Minutes Annual Meeting Woodstock Rifle and Pistol Club

April 10th, 2010 Prosper Community House

The Annual meeting was called to order by Acting President Kevin Rice. The members present were lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. Secretary Hunter Melville read the minutes from the previous year. Karen Kerin moved that they be accepted as read, the motion was approved.

Herb Usilton gave the Treasurer's report. A total of 112 members contributed a total of $4975 in dues. 87 regular, 25 seniors. Total income for the year was $8831.44, major revenue items were $1917 from trap, $367 from Field Clays, $700 from an insurance payment for the damage by the SUV to the stone wall and $630 from logging. Expenses totalled $6316.34. Herb indicated that our total cash on hand at the end of the year was $15,051.37. Jim Fish moved that the report be accepted, Don seconded the motion.

Kevin gave the range report mentioning the accident wherein a girl lost control of an SUV on Churchill Road and crashed through two of our stonewalls by the front gate. We received an insurance settlement of $700. Kevin complimented the fine job done by Robbo Holloran in setting up the logging which was required by our timber management program. The woods have been cleared up on the north side of the property and several logging roads open up more access. We were pleased to receive a payment from David Goodhouse, the logger, of $630. Herb noted that our taxes were $790.96 this year and that our insurance had a moderate increase of $200 due to the increasing number of members. The new sign post was mentioned with metal signs aimed at increasing safety on the range by letting people know who is shooting where. Also mentioned was the new porta-toilet we had set up by the clubhouse, that will be in place throughout the year. Bruce Reid spoke about the 300 yard range and the need to have several limbs cut to open it up. It was agreed to add this to this season's To Do list. Dave Bollinger added that clean-up crews are important and we need everyone to pitch in. Hunt brought up that the perimeter signs were discolored and should be re-done at some point.

Dave gave the membership report, we currently stand at 112 members, a 15% increase over the year before. He mentioned that earlier in the year the Board had decided to add a Sponsorship requirement to the application for new members. He mentioned the importance of periodically checking the website to see what is occurring, especially the calendar.

The trap report indicated it was another great year, capped off by the Championship where Jim Fish took top honors followed by Bryan Bibeault and Larry Davis. We need to have the trophy engraved and given to Jim ASAP. Top honors in Field Clays went to Kevin Rice, Bill Badger and Hunt Melville. Bill gave a pitch to members who haven't tried Field Clays that they'd find it challenging and exciting. That it's fun and laughter always abounds. Bill said it really improved your shooting skills for partridge and woodcock. Jim Fish admitted he'd never tried it, but would like to give it a shot this year. Bill floated the idea of a women's only competition with its own cup. The idea was roundly applauded and approved through a motion by Bill Badger, seconded by Don McNeill. Airell added a requirement that there must be two or more contestants to hold the match.

The discussion turned to the conservation camp scholarship contest for 12-14 year olds to attend the week long program on Lake Bomoseen. We had 4 entries this year and the Herb made a motion that we award all 4 the $200 scholarships, Hunt seconded the motion and it was approved. Jacob Wilcox's entry was read to the membership:

What the Outdoors Means to Me

by Jacob Wilcox, 13 years old

The outdoors means to me
Like water means to the world.
The out-of-doors is where I roam.
The out-of-doors is as much a part of me
As roots on a tree.

But nevertheless, I want to do more in the outdoors.
The camp is here to teach, I'm here to learn.
I'm here to learn, through knowledge comes fun, from fun comes knowledge.

To learn is wonderful,
Especially when it's something you love.
Please teach me, please accept me.
This is all I ask.

We next discussed the clubhouse and the $3000 we had collected in the capital campaign to make improvements. The plan is to redo the electrical and insulate and wall up the interior this year.

New business was then turned to and elections for officers were held. Kevin read the nominating committees suggestions and nominations were taken from the floor. Kevin Rice was nominated for the President's spot but he respectfully declined.

The new board is as follows:

President:
 
Jon Christensen
 
 
 
VP Range:
 
Kevin Rice
VP Events:
 
Lou Ahlen
VP Membership:
 
Dave Bollinger
VP At Large:
 
Karen Kerin
VP At Large:
 
Don McNeill
VP At Large:
 
Bruce Reid

Treasurer:
 
Hunter Melville
Secretary:
 
Robert Deeley

The next new business item was the Standard Operating Procedures presented by the Board to the membership at the Summer BBQ. The current version, 1.3, was created from the Franklin Club up north. It was mentioned that the SOPs would by definition evolve through time. Jack Schoenfeld brought up questions about the Liability Waiver. It was suggested by Don McNeill that the offending paragraph be crossed out for the time being and that we seek legal counsel on the matter.

Karen indicated that there was nothing new in the SOPs, that it is not insurance, but an attempt to avoiding lawsuits against the club. She gave a brief report on the bill H737 which sought to enforce mandatory gun lock up.

The Board reported that they thought dues should remain the same this year and it was agreed to unanimously. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting, it was agreed to and Kevin brought down the proverbial gavel.

Presented by Hunter Melville, Sec'y