February 27th, 2023 Meeting
President Dennis Pratt canceled the meeting due to weather. Meeting held via Email.
Officers and Directors: Ed Chaplinski, Glen Hill, Mick Killoren, Ken Lundberg, Dennis Pratt, Mike Sierszen, Dennis Smet, Jeff Stollenwerk, Walt Swanson, Jim Waletzko, Dean Wellman, Mike Zicus and Ken Zivic responded to emails.
Minutes of the January Meeting: The minutes as written in the February newsletter were approved following a motion by Walt Swanson, second by Dean Wellman and majority approval by email vote.
Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s Reports: Treasurer Jeff Stollenwerk reported that February’s beginning balance was $25,476.73, and the ending balance was $22,237.77 with the following expenses: ProPrint (January Newsletter) ($30.16); Katie Thompson (January Newsletter – $200.00); WI Dept of Financial Institutions (Form 5 Report – $25.00); JM Screen Printing (Hat order – 48 – $636.00); Dean Wellman (Fly tying materials for expo – $52.46); Katie Thompson (February Newsletter – $200.00). The Treasurer’s report was approved following a motion by Mike Sierszen, second by Ken Lundberg and majority approval by email vote. President Dennis Pratt reported for Financial Secretary Dean Wellman that there were $1,310.00 in total deposits into checking account since the last meeting. The Financial Secretary’s report was approved following a motion by Dean Wellman and a second by Mike Sierszen and majority approval by email vote.
Committee Reports
Legislative: Ken Lundberg – Governor’s budget contains a suggested increase in the Inland Trout stamp from $10.00 to $15.00.
Habitat: Dennis Pratt – Tree planting work date, May 20th, summer tentative work dates, July 22nd, and Aug 5th.
Audit: Jeff Stollenwerk – The Audit Committee is reviewing and reconciling all 2022 financial transactions and will present a summary report at the Club’s March 27 meeting. The Audit Committee will also review the overall budget with a comparison to previous years and offer recommendations for future spending.
Education: Dennis Smet – The fish at Northwestern and Superior are doing well. Smet and Pratt are scheduled to make presentations at Northwestern on March 20th and March 21st. They will also make presentations at Senior High on March 22nd.
Scholarship: Mike Sierszen– College scholarship applications are due on April 30th.
Membership: Jim Waletzko/Ed Chaplinski – (139 renewals thus far) 36 paper and 103 e-news.
Social Media: Mike Zicus– Removed links for 2 resorts that we had under the links tab on the websites. This move was based on a discussion at the February meeting. Concern was about us appearing to pick “favorites.” Waiting to finish the “About the Board” page. Finished updating the Club Calendar.
Other Business
2023 Family Fun Day – The tentative date is August 19th. Will discuss our share in funding this year’s event at our March meeting.
Vote to confirm Election Results – Dennis Pratt made a motion to confirm election results and a second by Ken Lundberg and majority approval by email vote.
Spring Clean-up – Dennis Smet – holding this year’s event on April 29th with a backup of May 13th.
Nebagamon Creek Culvert Removal Progress – Nothing new to report.
Fly of the Month –Dean Wellman – March newsletter (yarn flies)
Renewal Reminders – Special e-renewal reminders will be sent out in March. Paper reminders have been included with the February Paper newsletter mailing.
Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearing – Dennis Pratt – this year’s hearing will be held online from noon April 10th to noon April 13th. Information including this year’s questions was emailed to all board members recently.
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation – Items from Tom Sklebar were emailed to board members recently.
Great Waters Expo Booth Discussion – Ken Lundberg, a booth volunteer list has been made, Pratt will make a special Expo handout to be printed in color. A motion to print 100 copies was made by Dennis Pratt, second by Jim Waletzko and majority approval by email vote.
Upcoming Events
Great Water’s Expo, March 17 -19 Hamline University Twin Cities
Douglas County Fish &Game League Sport Show, March 24th – March 26th UW’s Wessman Arena Superior
Wild Rivers TU Chapter Expo, April 8th Northland College Ashland
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Banquet, April 20th Barkers Island
LSSA Brule River Spey Day, September 8th at McNeil’s
Recorded by Walt Swanson