agreement to Joan.  We need to partner with other organizations to help with conservation.  Joan has a meeting at 11/30/07, also with Mike Bryant and Steve Woodroof, with the ranger Billy Whitlow, at Occoneechee to discuss the installation of a pump at Occoneechee.  Mike Bryant is trying to get the plastic pipe donated to the project.  Charlotte Pipe is the largest company and maybe they will donate it.  Mike also talked with Gould Pump Co. and maybe they will discount or give it to the state.  The only thing left will be the pump house building.  Maybe talk to the block company about donating to the building.

 

New Business:

  • Elite Series – 3 openings for federation members.  In the past the same three federation members wanted to fish this tournament.  If any members want to fish the elite they need to contact Joan for paperwork and pay a deposit by 12/1/07.  Robert has one, Chuck Lyons, in Foggy Bottom, to fish the Elite Series.  They can pick which Elite Series tournament they want to participate.  Bryant Copley also wants to go.  This is a guaranteed preferred spot. 

 

  • Cash Reserve – When we went to get the state boat that we did a silent auction we did not have a cash reserve to purchase it..  Most boat dealers need a check up front for the state boat and we do not have that kind of funds in our account.  The president requested that we use the $5000 donation to start a savings and build up for the purchase of future state boats?  All region directors approved.

 

  • We are hosting the Mid’Atlantic in 2008.  The BASS Federation Nation of Virginia members are expected to help with anything possible.    We suggested the lodge at the state park and most of the board said to book 4 rooms at the Lake Motel for the 2008 state team members that will bring their wife. Book the lodge as our headquarters and for the state team with 4 additional rooms at the Lake Motel for $68-72 a night. 

 

  • Sid Ryan, vice-president wants to discuss the state keeping a portion of the winnings from the Mid-Atlantic.  The state pays the entire bill and pays back to the team equally.  Steve Woodroof suggested that we take the $1000 out of the winnings before paying the balance to the state team.  We have to decide what to do with a boat if we win one and what percentage for the state to keep.  This will be voted upon and a change in the by-laws.  Proposal Vote on $1,000 to the national and the state keep 20% with the remaining to the state team.  Email all votes and proposals to the directors for their votes: 

 

  • There is a new insurance scam coming in the mail with the BASS logo.  Do not respond. 

 

Region Reports:

 

  • Region 2 – Steve Woodroof, night tournament August 2, 2008, on Saturday will be for the VA youth.  Use to give money to the boat owners for gas that help with the youth.  At the state tournaments we will cut some of this work out and put the responsibility back on the anglers.  Steve wants all guys to check in before the meeting and no boat checks anymore.  12:00 on Friday is the deadline for teams to check in.  Change the tournament rules.  Motion by Steve Woodroof, and 2nd by Bo Copley, region 3,  All approved.

 

  • Region 3 –  Bo Copley, checked with Warren Powers and BASS states that once you are trailored you cannot weigh-in and you are finished for the day.  Do not weigh-in unless you ride the rescue or other boater back to weigh-in.  Report:  All going great and working together.  They are working on the youth and trying to get a region sponsored youth club. 

 

  • Region 5 – Mike Bryant had a senior youth win the JSC and will go to the Junior World Championship.  The region is still growing.  This year there was an Adam and Eve for the region with a picnic afterwards.  It went over great and everyone really liked it.  Also, suggested a yearly banquet.  It has made the region come together and come alive.

 

  • Region 6 -  Now has two youth clubs.  They need membership for the youth.  JT Williams has had to fill in for John Terry at the last two region meetings. 

 

  • Region 7 – All good.  Munden Point the application is sent to get the permits for Mr. BASS.  Will have a decision by January.  We need three comp rooms for all tournaments.  He has requested a waiver for the ramp fee.  Jim Geiser will let us know by January 2008.

 

  • Region 8 – Scott Taylor is the new director.  He will review the by-laws and region director responsibility.  Also, he wants to get adult tournaments scheduled.  Welcome aboard.

 

  • Region 9 – Ed Clayton.  They have a new schedule for 2008 which is mostly TN.  His region will not go to Munden Point because of the river.  They will attend the lakes, but not rivers.  His regions do not want to rotate these tournaments to all different areas.  A solution is we can be in compliance and make the change for 2009 in January.  This would get more entries for the state tournament.   Must be teams.  Motion by Steve Woodroof, region 2, to have Mr. BASS team open and second by Jim Geiser, region 7.  All approved.  Must be a by-law change and voted upon in January.

                                                                           

  • Youth Director Report:  The JSC was catered and sponsored by Angler’s Choice, Pam and Mike, Region 5 and Pigs R Us.  Blake Gillespie and Mitch Willis were the winners that to go the Junior World Championship.  A new youth club has been started with 10-15 members.  The youth staff wants to start a director’s award and give it to the most helpful youth that helps all youth members.  They want to present Jolani Hennessey with the first award.  He has helped organize 16 states that now are recruiting states.  He has won everything with the state, except the championship.  He has his own website.  He even got to be the weigh master at the adult Fall Classic.  In 2008 the tournaments practice will end at 1:00 with a pairing meeting at 1:30 and they can go back to fishing if they want.  It will be unsupervised for practice day.  All tournaments will be the same unless there is a weather issue. 

 

  • Paul is starting a state youth club for youth without clubs.  We can put them in this club.  Paul thanked region 2, 5, 10 and 4 for the help with boat captains.  The JSC was one of the classiest events ever run.  The youth staff was so great with the JSC captains.  Honored to be a part of the state.  This year there will be four state tournaments instead of six due to cost of gas.

 

  • Conservation director:  Robert Blankenship reported very successful for the year.  Worked with the boater safety legislation this year and the data collection program for game and inland fisheries. BASS Federation Nation of Virginia, helped pay for the FOCL brochure.  We made a donation to the spider blocks to help with Claytor Lake and DGIF.  They had 16 youth that helped with the state park program.  In 2008 he will apply for the grant program for the more fish program. Usually the DGIF marks it for the habitat, but do not know about this one.

 

  • Jeff Franklin, tournament director, suggested that the state pay to put electric brakes on Joan’s vehicle because she pulls the state trailer and it does not have any brakes.  This is a safety concern.  Jeff Franklin made a motion and second by Paul Thomson.  Vote unanimous and all approved.

 

Motion by Steve Woodroof, region 2 and second by Mike Bryant, region 5, meeting adjourned at 2:15PM.