FRIENDS OF POINT BEACH STATE FOREST

MINUTES OF THE FALL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

OCTOBER 6, 2009   TWO RIVERS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Meeting was called to order by President Randy Beecher at 6:35PM.  Approximately 25 members and guests were present at the meeting.

 MINUTES:  Minutes of the 2009 Spring General Membership meeting were read by Secretary Kevin Duveneck.  Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as read.  MOTION CARRIED

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Treasurer Bob Pilzak informed the members that complete financial records were available to anyone interested in seeing them.  He reported that the checking account balance currently stands at $2290.69, and the savings account balance is $9541.18.  There are currently 53 paid membership units.

Bob also reported that Jessica Johnsrud had submitted her hours during the course of the summer, and she was paid at a rate of $9.50 per hour.  Of the $1500 which was appropriated for the naturalist position, a balance of less than $10 remained.

Motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented.  MOTION CARRIED

BENCH REPORT:  Dave Meyer reported that there are currently three benches on order, and that he should have them completed in the next few weeks.  Randy added that there is a movement to slowly discontinue the bench program, and shift focus towards the purchase of memorial bricks instead. 

PARK REPORT:  Park representative Wayne Duprey reported that he is working on getting assistance from different groups to aid the park with traffic control for the Saturday evening of Halloween Weekend.  This, he reported, would free up park rangers to focus on law enforcement duties that evening.

Wayne also reported that a local astronomer with a telescope has occasionally set up his equipment in the lodge area, and that large groups of campers have taken advantage of the opportunity to do some stargazing.

 WEBSITE:  Terry Farr reported that there have been 16,204 hits on the website.  The website is in need of updating, and Angie Peltier has informed him that she is no longer interested in taking care of it.  Randy and Terry have already been in contact with Lakefield Telephone in order to change the access password and give new contact information.  Terry also made a request for photos from the park, especially event photos.

NEWSLETTER:  Kathy Beer reported that the latest newsletter was mailed out at the end of September.  All extra newsletters will be at the park for distribution.

PARK NEWSPAPER:  Bob Pilzak showed a copy of the new park newspaper which was completed and delivered to the park last Spring.  He reported 20,000 copies were printed at a cost of $3280.00 including shipping.  Income from ads in the newspaper totaled $3240.00.  He reported that income from the sales of ads should be better with the next printing, now that an actual copy of the paper can be shown to prospective advertisers.

PARK CLEANUP: Randy reported that the park cleanup went well.  Once again the weather worked out fine, and he thanked all those who turned out that day to help.

BREAKFAST:  After some uncertainty, this years breakfast was also a success to the point that the food was completely sold out.  Randy thanked Tim Myers for his help in getting the breakfast done, and to Barb Stegmann for her efforts in preparing the food.

NATURALIST PROGRAM:  Kathy Beer reported that no grant was available for this years naturalist, so the Board voted to go it alone and provide up to $1500 towards the program.  This years naturalist was Jessica Johnsrud who put on many programs during the summer, including the sand sculpting contest in August.  Despite the very cool weather, there were still a large number of participants, and she also thanked the many businesses who donated prizes for the contest.

 HALLOWEEN WEEKEND:  The membership was informed about the shuttle buses that would be running on the Saturday evening of the Halloween Weekend due to severe traffic and parking problems which have been growing each year.  Once again a request was made for volunteers to help work sometime during the day on Saturday.

Wayne is looking for some extra two way radios to be used the night of the event.  Chuck Krause offered to check with the Manitowoc Sheriff’s Department to see if they would be willing to loan some for that night.

 CANDLELIGHT SKI/HIKE:  Date for the event is January 30, 2010

 ELECTIONS:  Four Board members terms are set to expire at the end of 2009.  They are Kevin Duveneck, Joe Schermetzler, Terry Farr, and Dave Meyer.  Kevin Duveneck declined to serve another term.  There being no further nominations, a motion was made and seconded to reelect the remaining three members each to another three year term.  MOTION CARRIED

 Randy Beecher informed the members present that the October Board meeting would commence shortly after adjournment of the General Membership meeting, and that any interested members were welcome to stay.

 There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  MOTION CARRIED  The meeting was adjourned at 7:10PM

Respectfully submitted,

 Kevin Duveneck