Iowa Trappers Assn., Inc. Directors Winter Meeting
February 4, 2007
Call to Order
President Spencer Hill called the winter director’s meeting to order at 10:15 am at the Iowa State Tree Nursery, Ames, IA.
Roll Call
Roll call was answered by 4 officers, 7directors, 3 directors at large, 2 proxy representatives, FTA director Dean Mitchell and DNR Ron Andrews.
New Directors
None
Approve Agenda
· Budget will be discussed under the treasurer report
· Mike Sells will give the NTA report in the absents of George Scalf.
· Inventory will be discussed under new business.
· Motion made by Gene Purdy to approve the Agenda. Seconded by Randy Mitchell. Carried
Minutes
· Executive Council met February 3, 2007 to audit the treasurer’s books.
· Executive Council approved a new software program for Chris Grillot so she is able to put all treasurers’ information on computer. Approved
· Executive Council recommend that the treasurer, secretary, convention coordinator and a presidential appointee to count cash at the end of convention.
· Motion made by Ed Clouse to have the treasurer, secretary, convention coordinator and presidential appointee to count cash after the convention. Seconded by Gene Purdy. Carried
· It was discussed about accepting credit card. Chris Grillot will check into this and report at the next meeting.
· Cody Hutton had asked about using the gambling license for Texas Hold’em. The request was denied.
· Ed Clouse asked to have bobcat print donated to the FBU banquet. The Executive Council approved a framed bobcat print for George Scalf and Cody Hutton FBU banquets. Motion made by Gene Purdy to approve the Executive Council decision. Seconded by Randy Mitchell. Carried.
· Motion made by Randy Mitchell to accept Executive Council and Secretary Minutes. Seconded by Dwayne Kay. Carried.
Secretary’s Report
· Dita Mallon reported that the convention mailing received 73 new members and 92 renew and at the convention 6 lifetime, 78 new and 96 renew.
· Current membership is 1612 with 284 lifetime and 5 of those deceased.
· Dita Mallon reported that F&W Publications, which owns the Trapper and Predator Caller, has changed the handling of the subscriptions. Subscription fulfillment is no longer done at the TPC office in Wisconsin. This has been moved to a company in Florida
· Dita Mallon reported that there have been some issues with this change and they are trying to work on these issues. We will need to keep a close watch on this, to see if any action needs to be taken.
· Dita Mallon reported that Wayne Funke was the winner of the membership contest.
· Motion made by Dwayne Kay to accept the secretary’s report, seconded by Jim Mallon. Carried
Treasurer’s Report
· Chris Grillot reported on current finances.
· Chris Grillot spoke with the accountant and she has made some recommended changes. There will be more detailed categories.
· Chris received a rebate check from NAFA for $2008.14 and a $100 from NAFA for the 50/50 auction. The Fur Harvester Auction rebate check was $817.06 and $79.26 from Moyle Mink.
· Chris Grillot presented the Convention Report.
· Chris Grillot asked permission to destroy old records that are within the IRS guidelines.
· Motion made by Craig Sweet to permit Chris to destroy old records per IRS guidelines. Seconded by Jim Mallon. Carried.
· Gene Purdy presented the budget 2007.
· Motion made by Craig Sweet to accept the budget for 2007. Seconded by Randy Porche. Carried
· Chris Grillot reported that the accountant has been extremely helpful in setting up the accounts and has done this free of charge. Chris will be having him do the taxes for the end of the year.
· The Executive Council has audited the books and has found everything to be in order.
· Motion by Mike Sells to accept the audit report. Seconded by Jim Mallon. Carried.
Correspondence
· Dwayne Kay received a thank you at the Pheasant Fest from Extension Wildlife Specialist for supporting them in their Hunter Safety Course. They are asking if we would like to put on a trapping demo in Madrid, Iowa June 1-3 for their Hunter Safety Course. Jeff Kempf will contact the person in charge. Gene Purdy and Cody Hutton agreed to help Jeff with this.
· Chris Grillot received the following requests and thank you:
o The Iowa FFA is having a special recognition luncheon April 17th at 11AM. Chris will find out where the meeting will be held and we will discuss at the next directors meeting to find out who will if possible represent the ITA.
o Thank you from Gary Meis, President of the Minnesota Trappers Assoc. for the donation to the trappers defense fund.
o USSA is asking for a donation for legal defense fund for the Minnesota and Maine lawsuit.
o Motion made by Gene Purdy to send $1000 to USSA to be earmarked for the Maine Lawsuit. Seconded by Mike Sells Carried.
o Ronald McDonald House is requesting a donation.
o Motion made by Gene Purdy to send $100 to the Ronald McDonald House. Seconded by Ed Clouse. Carried
o Chris Grillot will put a reminder to bring pop tabs to convention for the Ronald McDonald House in the TPC.
o Ashley Andrews Miss Rodeo America 2007 sent a thank you for our donation to part of her fur coat.
o FTA is starting a new program; a complimentary subscription to the FTA affiliate, the magazine must go to a group other than the affiliate. It may not go to an individual.
o Motion made by Gene Purdy to have a complimentary subscription to go to the middle school library of the town hosting the ITA convention. Seconded by Ed Clouse. Carried.
o Moyle Mink sent coupons for their 5% program (3% to NTA and 2% to the state which the order was originated).
o Friends of the NRA are requesting a donation for their banquet, which will be held March 24 at Britt, IA.
o Motion made by Dean Mitchell to donate $500 to the Friends of the NRA Banquet to underwrite a gun. Seconded by Jeff Kempf. Carried
· Dita Mallon received the following correspondence:
o Secretary of the Massachusetts Trappers Assoc. is asking for any important dates for 2008 for the ITA so they can put on their calendar as part of their fundraising event.
o Russ Vonbehren asked if it would be alright by the board to have Dan Dalton give any TIP reports in his absence. Dan had graciously offered this to Russ. Board of Directors felt this was fine.
· Spencer Hill received a request from REAP to have a link put on the ITA web sight for their website and vise versa.
· Motion made by Jeff Kempf to attach a link to REAP on the ITA sight and an ITA link on the REAP web site. Seconded by Randy Mitchell. Carried.
· Cindy Seff is requesting donations for the 4 regional NTA banquets and the National NTA banquet.
· Motion made by Mike Sells to donate a framed bobcat print to the 4 regional NTA banquets and the National NTA banquet. Seconded by Jim Mallon. Carried
District Direct
· Dwayne Kay wanted to know if we would like to set up a booth at the Pheasant Fest Jan. 18 -20 in 2009 in Saint Paul, Minn. Dwayne Kay will send for information packet. The ITA Booth at the Pheasant Fest was well received.
· Dwayne Kay reported the abuse of using Golden Malrin not for its intended use and using it as poisonous bait for other animals.
· Motion made by Jeff Kempf seconded by Dean Mitchell to reimburse Spencer Hill for chairs and electric cord purchased at the Pheasant Fest. Carried.
· Iowa Taxidermist Association is requesting a plaque for the best furbearer mount donation by the ITA. Motion made by Jeff Kempf to donate a plaque to The Iowa Taxidermist Association for best furbearer mount. Seconded by Gene Purdy. Carried
· Craig Sweet - Iowa Sports Show booth consider it for next year if the price is reasonable.
· Jeff Kempf - SE IA sportsman expo $400-$600 for booth. It was decided that it was cost prohibited.
FTA Report
· Dean Mitchell reported that Dave Hastings and Gary Jepson attend the BMP meeting in South Carolina.
· The FTA continues to work with the Minnesota. Trappers Assoc., NTA, and USSA on the Minnesota. Lawsuit. The HSUS has withdrawn from the lawsuit. The Animal Protection Institute and Help Our Wolves Live are still in court.
· The FTA Convention will be held in Barnum, Minnesota June 14-17
· This year is election for all officers and 5 members of the Governing Board. Nominations by members for these offices should be sent to the nominating committee.
NTA Report
· Mike Sells reported for George Scalf.
· Mike Sells reported on election results. The NTA has a new President, Jim Buell.
· NTA has moved their headquarters to a larger and less expensive building, only approximately 5 minutes from the old location.
· Minnesota lawsuit against the DNR proposed settlement from HSUS has not been approved.
· There are currently 8 animal cruelty bills and 17 trapping bills in various states.
TIP Report
None
Reap Report
None
Legislative Report
· Gene Purdy reported that the legislative reception went very well.
· Iowa Conservation Alliance had a conference call to discuss some issues before the legislative reception.
· The findings of the nitrates in the water are natural, not manure or fertilizer caused. It is coming from open ground, such as corn and bean fields. They are pushing for more filter stripes and pastures to help with the run off.
· There will be no legislation for a dove season this year.
· Lyndon Sutcliffe from Mason City reported on concern that the Iowa Humane Society wants to ban ownership of exotic animals, which includes coyotes and wolves. He is asking for support when a bill is created and is doable for all organizations.
Fur Coat
· We are going to do another sheared beaver coat for Miss Iowa.
DNR Report
· Ron Andrews stated there is discussion of possibly ending beaver season April 1st instead of 15th.
· Ron reported on a successful Otter season with the quota being met in 10days and 469 otters taken.
· Recommendations for 2007 season would be to allow a quota of 500 otter.
· There is hope to have a bobcat season this year with the season running from Nov 3rd thru Jan 31st and allow one bobcat per licensed fur harvester in a designated area of Iowa.
2007 Fall Convention – Southwest
· Craig Sweet had put a report in the TPC about the convention.
· Hotel accommodations are within 1 ½mile of the campgrounds.
2008 NTA Convention
· Need to be setting up chairmen for the convention.
2009 Fall Convention – Northeast
· Jim Mallon expressed concerns about directors stepping up and heading conventions in the northeast quadrant.
Unfinished Business
· At the last meeting it was discussed about a trailer for the ITA equipment and booth.
· Cody Hutton, Dwayne Kay and Ed Grillot will get together and purchase a trailer. They will price a 6’x6’x12’ trailer with tandem axel, 2” ball, cargo door and side door.
· Motion made by Gene Purdy to set up a committee to get prices on a trailer and then to contact the Executive Council for approval. Seconded by Jim Mallon.
· Motion made by Jeff Kempf to amend the motion to allow the committee to go ahead with purchase of a trailer with a budget of $4000 without Executive Council approval. Seconded by Cody Hutton. Carried.
· Motion made by Gene Purdy to spend $4000 on a trailer without executive council approval. Seconded by Jim Mallon. Carried
· The Committee will be Cody Hutton, Dwayne Kay and Ed Grillot to purchase a trailer. They will purchase a 6’x6’x12’ trailer with tandem axel, 2” ball, cargo door and side door.
· Mike Sells would like to pursue the conservation officer of the year award.
· Motion made by Jeff Kempf that Mike Sells would be the coordinator for the conservation officer of the year award and he will set up the guidelines and bring back to the board for final approval. Seconded by Gene Purdy. Carried.
· Jim Mallon wanted to know if Miss Iowa will be available for the UNI Dome Show. He will contact Tom Walters.
· Jim Mallon suggested putting a REAP license plate on the new trailer.
· Motion made by Jeff Kempf to put a REAP license plate on the new trailer if possible. Seconded by Jim Mallon. Carried
New Business
· Chris Grillot reported that there was a large amount of old inventory
· It was discussed to use the old patches for scavenger hunt
· Gene Purdy would like the lapel pins for the legislative reception.
· Motion made by Jeff Kempf to give Spencer Hill and Judy Sells patches for craft ideas. Seconded by Cody Hutton. Carried
· Motion made by Jeff Kempf to allow up to $1500 for Chris Grillot to get a laptop, printer and associated software for her treasurer duties. Seconded by Jim Mallon. Carried.