Call to order by President Greg Gerou at 7:30 p.m.
Attendance: Greg G., Greg B., Joe K., Cindie V., Curt M., Rich T., Becci T., Leroy S., Brad G., Jerry O.
Minutes: (No changes noted.) MSC (Cindie/Leroy) to approve November 21
Board of Directors Reports
President
- Review the 2025 Proposed Budget – Board of Directors has met and reviewed for 2025 (MSC Cindie/Joe)
- RRASC received the NDGF Youth Grant of $3,000
- RRASC received the pass-through check from NDWF-OHF for the MSC equipment repair for $5,000
- We have been informed that Trigger Sports will be closing in early 2025
- Need a plan for storing the club’s firearms
- We need to purchase a gun safe to store our firearms and decide where it should be kept
- The Building Committee will focus its search for the club’s immediate needs – Greg has been in contact with a realtor for available options
- Brad G has a 42-gun safe available (extra purchase from NWTF) Decision is that it may not be large enough to store smoker guns in their boxes.
- We need to schedule a day to sort the tee shirts, sort by size vs. color
- Nominations are open for the following:
- Sportsman of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Lifetime Membership
- Agricultural / Landowner Conservationist of the Year
- Conservation Officer Recognition
- Distinguished Service Award
- Volunteer Service Award
- A list of previous recipients can be found on our website – https://rrasc.net/member-recognitions
- Nominations will close at the end of the March meeting – please don’t wait until the last minute to nominate
- Christmas trees at Wahpeton tree site – need permits to place trees on any ND water body
- Thank you cards from Bill & Judy Krump, their grandson Sam Trom participated in his first-ever youth goose hunt – $100 donation
- Thank you from Chuck & Cheri Haus for help with the pheasant cost
- Invitation to the 16th annual chili cook-off – March 21 at the WCC
- RRASC received a nomination for the Non-profit of the Year by the Wahpeton Chamber. Awards day is February 20
- 2024 Annual report from the NWTF – their vision of the future of conservation can be viewed online at NWTF.org
- ND Wildlife Federation is doing matching grants groups involved in the Western ND wildfires.
Vice President
- Request for club to be a sponsor again for the NWTF banquet on February 7 $500 sponsor/$200 Jakes table gun ($700 total) MSC (Rich/Cindie)
- Held a drawing during the meeting for the two entry/meals the club received – went to Curt and Becci.
Treasurer
- Pass through: $5,000 & $5,000
- Payments: Guns for smoker $800 (Curt), Ladies Hunt $679.70 (Various Payments), Clay Target $500, Archery $1,500, Stamps $29.20, Band of Brothers $370, Docks $413, PO Box Rent $84, Christmas Party $63.50 (Cindie), Travel $563 (Joe), Travel/Stamps $672.95 (Cindie), Smoker Gun $375, Chamber Membership $180, Smoker Guns & Portable Drive $1598.35 (Becci), NWFT $700
- Deposits: $100 donation, $3,000 grant
- $101,534 checking / $7,000 cash in safe / $10,628 Thrivent = $119,162 total
- MSC (Cindie/Joe)
Directors
- Zoo needs matching donation to participate in Giving Hearts Day – proposed $2,000 (Cindie/Rich)
General Committee Reports
Jr. Wildlife Club
- January 16 – Darkhouse spearfishing and decoys
- 8 kids. Lonnie Wurst talked to the kids about spearing and how to make decoys. Justin shared a video of spearfishing in action. Each participant went home with a custom made decoy.
- Proposed to pay Lonnie for the decoys up to $200 (Rich/Brad)
- February 20 – Air Rifle
- March 20 – Birdhouses
Scholarship
- Sent a text to the one recipient. Will follow up.
Public Relations
- Please remember to share your photos with the club (redriverareasportsmen@gmail.com) and follow and share our social posts.
Recruitment
- Opportunity to place an ad in the Daily News Profile issue. ⅛ page ad approved (Jerry/Brad)
Seasonal Committee Reports
- Heitkamp Fishing Derby – February 15.
- Cindie has flyers available
- January 29 will have a work night on the fishing rods 5:45 p.m. at Community Center. Will provide pizza.
- Volunteers needed on the 15th from 10:30-3:30 (Minnows, rods, parking, hole maintenance)
- Weather make-up date February 22
Internal Club Contests
- Deer/Elk/etc. – Joe Keller Mule Buck 3×4
- Turkey Beard – Joe Keller 9.5”
- Pheasant Tail Feather – Joe Keller 21.25”
Old / New / Unfinished Business
- Club’s Spring Banquet – April 24 @ Hughes Shelter
- RAP has their trailer coming up at big events in the state, looking for volunteers to run it
- Letter from ND Youth Archery requesting donations for the state tournament in March – $250 (Cindie/Brad)
- Prairie Wetlands thank you for donation – $150 again this year (Jerry/Curt)
- $2,500 grant approved for Fairmount
- Anyone can write testimonies for ND legislative bills. Check online.
Other Group Events
- Richland Renegade Toms Banquet on February 7. Tickets will be available starting in December.
Correspondence
- Christmas card from FUCC
- FF Game & Fish thank you for Woodie Camp donation
Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.