ALABAMA Bass FEDERATION, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

January 5, 2008

MINUTES

The Board held a scheduled meeting at the La Quinta Inn in Prattville, AL on January 5, 2008.  The meeting was called to order at 8:58 AM.

Board members in attendance were:

Al Redding (President/Treasurer); Jim Sparrow (District 8-Vice-President/Youth Director); John Hall (District 9-Tournament Director); Butch Lauderdale (District 3); Earl Andrews (District 4-Secretary); Ellis Strickland (District 5); Larry McConnell (District 6); Stan Blevins (District 2); Jeff Smith (District 1).

In the President’s opening remarks, Al Redding declared 2007 a successful year, with good tournament participation at excellent venues and good membership retention.  Even numbered District Directors were up for nomination and election at the close of 2007.  Only sitting Directors received nominations and will serve new terms.  There were no nominations received for District 10. District 10 (Southeastern district) only has two clubs at this time.

Minutes from the January 13, 2007 meeting (as previously reviewed and posted) were formally accepted by a unanimous vote.

President/Treasurer Al Redding distributed and reviewed detailed 2007 financial documentation to/with the Board and provided a concise summary page.  Outstanding debits and credits, which are minimal, were also reviewed.  It was noted that the Federation operated at a virtual financial “break-even”.  The Federation also realized an increase in general funds, due to the $22,000 sale of a boat that had previously been awarded to the Federation by Skeeter Boats.  This was a significant improvement over the deficit of 2006.  The Federation's overall financial condition remains in good standing.

Additionally, the Board discussed the prospect that FLW Outdoors has agreed to provide the Alabama Federation the opportunity to purchase a new tournament trailer at a deeply discounted rate.  This is a similar trailer as used by BFL, Stren and FLW trails.  Alabama will have first right of refusal when it is made available.

A motion to accept the Financial Report was passed unanimously.

Election of Officers was held as is customary with the year's first Board meeting.  A secret ballot election was held and the officers as indicated above in the “Board members in attendance” were installed for 2008.

Club dues and Roster updates were discussed in detail.  This lengthy discussion was centered on the timing and methodology for club and member renewal.  TBF has provided a new online registration/renewal process that is available to all member clubs.  This “online” renewal process will expedite our clubs’ ability to facilitate membership.  Clubs and/or their administrators should be able to perform these tasks through “practical” experience by following the information and “links” posted on the albassfed.org web site.  “Online” registration/renewal for clubs and membership is optional.  Clubs may still renew by U.S. Mail to President Al Redding.  Also, clubs should feel free to call Al or their Directors for guidance and information.

Following the discussion of club/membership renewal, President Al Redding stated that he had attended various meetings regarding the Alabama Power Company re-license process at Lake Martin.  Al also addressed other conservation issues and reiterated the Federation’s need to find a member to serve as Conservation Director.  Additionally, Vice-President Jim Sparrow agreed to continue serving as Youth Director, but indicated that we needed to secure a member to assist or direct this effort.  District 4 Director, Earl Andrews agreed to serve as an interim Conservation Director and help lead the search for a permanent conservation director.  Membership is urged to assist the Board in its quest to secure members to serve in these capacities.

The 2008 Tournament season was discussed.  The TBF Southern Divisional tournament will be held at Lake Norman, North Carolina during the week of June 7-14, 2008.  The Board selected District 2 Director, Stan Blevins to serve as the “alternate” for the State Team as they travel to compete in this event.

The 2008 Minn Kota Tournament Trail was finalized, with Lake Guntersville (out of Scottsboro), being designated as the June 2008 event.  The full schedule, with pertinent information should be updated at albassfed.org.

The 2009 Minn Kota Tournament Trail was discussed with the following venues being targeted:

            March – Mobile Delta (Causeway)

            April – Lake Martin

            May – Pickwick Lake

            June – Lay Lake

State Championship – Pending

The above schedule is tentative and dependent upon venue availability as well as other factors.

Other tournament issues were discussed, including the qualification process for the State Team composition.  The ONLY 2008 change for which a motion was passed, allows a “Premium” boater to be guaranteed the use of his/her boat if the boater registers in conjunction with a no-boater. Both must fish the same tournament. Also discussed was the format change to a pure boater (angler) and no-boater (co-angler) competition with two separate scorings and awards.  While the Board believes a format change is inevitable, TBF National has yet to embrace this concept.  It is anticipated that a move in this direction would take two years to facilitate.  Membership will be kept informed regarding this matter.

Sponsor participation and co-op was discussed and the methods that State Federations receive “credits”.  State Federations have the ability to receive a $400 credit for each Ranger boat, as well as, each Yamaha and Evinrude outboard motor that is purchased on a Ranger Boat, in their respective State.  In order to receive the $400 credit, paperwork from the dealer(s) must be submitted showing model and serial numbers, as well as the dated bill of sale.  Purchase prices need not be included and may be redacted from any documentation.  Purchasers do not have to be FLW members but must be members of/or join a club at purchase.  The member will also receive a $400 clothing package from Ranger Boats with the submitted paper work.  The membership is urged to lobby their dealers to participate with us in these programs.  We left a whole lot of credits unused.  For the year 2007, which includes some 2006, The Alabama Bass Federation received a total credit of $6,000.  Many states with fewer members received much more in monetary credits than our state did.  In addition to our earned co-op credit of $6,000, the Federation received a “start-up” credit at the beginning or 2007 in the amount of $2,500.  It is anticipated that we will receive another $2,500 “start-up” credit for 2008.

With all of the above credits, the Federation can put together a Boat Raffle for a Ranger 188VX.  This is only possible because of our relationships with our sponsors.  If we can get better “co-op” participation from dealers, we could offer an enhanced boat model for raffle.  Again, we need membership participation in these types of matters, including the sale of enough tickets to make a raffle a worth while venture.

In other business matters, the Board discussed refurbishing the State Trophy, with some modifications and revamping.  (No action was taken.)  The Board voted unanimously to provide a $600 stipend to our contenders competing in the Federation National and/or FLW Cup tournaments for the “official practice”. An additional $600 will be made available for the competition week with documentation from the practice week to cover the $600 in expenses Said stipend will only be awarded to competitors providing proper documentation.  The Board also voted to increase the mileage rate paid for administrative use of personal vehicles.

Youth Director Jim Sparrow presented a report of youth activities and programs.  Currently, there are six Junior Clubs operating/affiliated with our Federation.  Standard youth membership is $5 annually, with a Premium membership being $25 annually.  Premium youth memberships include FLW membership and a merchandise package.

The 2007 State Junior Championship Tournament was held on May 19 at Pell City Lakeside Park on Logan Martin Lake.  There were 45 youth competitors and the tournament was a resounding success.  The 2008 Youth Championship is once again at Logan Martin Lake and will be held on April 12, 2008.  A larger field of Junior Anglers is expected for this year’s event.  The only significant issue surrounds “boat captains” for the Junior competitors.  Each sponsoring club is expected to provide a “boat captain” for each two competitors they send to the event.  Additionally, all State Team members are required to participate.  However, the Board is considering ways to reimburse some expense to “boat captains” who participate and are not affiliated with a Junior club.  Sponsor clubs may be asked to help in this area if they do not provide adequate “captains” for their competitors sent to participate in the State Championship. 

Following the youth presentation, an open discussion took place, but no issues were formally addressed.

Meeting was adjourned at 3:38 PM