AKCA Minutes of January 9, 2004

 

Officers Present:                                Directors Present:                                             Guests:

Chair:                                                      Burt Ballou (OC ZNA +)                                            Larry Leverett

Vice Chair:  Ed Salinas                   Bruno Kudrecki (Koi Kichi)                     Tom Graham

Secretary:  Carole Elliott                      Louie Hernandez (ZNA So Ca)                    Cindy Graham

CFO:  Doug Dahl                                  Kelly Houston (Inland)                                

                                                                Harlan Glenn (San Diego)                                   

                                                                Joyce Glenn (Ikiru Hoseki)                 

                                                               

                                                               

                                                               

Welcome to AKCA as a Member Club:

Orlando Area Koi & Pond Club

(Central Florida Koi Club & Florida Koi & WGS have merged)

Rep:  Henry Culpepper….2054 Kensington Run Drive, Orlando, Fla 32828….(407) 277-5872

Southern Koi Association

Rep:  Joe White…..819 Hewitt Dr., Port Orange, Fla 32127….(386) 767-0814

e-mail:  Jwkoi@aol.com

 

 

Board Highlights:

Ø       Year end balance sheet included with minutes

Ø       Flyer enclosed for our new “Basic Koi Pond, Filters & Water Quality Book now on sale through the AKCA Bookstore 

Ø      Special Meeting on Friday, January 23rd at 7pm to review, modify and approve AKCA Committee Policies.

 

The meeting was called to order  by Vice Chair Ed Salinas @ 7:00 pm.  Ed stated that Joan was back in the hospital (she was in the previous week for blood clots); Doug and Carole gave an update on her condition.  WE ALL WISH HER A SPEEDY RECOVERY!! Ed also congratulated those who appeared on a recent episode of “Animal Planet” . We have 104 clubs.     

 

v      MINUTES:

Motion:  To approve the minutes of November 14, 2003 with the following correction:  add Larry

Leverett as a guest.  Motion by Joyce, 2nd by Burt.  Approved

 

v      NOVEMBER/DECEMBER FINANCIAL STATEMENT/FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Doug stated that the Finance Committee met to review the investment account, Finance Committee Policies and the end of 2002/2003 Financial statement.  Doug was not satisfied with the review aspect of the end of the year review and will suggest CPA Michael Pomerleau for this year’s review in July.  Doug was asked by the Committee to contact Jim Reilly for advice on where to invest the Corporate and Government Bonds all coming due within the next year.  Doug has received some advice from Jim to take to the next Finance Committee.

 

Thanks to Joan Finnegan’s efforts, we will save approx. $200 each month on our AT&T phone bill for the 1-800 bookstore answering service.  Rates have been dropped from 99 cents to 7 cents per minute for all calls including those from Canada.  The investment account increased $316.40 in November.  Motion:  To reimburse Debby Young $100 for upgrade software for www.AKCA.org website to allow Mac computers to access website function button.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Burt.  Approved. 

 

The bookstore has received 50 Pond Construction & Natural Filtration videos; 21 Step by Step Koi Pond Construction videos with 29 on back order; 2000 of Basic Ponds, Filters & Water Quality; Nutrition Guides are out of stock and awaiting revision/update.  Doug has sent out both

Page 2

 

 

 

grant checks.  The new policy will be that any check $5,000 or more will be sent return receipt USPS Priority mail.  Discussion about advertising accounts/past due accounts. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

v      SCIENTIFIC:  Burt handed out Spikes KHA Program Report.  Most goals were completed; still need to get the Hawaii lab firmed up and get expenses submitted.  He has chosen tentative dates and places for the KHA labs. One may be a NC State likely May 22-23; one in Dallas, likely March 13-14; and, one in Orange County, likely April 17-18.  One goal for next month will be to get the remaining certifications sent out and follow the approved for KHV latency testing. 

Motion:  To approve a letter of support for North Carolina State College of Veterinarian Medicine.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Louie.  Approved.

 

v      PUBLICATION:  Ed stated that they had a meeting the previous Tuesday.  Went over past due accounts with the recommendation that Doug contact them.  Tom stated that we need either a volunteer or pay someone to update the KOI USA website until such time as we hire a permanent person.  Ed stated that he hasn’t been able to have a committee meeting regarding the KOI USA website; this will be a priority with him.  Motion:  To authorize the Editor to hire someone to update the KOI USA website until such time as we hire someone.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Burt.  Approved.  Tom has the form for clubs to request ads in their club book; can send out with next month’s minutes. 

 

v      MEMBERSHIP:  Doug sent email requests for updated information following club election of Officers to 24 clubs in November, 30 clubs in Dec. and 11 clubs in January.  (Doug would appreciate a response ASAP)  The Central Florida Koi Club and Florida Koi & Water Garden Society have merged into a new club named Orlando Area Koi & Pond Club.  Motion:  To accept the Orlando Area Koi & Pond Club as an AKCA member club.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Burt.  Approved.  Motion:  To accept membership application from Southern Koi Association.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Joyce.  Approved.  Doug returned $100 dues to Desert Koi Club of Southern Nevada since the club has dissolved and did not intend to pay their dues.  Las Vegas Koi Club has issued a replacement check to AKCA for $100 for their AKCA dues. 

 

Caution to clubs that if you dissolve or combine your club with another club there are usually provisions in the club By-Laws governing these actions for the benefit of the current club members who must be part of this process.  Not following these rules can result in lawsuits.  AKCA takes no part in these issues, each club must deal with its own member issues.

 

                Motion:  To set a charge of $20 to replace a club kit binder and contents.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by

 Doug.  Approved.   Discussion about sending out the AKCA banner for club events.  Motion:

 To supply the AKCA & KOI USA banner to AKCA clubs requesting them at their shipping costs.

 Motion by Burt, 2nd by Doug.  Approved.  Clubs can request the two banners through Doug. 

 

v      JUDGING:  No Report. 

 

v      SPEAKER’S GRANT:  No Report.

 

v      GUIDES:  Burt stated that he needs to finish the revisions for the Nutrition Guide.

 

 

 

                                                                                           Page 2

 

 

v      INSURANCE:  Burt still needs to get the Hold Harmless agreement done.  The insurance company did an audit and reduced our premium by $1,000 which he must investigate to make sure they didn’t reduce any of our coverages.

 

v      POLICIES/PROCEDURES:  Doug stated that there will be a special meeting on January 23rd at 7pm to go review, modify, and approve AKCA policies.  Most are by-laws or motions already passed. 

 

SEMINAR REPORTS:

v      2004 SEMINAR:  Burt stated that we are getting good response; people are registering.  Still working on specifics of speakers/topics.   

 

HAWAII AKCA SEMINAR

Don’t miss out on a super time filled with Koi information, koi friends and also the opportunity to have that HAWAIIAN VACATION you always dreamed about.  If you are even “considering” going to the next year

AKCA Seminar in Hawaii you can combine it with that SPECIAL VACATION you always planned.  For special packages of reduced flight costs combined with a CUSTOM VACATION PACKAGE of your choice to one or more of the other islands you need to contact Maureen Hansen ASAP to see what kind of Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays offers some special rates and very flexible vacation packages.  But to make sure we can secure these SPECIAL PACKAGE RATES she needs to have some idea of how many people are planning on availing themselves of these packages for next year.

  Contact Maureen Hansen at (619) 440-3930 or e-mail at Aliasgeo9@aol.com. 

 

v      2005 SEMINAR:  Ed stated that he hasn’t talked to them lately. 

 

v      2006 SEMINAR:  Burt is receiving a lot of emails from the Niagara club.    They are getting very organized; still need to get a hotel. 

 

 

REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:

 

o        Written report submitted by Doug:  Janet Vukovich, of Central Calif. KC, reports they held their annual Christmas party at a member’s home with 30 people attending.  They take the month of January off with no club meeting or activities.  They plan a Pond Tour in April and a Koi Show in October.  Gene Stogsdill, of First Coast K&WGC, reports a member of another club donated koi for them to auction in November.  Their club members plan to attend meetings of other clubs in Florida.  Dr. James Hooper, of Mendocino Coast KC, reports a storm knocked out power during their Christmas Party but candles and a generator came to the rescue.  They have a serious heron problem and Dr. Hooper would like to know how to deal with herons scientifically, not just stories.  He tried a statue of a heron and a live heron fell in love with the statue.  He tried a fishing line cross grid on 4 foot centers and a heron did a acrobatic flight thru the grid when escaping the pond.  A fishing line 18” around the perimeter of the pond seems to work best but Dr. Hooper is curious how trout farmers deal with a heron problem.  Is there an Ornithologist in the house?  Pam Francis, of Michigan K&Pond Club-SE, reports they also take January off and will have a yearly events planning meeting in February.  David Hester, of Mid Atlantic Koi Club, reports Koi America in 2003 was a huge success with more vendors and higher attendance than ever.  The 15th Annual Koi Show held as part of Koi America had 57 show tanks and a record 357 koi entered making MAKC the largest Koi Show of 2003 in the U.S.  There were 3 judging teams with Dr. Galen Hansen as Head Judge and Charles Phelps and Bob & Joan Finnegan as leaders of teams 2 & 3 with Norman Call and Steve Drake as Assistant Judges.  David Hester was the Koi America Chair and Floyd Broussard was the Show Chair.  MAKC will have a meeting Feb. 8th to plan the

Page 4

 

 

o        year and an annual meeting on June 5/6 in conjunction with the Southern Chapters Young Koi Show in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Andrew DeSantis will be the show Chair.  The 16th MAKC Koi Show will be held October 9/10 at the Allentown, PA Agriculture Center and Karen Pattist

will be the Show Chair.  More information on MAKC can be found on their website

 www.makc.com.  Debbie Goddard reports in the Tulsa Koi Society newsletter that the club is

searching for new people to step up to officer positions which is an issue most clubs must deal

with when members tend to rely on the few strong persons to run the club.  Good luck Debbie.

The Tulsa club will host the 2005 AKCA Seminar and they are working to fill key Committee

Leadership positions.  It is often difficult to get people excited about an event that is 18 months

away but an AKCA Seminar takes that long to plan and it takes at least 12 dedicated Committee

Leaders to pull it off.  They will plan the year’s events at the January meeting.  Debbie states

correctly that it is the responsibility of all koi clubs to keep their members up to date on all koi

health issues starting with KHV.  Robbi McCleney, of Valley of the Sun KC, reports they are

busy preparing for their Koi Show Feb. 7/8 in Phoenix.  Jim Reilly will be Head Judge with Doug

Dahl as Assistant Judge and Bob Brudd as Candidate Judge.  Mary Oxman, of Ventura KC,

reports people in their area are having trouble finding koi dealers to buy fish.  Doug suggested a

club bus trip to the LA area to local dealers.  They will have an event planning meeting for 2004

in January and Burt Ballou will speak to the club in February.  Doug tried but was not able to

connect with:  Austin Koi Club; Austin Pond Society; Las Pampas K&WGS; Lone Star ZNA

KC; Nashville Pond Society; Olympic K,G&WGC; Piedmont K&WGS; and, Pioneer Valley

WG&KC.   

 

o        Written report submitted by Bruno:  Koi Kichi & WGC reports that their 2nd Annual Koi Show was a tremendous success; donations by dealers, manufacturers and breeders.  Had a number of members who went the extra mile in helping to prepare their show.  Had 5 judges including Charlie Sue and Debby Young.  Dave Young ran their show; fish count was 196.  Everyone was impressed with the quality of the koi.  Their entire club would like to acknowledge and thank Eastern Nishikigoi for allowing them to hold their show at their facility.  The winning Grand Champion was bred by Mr. Ogata. 

 

o        Written report submitted by Scott Zehm:  Richard Adema, of Canada Koi Club, said their club had their first meeting of the year on January 11th; newly elected officers took office.  Jackie Assup, of Eastern Iowa Pond Society, said their first meeting of the year will take place in February; will be more of a planning meeting.  This is the meeting where the club’s board sets up the committees and generally plans out the club’s year.  Kevin Fuess, of  North Texas Water Garden Society, said the club had its first meeting of the year on January 13th.  The guest speaker was Master Gardener, Judy Fender.  The club elected new officers in 2003; took office at the October meeting.  In June the club will hold it’s 14th Annual Pond tour with 50-60 ponds on the tour.  The club is also involved in several garden shows in the area during the spring and summer.  Barbara Gantt, of South Carolina K&WGS, said the club will have its first meeting of the year on February 10th.  Chuck Jones, owner of Wet Pets, will speak to the club on general water quality and filtration.  In March, the club will take a field trip to a large water garden center just outside of Atlanta. 

 

o        Written report submitted by Bob:  So Cal Koi Club held its January meeting at Laguna Koi Ponds with Ben Plonski talking about parasites; the club viewed slides from both Ben’s microscope and the club microscope from several fish scraped.  (None were found)  This was a great exercise for the club as they want to take their microscope to all meetings and do fish scrapings (as needed) to look for any parasites. In February they will have a joint meeting with OCZNA.  They are working on their annual pond tour for May 23rd; the pond tour will be in Laguna Beach.  

 

 

Page 5

 

 

 

o        Written report submitted by Carl Caddies:  Oregon Koi & Watergarden Society reports their Christmas dinner once again proved to be very special not only for theclub but for the community.  There was a large collection of toys, including two bicycles, for the Toys for tots and a good quantity of canned food for the Salvation Army’s food bank.  OK&WS is now starting its sixth

year.  They have three members that are certified Koi Health Advisors.  Some of the plans for this

coming year are a plant sale in the Spring, a possible pond tour and their 4th Annual Koi Show on

June 19/20th at the Sherms Thunderbird.  Their new program director, Greg Innes, promises new

and interesting guest speakers for their meetings at the Umqpua Art Center.  

 

o        Written report submitted by Burt:  John Hathaway, of Pacific Wonderland, said their last meeting was cancelled due to really bad weather; rescheduled for next month.  Joe White, of Florida East Coast, said their next meeting will be at the presidents’ house; they will be showing the koi classification tape of Bob Spindola’s; meetings have 30-40 members attending.  In February there will be a lecture at the County Agriculture Center; the members will do a Seminar in setting up a container water garden.  Burt reports that ZNAOC had their Xmas party at Steve & Mallory Hartt’s home; lots of fun; good dinner; Chinese gift exchange was wild as usual.  The club also went together with Nishiki Koi Club and purchased an 8’x40’ container that the two clubs will share.  Andy Moo has graciously allowed them to store it on his business premises.  Carl Fridenstine, of Santa Clara Valley koi, said their next meeting is an “open house board meeting”; not a regular meeting; all members are invited to come and share their ideas for the club’s direction.  They had 40 @ their Xmas party at the Sundowner Inn.  Starting to plan their pond tour in June.  Johnny Foster, of Nature’s Coast K&WGC, said they are planning for AFKAPS; Johnny is Show Chair.  They had a great Xmas party; next meeting will be a regular meeting; will also start their field trips.  After AFKAPS will start planning for their Young Koi Show the last weekend in May.  Sheila Jackson, of San Francisco Bay KC, said they had their Xmas party @ Bosco’s Restaurant; elections were done.  Working on a koi show in April in San Jose @ Champion Koi.  Norbun Watson, of Middle Georgia Koi Soc., said they had a nice Xmas party; meetings are now on Wednesday.  Elected new officers.  In March the club will participate in the 9 day Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia.  Meeting in January will have a film instead of a speaker; they will also do planning for the Cherry Blossom Festival.   Henry Culpepper, of Orlando Area Koi & Pond Club, said they had election of officers & Xmas party in Dec.  Still have to vote on by-laws for the new club; by-laws from the 2 merging clubs were similar.  Jesus Brito, of Oklahoma KC, said they elected new officers; no meeting for January or Feb.  Had Xmas party, gift exchange.  Plan on tosai sale & putting into the Downs’ mud pond.  Debby Young, of Southern Arizona KC, said they had their Xmas party & Chinese gift exchange.  Some of their members will be entering the Phoenix show Feb. 7th.  Kenneth Wong, of Dallas Koi Kichi Group, said they showed a video of the member’s Japan trip last Oct. at their Jan. meeting; discussed koi show for May.  Dec. meeting was Xmas party/fundraiser; they auctioned a lot of garden items, koi flags, jackets, garden art; it went well.  They are working on their show for May.  Ron Ernst, of Koi & Watergarden Club of North Texas, said they had Xmas party; Chinese gift exchange.  They are planning a pond tour in Sept.  They are loaning at least 18 show tanks to Dallas Koi Kichi for their show in May.  Linda Montgomery, of Cascade Koi & Goldfish Soc., said ice is on the ponds; Xmas party is next Saturday.  Feb. is Yard Garden & Patio Show exhibit in Portland.  

 

o        Written report submitted by Joyce:  David Marier, of Atlanta Koi Club, reports that the first monthly meeting for 2004 will be held January 18th.  Joe Pawlak, from Blackwater Creek Koi Farm in Florida, will be their guest speaker.  A local water garden center, Wakoola Water Gardens, will host the meeting.  They have some nice ponds and very nice meeting facilities.  Two big events for this spring are the Southeastern Flower show in February and the club’s koi auction and plant sale in April or May.  Club officers for 2004 are: Pres..Doug Tatz; VP..Charlie Atwell; Sec…Bill Jones; Treasurer…Ron Scott.  Atlanta’s 10th Annual Show will be held in September

 

Page 6

 

 

o        and plans are underway to make this a great show.  The UGA Veterinary department is hosting a koi lab this month, January 23-25th.  Several AKC members will be attending.  Scheduled to speak are Dr. Erik Johnson, Vicki Vaughan, Dr. Nick St. Erne, Dr. Sandra Yosha and Dr. Branson Ritchie.  It will be an information packed weekend!  Fred McCorkle, of Florida West Coast, said

they can feed their fish all year round because of their warm climate.  Fred has sold all his fish

which were up to six years old and none was under thirty (30) inches long.  They lived in a 4,000

 gal. Pond with a lifetime maximum population of 18 fish.  Ten (10) Florida clubs are planning the

All Florida Koi & Pond Show in early March.  This year they will include goldfish and a small

pond exhibit.  Leroy Taba, of Hawaii Goldfish & Carp Association, said he is having a meeting

 this next Thursday to assign deadlines.  He is having a problem finding a photographer.  Bob

Bonner, of Ikiru Hoseki Koi Club, said the club is planning to have a meeting in the month of

February; location has not yet been determined.  Jenny Amram-Hollington, of Showa Koi Club,

 said they had a terrific Christmas meeting with Dr. Erik Johnson as the key speaker.  The meeting

this Sunday is to be held at Dr. Marshal White’s home.  He has decided to consolidate his fish

population and will be auctioning off some very nice koi that he got from Japan; he’s donating all

of the proceeds to the Showa Club!  Len Brown, of Tampa Bay K&WGC, said everyone has

been very busy during the holiday season and have not had a meeting for a couple of months.

 Club officers are planning to meet in late January or early February to plan out the new year and

also get ready to support AFKAPS in early March.  Dan Morgan, of Washington K&WGS, said

 that their new rep is Virginia Lee.  The new President: Bob Bosek; VP is Lucy Macneil; Sec. Is

Ann Potter; and, Treasurer is Roy Niznik.  They have a wet lab coming up with Dr. Tim Miller-

Morgan and Dr. Holly Reed on Feb. 7th at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.  Dr. Reed is a

vet from the U of Washington.  Dave Peeler, of Koi Club of Kansas, said that Brett Rawley gave

them an 1 1/2 hour talk last June on koi farming with many other interesting facts on raising koi. 

Dave Peeler has DVDs for $15 but the order had to be in by Jan. 9th. 

 

o        Written report submitted by Harlan Glenn:  Chuck Poppe, of ZNA Potomac, reports that it’s snowing and nothing is happening with the club.  Cindy Graham, of Koi Club of San Diego, said they have new officers.  New Pres. If Linda Solis; VP-Venue is Rick Gavern; VP-Program is Bill Thompson; Treasurer is Al Pierce, and Sec. Is Shirley Elswick.  They will have their annual Koi Show on Feb. 14/15th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  Galen Hansen is Show Chairman with Bill Tompson as Co-chair; looking for new show site for 2006

 

o        Written report submitted by Carole:  Greg Young, of NFKPC, said a new President will take over at their January meeting..  The Southwest Koi & Pond Association held elections with President Ralph Smith, etc.  They want to give a very special thanks to their past treasurer, Marcellus Fullmore and newsletter editor, Judy Birch; both of them have been there for SKAPA from the very start for seven years.  They had their Annual Xmas social gathering in Dec. at the Vista Hills Country Club.  There is no meeting in January and February.

 

o        Written report submitted by Spike:  Dan Phillips, of North Carolina K&WGS, reports that their Dec. 13th Xmas party was held at the home of David & Joanie Smothers.  Awards & Trophies were handed out for their Annual Koi photo contest; had 85 photo entries.  Announcements for 2004 included a tosai grow out contest where members can compete using their koi husbandry skills.  Gary Chin, of Camellia KC, said they enjoyed a nice Holiday Dinner at Frashinetti Winery.  This event began with a friendly time with club members sampling various wines offered for sale at the Winery.  A Gift Certificate provided by the winery & Club was used by all for various items available at the Wine Tasting Room; afterwards, had a private banquet.  The club bid farewell to outgoing board directors and welcomed incoming ones

 

o         Written report submitted by Phil Hunter:  Judith Minor Roberts, of the Mountaineer Koi & WGS, reports that the September meeting was held at the home of Kenneth & Betty Volkers.  Tom Roberts made a presentation on closing your pond for the winter.  Dolores Butler, of the Shasta Koi & WGC, reports that the club’s koi auction in October was a resounding success.  The event is a great moneymaker for the club and

Page 7

 

 

 

o         also generates good publicity for the club as well.   Becky Maier presented a program on closing your pond for the winter.  Don Hellard, of the Gainesville Koi, Goldfish & WGC, reports that the club set up a booth in October at the Kanapaha Botanical gardens plant sale and open house.  Many club members participated in

the effort to promote the club.  Several new members were recruited as a result.  The November meeting will

be the election of new officers.  The following clubs had no report this month:  Capitol Area Koi & Water

Garden Club, Inland Empire Water Garden & Koi Society; and the Springfield Water Garden Society. 

 

o         Written report submitted by Ed Salinas:  Claudia Brownlie, of Koi Club of Middle Tennessee, said that Dr. Erik Johnson will speak, on Feb. 28th, to the public on koi & fish health lecture & wet-lab event.  All club activities for the next 2 months will be geared to making this a success.  This will be the first undertaking of it’s kind by their club.  The 4 hour lecture & 2 hour wet-lab will be held at Nashville State Technical Community College.  They hope to not only bring KCMT to the public’s attention, but to educate, gain new members and increase their treasury via this event.  They have also increased their membership by 5 families in the last 3 months. 

 

o        Written report submitted by Louie Hernandez:  ZNA So Cal arranged a Christmas banquet fit for a king at Magiano’s Little Italy in Los Angeles.  Their special guest was Isa-San Shinkokai Director and well known showa breeder.  The following Sunday, thanks to Kaz Takeda, a slide show was presented to all hobbyists given by Isa-san on Tategoi.  He also addressed the concerns of KHV in Japan.  Details are in this months Nichirin Magazine.  The first meeting of the new year will be at Eastern Nishikigoi.  Chai Taevanitcharoen will give us his thoughts on choosing the right fish as a tategoi. 

 

o        Written report submitted by Larry:  Ledean Paden, of Prairieland K&Pond Society, starts its executive board meetings on Jan. 24; regular meetings do not occur until Feb. 14.  The executive board will review all articles written by the 6 board directors at this time and decide on their placement in the monthly newsletters.  They currently have 4 officers and 6 directors as well as 3 chair people to help lead the Society.  Meeting locations and pond tour 2004 will also be covered that evening.  Their KHA trainee, Ron Carter, is working on his tests for accreditation.  Hilda Adams, of St. Louis Water Gardening Society, said they did not meet in December but a late January meeting is planned.  Officers serve for two years and were just elected in January 03.  She will be stepping down as AKCA Rep and hope to have the name of the new contact for us in the next few weeks.  Mike Rhodes, of Ohio Koi Club, did not have a meeting in December.  They had a Christmas party in November.  Their next official membership meeting is not until March.  The Ohio Koi Club’s Second Annual Koi Health Symposium will be April 24th at the Dayton Airport Hotel.  Speakers will be Dr. Erik Johnson, Vicki Vaughan, Dr. Art Lembke, David Hester (tentative).  Shelly Klinger, of Central Illinois Water Gardeners, said they will have their first meeting of 2004 Jan. 10th; Jeffrey Rees, of Rees Renovations, will speak on the proper construction techniques for waterfalls.  Fritz Jetten, of Gulf Coast Koi Society, is having a special meeting this month to discuss upcoming events including a display at Festival of Flowers in Mobile, Ala and their Pond Tour.  Melissa Jackson, of Cherokee Strip Water Garden Society, said they are not meeting this month as a whole club.  However, officers are busy planning next year and awarding grants to local schools to help them improve their water garden features or install a new water garden.  Sandy Fisher, of Mid-Michigan Pond & Water Garden Club, said they will begin meeting again in February.  A Christmas party was held at the Hasbarger Children’s Farm in Dec.; admittance to the party was a donation (gift or money) for Toys for Tots. 

 

 

PROXY CALLS FOR FEBRUARY

 

§         Is your club interested in purchasing  the new AKCA book “Judging & Buying Koi” and/or Basic Koi Pond, Filters & Water Quality?

§         How many of your club members subscribe to KOI USA?

 

 

Page 8

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Ø       1099:  Doug stated that he needs some social security numbers for the 1099 form.

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Ø       Weather:  A reminder to all to prepare for the worse in the spring because of the extremely cold weather.   The fish are weaker; your club should cover what to do in the spring. 

 

 

Motion:  To adjourn the meeting 8:32 p.m.  Motion by Harlan, 2nd by Burt.  Approved

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Carole Elliott