AKCA Minutes of April 13, 2007

 

Officers Present:                                  Directors Present:                                               Guests:

Chair: Larry Leverett                   Joyce Glenn                                      Spike Cover

Vice Chair: Harlan Glenn                      Louie Hernandez                                               Debbie Leverett  

Secretary:  Carole Elliott                      Bill Thompson                                               Robbi McCleney (phone)

CFO:  Doug Dahl                                    Joan Finnegan                                                                 

                                                                Bob Finnegan 

                                                                               

Board Highlights:

Ř       Be sure to send in the AKCA Seminar Attendance Form to Burt Ballou

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Larry Leverett @ 6:56  pm.  

 

v       MINUTES:  Motion:  To approve the minutes of March 9, 2007 with the following correction:  it WAS decided to give out Koi ID posters to new subscriptions.   Motion by Harlan, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.

 

v       MARCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT/FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Doug reported that as of 3/30 there was $3223 advertising due that is 60-90 days late and $7544 that is over 90 days late.  Our investment account lost -$1426.99 in Feb. and gained $1609 in March.  Discussion about tightening up debt collection on KOI USA advertisers.  Brenda’s expenses for the bookstore in Orlando were $13.53.  KOI USA expenses were $542.84.  Brenda sold $1188 in bookstore sales and 43 subscriptions.  Giving away a Koi ID poster with new subscription was very popular.  Connie sold 10 KOI USA subscriptions at the ZNA So Cal Show.  Doug also paid $385 for our trademark license.  Motion:  To charge a price of $55 for dealers for the Koi Doctor; anyone else who buys 5 or more will also pay $55.  All others will pay $69.95 plus shipping.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.  Doug now has a UPS account for KOI USA.  Motion:  To allow to buy copies of Kokugyo Books.  Motion by Joan, 2nd by Joyce.  Approved.  Motion:  Motion:  To approved the projected KOI USA budget with an estimated net profit of $17,000.  Motion by Louie, 2nd by Bob.  Approved.  To approve the financial report as presented.  Motion by Joan, 2nd by Joyce.  Approved.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

v     SCIENTIFIC:   Spike passed out the report for the KHA program.  Getting improved KHA portion of AKCA web site up and running is partially complete.  Spike had some help on resolving the inconvenient proposed times for some of the KHA events at the Seminar.  We still have 41 active KHAs in the current class out of 50 starters, 6 of which are professionals.  Norm will do a Koi Show Water Quality course for KHA continuing Ed.   

 

v     KHV Project:  Spike presented his report; stated that he is having a hard time completing the formation of alternative proposal group and get proposal work under way.  They wrote and sent another article on the Koi Dealer Best Health Practices certification program to the region directors for forwarding to the editors of club newsletters.  Peter Enfield donated several more koi slates for Project KHV to auction.  Gene attended PNKCA Rep meeting March 10th and gave a short presentation on the KHV project and walked away with $1550 in donations. 

 

v       PUBLICATION:    Joan stated that PCS has told Doug they spend $500 a month on subscription postage.  Doug informed them that they need a cheaper conference call system.  The $49 for 1000 minutes deal Tom found required a credit card.  They said their KOI USA debit card would be fine if this Bord trusted them with the card number.  Doug feels the offer seems too good to be true.  It was decided they needed more info.  Tom suggested Connie get assigned to the role of setting up new retail dealers for selling magazines and for setting up new dealer listings.  A system was approved last year to pay someone to do this and get paid for it.  The rate is $15 per new account, one time fee.  Because Brenda takes care of like activities on the East Coast while traveling to shows, this would apply to her as well.  This is part of their marketing program; voted on and approved.  There was some discussion regarding the budget.  They need to set aside $1000 to budget for the Aquatic Eco systems catalogue.  This would also cover the cost of an electronic banner ad on Aquatic Eco’s site for a year.  Tom had a [phone call from a Jr. High School teacher who has a koi club at his school as a school activity.  He requested some magazines which Joan is going to send.  Many of them would be willing to contribute any help they can provided the teacher informs them of his/her needs.  Tom wanted to remind the committee that designed the website plan, that some details need to be completed and articles

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v       need to be developed.  Joe needs to review the plan and report back on what help he needs.  Joe commented he has seen a big jump in those checking our website.  Brenda talked to a Hoosier who is offering a free booth if they send someone to their show in Indiana to sell subscriptions; they voted to have Brenda to go this show.  Bill reported they needed to continue to develop new subscription generating ideas.  They discussed rewarding any club with 100% of members subscribing to KOI USA and giving each member in those clubs a chance to get a free package to the Seminar.  This would be by a drawing of qualifying clubs.  There was further discussion; would be for the 2008 Seminar.  Questions about club member numbers; how would this work for a club with 8 family members as opposed to a club with 75+ members?  The newsletter contest would be for 2008. 

 

v      MEMBERSHIP:  Doug reported that there are 103 clubs; 1 club has sent in their dues.  Dues notices will be sent out this next month; will be due July 1st.    

 

v       JUDGING:  Bob reported that the Seminar program is going great; it will be a 3 day program.   

 

v       SPEAKER’S GRANT:  Spike reported (for Burt) that one club, Miami Valley, has turned in their receipts for their grant.

 

v      GUIDES:   Spike reported (for Burt) that he has given the filter guide to Cindy & Tom who are now working on the layout.  He has collected most of the material for the pond guide.

 

v      INSURANCE:  No report.

 

SEMINAR REPORTS:

 

v      2007 Phoenix, Ariz.  Seminar:  Robbi McCleney reported that Tom Ayers has lined up all the speakers.  She needs the book on how to put on Seminars.  They may have to cancel some tours, definitely canceling the Sedona excursions.  Doug reported that they have 10 paid vendors and 107 paid attendees not counting a few who only purchased meals.  95 seats are sold for the Sun. Pond Tour.  24 seats sold for the Wed. Grand Canyon train and 19 for the Thurs. Grand Canyon train.  

 

v      2008 Jacksonville, Fla. Seminar:  The Seminar plans are going well; meeting for the budget.  Six or seven of their members will be attending the Phoenix Seminar.

 

v       2009 San Diego, CA:  The Haneili Hotel is out.  Bill is currently researching hotels with two on Hotel Circle that look good: Town & Country and the Marriott. 

 

REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:

 

q       Written report submitted by Doug:  Bob Slack, of Blue Water Pond Club, reports they are in the middle of a snowstorm and the temp is minus 7F so Spring seems far away.  Their first club meeting will be in May when club members will be going to the Koi Connection dealer to buy fish and plants at a discount.  Janet Vukovich, of Central Calif. KC, reports club members viewed the second half of the Koi Classification DVD at the March meeting.  The problem with fish kills at the local Shinzen Garden was traced to large amounts of fresh, chlorinated water being added consistently.  The club will hold a Pond Tour May 19 with 7 ponds.  Becky Maier, of Enchanted K&WGC, reports snow on Easter and freezing temps following a week of 75F weather.  The koi can’t figure out what is happening.  The club will start a membership drive May 1.  Teresa Lawrence, of First Cost K&WGC, reports they just finished their Annual Koi Auction which was very successful.  They are currently planning a Pond Tour for May 12.  Each month, the club newsletter highlights a different variety of koi and has included articles on preparing your fish and pond for Spring.  Steve Childers, of Internet Koi of North America, reports several members attended the Central Florida Koi Show.  Members were surprised how a structured club meeting could be held over the internet.  The club presented a Friendship award at the show for a nice baby Shiro Utsuri.  Several club members met on April 16 at Country Koi in Olmstead, KY for their Spring opening.  The club meeting in May will be conducted in conjunction with the SKE Koi Show and again the club will present a Friendship award as it did in Central Florida and also at the ZNA So. Cal. Show in March.  Dara Newman, of Las Vegas KC, reports local koi are

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q       now eating 2-4 times each day with air temps in the 80-90F range.  The club Pond Tour will be in May and the Koi Show in the cooler month of October.  Judy Christian, of Lone Star ZNA KC, reports members viewed a film at the March meeting on how the Megumi Yoshida fish farm in Tokyo breeds koi.  Brett Rowley was the commentator for the film and he brought some beautiful koi to sell.  The club Annual Pond Tour will be June 2/3.  Several club members attended the 13th annual imported fish sale and seminar in San Antonio.  Japan breeders Mr. Megumi Yoshida and Mr. Hijime Sakuma brought over 1,000 koi to sell.  David Hester, of Mid Atlantic KC, reports their club has a new AKCA Dir/Rep in Jan Wilson.  All MAKC Chapters are having March meetings with talks and demos focusing on Spring start-up.  Koi America this year will be Sept. 28-30 at the Carrol County Agricultural Center in Westminster, MD.  The event Chair is Wayne Orchard and Koi Show Chair is Art Lembke.  Dates for the annual Koi Auction and Young Koi Show have not been selected yet.  Info can always be found on www.makc.com.  Pam Francis, of Michigan K&PC-SE, reports club members held a successful Dome Tour in January with 30 people viewing 2 enclosed ponds.  The club announced a Friendship award for the Florida Koi Seminar.  Air temps are below 32F but it is announced a Friendship award for the Florida Koi Seminar.  Air temps are below 32F but it is warmer under the plastic domes.  The second event was a scrapbook get together in February.  The club is considering a wet lab in the future.  Robert Reed, of Middle Georgia K&WGC, reports he is holding several officer positions in the club due to illness with other club members but Pete Pham has volunteered to become the AKCA Dir/Rep.  The club has created the annual Cathy Floyd Friendship Award in memory of a club member lost last year.  The word Koi has been added to the club name.  Phyllis Anderson, of North Idaho Koi Keepers, reports they have sent in their nominations for Koi Person but do not have a koi show so do not do Koi of the Year.  (Note:  clubs who do not have a koi show can give the Koi of the Year certificate based on a koi photo contest but will not be sent a plaque for this award.  The photo will compete in the annual Koi of the Year contest at the AKCA Seminar).  Melinda Smieja, of Olympic K,G&WGC, reports it is still a little cold to consider Spring conditions but they held a meeting at a home with a 10,000 gallon indoor pond with 19 members attending.  Club members will hold a Pond Info day on July 22 and a ond tour on Aug. 11.  Geoffrey Huntley, of Piedmont K&WGS, reports club members met in March for a plant exchange, social and club meeting.  A local grower and pond builder donated 10 bowls of lotus, cattails and lilies to club members.  Members were shown how to split and pot plants.  Photos of the event are on www.pkwsonline.com.  April will bring the club Pond Reduction auction and this sale is open to the public with the club taking 10% of the proceeds.  Club members plan a field trip to Charleston, SC in June for their pond tour.  The Koi Show in Charlotte will be in November.  Sheb Masters, of The Great Smoky Mountain KC&PS, reports they had Dr. Richard Strange from the University of Tennessee give a presentation on his interactive cds and water quality.  The club has helped with some koi rescue events.  Club members are anticipated to increase to 50 plus members this summer.  Ed Reed, of Triad K&WGS, reports will hold Southern Koi Expo on the first weekend in May.  Membership is up to 27 members.  The club will start a program spanning June thru Aug. dealing with Koi Health and Development using guest speakers Cindy Coombs and Brady Brandwood.  John Collier, of Tulsa KS, sent his new email address but had no other news.  Dick Emerick, of Upper Midwest KC, reports the club held a 2 part koi and goldfish First Aid presentation including hands on opportunities to sedate, scrape and scope for parasites and how to topically treat wounds and ulcers plus injecting fish.  The next meeting will show how to net fish properly and how to prepare fish for transport to a koi show in preparation for our Koi Show in August.  This is all new for most of club members.  Also, at the next club meeting, members will be shown how to convert a 50 gallon barrel into a functioning filter and how to construct a fluid bed filter.  The club hopes members will use these skills to build quarantine systems at their homes.  Plans for the koi Show in August are going well with almost all vendor booths sold.  The show will include a Kohaku grow out challenge for club members.  The judging the following year will focus on skin quality rather than size.  Sue Emerick was asked to speak at the Cedar Rapids Vendor Expo in May and will be allowed to advertise their koi show in August.  Dick & Sue were very proud to win Grand Champion at the Orlando Koi Show in March with a Sanke.  Robbi McCleney, of Valley of the Sun KC, reports the registration for the 2007 AKCA Seminar is filling up and many attendees are planning to attend the Grand Canyon train/bus tours on Wed. or Thurs.  Not much response for the Sedona tour or Sedona Golf or for the wet lab with only 8 people signed up for the wet lab on Thursday.  But 13 people have signed up for the optional lecture by Patti Graffix on Friday so it looks good.  Mary Oxman, of Ventura KC, reports club meetings at interesting ponds, one of which was a birthday present for the owner.  Doug tried to contact the following clubs with no response:  Austin Pond Society; Dai Ichi KC; Idaho WGS; Mendocino Cost KC; Moto Kara Koi Kai; Pioneer Valley WG&KC; Rhode Island & Massachusetts KC; and, Salt Lake KC.

 

 

 

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q       Written report submitted by Bob:  Jan Davis Brown, of North Florida KC, said that everything is OK; six members will be going to the Phoenix AKCA Seminar.  Mona Coleman, of Northern Nevada PC, said that it’s still very cold; they are planning a pond tour in July.  Norm Call, of Oregon K&WGS, said that April 13-14 they will take a field trip to Coos Bay, Oregon.  Richard Thomas, of Indiana K&WGC, said the club will have a pond tour June 30-July 1 as well as a koi show in Indianapolis.  Bob reported that So Cal Koi Club  had a koi display at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Little Tokyo on April 7-8th.  They had a koi display at the Hanamatsuri Festival on April 14-15.  Both displays were a lot of fun; lots of exposure; good food, displays, and bonsai.  Bob was voted Koi Person of the Year.  Bob tried but was unable to reach:  Sierra KC; Tropical K&WGC of So. Florida; and, Greater Louisville Koi & Goldfish.

 

q       Written report submitted by Burt:  Henry Culpepper, of Orlando Area K&PC, stated that the club did not have a meeting since they were all working hard to run the Central Fla. Show; the club also manned a booth and the Leu Garden’s annual spring plant sale.  Arley Hulstrand, of K&WGS of North Texas, reports they have taken on an ambitious project under the leadership of Laura Adams, president, and David Jones, KHA, to restore the 1930s lagoon at Fair Park, Dallas.  The Dallas Aquarium and the Lewisville Aquatic Ecological Research Center also are much involved.  Laura is chairing planting design and David water quality.  Years of overgrown vegetation, debris, and much must be cleared.  It is hoped that each club member at least once will spare a few hours toward this major undertaking.  Johnny Foster, of Nature’s Coast K&WGC, said they went to Blackwater Creek’s location near Tallahassee.  Had a good tour; everybody bought a lot of koi.  May 6th will have a young koi show with 14 tanks @ the Foster’s; next meeting they hope to have a speaker.  Next field trip will be at the University of Florida; their butterfly rainforest.  In May they will have a field trip to a day lily farm and will send in Koi Person of the Year.  Joe White, of Florida East Coast K&WGS, said their next meeting will be at Trittschul’s.  They are unwinding from Central Florida Koi Show, otherwise all is quiet.  They will do Koi of the Year by photos at their next meeting.  The club members redid the water garden at the county facility at the Univ. of Fla. Extension schools for Agriculture.  Rod Lawton, of ZNA Southern Koi Assoc., said they are recovering from Central Florida Koi Show; planning a training Seminar for July in Gainesville to do some koi appreciation; not koi show related; planning the Naples Koi Show in Nov.  John Sprinkl will be that Chair of the program.  Sandi Soedjono, of Dallas Koi Kichi Group, said they had no meeting; instead they went to Water Garden Gems for the koi sale of Sabuma’s koi.  April meeting was at the Soedjono’s and Ben will do a talk on selecting koi; they will send in Koi Person, AKCA Koi and Champion of Champions soon.    Barb Flowers, of Rocky Mountain KC, said they are planning a pond tour for June; koi auction in May; August is koi show.  Denise Williams, of Santa Clara Valley K&WGC, said their next meeting they will talk about the All Japan Show.  April 28-29 is the Cherry Blossom Festival & koi show with Norcal ZNA.  They are planning for Pond Tour in July; they will do Koi Person, Koi Fish & Champion of Champions this month.  Jesus Brito, of Oklahoma KS, said they are getting ready for their koi show; getting ready to pull the mud pond on his property.  Next meeting will go over show preparations; will do Koi Person & AKCA Fish & Champion of Champions @ their show.  John Hathaway, of Pacific Wonderland KC, said they are going to Portland Classical Gardens for the meeting; will be a tour and business meeting; did Koi Person.  Debby Young, of Southern Arizona Koi Assoc., said the club decided to have a koi show this fall; next meeting one of their KHA’s will do a talk; working on Pond Tour May 5-6 with 1 night tour on the 5th.  Linda Montgomery, of Cascade K&GFC, said their next meeting will be a talk by Jeff Thomas; a KHA on responsible use of medications.  The following month is a field trip to Orient Farms & the owner will talk on dividing water plants.  Did Koi Person; will do AKCA Fish at next meeting.  Several of the club’s KHA’s are helping out at the Portland Japanese Gardens.  Burt tried but was unable to reach San Francisco Bay Area KC;  Middle Georgia KS; and, K&WGC of North Texas.

 

q       Written report submitted by Larry:  Darlene Jennings, of Mid-Michigan P&WGC, said their next meeting will be at the Base Camp at the Genesee Area Skills Center.  The speaker subject is the making of the Base Camp Pond.  They have a plant exchange planned in Sept. and a pond tour in July.  Joan Woelfel, of St. Louis WGS, said their April program will bring Scott Woodbury from the Shaw Nature Reserve to talk

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q       about Rain Gardens.  Not a full-time water garden but close enough; this topic was requested after Cindy Gilberg had mentioned them in her talk on Native Aquatic Plants in February.  Their Pond-O-Rama public tour ticket booklet is in the hands of the graphic designer who puts the maps, host write-ups and general pages together for their final proof reading.  The committee is actively working on the publicity, lining up articles in local papers.  Ticket committee is actively working on the publicity, lining up articles in local papers.  Ticket sellers are ready and though their tour is not until the weekend after Fathers’ Day, June 23-24, there already excited!  There are 50 ponds this year on the self-guided tour with more than half for the first time.  What a terrific value for only $15 per person.  Shelly Klinger, of Central Illinois Water Gardeners, said they met on Saturday, March 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the lower level of the Bloomington Public Library.  Dan Berg, National Sales Manager of Aquatic Garden & Koi Company, was the speaker.  He gave tips on opening up the ponds and talked about his company.  Mr. Berg traveled from Chicago to Bloomington to be their speaker.  Kelly Houston, of Inland KS, said their April meeting will be at the home of Tony & Barbara Brancato to introduce the club to their brand new 3500 gal. Pond.  The builders Bob Walters, Scott Zehm for filtration and Angelo Palzimo pond design will be the speakers.  They are working hard on their first koi auction in June.  No response from Prairieland K&PS. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Phil Hunter:  James Slider, of the Capital Area K&WGC, reports that the March meeting several new members joined the club.  Dave Richter, of Hammond Farms, spoke abut opening the ponds.  The next meeting will be held on April 15th at the Delta Center.  Rick Preuss, of Preuss Pets, will discuss “The Care and Feeding of Your Fish.”  Future events include the Annual Pond Tour on July 21st, a field trip to Able Koi on June 10th, and a field trip to Meijer Gardens on August 25th.  The club’s website (www.lansingpondclub.org/)  has been updated to include all of the 2007 events and includes a membership applicaton form.  Tess Little, of the Dayton K&GFC, reports that the club met on Marth 15th at the home of Linda & Keith Kinney.  Club members discussed “Opening the Spring Pond” and the importance of getting your filters operating correctly and feeding your fish very slowly in the beginning.  It can take up to six weeks for a filter system to reach full efficiency.  The next club meeting will be on April 19th.  Don Hellard, of the Gainesville KC, reports that the club just finished participating in the Botanical Gardens Spring Garden Festival.  The club set up three tanks and, as a fund and raise monies for the club treasury.  The club is planning a garage sale and a young koi show for the future.  Judith Minor Roberts, of the Mountaineer K&WGS, reports that the club had a successful Christmas dinner.  With the warmer weather they are starting to open their ponds.  The first meeting of the year will be in April, and the club is getting geared up for its 10th anniversary.  They are also gathering donations from businesses for the raffle in July. Linda Siler, of the Springfield WGS, reports that the March meeting at St. John’s Cancer Center was well attended.  It was the club’s final indoor meeting of the year until October. The meeting informed members of the new, state of the art, pond equipment.  The April meeting will be on April 12th at the home of Darryl and Micha Downs.  Mike Kennedy will speak on pond-less waterfalls.  Clubs with no report this month are the Inland Empire Water Garden & Koi Society and the Shasta Koi & Water Garden Club.

 

q       Written report submitted by Carole Elliott:  Larry Hursh, of Genesse Valley Pond & KC, said that their club is kicking into gear now that the weather is warming up.  In April, they are having a program on extending your pond and fish enjoyment into dusk and darker times by adding garden lighting.  This will be a do-it-yourself approach with info on selecting equipment, making the connections and even a demonstration on making your own fixtures from items hyou may already have or would like to see added to your pond.  Koi health will be the topic for May and will be presented by Helen Roberts, a veterinarian specializing in fish care and health.  They have invited members of the K&WGS of Central New York to join them for this evening.  They will staff an info booth at Bergen Water Gardens LilyFest, a local water lily and water gardening event to answer questions about their hobby and hopefully recruit new members for the club.  They will conclude their activities at LilyFest by offering an auction of water garden plants and pond and aquarium products.  Jerry Woodbury, of Miami Valley WGS, said the March meeting they had Joe Tomocik, from the Denver Botanic Gardens, as their guest speaker.  This was possible through the speaker’s grant through AKCA.  They are planning their 2007 Private Pond Tour for July 14-15.  Added a nighttime portion to tour for viewing ponds with in and out of the pond lighting.  Loren Prucnal, of Niagara Frontier K&PC, said that this month they are having Greg Young speak about pond opening and spring prep for your ponds.  Last month they had Larry Nau give a talk on Water Lotus.  Next month is their Photo Contest and the beginning of their summer auctions.  Also, the club elected Ed McKee as Koi Person of the Year.  They are still looking for a judge for their koi show August 25-26.

 

q       Written report submitted by Spike Cover:  Dan Phillips, of North Carolina K&WGS, reports that the mud pond preparation complete and ready to receive tosai from club purchase.  There will be an ikeage,

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q       judging and award(s) presented in October ’07.  Club cull sale (fundraiser) is scheduled for April 21.  Education on Spring pond startup @ March meeting and watergarden plants @ April meeting.  NCKWS is preparing a letter to be sent by AKCA Rep to AKCA regarding their position on recent activities by AKCA Board and/or the AKCA judging committee chairman and some of the AKCA judges regarding activity on the internet message boards and certain other (Koiphen) parties.  At the home of Rich Eitel, all 34 tosai and 11 Jumbo tosai were claimed in a matter of two hours.  Tamara Skaggs, of Northern Midwest ZNA KC, said that plans for the NMZNA Koi Show and Inaugural Goldfish Show are progressing.  The show, formerly held in Plainfield, Il, will be held June 30-July 1 in Indianapolis, IN at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the “Our Land” Pavilion.  Plans are being made for a meeting to be held the end of April or beginning of May in the Chicago area.  Ray Jordan, of Texas Koi &Fancy Goldfish Society, said that Kathii and Barry Tackett were voted AKCA Koi Persons of the Year.  They elected their current slate of officers to another term and voted Bill Tohey into the new 3rd VP position.  Their 13th Annual club spring Seminars and Fish sale was March 31-April 1 was a huge success.  Megumi Yoshida and Hajime Sakuma brought 1,300 koi from Japan for their annual event which included seminars on ponds, filtration, and buying and growing koi and a large craft fair at Water Garden Gems near San Antonio.  The annual Yoshida growing contest was judged by Mr. Yoshida and Mr. Sakuma.  These are nisai purchased as $100 tosai at the previous year’s sale.  Ray & Martha Jordan won Grand Champion with a Maruyama bred kohaku.  Almost all these koi were sold and plans are for an even larger number of these top quality tosai to be available at next year’s sale.  Diane Coit, of Camellia KC, stated that they have a new president, secretary and two new directors.  Meeting topics included how to fix leaky ponds, getting rid of foam, and maximizing koi growth.  At March’s meeting some members purchased baby koi, from the same brood, to enter in the koi growing contest at their Sept. 22-23 koi show.  Their April meeting will be replaced with a spring buying trip to Bay Area vendors who are offering special discounts to attendees.  The club was contacted by the Sacramento Zoo recently to find homes for the overstock from their koi tank; offering them free to koi club members.  Tom Ayers, of Tucson KS, said that their upcoming meeting will be at the Millers’ home.  They will select their AKCA Koi of the Year and Koi Person of the Year.   

 

q       Written report submitted by Joyce Glenn:  Michael Anderson, of Atlanta KC, reported that they will have an auction in May; pond tour in June and then show is in Sept.  Bob Waag, of Florida West Coast, said  that Paula Biles talked to their club about going down the Amazon (which Paula did) and seeing Victoria lilies that were 47 feet in diameter.  More recently there was a champion in Bolivia that got to 106 inches.  Ludo Van den Bogart, of Tampa Bay, said that the club participated in the Central Florida Koi Show in Orlando.  The club ran the raffle booth again.  Many of the vendors contributed wares and they thank them for their participation.   Rod MacNeil, of Charleston Shoawa Club, reports they are getting close to their show at Tideline Aquatics which is the kick off for ticket sales of the pond tour.  A lot of them bought fish at the Orlando show in March.  The club is trying to talk Rod into becoming VP at the end of the year.  Meanwhile they are trying to get ponds ready for the tour and that’s 28 of them.  Joyce Tsuji, of Washington KC, said they are planning a tour of Bloedell Garden on Bainbridge Island.  They are going to have a fish raffle in June.  April program is a local koi breeder, Al Fearson, will be speaking.  Dave Peebler, of Koi Club of Kansas, said Valerie Kamb and Mary Bailey are on track to finish the Koi Advisor course at the wet lab in Arizona this summer.  Mary attended the Orlando show and will give a recap of the show at their April 22 meeting.  Valerie will give a talk on the importance of proper aeration in the koi pond.  They are having weird weather.  In one seven day stretch they had 84 degrees on a Monday (set a record).  Then on Friday they saw temperatures in the low 20s; knocked down plants something fierce…   Joyce tried but was unable to reach Hawaii KC.

 

q       Written report submitted by Bill Thompson :   Kay Rice, of the KC of Middle Tennessee, said their club is doing great.  They are planning a June road trip to Koi Village in Bull’s Gap and a July visit to Hammock Koi Farm in Trenton, Tennessee.  Kay is putting the finishing touches on a new 10,500 gallon pond that is home to 27 koi.  Brian Moriguchi reorts that the Santa Clarita K&WGC, has had a influx of enthusiastic new members.  Their annual pond tour will take place in June and feature 8 to 10 new ponds this year.  Future club activities will include sponsoring a KHA candidate and getting club shirts for all members. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Harlan Glenn:  Chuck Poppe, of the ZNA Potomac KC, said their next meeting is Saturday will be at Joe Zuritzski’s Quality Koi.  Bill Thompson, of KC of San Diego, said they enjoyed the talk of Dr. Todd Cecil, a club member and veterinarian with a koi specialty, at the April meeting. In May, Tom & Cindy Graham will host and welcome Takemi Adachi of California Koi Farm as their speaker.  Also in May, the club will take a road trip to the Nishiki Koi Club’s Orange County Pond Tour,

 

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q       with stops for koi shopping on the way home.  Nominations for club officers will be open at the May meeting for the June election.

 

q       Written report submitted by Louie Hernandez:  ZNA So Cal reported that with the combined effort of members and fellow hobbyist this years show had over 400 fish.  “ Not bad for an English type show: said Chai, their show chairman.  It kept him hopping.  Chai went thru his second foot operation just days before the show and was on crutches the whole weekend. 

 

PROXY CALLS FOR MAY

§         How many in your club will be attending the Phoenix Seminar?

§         How do you feel about changing the date of AKCA Seminar?

 

Upcoming AKCA Annual Calendar Events for MAY

·         Notify Bookstore to send materials to Seminar

·         AKCA dues notices to be sent

·         AKCA Board ballots due

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

 

q       Seminar Pins:  Spike passed around the Seminar pins.  Everyone felt they were too big, especially if one is going to get more than one pin to wear.  Felt it should be the size of a dollar coin.

q       Bookstore Items:  Spike went over the various items that the committee looked at to sell through our bookstore.  Discussion on embroidery for each.  Baseball caps/visors were passed around.  Patches for shirts and Jackets wee discussed.  Pen sets, decals, mugs were also discussed.  Motion:  To purchase baseball caps and visors in the U.S. and embroider (baseball caps with new fish)(visors with I Love Koi); 200 baseball caps at a cost of $8.99 per cap + $145 set up charge at an approximate cost of $4,000.  Motion by Louie, 2nd by Joan.  Approved with 1 opposed.  There was further discussion on patches; want to table this item.  Bob stated that we shouldn’t have items that compete with our vendors.  In regards to decals we need to get the price before we can act.  Motion:  To purchase the cling stickers at a maximum cost of $400.  Motion by Bob, 2nd by Harlan.  Approved.

q       Koi Health Book:  Louie proposed to purchase the book by Dr. Erik Johnson, “Koi Health Book”.  Spike stated that he felt this is the number one book he recommends.  Motion:  To purchase 100 “Koi Health” books by Dr. Erik Johnson.  Motion by Louie, 2nd by Doug.  Approved. 

 

NEW BUSINESS: None

 

Motion:  To adjourn the meeting 9:24 p.m.  Motion by Bob, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carole Elliott

 

REMINDER

Turn in the AKCA Seminar Attendance form before June 1st

Koi Person of the Year are due – send to Burt Ballou

Koi of the Year

Champion of Champions

are now due!