BOD members present: Russ Moody, Matt Singer, Ron Jervis, Arthur Luttig, Bob Weiland, Mike Pfanku
BOD members absent: Aaron Young, Odell Anderson
Others present: Larry Severeid, Dale Parker, Rudy Nigl, Al Goetsch

Agendas (attached, on file) were passed out by Ron (numbers below refer to the agenda items).

2) Ron opened meeting commending Aaron for his nice presentation he gave at the WWOA meeting on Madison in February.

2a) Discussion followed about location of future BOD meetings. It was decided that the Marriot on the north side of Madison was a central location, and meeting room is free with paid lunch. Meetings will be the last Tuesday of each quarter, so the next meeting will be Tuesday, June 24th at the Marriot on Madison.

3) Matt read the minutes of the 1-6-03 BOD minutes. One change: changed the spring field day date from May 17th to May 16th. Bob motion to accept minutes with that change, Arthur second. Passed.

4) Treasurer’s report given by Russ Moody (attached, on file). Discussion regarding liability insurance and what does it cover. Russ will contact National and ask what it covers. Discussion regarding raising attendance fee for the large meetings (field days) to cover costs. Was agreed that fees should be appropriate to cover costs. Motion to accept treasurer’s report by Bob, Arthur second. Passed.

5) Discussion on a revised resolution regarding Lifetime Members paying Wisconsin dues. Dale asked who originally set the $200 fee, Larry said National set it and it is an arbitrary number. Background to the resolution was presented as follows:
To correct the confusion regarding the conflict between the letter Nancy Gruning sent out giving lifetime members the option to either pay State dues on an annual basis ($5 for Wisconsin) or pay $200 lifetime state membership, and the motion passed by the Wisconsin Board a the Jan 6th 2003 meeting wherein we affirmed the lifetime membership is voluntary, we should pass the following resolution:

“Move to rescind the January 6th, 2003 resolution and all previous resolutions and resolve in that order to remain a member in good standing with the State Chapter, National Lifetime Members must adhere to the National Policy requiring a payment of State dues or pay a State Chapter Lifetime membership fee of $200.00.”

Motion by Russ, second by Bob to accept above stated resolution. Motion passed with one abstain.

6) Review and discussion of “personal contact program” whereby board members and advisors make personal phone calls to encourage members to renew and also to inform them of what’s going on in WWC. Mixed results, successes.

7) Discussion regarding what to do with the $1,000 grant the WI-DNR gave to WWC to help with expenses from the LaCrosse National meeting. Some think it could go to the National Foundations for research and education. Motion by Bob and second by Mike to table this issue. Motion passed. Larry assured that WWC and National Foundation are both tax-deductible organizations.

8) Review of Committee Plans and Goals:

a) Genetic Improvement of Trees and Nuts: Larry said name should be changed to Genetic Improvement and Silviculture. We need a strategy for identifying superior trees and collection of those nuts. Discussion turned to writing up a handout on the importance of interplanting conifers on south slopes to protect boles from frost cracking. Not all members have experienced this problem.
b) Membership: report on file. 110 current paid members, 45 not renewed yet, goal of 180 for end of 2003. Discussion regarding publicity followed. If we can get the word out about WWC people may join. We could put articles in various magazines, send letters to those who purchase walnut seedlings from DNR, continue to recruit at meetings and outside conferences. Incentive program for signing up new members was discussed (“sign up new members and win a prize”). Copy of incentive program on file. Discussion followed asking if the stated incentives were too generous. As currently written, if a member recruits 5 new members he would get a free year membership and $25 cash. Motion by Bob, second by Russ to change this to recruiting 10 new members then the prize would be dues paid for that year. Motion passed. Discussion asked if the sign prize was too expensive for signing up three new members. Motion by Bob and second by Russ for the president and the membership committee chairman to decide on # of new members and appropriate prizes to be awarded. Criteria is that WWC should at least break even on new dues generated vs. cost of prized. Motion passed.
c) Web site and PC technology: report on file. Was agreed that website should make available good links to specific good articles on growing tending walnut.
d) Public Relations and exhibitions: Discussed that we need new or different handouts for the display. It may be a good idea to have standard handouts for the display. It was mentioned that a good handout would be price trends. Discussion then ensued on giving out “goodies” (walnut rulers, pieces of veneer with WWC information stamped on it, etc.). It was generally agreed the cost does not justify the potential minimal gains in membership. If something can be produced at very low cost this would be a possibility.
e) Marketing tree farm products: no discussion
f) Chapter revenue generation: Russ will look for information on how WWC might pursue some grants from either private or government entities.
g) Charter revision: Bob said it would be good to keep a list of resolutions separate (in addition to) from the minutes. By making them easy to find we would know where we stand on various issues at all times.
h) Fall field day: discussion: we possibly need a new site as the host landowner has backed out. Aaron and Rudy are looking for a new location.
i) Spring field day: will be Friday, May 16th to Iowa. Two stops are scheduled: at the abbey and mill. A charter bus needs to be arranged. The bus stops to pick people up are yet to be determined. Aaron has the Field Day brochure template on his computer. Mike will get all the final information to Aaron, Aaron will make the brochure on his computer and send it to Matt by April 15th. Matt will run off copies and send it out. Discussion followed as to an optional second field day on Saturday May 17th at Rachel Jordan’s woods to view a mechanized pulp thinning. Mike is looking into this.

9) Spring newsletter: Ron will write this up and send a copy to Matt so he can include it in the 4-15-03 spring field day mailing.
10) Developing the WCC vision statement: Ron asked if we were interested in having another meeting designated for this sole purpose. After discussion it was decided to hold off on this until we see how the membership drive goes.
11) Plaques for outgoing 2002 BOD members: Was decided laser engraving was too expensive at $1.00/ square inch. Was decided to do plaques/clocks as has been done in the past. Al said he will supply the boards. Arthur will be in charge of getting the engraving done. Rudy will go to Walnut hollow to arrange for the cutouts. Motion by Bob, second by Mike to have Rudy get 30 plaques cut out and purchase the clock works. Passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1:40

Respectfully submitted, Matt Singer co-secretary

4-01-03 draft