Virginia Trappers Association
Board Meeting Minutes

Fishersville, Virginia
Saturday March 13, 2010  

Members present:
 

 

The Meeting was called to order at 1500 hrs.

 

Steve Colvin opened the meeting by addressing some old issues that were brought up before VDGIF in the past.

          The Fox pen owners have formed an assoc. are petitioning the VDGIF to allow coyotes in the pens.  The pen owners have contacted the VTA and asked for their support.  After a brief discussion it was agreed that we would remain neutral in the matter and act as an advisory to the VDGIF should it be approved.

          Bob Newberry wanted the otter limit to be increased in the area west of the Blue Ridge.  Mike Fies advised the VDGIF is still looking into the matter at this time and no decision in is the near future, stating the population is still not where they would like it.

 

Treasurers’ Report

 

Winston Marshall advised the education fund has $2284.68……the General Checking has $10566.87…and the two CD accounts have a total of $18458.05.  These totals are as of the end of  February.

 

The Budget was hashed out and it was agreed that the proposed budget would be in a deficit and instead of slashing the budget to get it to balance we would rely on Merchandise sales and the raffle sales to make up the deficit.

 

Winston Marshall made a motion that all new services used by the VTA need at least three different estimates before making a decision on whom to pick. The Motion was seconded By Art Foltz..And the Vote was unanimous.

 

Winston Marshall made a motion to accept the Proposed Budget as amended.  It was seconded by Jim Covais and the Vote was unanimous.

 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY REPORT

 

Dickie Craig advised that we now have 650 Members and that he is receiving more and more applications every day.

 

TRAINING

 

Ed Crebbs discussed the master tapper program and then many trapper training classes that we are hosting around the state.

 

RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT

 

Ed Crebbs made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes.  It was seconded by Tom Tyree. And the vote was unanimous.

 

VICE PRESIDENT REPORT

 

John Bedwell advised he had no issues to bring up however he wanted to thank all who are fighting the fight on the Fredericksburg watershed issue.

  

Bryan Nelson advised he and Norm Mullins would be taking over the Newsletter.

 

CONVENTION

 

Steve Colvin advised he enlisted the help of Ed Crebbs and Glen Mabe to assist JR Bowling with the Convention and that everything was on schedule.

 

Steve Colvin suggested Fredericksburg as a possible location for next year’s convention.

 

Steve Colvin talked about raising the dues to cover increase in the Trapper and Predator caller.  Bryan Nelson advised the membership will pay if we raise it.  It was tabled to the next meeting for discussion.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The board was faced with a choice of 3 codes of ethics.  It was tabled to the next meeting for a vote on accepting the code of ethics.

 

WAYS AND MEANS

 

Ed discussed the new items for sale, including shirts hoodies and pens

  

BY-LAW CHANGES

 

Art Foltz discussed the bylaw changes.  Winston Marshall, and Tom Tyree wanted a re vote on one of the bylaw changes dealing with the discipline of officers, as they were not at the meeting where the vote took place.  Even though this issue was voted on at the previous meeting and passed with a unanimous vote, it was decided this issue  would be tabled until it can be resolved. 

 

Bryan Nelson brought up the need for an FTA representative and suggested to replace Ed Crebbs vote on the board with that of a FTA representative. This was shot down and a motion was made by Art Foltz to have The President appoint a FTA representative it was seconded by Jim Covais and the vote was unanimous

 

The meeting was adjourned