MISSISSIPPI VALLEY HUNTING RETRIEVER CLUB

JUNE 2008

NEWS LETTER

Hi Folks!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the storms and flooding in Iowa, Illinois, and other parts of the Midwest. Hopefully, this won’t go on for too much longer so we can get dried out and back to normal as soon as possible.

I forgot to mention in our last News Letter that congratulations go out to Mike and Lisa Seaman for Yella’s HR Title at our Hunt test in May.

The Board of Directors met at the Gander Mountain in Davenport, IA on Tuesday, May 27^th at 6:30 PM. A Grand Hunt Test Planning meeting was held immediately after the Board meeting. Here is a synopsis of topics discussed at that Board meeting:

A. Treasurers Report:

1). Mike Botts handed out copies of the Clubs Check Register with transactions beginning on Jan 20, 2008 and continuing through May 5, 2008. The balance as of May 5, 2008 is $4,675.91.

2). Mike Botts also handed out Profit and Loss (P&L) Statements from the Spring Hunt Test and the period from March 6 through May 27, 2008.

3). The P&L for the Spring Hunt Test shows income in the amount of $5,924.00 and expenses in the amount of $5,297.35 for a profit of $626.65.

4). The P&L from March through May 2008 shows income from Membership Fee’s of $305.00. There were no additional expenses for this period.

5). When combined with the Hunt Test income and expenses, our Clubs profit was $931.65. Darrell Day made a motion to accept the Treasurers Report and P&L’s. Motion was seconded by Mark Raskie. Motion carried with no objections.

B. Hunt Test Report and Comments:

1). Darrell Day led a discussion on the Spring Hunt Test. The general consensus was that there were a core group of club members who do a great job year after year. But there are also members who show up and yet do not help. Several Board Members were not aware of any problems on Saturday because the problems seemed to be confined to the main check in area and one of the Finished Test Sites. The Board agreed that the weather may have played a part in the level of support provided on Saturday. Darrell Day felt he learned a lesson at this test in that it is difficult to Judge and be the Club President because we had no Hunt Marshall to run the Hunt Test. Darrell Day said he had problems with the wingers used in the Finished Flight he was judging on Saturday. A motion to replace all the Gunners Up parts on the wingers carried with no objections. Burt Fletcher discussed other improvements/repairs he would make to the wingers.

2). Keith Pauli asked if it was possible to move the Spring Hunt Test date. Mike Botts stated that the only open date is the following weekend, which is usually Mother’s Day. Mike Seaman stated that date may conflict with AKC Tests. Lisa Seaman asked if gas prices were a factor in the number of attendees at our event. It did not seem so as Big Wapsie, Mississippi Flyway, Illinois River, etc., were all full or close to full for Finished dogs. Clark Malmer asked if it was possible to move the test back one week. Mike Botts explained that moving it back competes with southern Illinois tests. Discussions about moving the date of the Hunt Test were tabled. Mike Botts asked if we were going to hold an Upland Hunt Test next year and the response from the Board was yes. Clark Malmer asked about the date and Mike Botts said the second weekend in March.

C. Old Business:

1). Princeton Weed Control: Darrell Day stated that Jeff Glaw took chemicals to a company that will spray the Princeton Wildlife Area. Keith Pauli asked if we needed to block the roads during the spraying and Darrell Day and Burt Fletcher stated that we did not and that it was under control. Darrell Day stated that he met with representatives from Waterfowl USA who told him if we needed any money for the spraying; we could get it from them. Clark Malmer asked who pays for the spraying and what the cost was. Darrell Day stated that Bob said we did not have to worry about the money as it came out of a Princeton account. The chemical used is called Rodeo which is a souped up version of Round Up. Mike Seaman stated that we may have to burn the dead brush/willows this winter. Clark Malmer stated that the thistles are getting bad and we should look at that before too long. Burt Fletcher stated he already left Chet a call on the thistles.

2). Mower: Mike Botts made a motion to sell the mower to Lisa Seaman at the agreed to price. Motion was seconded by Mark Raskie. Motion carried with only one objection….from Mike Seaman.

3). Wingers: Darrell Day stated the Club needs to purchase new wingers. Keith Pauli stated we should purchase the wingers from Gunners Up as they are a sponsor of HRC. Mike Botts stated that we might be able to buy them at the Grand. A discussion ensued about the number of wingers the club needed and the consensus was that we needed 13 plus one spare for a total of 14 wingers. Since we currently have 6, we would need to purchase an additional 8 wingers. Clark Malmer volunteered to handle equipment sales of wingers for the club and club members. Keith Pauli asked if we were still going to purchase a trailer. A discussion followed on whether to purchase new or used, and what size it should be. The consensus was to try and buy a used 14’ trailer. Keith Pauli volunteered to keep an eye out for any trailers for sale that met those parameters. A question of priority arose as to which we should buy first – the trailer or the wingers. A motion was made, seconded, and carried that stated our intent to purchase the 8 wingers without committing the funds. This is so that if a trailer becomes available that the Board would like to purchase for the Club, we could do so without having the funds tied to wingers.

4). Club Equipment: Burt Fletcher stated that he conducted an inventory of club equipment with the following results:

6 ~ Gunners Up Wingers 9 ~ Canvas Winger Hides

3 ~ Rotary Wingers 4 ~ Canvas Dog Hides

1 ~ Kill Box 8 ~ Dead Bird Tubs

3 ~ Folding Tables 1 ~ Piece of Nylon Canvas

1 ~ Set of Portable Horse Legs 1 ~ Bucket for Raffles

4 ~ 32 Slot Bird Dryers 1 ~ Bucket of Rotary Stakes

5 ~ 5 Gal Buckets 27 ~ Rerod Winger Stakes

8 ~ Rerod Hide Winger Stakes 2 ~ Gun Racks

6 ~ Popper Buckets 12 ~ Bird Crates

Site and Direction Signs (need to be replaced)

D. New Business:

1). Hunt Secretary: Darrell Day stated that Melissa and Andy McMahon have decided not to renew their membership this year. As such, we will need a Hunt Secretary for both the Upland and Regular Hunt Tests. Mike Botts stated that the nomination process would be used to fill that position. Clark Malmer asked if we could use Entry Express. A short discussion followed about the different methods available to handle Premiums. Bill Sarafin volunteered to get information on each of these and provide it to the Board at the next meeting.

2). Web Page: Darrell Day stated that we would also need someone to take care of the web page. Who ever managed the web page would have to charge it to their credit card and be reimbursed by the club for that expense. Keith Pauli volunteered but stated that he still needed to be trained by Melissa on how to update the web page. A short discussion ensued about whether we still need or want the web page. The consensus was that we would continue to operate the web page.

3). Equipment Manager: Darrell Day stated that we needed an Equipment Manager to keep track of and maintain the equipment in inventory. Burt Fletcher volunteered to be the Equipment Manager. He stated that this responsibility ties in directly to his duties as Training Coordinator.

No other business was brought to the table. The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 pm.

I hope your training is going well. Good luck at your next Hunt Test! May your dog(s) mark all falls, line all blinds and be steady to shot.

Bill

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”