Susquehanna Branch QDMA

SUSQUEHANNA BRANCH QDMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 12/29/08

Directors present : Jack Sorber, Dave Wilcox, Bob Wagner. Ken Singer, Jim Holbert, Jim Dovin,
Ed Grasavage, Dave Sienko, Al Cuevas.

Associate Directors present: Alton Arnold, Damien Rutkoski, Rusty Ely.

Presidents Remarks - relayed message from John Butler about upcoming elections.

Secretary’s report - Past report approved..

Treasurers Report - $3399 in the Treasury. Bill - Bob Wagner $341.+
                                President said that perhaps our Treasurer should be bonded.
                                He said that there had been a bit of trouble with another branches treasurer.
                                Al will inquire about getting bonded.

OLD BUSINESS -
Item 1) External Drive for our camera and computers to interface. Al C. said that it is in and he just has to pick it up.
Item 2) Dave Sienko will look for his bills for the seeding if SGL 140.
Item 3) QDMA Stewardship Course - discussion about do we use funds from the education and Outreach and it was decided that yes we do as long as there are funds there.
Do we have the funds to pay for Jack Sorber and Damien Rutkoski’s expenses for attending these sessions?
Yes, we had allocated $1750 for education - $300 for Youth; $750 for Deer Stewardship; $350 for National Convention.
The cost to attend the Deer Stewardship II course was $750 per person. Jack and Damien did not include any travel expense bills.
MOTION - THE Branch use the allocated $750 to pay $375 each to Jack Sorber and Damien Rutkoski for their education at the Deer Stewardship II Course. Motion made by Jim Dovin, seconded by Dave Wilcox. Vote unanimous Yes!
Item 4) The Branch should get signs up for the Adopt A Food Plot fields that we have planted on SGL 35 & 140. Jim Holbert will check with Andres about getting signs made.
Item 5) Other monies allocated - $1000-$2000 for Adopt A Food Plot plantings
$ 1600 promotions
$ 2000 banquet
The Treasurer reports that we have spent more than we allocated for the Food Plots!

New Business

Item 1) Computer protection for our system that the treasurer uses - much discussion about the merits of various protection programs. Al C. says that we have Norton. Discussion that we should upgrade to Norton 360. Being that we only use it a few times a year we should just stay with what we have. Dave W. said that changing or upgrading can create troubles and big problems.
Motion - It is motioned that we stay with Norton and pay the bill for the upcoming year. Motion made by Dave Wilcox, seconded by Jim Dovin. Vote unanimous Yes!

Item 2) Elections - Ed Grasavage says that he would step down to associate if needed. Secretary explained that Ed’s term was for one more year. Discussion about possible new directors or associate directors - candidates Matt Sellers, Rick Larnerd, Damien Rutkoski. Also that Bill Stepniak might be interested.
Jim Holbert will check with Bill S. to see if he was interested.
Elections will be on January 24th after the Mini field day at the Canawacta Rod and Gun club.

Item 3) Website Upgrade. Damien Rutkoski said that he needs more information. Wants to get the Banquet flyer on the site, camp applications, upcoming events and more.

Item 4) QDMA Signs - ??????

Item 5) Banquet March 21st 2009 at the Montrose VFW. Discussion as to what the plan is. Chairman Dovin explained things.

Item 6) Antler Roundup - Feb. 21st at the Inn at Montrose from 2 to 5 pm new owners Dan and Gretchen Backer. We should have a donation box set up. Damien has 5 scoring kits if we need them.

Item 7) Springville Baptist Church Sportsmen’s event - feb. 28th 3 to 5pm we will be making presentations.

Item 8) Eastern Sportsmen’s show - PAQDMA still needs volunteers, there will be a new booth display and Kip Adams will be one of the featured speakers.

Item 9) Apple Tree Pruning and Youth Event - tracking for any youth coming to the event Carlos cuevas and Scott Sienko will lead any youth that come to the event on a hike that will discover animal tracks in the snow in mid winter.

Item 10) Other - Report from Al Cuevas our rep. to the Susq. Fed. Of Sportsmen’s Clubs -
Sept. 19th Susquehanna Federation Youth field day.
Sept. 12 & 13 Trapping Training School
Mike Webb, PGC Game Warden has been very active this past year - has caught 19 deer law violators in one day. Also bear law violators.

Jim Holbert - has people that will donate cherry lumber to make deer head/antler plaques for kids to mount their deer on. These will be a gift to kids attending the Banquet. Ken Singer will donate a kit to Jim H. to use as a prototype.

Jack Sorber - April 4
Apple Tree pruning on SGL 57 with Browns Tree Service. They will be doing pruning. Also in conjunction with the Red Rock chapter of the NWTF.
More possible outreach to hunting clubs and groups.
Possible a big mini apple tree releasing and pruning session on SGL 219 one big group of NWTF, QDMA, Ruffed Grouse Society, Hunting Clubs, Boy Scouts and more.

Alton Arnold - Farm Bureau is still against Hunting on Sundays. Alton may ask one of us to come and speak to the group. Local Farm Bureau Game and Fish committee of George Hayes, Joe Plonski and Alton Arnold.

Ken Singer asked if there was any interest in helping reimburse Chet Frystak for his costs for finding the people who stole and wrecked his ATV. No action.

Ed Grasavage - recounted the story of his and Chip Sorbers attempts to help find the Lancaster county mountain lion. PGC had called them and their dogs in to track the supposed mt. lion. Ed believes the whole thing was a farce.

Motion to adjourn made by Jim Dovin, seconded by Dave Sienko, Vote unanimous Yes.