February 24th, 2025 Meeting
President Dennis Pratt called the online meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
Officers and Directors: Present – Dennis Pratt, Den Smet, Jeff Stollenwerk, Walt Swanson, Dean Wellman, Mike Zicus and Ken Zivic.
Minutes of the January Meeting: The minutes as written in the February newsletter were approved following a motion by Dean Wellman, second by Ken Zivic and unanimous approval by voice vote.
Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s Reports: Treasurer Jeff Stollenwerk reported that January’s beginning balance was $14,646.85, and the ending balance was $18,631.56 with the following expenses: WI Dept of Financial Institutions (annual fee) $25.00; Transfer to savings (Nov and Dec donations) $2,220.00; Katie Thompson (January Newsletter) $200.00; DP Reimbursement (Expenditures Oct 21 to Jan 24) $567.12; Pro Print (January Newsletter) $35.73. The Treasurer’s report was approved following a motion by Walt Swanson, second by Dean Wellman and unanimous approval by voice vote. President Dennis Pratt reported for Financial Secretary Dean Wellman that there were $3,285.00 in total deposits into the general fund since the last meeting and that the Club had 1 new member and 65 renewals. The Financial Secretary’s report was approved following a motion by Dean Wellman, second by Ken Zivic and unanimous approval by voice vote.
Committee Reports
Legislative and Membership: nothing to report.
Habitat: Dennis Pratt – Dennis contacted Paul Piszczek regarding potential projects for this summer. Paul suggested returning to the Little Brule River to re-cut the stream-bank brush. Dennis will also meet with Paul on Feb 27th regarding a potential project to add gravel to the section of the Brule downstream of the Winneboujou Club boat house in a future year.
Audit: Jeff Stollenwerk – Audit committee to report in April.
Education: Den Smet– Fish in aquariums are doing well. Den Smet and Dennis Pratt will make presentations to Superior Senior classes on Friday the 28th and to the Northwestern 6th graders on Tuesday March 4th.
Scholarship: Mike Sierszen – Applications are due on April 30th.
Social Media: Mike Zicus/Dennis Pratt – Mike Zicus reported that the web site cleanup is done. Mike mentioned that our habitat project maps should be redone.
Other Business
Online Meetings – In person meetings will resume on March 24th at the Kro Bar.
Spring Clean-up Dates – April 26th with a backup of May 10th. An idea to purchase safety vests (about $9 each) for those who remove trash from highway H for example was discussed. Dennis Pratt made a motion to purchase 12 vests, followed by a second from Walt Swanson and unanimous approval by voice vote. More discussions next month, including a possible meal at Twin Gables.
Membership Drive – Pratt – A membership renewal reminder was sent out once again at the end of January to all members with email addresses who had not paid their dues. As of February 20th, 2025, we’ve had 166 members renew their membership (131 out of 344 e-members (38%) and 35 out of 82 paper- members (42%). We also included a membership form with this month’s paper newsletters to all who had not paid yet. Discussion about whether we should email an overdue reminder again at the end of February followed.
Fly of the Month – Dean Wellman – Resumes next month. Two months still open (July and October).
Arrowhead Fly Fisher’s/MNTU, IF4 Film Festival – Dennis Pratt had a booth representing the Club at this year’s event held on February 2nd.
Raffle 2025 – Discussion was held on having a raffle this year, Jeff Stollenwerk mentioned that he was planning on keeping the raffle license. Possible items for the raffle were discussed.
Upcoming Events – Please check our Club Calendar at https://bruleriversportsmensclub.com/category/club-calendar/ for the latest events.
The business meeting adjourned at 6:32 PM.
Recorded by Walt Swanson