Call to order at 7:30 pm by President Greg Gerou
Attendance: Greg Gerou, Greg Braun, Rich Truesdell, Melissa Schumacher, Becci Truesdell, Cindie VanTassel, Abby Carlson, Kelly Carlson, Curt Mund, Bob Rosemore, Paul Sinner, Kelly Turgeon
MSC (Kelly C., Mel S.) to approve the February 15, 2024 meeting minutes
Board of Directors Reports
President
- Received a memorial donation of $1,000 from Rhonda McGee Luebke in memory of Denis Luebke to go towards our youth programs. Greg will be sending a thank you with information about the programs we offer to kids. He will also write up an article about the donation for the Daily News.
- Purchase of a memorial tree at Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge (Greg B., Cindie V.)
- Clarence Schultz passed on February 29, 2024. Cindie will send a sympathy card to the family. As a member of the club we will purchase of a memorial tree at Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge.
- Greg B. will submit the forms and pay the $25 for each tree.
- Mooreton Sportsman’s Club applying for grant funding to purchase new throwers that will cost $7,500 total (may need the use of 501(c)3 status). They are also having a 5-gun raffle $20/ticket 750 tickets.
- Individual standing committees need to be reviewed to see if there are any changes to members.
- April Awards Banquet – April 25 at Hughes Shelter, social at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.
- Potential Speaker – Ron Schara (Due North Outdoors) was too expensive. Other suggestions are a Big Horn Sheep presentation by ND G&F or Chahinkapa Zoo bringing an animal to talk about.
- RMEF Bois de Sioux banquet April 13 at Wahpeton Event Center 5:30-8:30 p.m. They are requesting 2-3 volunteers to help with kid’s games. Contact Greg G. if you are interested in helping.
- Richland County Park Board Chair reached out and offered to help get the 4th dock set up at Mooreton Pond this spring. They will provide additional man-power and the use of a portable welder.
- New bank account is set up and Greg will start transferring the money over iin small amounts. First check will be for $10,000. President, VP, Treasurer and Secretary are on account. Club will have two debit cards.
- Club computer is ready, Microsoft is not setup yet, and Quickbooks transfer is in progress.
- Nominations are open for the club awards until the end of the March meeting (Board of Directors will review nominations following March meeting)
- Sportsperson of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Lifetime Member Award, Landowner/Conservationist, Conservation Officer
- New “Special Service Award” for Dave and Katie Pauly for their dedication to the club over the years with gun registrations. Suggested gift of 2 nights in Medora hotel and dinner and show ticket vouchers for $750. They will also be invited to the banquet. (Rich T., Kelly C.)
Treasurer – $73,959.34 (plus $10k invested and $6k in cash)
- Bills – $614.84 (Rich T. for Jr. Wildlife and Recruitment), $31.64 (Cindie for Jr Wildlife), $30 (Cindie for stamps)
- $10k check transfer to new account
- Incoming $200 for Heitkamp Fishing from OTP
- MSC (Curt, Paul) to approve the Treasurer’s report.
Secretary
- Daily News wants to know how we would like to receive our bills. Email (what account?), if we have them mailed there will be a service charge.
- Set up a non-profit Canva account with the club’s Gmail. If anyone would like to use it reach out to Becci for the login information.
- Communications from Library and Wahpeton Middle School about suggested speakers for activities they have coming up in the next few months. Suggestions were given and Becci will reach out to those groups with our ideas.
Directors
- MN DNR R3 is ready to send for review and approval.
General Committee Reports
Parks & Recreation
- Brett L. shared that the proposed new Wellness Center would have an area for the current senior groups and would be available for large events with a full kitchen. Nothing is official yet.
Jr. Wildlife Club
- March 21 – Wood Duck Houses at Comstock Construction. Had 20 kids participate. Next year will check into and grants available through ND to purchase the wood.
- April meeting is Monday, April 28 and they will be going to Prairie Wetlands. Limited to 15 kids only and about 3-4 chaperons.
Scholarship
- $500 Application from Joe P going into Natural Resources Management at NDSU. (Rich, Kelly) Invite him to the banquet to present.
Public Relations
- Please make sure to share any photos you have from events with Becci so they can be added to our Flickr page. Email them to redriverareasportsmen@gmail.com
- Continuously working on updating the website with new information, news articles, etc. If you see anything that needs updating please bring it forward.
- Proposed purchasing 500 string bags with our logo for various events (Kelly, Kelly)
- Another giveaway idea is USB drives – Becci will look into pricing
- Zoo is looking for volunteers for upcoming event this summer – contact Cindie for more information
Recruitment
- Working on cleaning up the current membership list and discussed sending out a mailed piece to get back some of our past members who haven’t paid up in a while.
Seasonal Committee Reports
- Neil Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby – 165 kids participated. Lots of prizes, purchased Ugly Sticks for all the kids this year. 6 grand prizes between the age groups. Handmade rod to the biggest fish, 2nd and 3rd gift cards plus all got trophies. Prizes for next year are already ordered.
- Vince Herding Fishing Derby – Thinking about water bottles for prizes. Posters are ready if anyone would like some to hang up. RAP may have a bunch of items with old logo that they are looking on donating, Greg G. will check on it. Volunteers needed for the day of the event.
- Dick Bell Catfish – Justin is planning on having it the same as past years. June 1 during Blue Goose Days.
Internal Club Contests
- Submission was made by Abby – 27” Walleye
New/Old/Unfinished Business
- Justin’s memorial tournament plans are on hold right now and he will update the club once plans are more finalized.
- Bench plaques – add Clarence Schulz
- ND Sportsfishing Congress – rewriting to include all ND waters again
- Woody camp donation request – $250 donation (Cindie, Kelly C.)
- Event is August 4-10, 2024 and the club will cover the deposits for any kids that are selected from the area to participate. Put out a social post about applying.
- Building update – the Nielson storage building is for sale on 4th Ave.100×60’ building with loading dock, heated and non-heated storage. Parking for about 35-400 cars. $200,000 asking price.
- Elk Foundation Sponsorship – $500 donation (Rich, Cindie)
Communications
- Received thank you’s from Northern Lights Council, St. John’s Church and FFA Chapter.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
No April Meeting. Please attend the Spring Banquet on April 25 at Hughes Shelter.
May meeting on the 16th at 7:30 pm at the Wahpeton Community Center.