Call to order by President Greg Gerou at 7:34 p.m.
Attendance: Justin K., Cindie V., Greg G., Rich T., Greg B., Becci T., Melissa S., Kevin M.
Guests: Mark Althoff, Jamison Althoff, Kyle Althoff
Minutes: (No changes noted.) MSC (Greg B./Melissa) to approve March 20
Board of Directors Reports
President
- Changes to RRASC Bylaws
- Review the proposed changes to the RRASC Bylaws
- Adding the Financial Secretary would take place in 2025. Checked with Brad E., Kristine A., Heather R. No takers yet on the position.
- In 2025, when electing the odd-year director position, two people would be elected. Cindie Van Tassel is the current odd-year director.
- The one-year director position would remain, and one person would be elected in 2025. Kelly Carlson is the current one-year director.
- In 2026, the one-year director position would be eliminated.
- In 2026, two people would be elected for the even-year director position. Rich Truesdell is the current even-year director.
- Based on these changes – the Election of the board of directors: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Odd-year directors – two directors, One Year Director – one director
- Election Held: President – Greg G., VP – Brad G., Secretary – Becci T., Treasurer – Greg G., new Odd Year – Justin K., 1 year – Kelly C.
- Twist of Fate request for funding for 12 person hunt. $5500 (Greg B./Rich)
- Grant Request by Owen Skovholt for structure project on Mooreton Pond – B.O.D. approved the request for $2,500 (Rich/Justin)
- He has all the approvals from Core and ND G&F to add structure to the bottom of pond including rock piles and trees. Adding specific fish to stock.
- Check to be made out to Owen Skovholt
- NDWF has approved his grant request at $1,500.00
- Owen is working on other grants
- Grant Request from Chahinkapa Zoo at $1,680.99 to help their Educational Program (computer, 3 african giant millipedes, blue death feigning beetle, outreach wagon (Melissa/Cindie)
- 2024 Annual Report from Northern Lights Council of Scouts
- RRASC received $2,400 from NDGF Encouraging Tomorrow’s Hunters Grant – signed paperwork has been sent to Cayla. This applies to the three youth hunts we will have in 2025.
- Membership – renewal and dues (April is the renewal month). Reminder email sent out to anyone who is past due since 2020 to current.
- City of Wahpeton passed a sales tax increase for the new Activity & Rec Center
- RRASC needs to work with the Parks & Rec Dept to ensure we have a place for the Smoker
- RRASC contacted Shelly Tollefson regarding the club’s building plans
- RRASC hosted the NDGF Spring Advisory Meeting on April 22, 2025 (25-30 people attended)
- RRASC sponsored the Red River Human Services Foundation’s request for their Special Fishing Permit (5 year cycle)
- NDGF Waterfowl Brigade – event July 8-12
- Poster of trapshooting tournament – may be a fundraising idea/opportunity for RRASC. They have a fun night trap shooting event with raffles and drawings.
- VCSU is now offering a Fisheries & Wildlife Science Program. We should share our scholarship information with them.
- MN Conceal Carry Training – Patriot Carry Academy. Available to schedule conceal to carry training. They are located out of Breckenridge.
- Head of the Red opened in May – check their Facebook page
- Joe Pikarski Trap Range open Wednesday, June 4th
Secretary
- Sending out recruiting posters for Jr Wildlife & RRASC Membership
Treasurer
- Expenses: Club Insurance $737, Econo $52.43 (Jr Wildlife), Sign Pro $927 (Promotional), Becci $3,656 (Fishing Derby), Econo $24.51 (Meeting), Spring Banquet $51, Spring Banquet $105.48, Chamber Bucks $200, Wahpeton Deli $517.05 (Spring Banquet), Grippers $240.75 (Spring Banquet), Econo $120.59 (NDWF Meeting), Mooreton Sponsor $100, Becci $411.38 (Fishing Derby/Office Supplies), Stuart $148.51 (Jr Wildlife), Twist of Fate $500, Skovolt $2,500, Zoo $1680.99
- Deposits: $1,975 (Spring Derby), $10 (Dues)
- $99,928 checking
- MSC (Rich/Cindie)
Directors
- The MN DNR Prairie Chicken trailer has been checked into for next year for possible event.
General Committee Reports
Jr. Wildlife Club
- April 29 – Tewaukon Bird Watching
- May meeting canceled due to weather and lack of sign-ups
- June 19 – Making Fishing Lures and Fishing at Welles Park
Public Relations
- Upcoming Community Events – Blue Goose Days and Parade
- Please use the new canopy, table cloth and sail flag at all club events and those events we go to
- Please remember to share your photos with the club (redriverareasportsmen@gmail.com) and follow and share our social posts.
Seasonal Committee Reports
- Vince Herding Fishing Derby
- Had 110 registered participants. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped that day. Good number of fish caught. Need to think about what to do about trophies in the future.
- Rods need to be gone through. Need more closed reels for young kids.
- There will be a segment on the ND Today show about the event.
- Dick Bell Catfish Tournament – June 7
- Need volunteers. Watch for poster from Justin.
Internal Club Contests
- Turkey Beard – Andrew S (youth) 9.75”
Old / New / Unfinished Business
- Mark presented the pheasant mount from the fall pheasant hunt to Jamison. They had 9 hunters that day and Jamison’s bird was picked for the mount. Jamison gave a nice speech about his experience and many thanks to all the allowed him to enjoy the event.
- There is a larger storage unit available at the same location as our current unit. The current renter has it until late fall. It is 4x the size of our current unit and has the ability to drive through with a vehicle to load. Rich know where we could get pallet racking to set it up for storage. The larger unit would provide a place to move all our items from other locations to a single spot. Yearly cost $4,200.
- We would also have the ability to use the field next to the storage units for Jr Wildlife activities.
- Future discussion needed.
Next meeting June 19 at the Wahpeton Community Center.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.