Meeting Agenda

MINUTES FOR N.H.B.F. MEETING HELD 3/28/06

Meeting called to order at 7:08 p.m.

Read/Motion to Accept Agenda (See Appendix A): - agenda was accepted

Roll call: Clubs not present included, Granite State (1), Honky Tonk (3), White Mountain Bass (1)

OFFICERS REPORTS:

Secretaries’ report:
• The February 2006 minutes, by Dennis Watson & David Duffy was presented and accepted as is. (See Appendix B)

Treasurers’ report:
• The March 2006 Treasurers report, by Dave Duffy was presented and accepted as is. (See Appendix C)
• Rob proposed that a Federation Laptop be purchased for the Treasurer, cost estimate at $50 - $100, something simple and enough to handle basic Microsoft Applications like Word, Excel, Adobe, and Quickbooks. It was voted on and agreed to acquire a laptop for the Treasurer by the April meeting.

Vice President's report:
• Have been busy with email and telecom discussions on the BASS / TBF issues, supporting the acting Secretary, Treasurer Duties, and Membership activities. Dave stressed the importance that we all work together through this transition, no matter what the ultimate outcome is. We all have a common bond and that’s our love of the sport of Bass Fishing.

President’s report:
• Rob noted that his phone has rung off the hook with all that’s been going on. BASS has withdrawn their original acceptance of the Mother Federation Concept. A NH BASS Federation Nation has been formed in NH, and Rob wished them best of luck moving forward.
• In a recent TBF press release Indiana joined the TBF @ 3,000 members, as well as North Carolina @ 1,500 members.
• NH Fish & Game has secured alternate parking at Winnisquam at the All in One Storage place near Martels.
• Rob thanked the BOD for all the work and effort to support the federation.

Youth Directors report:
• Clubs need to provide their scheduled youth events for this year. Ray will be sending around a list that each club should fill out, so that he can keep track of them. The Public and event promoters want us to put on our Casting Kids events at their venues. These events tend to draw more participants, which is good for our events.
• Ray passed around the Tentative NH Jr Bass Masters schedule of events, and Casting Kids Signup sheet.

Legislative & Conservation Director, PVA Director, Tournament Director, State Team Rep, Committee Rep reports / updates:
PVA Director Chris Cote – Chris noted that it doesn’t matter what if any organization you affiliate with, all are welcome to support the PVA. YTD the Raffle Ticket donations collected are at $1,205. State Federations have donated $1K each to the PVA and Chris hopes that NH Bass Federation can contribute as well. Chris is also looking for donations from the clubs to support the PVA as well. The number of anglers interested in participating this year is growing, so more volunteers will be needed to support this event, if you haven’t signed up yet, please do so soon. Thanks for all your support. Sept. 16th & 17th

• Legislative Director Dick Smith – Dick talked about the 970 lakes in NH of which only 127 F&G Maintains / owns. Dick has been appointed to the PWAAB. Need to stress not only boat access, but walking shore access, etc. Winnisquam launch site construction will start this year. They are still pushing Sunapee Lake access site. (See Appendix D for more details)

• Conservation Director Dick Smith – Dick talked about how BASS chose not to send the Oxygen Meter to NH Bass Federation. The NH BASS Federation Nation organization is owed this meter. Dick also reminded the NH BASS Federation Nation organization that $1,000 is available for fish habitat initiative through BASS.

• Camp Care Free – Merry Meeting Lake in New Durham, NH August 2nd bring your boat to take the kids from Camp Care Free fishing. It’s a great time for one and all. See Dick Smith for signup information, would like to see 20+ boats.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Spring Open:
The Spring Open is on April 30th on Lake Winnipesaukee Tournament Headquarters is at Ames Farm. The flier for the open was distributed at the State Meeting, and has been published on the website. The Scale has been sent out for recalibration - $25.12 to package and ship out & $60 for recalibration and return shipping.

8:05 PM break taken

• TBF/FLW:
The mother federation concept that we voted on at the February 28th meeting has been pulled off the table by BASS. So clubs know need to revote whether they wish to go with TBF or BASS. For the purpose of this vote the option of both is not applicable. Of the 24 clubs in the NH Bass Federation, 3 were not present at the meeting for the vote. So of the 21 clubs present, 14 voted to go with TBF/FLW, 5 voted to go with BASS, and 2 abstained from voting. Several items were discussed / talked about which included TBF process for getting insurance, new federation name, how to handle money’s and sharing / splitting up of assets, and the dissolution process for tax exempt / non-profit organizations.

• NH BASS Federation Nation:
Tim Reardon is the acting President, and several members of the NH Hawg Hunters have been appointed interim positions on the BOD of the new organization. Their meeting will be held on April 19th the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 PM at the Yard Restaurant in Manchester. Discussions included why they wanted to separate from the majority, and what they might be able to do better from an organizational stand point. The question came up about the STQT, and whether we could share the permit, or be forced into pulling their own permit and conducting their own STQT.

• State Teams:
The State Team has the option of fishing both the TBF/FLW Divisional and the BASS Nation Divisional. State Team members need to decide what they plan to fish. This may open up additional opportunities for others to fish, if some of the state team members decided to only fish one of the divisionals. There also needs to be discussions on how to figure out funding for the state team members to fish these divisionals.

• Dues & Membership:
Rosters & Dues need to be submitted to David Duffy at tonight’s meeting so that roster packages can be sent to both TBF and BASS respectively ASAP, so that clubs have insurance coverage for their events which are coming quickly.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Organization Report:
Outcast Anglers Letter – Outcast Anglers addressed some concerns to the BOD in a letter dated 2/28/2006. The letter and topics were discussed at the state meeting. Many of the points are valid issues, but folks need to remember that we have been working without a dedicated Secretary and Treasurer for many months because no one is willing and capable of stepping forward. With this level of support from the organization you can’t expect that things are going to happen timely when one or two persons are carrying the entire work load. Communications are key to an effective efficient organization, and we need to do a better job as BOD members, but at the same time representatives need to take on some of the ownership and responsibility as well. (See Appendix E for a copy of the letter.)

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
• No additional items were discussed

• Items for April Meeting:
Next Meeting is a 7 PM start time as well.

Next meeting is 4/25/2006
Meeting adjourned at 9:27 PM

APPENDIX INDEX
Items that were passed out at the March 2006 meeting
Appendix B – February Minutes
Appendix C – March Treasurers Report
Appendix D – Legislative & Conservation Report
Appendix E – Outcast Anglers Ltr. to BOD