Saturday, October 13, 2007

The annual meeting of the Midwest HPA was called to order on October 13, 2007, by President Del Smet in St Paul, Minnesota.

TREASURER'S report was distributed and read. There being no additions or corrections to the report it was approved as read.

MINUTES from 2006 meeting were read. There being no additions or corrections to the minutes, they were approved as read.

At the 2006 meeting, it was voted on to make the term of office for 2 years. The current slate of officers are:

President – Del Smet; 1^st Vice-President – Tony Rossi; 2^nd Yice-President – Bill Mitiu

Race Secretary/Treasurer – Alan Porter; Publicity – Shirley Rehberg

Board of Governors: - currently are Gary Lunzer; Pete Larsen; Larry Campeau

Old Business:

Al Porter discussed a proposal from Don Riedel to do our website for the association. After discussion, it was moved and passed to ask Don to do the wed site for us. Ideas can be sent to Don Riedel, Shirley Rehberg or Alan Porter.

Alan reminded club race secretaries for a second or third time to have correct information in winspeed on bird’s band number, color and sex or it wouldn’t be on the diplomas.

Association needs to call a Board of Governors meeting. Del suggested we try to do it by phone. Discussion to contact Larry Campeau to see if he wants to remain on the board since he hasn’t been attending meetings.

Alan stated he didn’t apply for a debit card yet, since it hasn’t been a big problem yet.

New Business:

Alan asked the association members to share photos, stories and ideas of how to promote the race, participants and membership. Shirley would like information from winners for the Digest articles. We will also be using our website for information and promotion.

There was discussion on a rainout procedure, but nothing specific. It has happened so seldom and it’s so hard to handle for a race this large that general discussion was all the emerged. It could be passed on to the Board and officers to put some recommendation together first.

What section should a Midwest flyer compete in? Unless prior notification before the race you will be competing in the section you flew in last. If you are new, you will compete in the section of the state where you live if it has a section, or that states section. If you live in an area not covered by a section you will be at large corresponding to the overall race mileage class report and not listed by a section.

It was discussed to pay liberator holdover costs as appropriate that are related to the liberation of the race. These are submitted to the race secretary/treasurer for approval and payment.

Discussion was held on giving diplomas out for section placement as well. Dick McKane moved as such and it passed.

Some discussion was held on whether to honor Ken Weber again. It was thought he should be compensated for his meal if Kaytee-Baymor isn’t picking up the costs. Left for the Board of Directors to decide.

Al Porter reported he was trying to get an email contact for all the clubs for ease of sending information, race results and other pertinent material. The website would also be another tool for dissemination of information to clubs and members.

There was quite a bit of discussion on the submission of the database to the AU for awards. It was voted on to submit the database to the AU for awards and to try and get all clubs and participants in the race to follow their club and AU race rules. If someone wants to fly the race to see when his birds would get home and is unable to follow the rules due to his location and circumstances relating to appropriate shipping and release of their birds, then their results would not be part of the AU submission if they would qualify to win any AU or association awards. Also, Torkildseon, McCane, Heller and Mitiu supported the Midwest association look at becoming an AU center.

Al discussed payment of dues to try and simplify current methods. Recommendation from Alan was to charge $3.00 per individual shipping the race on the night of shipping. Any individual can also join anytime after the first of the year for $3.00. There will no longer be separate fees of $2.50 for sending in before June 1^st nor $4.00 for paying after June 1^st. Therefore a club can pay their Midwest membership dues, Midwest race secretary’s fee, Section race secretary’s fee and trophy fees all at one time, the night of shipping. Motion was made and passed.

The Wisconsin Fox Valley concourse submitted a $250 bond to host the 2009 convention. Motion was made by Fritz Menke to accept and motion passed.

No new business from the floor

Publicity: Shirley did her report asking for information??

Fritz Menke reported next year's convention will be hosted by the Montello/Steven Point clubs. Race will be held the first Friday in October at the Pine Ridge Lodge in Wautoma WI.

Future conventions are: 2008 will be Montello WI; 2009 Green Bay WI; and 2010 Michigan

A motion was made from floor to adjourn, 2nd from floor and passed.