MINUTES OF THE MEMBER MEETING

                                                          SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009

 

The meeting was called to order by President Randy Brownlee at 9:00 a.m. under the canopy of the rifle range.  Membership attendance was good, estimated at about 175-225 people. Randy Brownlee explained that badges will be made as they can be, but it is slow-going right now, since all members must have the new badges made.  There will be a grace period for the first round, since it has the greatest number of members.  Also, there is a $25 replacement charge for lost badges.

Randy Brownlee introduced the club officers and announced that our membership, as of 5/1/09, is roughly 1283.

Andre’ Champagne had a Treasury Report to hand out (attached) and announced that money has been moved to Charter Bank, to an interest-bearing account.  Our Lease was at $27,672 per year, but this year we will have a new appraisal, so it may increase.  Our insurance is $3,300 per year.  Also, it was pointed out that the “land swap” idea discussed last year is no longer possible, as the law has changed.

Guy Saenger pointed out that Skeet & Trap make roughly $10,000 per year for the club.

Randy Brownlee noted that the beginning and ending totals include the $50,000 reserve in the general fund.

Randy Brownlee introduced Larry Shook, Ken Hablitzel and H Switzer as instrumental in the pistol shooting competitions.  Randy noted that the Treasury Report from 5 years ago had long range plans, many of which are completed.  Yet to be completed are the new Skeet & Trap fields, slabs 15' x 100' and covers (with additional restrooms on one slab), small pavillion for the Skeet fields, paving of the parking lots, campsites for tournament traffic and an archery range.

Chester Abbott made a motion to lower the membership dues back down to $100 per year.  There were multiple seconds.  The question was asked if a member joined in Oct/Nov, would they have to pay the $200 again the following January?  Discussion of this question resulted in the answer from the Board that yes, all memberships become retroactive on 1/1/09.  Another question was if dues of $100 per year would make enough income for the improvements?  Discussion resulted in an answer of no, there would not be enough income for the improvements.  Randy Brownlee gave a brief review of last year’s meeting in which Jon Lewis made the motion last year to raise dues to $150 per year with the capitol improvements in mind another member at that meeting recommended $200.00 and it passed.  The extension to make the rifle range longer and raise the berms will take more money.  Ken Hablitzel noted that the price of materials and supplies has gone up since dues were $100 per year.  Les Sturdevant noted he has been a member for 47 years and has seen more needed  improvements and promise of future improvements since the dues were raised to $200 than in the rest of his time as a member.  Harold Balius asked if membership would drop because of the higher dues, since many of the membership are hunters who just come to site in their rifles for hunting?  Randy Brownlee said the Board had discussed having various types of memberships, but the manpower it would take to monitor, would make it impossible.  Randy also noted that the membership has actually increased since the dues were raised.  Cary Stalling said the $200 per year is fair.  Louis Pinto noted that, as a long time member himself, he knows others come as guests with other members.  Pam Opel asked, as a new member, of the possibility of going to $150 per year, but it was thought that would not result in enough revenue for the discussed improvements.  Randy Brownlee called for a vote of the membership present in favor of reducing dues to $100.00 and those in favor of leaving the dues at $200.00 by a raising of hands.  Leaving the dues at $200 per year won the vote overwhelmingly.

Regular membership meetings are the 3^rd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the clubhouse.

Chester Abbott made a motion to add an amendment to the club By-Laws (attached) and H Ford seconded the motion.  A vote of raised hands was unanimous for the amendment.

John Stubbendick has volunteered to be in the clubhouse next Saturday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. to do badges.

Election of Officers - Director Position - Nominated were Glen Dawson (currently the Director and Dennis Ingram;  Vote of raised hands showed Glen Dawson won the vote.  Secretary - Paula Wiles (no other nominations); Treasurer - Andre’ Champagne (no other nominations); Vice President - Tom Wilz (no other nominations); President - Randy Brownlee (nominated by John Woodfield) and Chester Abbott (nominated by Ken Hablitzel); Chester Abbott won the vote and is the new club President.

Randy Brownlee announced that the club commends Joe Newman for his tireless and much appreciated work as Range Safety Officer.

Chester Abbott announced the HCYLA fund raiser shoot coming up on June 6^th, which is a benefit for the American Red Cross.  The range will still be open that day.

Motion to Close the Meeting was made and seconded and the meeting was closed at 10:12 a.m.