Call to Order: Vice and current Interim Director, Tony McGaha called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
Attendance: Maurice McAlister, Ross Young, Stanley Holloway, Kenneth McCaskill, David Kendall, Amanda Stone, Elizabeth Ayers, Bill Skelton, Skip Thompson, Kenneth Reeves, Tony McGaha, and Silas Brown.
Kenneth Reeves recognized Amanda Stone as the new Commercial Horticulture Agent in Buncombe County. Amanda is from Auburn, AL, with an MS in Horticulture. Self introductions were made from attending agents. Maurice McAlister was also recognized as an attending retired agent.
Minutes: Minutes from previous meeting (10/6/2005) were posted on the web and link forwarded to members. Kenneth Reeves made the motion and was seconded by Stanley Holloway to approve minutes as posted. The membership agreed and minutes were approved.
Treasurers Report: In the absence of the treasurer, the report was reviewed by secretary as had been prepared by Diane Ashburn and copies of report were distributed with the following account balances: $420.43 in checking; $5,253.45 in money market; $33.30 in shares. Kenneth McCaskill made motion, which was seconded by David Kendall and membership approved treasurers report as read.
Tony made mention of 2 deaths of retired agents from our district. Gene McCall from Haywood and Grover Westmoreland from Henderson had both passed away recently. Bill Skelton made mention of notifying Benevolence Comm. to send regards to these 2 families on behalf of the association. Kenneth Reeves also made mention of David Burnettes declining health and encouraged members to keep him in thoughts and prayers about medical decisions that he will need make soon.
Federation Report: Tony mentioned that questions were raised at Federation meeting as to how equity was determined by the state in regards to the recent equity adjustments. There was no direct answer given for the question at the meeting.
Tony said the topics covered at the meeting by Ed Jones were: 1% reversion of the state budget, need for more in service training opportunities, partnership with the Dole Plant, Memorandum of Understanding between state and counties (will be revisited on a county by county basis), EMAPS adjustment possibilities in the near future.
State Board Meeting Report: National meeting will be held this year in Cincinnati, Ohio in July. NC has been asked to provide $7500 sponsorship toward that meeting from the State Association's Trust Fund.
State Committee Reports: Scholarship Comm.- The Young Agent and Lewis Howle Scholarships are under revision to later be treated as reimbursal scholarships. So, agents receiving these will need to keep and turn in receipts to gain full benefit from the scholarships. Previously, they had been treated as taxable gifts, thus, the need for revision.
Tony mentioned that the State Ag Agents meeting will be in June 27-29, in Wilmingon. Registration and other information will be on the web by April. Registration is speculated to be rather expensive due to the time of year in regards to the location.
2008 National Meeting will be in Greensboro, July 13-17. Tony recalled that Fred Miller would be our National President Elect that year as well. Bill Skelton is co-chair of the '08 National Meeting Fund Raising Committee with Walter Earle and Ross Young is chair of the Sons & Daughters Committee.
Bill said accommodations will be at the Four Season's and contracts have been signed for use of the Curry Convention Center in Wilmington. He also made mention that the eastern end of the West District is on the fringe of the National tours stop, so, if anyone has suggestions for possible tour stops in that region, suggestions need to be sent to Norman Harrell, chair of the Tours Committee.
Ross said if anyone attends a national meeting, either this year or next, please take note of anything that might be a good idea to add to the '08 meeting plan, as well as any memorabilia that can be given away, especially to kids.
Bill said that as of now, NC has 3 major sponsors for the '08 Nat. Mtg. of $50,000 each (NC Pork Council, Farm Credit Associations and Phillip Morris). RJR, Farm Bureau and the Ag Foundation have also agreed as sound sponsors, but not to the extent of the other three. All agents have been asked to be responsible for soliciting or contributing $1000 each. This can be done via payroll deduction each month until the meeting or by recruiting local business to contribute. Payroll deduction forms are online. Five state members have done so thus far. Every agent has been asked to contribute a minimum of $10. Access money from the '88 national meeting has been used to provide agent scholarships to national meeting since then. Use of any possible access money from the '08 meeting has not been discussed.
There is a need for 2 to 3 agents to help with each tour bus to conduct tours for the '08 meeting. Also, each district needs to notify state of all life members within the district so that information can be distributed to encourage them to participate in the meeting.
Tony, on Kenneth Reeves behalf, encouraged agents to apply for Young Agent, Ag Agent and Distinguished Service Awards. Ross suggested we presently make recommendations to give to Kenneth for those awards. A list of qualifying agents for each award was made up to be given to Kenneth and the Awards Committee as follows:
Young Agents: Jeremy Delisle, Amanda Stone, Elizabeth Ayers, Tammara Cole, Kelly Ivors, Meghan Baker.
Ag Agents: Randy Collins, Silas Brown, Rob Hawk, Cliff Ruth, Diane Ducharme
Distinguished Service: Eric Caldwell, Skip Thompson, Stanley Holloway, Alan Durden, Christy Bredenkamp, Mike Pittman, Jerry Moody, Sarah McClellan, Linda Blue, Marvin Owens (?)
Kenneth McCaskill commented that anyone applying for any of these scholarships need to give careful attention to all instructions before submitting applications. Many scholarships are lost from lack of attention to these details. Stanley added that each agent has a $2000 lifetime limit from such scholarships.
It was agreed by the membership for Tony to finish out the remainder of the term as Interim Director, and then to move forward next year as Director. A nominating committee as appointed of Stanley Holloway and Kenneth McCaskill with Tony as chair.
With no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 for lunch.
Next meeting will be on October 26, in Macon County.
Minutes submitted by Silas Brown
Posted on 10/18/05
Please send comments and suggestions to John Dorner.