January 2024 Email Meeting
President Dennis Pratt sent an agenda and the reports to Officers and Directors.
Officers and Directors: Responding – Ed Chaplinski, Paul Helbach, Glen Hill, Mick Killoren, Ken Lundberg, Dennis Pratt, Mike Sierszen, Den Smet, Jeff Stollenwerk, Walt Swanson, Jim Waletzko, Dean Wellman, Mike Zicus and Ken Zivic.
Minutes of the November Meeting: The minutes as written in the January newsletter were approved following a motion by Ken Zivic, second by Michael Sierszen and unanimous email approval.
Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s Reports: Treasurer Jeff Stollenwerk reported that November’s beginning balance was $5,162.33, and December’s ending balance was $7,982.75 with the following expenses: JM Screen Print (500 logo stickers) $333.00; Katie Thompson (November newsletter) $200.00; The First Impression Group (25 lower river posters) $549.74; *Benevity Amer Online Test Deposit Reversal $427.24; Pro Print (November newsletter) $30.16; Officer Stipends $900.00; Dennis Pratt (expenses 31-Aug to 01-Dec) $417.14; Jeff Stollenwerk (reimburse for online store test) $20.00; Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (annual dues) $110.00. The Treasurer’s report was approved following a motion by Jim Waletzko, second by Mick Killoren and unanimous email approval. President Dennis Pratt reported for Financial Secretary Dean Wellman that there was $2,820.42 in total deposits into the general fund since the last meeting and that the Club had 3 new members and 53 renewals. The Financial Secretary’s report was approved following a motion by Mike Zicus, second by Ken Lundberg and unanimous email approval.
Committee Reports
Legislative: Ken Lundberg – Noted the proposed legislation for closing doe season in northern forest zone. https://www.bowhunting.com/article/wisconsin-lawmakers-present-bill-to-ban-doe-hunting-in-northern-forest-zone/#:~:text=Legislation%20introduced%20on%20January%2017,hit%20rock%20bottom%20years%20ago.
Habitat: Dennis Pratt – Our first volunteer workday, planting tamarack/spruce at Beaupre project site will be held on May 18th. No other habitat projects have been finalized yet.
Audit: Jeff Stollenwerk – Nothing at this time.
Education: Den Smet – The fish at both schools have hatched and are doing well. Schools have feed. We need to set a date in March to visit the classrooms. Spring break at both schools is probably March 4th to 8th.
Scholarship: Mike Sierszen/Paul Helbach – College scholarship announcements were sent out earlier this month.
Membership: Jim Waletzko/Ed Chaplinski – Nothing to report.
Social Media: Mike Zicus/Dennis Pratt – Ken Zivic has suggested that we begin placing a ‘Tips and techniques’ section in our newsletters. Mike Sierszen did a very good job of researching the Brule Rod Company and we now have enough to do an article. Walt Swanson provided a high-resolution photo of the label on one of the rods.
Other Business
Spring Cleanup Date: This year’s Spring cleanup will be held on April 27th. (Backup date May 11th)
Officer Declined Stipends: Jeff has made a motion to transfer from General Fund to: College Scholarship $700 and $1,200 of declined stipends to remain in General fund. Glen Hill seconded the motion followed by unanimous email approval.
Fly of the Month: Resumes in March with Wellman’s “Nuke Egg” fly.
Spring Raffle Items: Norling 7½ foot 4-wt bamboo fly rod, Weber Rapala knives, and Wellman fly boxes. Need to obtain raffle license for 2024. This will be a topic during our in-person March Meeting.
Fly of the Month Book: Wellman and Zicus have been working on an idea to publish a softcover booklet with our last four years of fly recipes. It’s suggested that we print a couple of dozen copies for sale in our Club store. Likely a 60-page 8 1/2 X 11-inch format would be best. Paul Helbach made a motion to move forward with this proposal to print 24 copies. Ed Chaplinski seconded the motion followed by unanimous email approval.
Hat to Major Donors: Need a vote to approve sending a club hat to all who make donations of $500 or more (we only had two of these last year). Ken Zivic made a motion to approve and second by Dean Wellman followed by unanimous email approval.
Great Waters Expo: The Expo is a go. Ken Lundberg and his son in the Twin Cities will tag team the Expo. Paul Sandstrom will help set up the new display backboard that we purchased recently). Dean has gathered enough support from Club members down there to cover all hours of the event. We’ll be assisting Ken with gathering all the materials that he needs to bring to the booth (new photos, brochures, video setup etc.).
Wild Rivers Chapter Trout Unlimited Expo: Pratt will represent the Club at this year’s Expo to be held in Hayward. We’re not allowed to sell any items at the event, but we’ll display what we have available in our Club store and provide them with a handout on how to purchase online.
2024 Election Results: Pratt, Chaplinski, Wellman, Stollenwerk, and Swanson all received majority votes. Mike Zicus made a motion to certify election results and a second by Ken Lundberg and unanimous email approval.
Upcoming Events – Please check our Club Calendar for the latest events. https://bruleriversportsmensclub.com/category/club-calendar/
Recorded by Walt Swanson