Minutes from the Summer 2002 KT-SAF Executive Meeting

July 24, 2002

 

Attendees:  Gary Schneider, Chair; J.R. Anderson, Chair-Elect; Rudean Reynolds, Chair East Kentucky; Wayne Clatterbuck, Memorial Scholarship Fund Chair; John Rennie, Newsletter editor; Jerry Crow, Treasurer; Joe Burkle, Rick Horn, Richard Evans, George Hopper, Larry Doyle, Wilbur Hitchcock, Ken Negray; Kerry Schell, John Wood; Dave Walters.

 

Chair Gary Schneider opened the meeting at 4:35 pm in the Drury Suites in Paducah, Kentucky and led introductions all around.

 

·     The minutes of the Winter 2002 Executive Committee Meeting were reviewed.  John Rennie made a motion to approve the minutes and Wayne Clatterbuck seconded.  No discussion.  Minutes were approved.

·     Jerry Crow reviewed the mid-year 2002 budget.  Discussion on approving a deficit budget.  Dave Walters explained that budgets in the past were frequently approved with a planned deficit.

·     David Mercker will need to be contacted regarding accounting for the Forester’s Fund grant obtained by the West Tennessee chapter.  Jerry will contact.

·     John Rennie made motion to accept the mid-year budget.  Red Anderson seconded.  No further discussion.  Mid-year budget was approved.

 

Committee Reports

Membership:  Dwayne Turner not present.

Member Information: 

·     Newsletter:  John Rennie reported that two newsletters were published to-date in 2002.  The February newsletter was mailed to all members.  The May newsletter was sent by e-mail to those member giving e-mail addresses, and mailed to all other members. The ability to send newsletters electronically will cut previous newsletter costs in half.  Next newsletter scheduled for mailing first week of August.  A question was asked about the KT membership list.  John replied that he gets information e-mailed from the National Office pertaining to the KT membership.

·     WebPage:  Mark Young recuperating from back surgery.  Richard Evans reiterated the request for assistance for Mark with the webpage. 

Program: 

·     Jeff Stringer unable to attend.  John Wood in charge of Summer 2002 program.

Awards: 

·     Pam received one nomination from KTSAF for the National Field Forester Award.  District IX’s award winner was Jack Muncie.  (Each District has a winner with 9 awards nationally).

Memorial Scholarship: 

·     Wayne reported that the committee has $14,000-$15,000 in 3 separate accounts.  The committee’s goal is to consolidate the funds into one account. The current committee consists of Wayne and Roger Bollinger.  They would like 2 additional members, especially from Kentucky.

·     Current guidelines for scholarship awards are annual $200 grants (plus hotel expenses for the winter KTSAF meeting) to 3 forestry students, one each from University’s of Tennessee, Kentucky, and the South. 

·    Gary clarified that Student Development money from the general fund goes to help student chapters while the scholarship money goes to the 3 student awardees.  The Memorial Scholarship Committee Charter has not been changed to-date to reflect the discussion in 2001 regarding graduate students, that only undergraduate students were eligible for the Memorial Scholarship awards.

·                The question was raised if there is a forestry degree offered at the University of the South.  Joe Burkle responded that there is a B.S. in Forestry offered at U. of the South, but it is not accredited by SAF.  There are also B.S. degrees in Natural Resources, and in Geology, but there are no graduate degrees in Forestry.  Gary mentioned that there must be a language change made in the Education Committee Charter, and that he will make that change to reflect that the scholarship awards go only to undergraduate students.

History: 

·     Rick Wilcox not present but reports he is continuing archival work and will have a formal full report at the winter 2003 meeting.

Public Affairs/Communications: 

·     Matt Bennett not present.  One note of clarification made.  If a Forestry Fund grant is approved, the project must go through the P.A./Communications Committee for approval.  The logic being that the P.A./Communications Cmte. works with the media.

·       The East KY Chapter has submitted a proposal titled, “Kentucky Project Learning Tree – A Teacher’s Workshop”.  The request is for $500.00 with the goal of awarding T-shirts to those teachers who complete PLT.  Matt has reviewed and endorsed it, Gary has approved and recommended it go to National.

·     Kerry made a motion that the Exec Committee accept the proposal and forward it to National.   Red seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  The motion was voted on and carried.

Education:

·     Laurie Smith unable to attend but will have a full report at the winter 2003 meeting.

Policy and Legislation:

·     Jeff Stringer faxed report to Gary.  East Kentucky Chapter prepared two position statements for the Executive Committee to review and hopefully approve prior to sending to the National Office. 

1.  Promoting Multiple Use Forest Management within Kentucky State Park Viewsheds

2.  Effective Forest Stewardship in Kentucky.

·       Rudean Reynolds commented on the position statements and reviewed the recommendations to the Executive Committee.  The East Kentucky Chapter has approved the positions.  They have asked the West Kentucky Chapter to review and approve them also.  They have not done so as of yet. 

·       Red asked for clarification on the definition of a “viewshed”.  East KY’s position includes all segments of the viewshed: foreground, midground, and background.

·       Kerry questioned the wording.  Further discussion ensued.

·       Gary asked Rudean to take the position statements back to the East KY Chapter and check with the National Office to see if a National Policy already existed on viewsheds.  Dave Walters added that the statements be reworded.

·       The consensus of the Executive Committee members present was that the position be clarified by the East Kentucky Chapter prior to approval by the Executive Committee.  Check with the National Office to for help with the position wording. The edited position should be labeled as “DRAFT”, and will then be put on e-mail for the Exec. Committee to approve.

·       The second position statement (“Effective Forest Stewardship in Kentucky”) is an updated version of an already existing position paper written and approved in 1996.  East KY wants approval of the update. Discussion followed.  Wayne suggested that legislation numbers be checked for accuracy prior to approval.

 

 

·       Kerry made a motion to accept the updated position statement with the following changes:

1.  Check mission statement.

2.  Check current membership numbers.

3.  Check the level of support from the West Kentucky Chapter.

4.  Further, the paper would be the position of the two Kentucky chapters, not the KT

      Society.

·       John Rennie seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  The motion was voted on and carried.

 

New Business:

1.  National Forest Management Planning Process:

     Jeff Stringer submitted as an item of discussion the management planning process for the Daniel Boone and the Cherokee National Forests.  “The draft needs to be heavily edited and any

     recommendations are welcomed, but especially those pertaining to:

1)  Cherokee N.F. concerns:

a.   Level of specificity of recommendations

b.  Constructive criticisms on length, tone of document

      2)  Daniel Boone N.F. concerns:

a.   “too lengthy to include”

·       Wayne  discussed points of editing – should the Daniel Boone and the Cherokee be addressed together or separately?  If separately, then KTSAF viewpoint responses should be to each forest individually.

·       Discussion followed. 

·       The earlier original plan was that Wayne would form a committee in Tennessee to address the Cherokee, Jeff Stringer would form a committee in Kentucky to address the Daniel Boone, and eventually the two committees would merge thoughts to present a combined report.

·       Following additional discussion, Gary directed that the two task force committees as originally planned be formed.  Wayne and the TN task force will prepare comments in regards to the Cherokee, Jeff and the KY task force will prepare comments in regards to the Daniel Boone.  Both will present their report at the Winter KTSAF meeting in January 2003.  The task force committees are to get the most competent persons available, and it is permissible to get non-SAF members to participate on the committees.

 

2.  Nominations:  John Perry called for nominations for 2003 officers, Chair-Elect and Secretary.   Kentucky is to provide these nominees who will be announced in the fall 2002 newsletter.

 

3.  Tellers Committee:  Richard Evans reported that auditing of the books will be done at the winter 2003 meeting.

 

4.  Chapter Reports:  Written reports submitted for East TN, West TN, Southeast TN, and East KY.

 

5.  Program Committee:  The Southeast TN Chapter will be hosting the Winter 2003 Meeting     January 29-31, 2003 at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee.  The theme will be Forest

     Regulations.

 

6.  Rudean Reynolds presented a request from the East KY Chapter to change the Chapter By-Laws.  Currently the East KY Policy Chair is open-ended, i.e. there is no time limit.  They wish to make the

 change to specify a two-year term limit to make filling the office more feasible. 

     Larry Doyle made a motion to accept the requested change in the by-laws.

     Dave Walters seconded the motion.

     No further discussion.  The motion carried and was passed.

 

7.  School reports were given for University of Tennessee, and for University of Kentucky.

 

8.  Agency Reports:  

·       Red Anderson representing the Cherokee National Forest will make a formal report at the Business Meeting on Friday.

·       Dave Walters reported for the Tennessee Division of Forestry.  The new State Forester, Steve Scott, reported to his new position on July 2nd.  He received both a B.S. and an M.S. at

      Clemson, worked at one time for the Kentucky Division of Forestry, and is very supportive of  SAF.  One upcoming issue Dave mentioned is the application to permit a barge site in

      Lake County, TN for loading wood products.  Dave also reported that Dan Wheeler  submitted his resignation yesterday (July 23, 2002) as Commissioner of Agriculture.    

·       No other agencies representatives were present at the Executive Committee meeting.  If present on Friday, they will be given the opportunity to present a report during the Business Meeting.

 

Old Business  

1.  “Core Values”.  The National Office has asked for comments and input from state societies. 

     Kerry made a motion that KTSAF subscribe and support the “Core Values” as stated by the

     National Office, and the the Chair send a letter of support to that effect.

     John Rennie seconded the motion.

     No further discussion.  The motion carried and was passed that Gary would send a letter.

 

2. The intent of the Education Committee charter was clarified.

 

New Business   

Tim French forwarded his Council notes to Gary.  Gary reviewed the following items with the committee:

1.  “’Dues’ is a four-letter word.”  Council and staff have determined that smaller incremental increases (3%) are more palatable to the membership than one large increase every 10-20

      years.  Thus an increase will begin in October 2003 and be levied annually based on Consumer Price Index.

2.  “’Membership is a ten-letter word.”  National membership in June 2002 was 15,660, in June 2001 was 15,770, and in June 2000 was 16,241. KTSAF membership in June 2002 was 382 and in June 2001 was 442.  Of the reduction, 54 were purged, 12 transferred, 1 died, and 5 resigned.  UT’s Student Chapter went from 18 to 17 members, and UK’s student chapter from 8 to 5 members.  The question was asked about finding out who the purged members are.  John Rennie  responded that he and the Chapter Chairs all have lists of the purged members.   KTSAF needs 51 new members

      to meet the 2002 membership goal.

 

       Rick Horn, who recently renewed his SAF membership after some time away suggested the following as reasons for membership declines:

a.   Professional level dues too high after students graduate college.

b.  Foresters leave the profession of forestry.

c.   Lack of involvement by the member, the chapter, or both.

 

3.  National’s Policy group has had numerous successes on Capitol Hill regarding forestry and natural resources issues.  One reason is their level of grassroots contacts and  contributions.

4.  Journal of Forestry requesting help from the membership for ideas and writing in the “Focus” section of the JOF.

 

Leadership Academy

·       Red Anderson attended in 2002.  Red highly endorsed it, and suggested KTSAF boost its annual support contribution from $500 to $750 for one attendee from KTSAF.  Normally

  Chair-Elects attend, but anyone is welcome to take part in  the academy.

·       Gary instructed Jerry to raise this figure to $750 in the 2003 Budget.

 

Tim’s final word was to encourage the KTSAF membership to attend the National Convention in Winston-Salem, NC on October 5th to 9th, 2002.

 

FFA Convention Funding

·       KTSAF was denied Forester’s Fund funding in 2002 to provide and staff an SAF booth at the Future Farmers of America National Convention held in Louisville, KY.  National’s policy is that no society can get Forester’s Fund monies three years in a row for the same project.

·       Gary talked to Tim French regarding this policy.  Tim changed the name on the application to the Missouri SAF as sponsor.  The application and funding were then approved for 2002.

·       Jerry was informed that a check for $755.00 from National for the FFA Convention project would be coming in the mail to him, and that he would let Ken Negray know when he received it.

·       Larry Doyle made a motion that KTSAF contribute $200.00 to FFA field activities.  Wayne seconded it.  No further discussion.  The motion was carried and passed.

·       Jerry and future Treasurers were instructed to make a $200 donation to FFA field activities part of the budgets for 2003, 2004, and 2005.

·       It was further stated that the FFA National Convention will move permanently to another state in 3 to 4 years. 

 

National has requested items from each Society for the National Convention raffle and silent auction.  Gary will ask each chapter chair to donate items.

 

National SAF lapel pins are being given to all SAF Fellows.

 

Washington State SAF has requested state tree seedlings from each state to create an arboretum of state trees in Washington.  It will be called the “Avenue of State Trees”.   KTSAF is one of the societies that has not provided a state tree for either Kentucky or Tennessee as of yet.  Some discussion followed the request. Richard Evans will contact the Washington state tree coordinator to ask what size tree is desired.  If a small size is acceptable, then KTSAF will mail the requested trees.  If a larger size (such as balled & burlapped) is wanted, then money should be sent to purchase it locally.  Richard will check with nurseries in Tennessee on price of various size trees.

 

Other Business

·                Red offered a suggestion on more frequent communications via conference calls.  Dave Walters volunteered the use of TDF'’s Conference Call number (615-253-1670).  If desired,

      Dave has offered to help set up conference calls.

·                Wayne opened a discussion of the use of surplus funds in the general KTSAF account that  are being carried over from year to year.  He suggested spending some of the money by

      budgeting it for good projects with fruitful purposes rather than just keeping it in the bank.   He also added that the Scholarship Fund is looking for periodic donations.  Kerry suggested that some of the money be spent on a “communications thrust” program, e.g. speaker training sessions for “Speaker’s Bureau” on forestry issues.

·     John Rennie brought up that the budgeting process is often chaotic and may not be the best way to decide how to use surplus funds.  KTSAF needs a process to organize how to best

       apply or suggest uses of surplus funds for the coming year.

·     Red suggested one use, to budget $1,000 next year towards getting a student SAF member to the National Convention.

·     Gary suggested that proposals be invited from the membership for a designated dollar amount “pot of funds”.

·     The general consensus of the Executive Committee is to put to use the financial surplus in KTSAF’s general bank account rather than just let it sit and be idle.

 

Dwayne Turner asked if at the Winter 2003 meeting, the Business Meeting could be held in the afternoon or evening of the second day.  The following suggestions were made for the winter meeting schedule:

     Wed.:  Executive Committee Meeting

     Thurs:  Speakers until Noon. Business Meeting 1 – 3 PM.  Speakers until 5 PM.  Banquet

                         in the evening.

     Fri.:     Speakers until 11 AM or noon.

 

Gary asked for clarification on the Herman Bagenstoss Award.  The following clarification was offered:  1) The award is given to someone from KY on odd years and someone from TN on even years, and 2) no substitutions are permitted as the requirements are currently written in the charter.

 

The Executive Committee Meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.