Picnic @ Steve and Sue Luter’s Home
I. Present: Chad and Van Miller, Steve and Sue Luter, Steve and Katie Eidson, Jason Stephens, Charlie and Judi Kitchel, Josh Kitchel, A nice man with great brownies whom I have never met J, various children
II. Bay City Water Fowl Show
Sat. – Barry, Eric, Charlie, Josh
Sun. – Chad, Steve, Ben P., Steve L.
We will be hosting a “fun hunt” at the waterfowl festival. Generally another club does this and this year we will be doing so. We think it would be fun to allow them to pay $1 per dog, or if they buy a raffle ticket, they will be able to run for free. Raffle tickets are $5 each. We will also have a table and our logo wear available.
III. 2012 Spring Grand will be held in Michigan in mid to late April. Mike Boufford (St. Clair Flats HRC) asked if we were willing to help. Generally they do not ask clubs to marshal or be program directors, they just need helpers or laborers to dry ducks, rebird, possibly gun for upland test etc. They need 3 or 4 people each day. Charlie Kitchel helped last year and said it was quite easy. He was given a hotel room and money for meals. They start on Sat. and run through the week. Volunteers do not need to work the entire week. However, we need workers that have a flexible enough work schedule to be able to work during the week. Josh Kitchel and Charlie Kitchel already state that they can help but we will need others. Steve Eidson made a motion that we make a commitment to help with manpower during the 2012 Spring grand Josh Kitchel 2nd the motion. Passed
IV. Treasurer’s report – Charlie – our checking account has $5400 which includes $300 worth of monies turned in already from the raffle.
V. We will be changing our insurance policy to have an Aug. 1 expiration date, as it generally is due during our hunt test seasons and we have a lot of money coming and going during that time. Our Aug. 1 date is for convenience only and will not change the policy itself.
VI. Club Trailer/Equipment Report – Charlie and Josh – A group of members got together at Barry’s to inventory the trailer as well as fix wingers. All needed updates have been made to the rubbers, etc. However, we need a few wires and some zip-ties, as well as some replacement rubbers to keep on hand. The total cost would be about $150. Charlie will order the necessary items.
Jason Stephens will contact Charlie with a website that has the information to buy the proper rubber material.
We are also in need of gun stands. Steve Luter has offered to build them. We need 10. Steve will buy the materials, etc. and send the bill to Charlie. Steve Eidson will assist Steve Luter in the building (ha ha to that).
VII. AKC/UKC event held at Omega Farms – Steve Eidson report – Jim Trotter had an AKC/UKC event at Omega in order to try to raise funds to build a swim-by pond. Steve had a conversation with Jim on the logistics of the event in hopes of drawing more people. The idea was for various clubs to hold one test. For example, GLHRC would run seasoned water, Michigan HRC would run started land, St. Clair would hold Finished land, etc. There were also AKC clubs that were going to set up mock tests at various levels. Jim had asked that each club provide their own wingers and birds and mock judges and that the people in attendance could pay one price and run any and all of the tests available. However, we were the only club represented there, as well as an AKC group. Lots of people came to run dogs (from various clubs) but we basically ran the test (all 3 levels). Along with that, our club members were still asked to pay to run dogs ($25 per dog). Steve recommends in the future that we agree to run/host one test only and stick to just that. Leave it up to Jim Trotter to get commitments from other clubs to host the other. Steve also thought that cost was an issue and that $25 was steep considering we were asked to drive there, provide man power, put wear and tear on our club equipment, and provide birds. If it is not more organized with better commitments from other clubs, Steve recommends not participating in the future.
VIII. Mentor Program Report – Van – Van will be contacting “seasoned” members and asking them to mentor new members. If you have been around for a while…well she may just give you a call. J
IX. Work Day at Hunt Test Property – Steve Eidson – Steve Eidson reported on the requests from our Land Owners on what needs to be fixed on the property. He will contact Charlie who will order the supplies. Various Club members will meet at the property on Wed. to get the work completed. Steve and Rod Sage will be making an additional trip on Sat. the 2nd to meet with one of the land owners and fix a problem area under his direction.
X. Event Update – Fun Hunt Aug. 22 – hosted by Charlie and Josh Kitchel on Johnny Johnstons’ land. Charlie will e-mail the details.
XI. Meeting Adjourned – Let’s EAT!!
Submitted on August 7, 2009 – Katie Eidson