Sunday, March 13th, 2011Minutes of the 2011 Winter Meeting and Elections of The Ohio Waterfowl Association The 2011 Winter Meeting of the Ohio Waterfowl Association was convened at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio. The meeting was called to order at seven after 11:00AM by Northern VP Dan Boone. 29 adult members and two youth were present for the meeting. Officer noted as absent was OWA Secretary Shawn Philbrick, for other obligations. The summer 2010 meeting minutes were offered for review, a motion to accept the Summer 2010 Meeting Minutes was made by Ed Thacker and seconded by Mike Beatty. Treasurers Report: Kyan Kraus made available a detailed Treasurers report to the Membership and noted a current bank balance of $11,492. Ky also noted that when the current administration took office two years ago that the Treasury was approximately $1200. The 10-fold increase was largely attributable to the success of Waterfowler’s Bootcamp and will allow the OWA to invest in larger projects in Ohio. It was also noted that on the evening previous to this meeting, $324 was raised at the Crooked River Wild Game dinner via a specific “Buckethead Raffle” and that money was being donated to the OWA by John Beckwith and Crooked River Guide Service bringing the Treasury total to $11,816 Motion to accept the Treasurers report was made by Fred Wright and seconded by Darren Brooks. A detailed report is available for members to view upon request. Membership Report: Amy Petkovich submitted a membership report of approximately 340 current members. Amy noted three new members and 17 renewals of memberships since August 2010, and the addition of a Teal Sponsorship by Decoy Rigs of Whiting, IN. Since the inception of the OWA there have been 579 members on the books and discussion was noted suggesting that a new membership drive similar to the one undertaken by the second administration with an incentive (call, t-shirt, etc.) for joining or renewing should be taken up by the next administration, as effort to contact over 100 expired members by Amy had been met with little response. An outstanding suggestion was also to have key DNR officials added to all mailings and meeting invites. A motion to accept the Membership Report was made by Ky Kraus and seconded by Matt Jackson. Old Business Bootcamp 2011 An update of planning efforts for Waterfowler’s Bootcamp 2011 was given by Chris Wright. The Bootcamp 2011 committee is being headed up by Troy Thompson and Chris. The committee has been meeting for over a month and is currently ahead of last year’s planning efforts to date, with the show looking even more promising as it builds on the success of the past two years. Chris noted that 27 new vendors had already contacted them asking to be part of the show based on word of mouth from other vendors and patrons. Chris also reported that 95% of the 78 vendors from last year expressed interest in returning. Vendor packets have been mailed out. Buck Gardner has committed to coming to the show already and he has communicated an interest in being part of the Youthcamp program this year. The committee is currently focused on signing other national names for seminars and has been in contact with Shawn Mann, Fred Zink and Scott Threinen, among others. A vendor appreciation night and mixer will be held Friday evening this year and will allow patrons to spend some quality time with vendors and industry figures before the show. The calling contests will tentatively be scheduled for Sunday this year, with the Hunter’s Triathlon run on Saturday. Discussions with Ducks Unlimited to host the Saturday evening dinner are looking promising, but not confirmed at the time of the meeting. Due to the overwhelming positive feedback received about Youthcamp in 2010, the committee is looking at expanding it to 100 kids this year and possibly 2 days, with one 50 kid group per day. There will again be a youth fishing derby on Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening entertainment at Dinner. Dan Boone asked for volunteers to help out with the Youthcamp program and other Bootcamp activities, and staff the OWA booth, anyone interested in assisting can contact Dan. Discussion was brought forth on a need identified from the last couple years’ shows of a greater advertising budget in order to increase show visibility with potential patrons. Dan Boone and Darren Brooks noted that the internet avenues had been tapped out and to really drive new patrons and expand the show’s success, that an expanded paid print and media budget would be necessary. The Bootcamp committee noted that they have been very stingy with advertising dollars, leveraging relationships in order to get the absolute most free and cost-effective advertising for the OWA’s investment. Discussion started with a proposal of a $3000 advertising budget for the show, and eventually a Motion to allocate $1750 for advertising of the 2011 show was made by Darren Brooks and seconded by Ed Thacker. The motion was carried by a vote of the Members. Ky Krause requested that an overall show budget be developed based on past expenditures. Chris Wright agreed to work with Ky on a show budget. The Membership has previously voted and endorsed the OWA sponsorship of Bootcamp year over year, and given the OWA Board of Directors discretion over overall show planning and budgeting, no further vote will be necessary. Ultimate Hunter’s raffle tickets were distributed to members present to begin pre-sales. Items will be added to the raffle as vendors are signed up, with internet sales commencing shortly. Alan Marzec volunteered to be responsible for collecting pre-sale raffle proceeds. Alan may be contacted via e-mail at
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if anyone is interested in buying or selling Ultimate Hunter Raffle Tickets. All other show information, including a vendor application packet, can be found online at http://www.waterfowlersbootcamp.com Updates will be added regularly as the show prep progresses. Youth Shotgun Disposition Continued discussion was had on how best to distribute two youth Tri-star shotguns purchased by the OWA. One will be given away in conjunction with Youthcamp at the 2011 Waterfowler’s Bootcamp and the second will be entered into a raffle or merit-based essay to be determined. New Business Mercer Wildlife Area Wetlands Construction Request Bill Snader read a proposal from Sean Finke, ODNR Mercer Wildlife Area Coordinator outlining plans and asking for assistance building 2 brand new wetlands at Blind #’s 1 & 3 at Mercer. The expressed purpose of these new wetlands would be to directly benefit public hunting opportunities at Mercer by providing flooded crop land. Dirt work and water control structures are already being provided by Pheasants Forever and Mr. Finke has requested the OWA to consider donating towards pumps to ensure adequate water supply so as to not have to rely on seasonal rains. Each pump and associated utilities was priced at $4500- $5500 for a total cost of $9,000 - $11,000. Discussion was brought forth as to the OWA’s proper level of support, noting that that whole cost of the project would consume the entire current Treasury if borne solely by the OWA, however, the direct benefit to duck hunters in Ohio was recognized as a worthwhile endeavor to support in the current, and going forward if able. An eventual initial investment of $1500 was motioned by Tom Kubicz and seconded by Ky Kraus. It was noted that in a previous meeting the OWA had already allocated $500 to Mercer for nesting structure hardware that has not been utilized to date, and if Mr. Finke would like to redirect that amount to the current wetland project that would bring the sum total to $2000 available from the OWA. The Motion carried by a vote of the members. Bill Snader to follow up with Sean Finke. SE Ohio Nesting Structures Jeremy Cramer brought forth a request to the OWA for hardware to install 30 wood duck boxes and other nesting structures in SE Ohio near Cambridge. The area currently has 400 acres underwater and the local authority is proposing to add 300 more acres to be turned into wetlands and flooded timber in order to help alleviate water table issue around the city. The area would make prime nesting habitat in SE Ohio. Jeremy has already secured water softener tubes and other nesting structures, and is only in need of mounting poles and hardware. A motion to allocate $300 for the project was made by John Uridel and Seconded by Amy Petkovich. The Motion carried by a vote of the Members. Magee Marsh Youth Hunt Funding Tom Kubicz brought forth a request to the OWA to fund items for the Magee Marsh Youth hunt packages that go home with the kids. Previously OWA has funded calls for the event. Calls may be already available and discussion was had to potentially fund calling CD’s for the kids. A Motion to allocate $600 toward the Magee Youth hunt for supplies and educational materials purchased at the discretion of event organizers was made by Darren Brooks and seconded by Matt Jackson. Letter from OWA Member John Beckwith Prior to the Officer Elections a letter was read by OWA Member John Beckwith at his request. Mr. Beckwith apologized for being unable to make the meeting to read the letter in person. The letter expressed his regret for certain activities undertaken that were aimed at undermining the organization in its infancy. These activities were perpetuated by a certain Ohio watefowling website run by a former business partner with the intent to “submarine” the organization before it ever got off the ground, and contained “many personal attacks on those who were trying to start the OWA […] not for the betterment of waterfowl hunters in the state of Ohio but solely to try and divide and conquer those involved with the OWA”. John went on to make note that he was “both ashamed and embarrassed because of [his] behavior” and expressed his gratitude for the second chance he has been given by many members of the OWA. John expressed his support for the organization now and in the future noting that: “I have been given a second chance by many of you and I am truly blessed to still be able to call you my friends. The OWA has been a great organization right from the start. The elections have always put the right people in the right positions.” The Members present acknowledged Mr. Beckwith’s letter with sincere appreciation and recognition of the strength of character it takes to stand up, admit past transgressions and communicate what he did directly to the Membership. Mr. Beckwith continues to remain a Member in good standing, his letter will be viewable upon request of OWA members and his participation in the OWA is both appreciated and welcomed. Officer ElectionsOfficer elections were held for all Officer Positions plus a Board of Directors structure consisting of: OWA President, Northern VP, Southern VP, Secretary and Treasurer, immediate past President (if successful in serving their full term), plus 5 non-Officer District Representatives that would serve as contacts and represent the interests of the constituents in each of the five ODNR Division of Wildlife Districts within Ohio. All newly elected Officers and Board Members were confirmed by a vote of the Membership. Results of the elections were as follows: President Pete Stryjewski Northern Vice President Steve HooverSouthern Vice President Dave Stephen Secretary Matt Jackson Treasurer Kyan Krause Membership Chair Mike Beatty Media Relations VACANT District One Chairperson Chris Wright District Two Chairperson Tom Kubicz District Three Chairperson Dan Cahl District Four Chairperson Jeremy Cramer District Five Chairperson Bill Snader Congratulations to the new OWA Officers and Board of Directors! Future elections for District Representatives will be determined by the schedule included in the Ohio Waterfowl Association Constitution as posted on the OWA website. The next Officer Election will be held during the winter meeting of 2013. Under Open Discussion items were brought forth from: Darren Brooks brought forth a proposed Constitutional amendment empowering the OWA Board of Directors to appoint, by 2/3 majority concurrence of the Board, a representative to fill any vacant Officer position going forward from any one of the current members at large and in good standing. Currently the Board may appoint vacant District Chairs, but it is not explicitly granted the power to appoint any vacant Officer positions. A motion to amend the Constitution of the Ohio Waterfowl Association to allow these specific appointments of unfilled or vacated positions by the OWA Board of Directors was made by John Klingenstein and Seconded by Bill Snader. The motion carried by a vote of the Membership and the Amendment will be up for vote at the Summer 2011 Meeting. Mike Petkovich took the floor and was joined by Dan Boone, and as former OWA Officers expressed their support for the current Administration and for the direction in which the Organization is going. Tom Kubicz noted that there will be a League of Ohio Sportsman Meeting at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge at 9AM on March 27th. The Meeting was adjourned by Motion of Ky Kraus at quarter till 2PM, seconded by the group. The next Meeting of The Ohio Waterfowl Association in August of 2011, with details and agenda mailed to the membership in advance. Please join the OWA for Waterfowler’s Bootcamp 2011, July 16th & 17th, with a vendor appreciation night the evening of July 15th. Minutes faithfully submitted by Bryan Schreiber, outgoing OWA Media Relations |
