Call to Order: Director, Tony McGaha called to meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
Attendance: Eric Caldwell, Amanda Stone, Linda Blue, Jeff Vance, Stanley Holloway, Jeremy Delisle, Keith Wood, Kenneth McCaskill, Alan Durden, Bill Skelton, Johnny Hensley, John Dorner, Diane Turner, Christy Bredenkamp, Tony McGaha, Rob Hawk and Silas Brown.
Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting (3/23/2006) were distributed via email to the ag agents email list. John Dorner made a motion to approve the minutes as posted. The motion was seconded by Bill Skelton, and the minutes were approved as emailed.
Treasurers Report:
Diane reported a balance of $495.35 in checking; $5,383.74 in the money market account; and $33.64 in the shares account. Motion to approve the report was made by Stanley, seconded by John and approve by the membership.
Old Business:
NC State Board Meeting: Stanley Holloway, as new State Vice President, made the report from the Federation Meeting on October 6th.
-The state meetings' fund has been increasing regularly. A suggestion has been made that there be an average cost set for state meetings and any additional costs to be covered by the host district.
-At the meeting, Ed Jones expressed concern about the amount of Professional Improvement/Development that is actually taking place (ie. amount of fun vs. professional improvement).
-Plans for the 2008 national meeting to be held in NC are on target. Fund raising is actually ahead of schedule. Norman Howe, in charge of the 30+ tours for the meeting, is working on a videos to show on tour buses.
-A suggestion has been made to hold the state meeting in conjunction with, or just prior to the '08 national meeting. This, however, would require an amendment to the bylaws, which states that the state meeting must take place 2 weeks prior to the national meeting when hosted during the same year. This, in turn, would have to be voted on during the 2007 state meeting. The Western District was asked to develop a motion of such to be voted on at that time. This would allow state committee groups that time at the state meeting to work on tasks for the national meeting at the same place.
John Dorner suggested keeping the original bylaw allowing 2 weeks time between the two meetings to fix any problems that might arise and allow time for "dry runs" in order to make the national meeting day run more smoothly. The state meeting could also be used as a simulation of the national meeting, making practice runs of tours and activities that will occur at the national meeting.
Linda Blue also suggested that by having both meetings at the same location, agents could tour the facility in order to become familiar with it before the national meeting. After much discussion, a MOTION was made to:
MOTION- Hold the State Meeting at the same location/facilities as the National Meeting, as a one-night "working" meeting. The motion was made by John Dorner and seconded by Linda Blue. After a continued discussion, an amendment was made to the motion:
AMENDED MOTION: amend bylaws to allow the State Meeting to occur earlier than 2 weeks prior to the National Meeting. The amendment was made by Stanley Holloway and seconded by Alan Durden.
***AMENDED MOTION*** (AS STANDS)- ...that the State Meeting be held a the Curry Center just prior (even one day prior) to the National Meeting as a one night (noon until noon), working meeting, to include committee preparation time for the National Meeting.
*The motion, as amended, was made by Stanley and seconded by Alan. The vote totaled 17- "yeahs" and 3- "nays."
2006 NC State Meeting: June 27-29, Wilmington, NC
Kenneth McCaskill, John Dorner and Stanley Holloway, from the group attended the meeting and stated that though the tours were good, the expense was high and there were not enough rooms reserved for the meeting.
2006 National Meeting: July 23-27, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tony made mention that Fred Miller moved up as our National President Elect. Barry Foushee was not elected as an officer. Tony said the tour he had participated in was not very well planned/organized (the guiding agent was not very familiar with the tour), and suggested that 2008 tour guiding agents become acquainted with tours prior to the '08 National Meeting. Stanley said the problem was that some tours were guided by agents from other parts of the state.
Linda mentioned that the meeting overall was well organized, with plenty of workers and that agents and volunteers were well directed.
Bill said that there was a good evening dinner after the tours with several restaurants represented to choose from and entertainment options for families.
New Business:
2008 National Meeting in Greensboro: July 13-17
Tony called for committee involvement from the membership.
Ross asked for help with children's tours.
Bill gave an update on fundraising for the meeting...said that Walter Earle had done a great job in lining up major sponsors, gaining 3- $50,000 sponsors. So far, funds have totaled $198,000 of the $360,000 needed for the meeting. He encouraged 100% participation from all agents through soliciting local business support as well as contributing to the goal of $1000 from each agent.
Bill said that Farm Bureau had declined as a sponsor on the state level, which might open them up to support at a local level. The solicitation contribution form is on the ag agents page, on the web.
Election of Officers
According to the general rotation, Tony McGaha will become President, Silas Brown will become Vice President, Skip Thompson was nominated as Secretary, and Diane Turner agreed to remain as Treasurer.
Bill made the motion to close nominations, Eric seconded, and nominations ceased. The vote was unanimous as the slate was approved.
Committee Reports
Bill reported on behalf of Kenneth R. for the Awards Committee. Award applications are online and the deadline is 12/1. Nominations for awards were made as follows:
DSA- Linda Blue (w/ Stanley Holloway as alternate)
AA- Diane Turner (w/ Rob Hawk as alternate)
Young Agent- Jeremy Delisle (w/ Elizabeth Ayers as alternate)
*nominations will be sent to Kenneth Reeves
Next Meeting Date & Place
The next meeting will be set and information sent out via email at a later date.
With no further business to attend to, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon, to reconvene for a sponsored lunch and tour of the Tellico Trout Farm.
Minutes prepared and submitted by Silas Brown
Posted on 10/18/05
Please send comments and suggestions to John Dorner.