September 25th, 2023 Meeting
President Dennis Pratt called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM at Kro Bar.
Officers and Directors: Present – Ed Chaplinski, Paul Helbach, Glen Hill, Mick Killoren, Ken Lundberg, Dennis Pratt, Dennis Smet, Jeff Stollenwerk, Walt Swanson, Jim Waletzko, Dean Wellman, Mike Zicus and Ken Zivic.
Minutes of the August Meeting: The minutes as written in the September newsletter were approved following a motion by Mike Zicus, second by Dean Wellman and unanimous approval by voice vote.
Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s Reports: Treasurer Jeff Stollenwerk reported that August’s beginning balance was $24,448.06 and the ending balance was $20,302.85, with the following expenses: Katie Thompson (August Newsletter – $200.00); Dennis Pratt (July-Aug Expenses – $346.46); JM Screen Printing (Club Logo Stickers – $320.00); and Kayla Reed (College Scholarship – $5,000.00). The Treasurer’s report was approved following a motion by Ken Lundberg, second by Ken Zivic and unanimous approval by voice vote. Financial Secretary Dean Wellman reported that there were $1,005.00 in total deposits into the general fund since the last meeting and that the Club had 2 new members. The Financial Secretary’s report was approved following a motion by Ken Lundberg and a second by Walt Swanson.
Committee Reports
Legislative: Ken Lundberg – Nothing to report.
Habitat: Dennis Pratt – Dennis took some Beaupre Spring drone videos and checked out tree planting survival. The tamaracks are doing great. During the visit he attempted to lower the Spring Pond level by removing beaver dam debris. First pile was removed successfully, but on the second pile he found a yellow jacket nest the hard way. Brule River State Forest is ordering 500 tamaracks for next spring. A suggestion was made to order a dozen gloves for habitat work. This was approved following a motion by Walt Swanson and a second by Dean Wellman.
Audit and Scholarship: Nothing to report.
Education: Dennis Smet – Superior High School teacher Lori Danz plans on doing the aquarium again this year. Dennis hasn’t confirmed with Northwestern Middle School yet.
Membership: Jim Waletzko/Ed Chaplinski – Jim suggested a Thank You sent to some long-time members. Ed has a fall meeting with the Miller Dam Lake Association. Ed will present a framed print to his granddaughter for her work designing the sticker.
Social Media: Mike Zicus/Dennis Pratt – Brule Rod company inquiry (potential future news article), a discussion followed about who we know that worked there also if the St. Croix Rods company would have any information. An inquiry on how to attain a Big Lake Parking Pass was received. Walt Swanson reached out to the Winneboujou caretaker Scott Anderson. The old system and information has been replaced, which means someone wanting a permit needs to visit the caretaker house at the Winneboujou Club to get back on the list. Instructions are posted on the board out front. Pictures and drone videos on culvert progress will be on the website soon. Two South Shore grade items have been posted on Facebook.
Other Business
October Fly of the Month: Modified Olive Sculpin.
Establishment of a Club Email: Zicus/Swanson – Jeff Stollenwerk suggested that we sign on the email system itself to verify all emails are addressed. Walt Swanson agreed with this as some have complained about not getting certain emails. Mike Zicus pointed out that Article Four, Section Three of our new Bylaws our state that “Email correspondence will be retained and archived through the Club’s email account (which the Recording Secretary will maintain).” Walt explained that this would cause issues as he would have no idea if action had been taken or not. His suggestion was to follow the practice of the three “D”s 1) Do it; 2)Delegate it; or 3) Delete it and once a year go in and archive all emails into a year folder for searching.
Nebagamon Creek Culvert Removal Progress: Progress will be reported on the website and in the newsletter.
Club Store: Winter hats gone. Lundberg will order 25 poster maps.
Spring Raffle: Mike Sierszen talked with David Norling at the September Spey Day event. David will make us a 7 ½ 4wt for our Spring raffle. Dennis Smet has a couple of Weber donated items we could add to this raffle. We will need to verify our Raffle license is current.
Upcoming Events – Posted on the Club Calendar https://bruleriversportsmensclub.com/category/club-calendar/.
The business meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM.
Recorded by Walt Swanson