AKCA Minutes of June 11, 2004

 

Officers Present:                                Directors Present:                                              Guests:

Chair: Joan Finnegan                           Burt Ballou (OC ZNA +)                                     Kelly Houston

Vice Chair:  Ed Salinas                         Larry Leverett (Inland)                                        Spike Cover

Secretary:  Carole Elliott                      Bob Finnegan (Louisville)                                 

CFO:  Doug Dahl                                  Louie Hernandez (ZNA So Cal)                                        

                                                                Harlan Glenn (San Diego)                                  

                                                                Joyce Glenn (Ikiru Hoseki)

                                                                Carl Caddies (Oregon K&WGC)

                                                                Bruno Kudrecki (Koi Kichi)

 

Board Highlights:

Ø       2004-05 Slate of Officers voted in unanimously

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Joan Finnegan @ 707 pm.   We have 104 clubs.     

 

v      MINUTES:

Motion:  To approve the minutes of May 14th with a correction on page 3; should read wetlab &

 package 2 to Hawaii members.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Carl.  Approved. 

 

v      MAY FINANCIAL STATEMENT/FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Doug handed out the financial reports.  The investment account increased $12 in May.  Doug directed our adviser to purchase four 6 month CDs for $10,000 each and four 12 month CDs for $10,000 each.  He will transfer $40K from Union Bank to the investment account as approved by the AKCA Board at a prior Board meeting.  To date, we have $47,552 in income and $15,965 in expenses for the Seminar.  The Hawaii Host club has notified Doug they believe they will have a small profit.  This is the last year registration or trade show monies will go to the Seminar Host Club.  On the AKCA website the registrations and vendors booths for all future Seminars will be done.   Motion:  To approve to pay Debby Young to create the secure Seminar registration website page for 2005 Tulsa Seminar and host it on the www.akca.org website for all future Seminars.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Burt.  Approved.  Debby won’t charge us to upload the website page each year once it is created. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

v      SCIENTIFIC:  Spike handed out the Scientific Committee reports as well as the KHA Program report.  He stated that the proposed KHA budget for 2004-2005 of $14,800 is greatly reduced from last year.  Motion:  To accept the 2004-05 KHA budget of $15,800.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Carl.  Approved.   Much discussion about fundraising committee and who should chair it.  Doug asked if this would be covered by our errors & omissions insurance policy; Burt felt it would be covered on our liability policy.   Certificates will be presented to graduates who attend the Hawaii Seminar.

 

v      PUBLICATION:    Ed said the final draft has been done for the Sept/Oct issues.  Still working on the KOI USA website proposals.  $1400 had been previously approved to update the PCS portion of the KOI USA website.

 

v      MEMBERSHIP:  Doug said that 41 clubs have paid their 2004/05 AKCA dues due July 1.  Only 1 dues notice was returned to sender so our club information is much, much better than last year when 19 clubs claimed they did not receive a dues notice and it took Doug 4 months to track these clubs down.  18 finally paid.  All but 19 clubs provided club rosters to AKCA in order to get the Nutrition Guides. 

 

 

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v      JUDGING:  Bob stated that they are ready for the Hawaii Seminar.  They have 16-18 entries for Champion of Champions. 

 

v      SPEAKER’S GRANT:  Burt stated that letters went out to the winners of the Speaker’s Grants.  They have 60 days to accept/decline.  

 

v      GUIDES:  Burt stated that he will start revising the pond construction/filtration guide.

 

v      INSURANCE:  Burt received the E&O renewal notice and submitted it with the questionairre and financial reports that were requested.

  . 

v      POLICIES/PROCEDURES:  No report 

 

v      NOMINATION:  Kelly & Louie counted ballots; there were 36 unamious votes in favor of the proposed slate of officers.  Congratulations to Joan (Chairperson), Ed (Vice Chairperson), Carole (Secretary), and Doug (CFO).

 

SEMINAR REPORTS:

v      2004HAWAII SEMINAR:  Burt stated there are approximately 150 attendees signed up; 61 signed up for the Kauai tour.

 

v      2005 TULSA SEMINAR:  Ed stated that they got an ad in KOI USA.  Doug recommended a conference call be placed so that each committee leader can ask questions of Doug & ed.  Feels that we need to be more proactive with the Host clubs. 

 

v     2006 NIAGARA SEMINAR:  Burt stated that they are anxious to start; want to start advertising.  They are working on their logo and theme. 

 

v      2007 Seminar:  There are a number of clubs who would like to host the Seminar; discussion followed.  It was felt that if a west coast club was really serious about hosting, then it should be on the west coast.  (AKCA tries to alternate coasts each year).  Further discussion was tabled until next month.  Doug will send an email to each club president that has expressed a desire to host the 2007 Seminar to ask them some questions about the Seminar if their club was chosen Host.

 

REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:

 

o         Written report submitted by Doug: Janet Vukovich, of Central Calif. KC, reports they are looking forward to the AKCA Seminar in Hawaii.  The club held a nice Pond Tour on May 15.  The club is in the planning stages for their Koi Show Oct. 9/10.  John Hawley, of First Coast K&WGC, reports they are also interested in hosting the 2007 AKCA Seminar.  They held their 2nd Annual Pond Tour on June 5th.  They advertised this event greatly due to the growth of water gardening on the east coast.  A local fish business even advertised the pond tour on the back of their retail business purchase receipts.  They have added a section on Fins & Ferns to their club newsletter.  Their club is working their website to promote AKCA and KOI USA and koi education in general.  John Hawley is creating a streaming internet radio show on koi, goldfish and water garden issues.  This club stands ready to continue to support AFKAPS as they always have.  They are reviewing their club By-Laws to update them to address club assets and organizational structure.  John also plans an upcoming trip to visit a koi breeder in the Philippines.  Janon Alegre, of Las Vegas Koi Club, reports their recent Pond Tour was a lot of work but went very well and they made $600 profit.  The local newspaper will print an article on this club and pond tour soon.  One of the members created  a beautiful koi decorated cake for the pond tour.  This club is also hoping to be selected as the Host club for the 2007 AKCA Seminar.  Club President Janon Alegre Wallace and her husband just opened their koi and water garden business website.  Dot Wilbanks, of Moto Kara Koi Kai, reports their last club

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o         meeting was at a members 47,000 gallon koi pond run by two Dragon series pumps and four bubble bead filters.  This person has a 5 tank quarantine system including a 1,000 gallon fiberglass tank.  The whole area is heavily landscaped as a private 1 acre contemplation garden.  Barbara “fish lady” Johnson from California spoke on her koi and water garden business and famous customers.  Mark Davis, of Santa Barbara, Calif., also spoke on his business.  Pam Francis, of Michigan Koi & Pond Club-SE, reports their club annual Fish

Auction with educational comments will be June 19 and their annual Pond Tour will be July 17 which will include a panel discussion for questions.  On August 21, their club will have a Mini Pond Tour in Grosse Point, MI with a progressive dinner.  Melinda Christopher, of Olympic K&WGC newsletter reports she is the new Dir/Rep for that club.  She is working to get AKCA a club roster.  Their new club website is:  www.olympicoiclub.org.  Their club is also vying to host the 2007 AKCA Seminar in Portland, OR.  Timothy Czech, of Pioneer Valley WG&KC, reports they are working hard planning their annual Pond Tour on July 10 & 11.  They plan to purchase some books from the AKCA Bookstore to add to their club library.  They will award their Koi Person of the Year and Koi of the Year awards at their first annual Banquet on Aug. 28.  This event will feature a silent auction and a raffle.  They are still working toward their first koi show in August, 2005.  They have already obtained the site for the show (for those that do not know, this club is located in Ware, Mass.).  This club has 2 KHA students and is encouraging more members to volunteer to take this class since AKCA is going to have a 4th class starting this summer for this very popular and helpful program.  This club lists 14 local merchants in their club newsletter offering 10%-20% discounts to club members.  The Tulsa Koi Society newsletter reports their first confirmed case of KHV in the Tulsa area with a 90% fish loss due to lack of proper quarantine of new koi.  Club members were assisted by Dr. Klienholz, of Lanston University, and Dr. Goodwin, of University of Arkansas, with this single outbreak, including very drastic quarantine procedures including plastic booties and disposable clothing for people approaching the infected pond.  The USDA actually paid to have the live specimen koi shipped for KHV testing.  The pond has been sterilized and the filter media replaced.  There were 6 koi who survived who are being considered carriers until such time as research addresses this issue with survivors.  (Note:  AKCA has funded 2 Universities to research this carrier issue).  The newsletter included an extensive quarantine procedure and facility description.  Robbi McCleney, of Valley of the Sun KC, reports they also are anxiously waiting for AKCA to notify them if they will host the 2007 AKCA Seminar.  Their club has stopped all club meetings for the summer as usual.  Their club will provide free advertisement for AKCA and KOI USA in their newsletter like many other clubs have done to show support for AKCA.  Their next koi show will be February 11/12, 2005.  The newsletter for Ventura KC reports Chai Taevanitchareon, of ZNAj-Southern Calif. Chapter koi club, will speak at their next meeting on the subject of selecting young koi.  This club is lucky to have the support of a local Veterinarian Dr. Cherry who is a club member and avid koi person.  Doug tried to contact the following clubs with no response:  Austin Koi & Goldfish Club; Austin Pond Society; Blue Water Pond Club; Dai Ichi KC; Mid Atlantic Koi Club; Nashville Pond Society; and, Piedmont K&WG Society.

 

o        Written report submitted by Bruno:  Koi Kichi & WGC reports that their May meeting was held at the home of Randy Rattray; his pond is a fine example of how a swimming pool can be converted into a very impressive koi pond.  They voted on their 2004 show pin design.  Also, it was announced that Eastern Nishikigoi will be sponsoring their Grand Champion Award, a beautiful trophy and a round trip ticket to Japan!  They will have their koi auction on June 27th. 

 

o         Written report submitted by Bob:   So Cal Koi Club held their 3rd Annual Pond Tour on May 23rd with 6 ponds in the Laguna Beach-South Coast area with sizes ranging from 1,000 gallons to 85,000 gallons.  They also just had their annual Potluck luncheon at the home of Linda Messenger in Corona del Mar.  Everyone had a great time especially during the White Elephant auction.    

 

o        Written report submitted by Burt:  Kenneth Wong, of Dallas Koi Kichi Group, said their last meeting was to go over show results; next meeting will have a speaker from Austin who will talk about “Gator guard” a spray on liner for koi ponds.  Elections will be in August.  Laura Adams, of K&WGC of No. Texas, said that Jody Spencer, of Creative Water Gardens, will speak at their next meeting on aquatic plants; another speaker on butterflies; have gotten a lot of new members.  Lucia Rose, of San Francisco Bay KC, said their last meeting Noreen Rancourt did a wet lab of scraping & how to use a microscope.  Next meeting will be a new koi dealer from Sacramento area & will talk about koi buying trips to Japan.  ZNAOC’s last meeting was their Annual picnic/barbeque at Gordon & Ally Chibana’s; great food & lot of fun.  The club agreed to rent some tanks to AKCA for the Hawaii Seminar.  Several members are going to the Seminar including their Koi Person of the Year, Charlene Whalen.  They are starting to organize tfor their joint koi auction in August with Nishiki Koi Club.  Linda Montgomery, of Cascade K&GFS, said they took a field trip to Moore-

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o        Hansen Water Gardens; had a good time.  The club wants to see if the other area clubs want to combine to do the AKCA Seminar.  Henry Culpepper, of Orlando Area Koi & Pond Club, said they met @ Oscar & Maria Ponifaz home; a couple dealer members spoke on mistakes made with ponds & Q & A session.  They are considering a combined koi show with a couple other clubs.   Johnny Foster, of Nature’s Coast

K&WGC, said last Sat. they had a field trip to a day lily farm; rap up meeting for AFKAPS is next Sat.  They are now starting to gear up for their koi show in Oct.  Norbun Watson, of Middle Georgia Koi Soc., said they had their pond tour last Sat. & was a big success; several hundred people to the 13 ponds.  Joe White, of Florida East Coast, said next meeting is a speaker on water gardens.  In July there will be a joint meeting with North Florida Club @ Joe Wruazabol’s home.  Joe White, of Southern Koi Assoc., said the club was accepted as a ZNA club; still getting new members.  Trying to schedule the next meeting; the wrap up meeting for AFKAPS is next Sat. & will plan next year’s show.  Debby Young, of Southern Arizona KC, said their annual picnic & barbeque is this next Sunday; preparing for their 25th Annual koi show.  John Hathaway, of Pacific Wonderland, said their last meeting was @ Peter & Sylvia Enfield’s; had a big raffle including a koi raffle.  Carl Fridenstine, of Santa Clara Valley Koi, said some people are having fluke problems; a KHA has been helping several people in the club; working on Pond Tour for July 17.  They will have 7 ponds on the tour.    Burt tried but was unable to reach Oklahome KC.

 

o        Written report submitted by Carole:  Buck Williams, of Central Alabama K&WGS, told me that their club president, Michelle Slagle, will be taking over as rep as Buck  has been elected mayor of his city.  Michelle Slagle said they will be working on future pond tours at their next meeting.  In April they were at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens where they sold fish & gave the profits to the gardens.  Their “homecoming” in April was a membership drive.  Members donated extra fish & plants and gave away via a raffle.   Larry Hursh, of Genesee Valley Pond, said that Paula Biles came and did a presentation; joint venture with Burgeon Water Gardens.  They did a plant auction and raised over $800 for the club for educational purposes.  July 9th, they will have a Garden Tour; oriental/water features; no koi but will have goldfish.  On July 17th, they will join Niagara in a pond tour as part of Lily Fest.  In Sept. they prepare their ponds for winter.  In October they will have a landscaper speak about designing around the pond.  Greg Young, of Niagara K&PS, said they are having a koi show in 2 weeks; same week as the AKCA Seminar.  He thought that David & Debbie Hester are judging.  Their club has taken over the pond at the Botanical Gardens in Erie County.  They put in a new filter system & pump and are taking out the goldfish and putting in koi.  They also have a monthly auction of plants.  Richard Mendez, of WGC of So. Texas, said they just had their 5th Annual pond tour this past Saturday. They will have a mini pond tour at their next meeting for volunteers on June 19th as well as a dinner.  In May they had their 1st Annual Mother’s Day at Water Garden Gems.  They had 70 volunteers donate blood for the armed forces (20-25 pints).  Water Garden Gems donated a pond kit that included 2 fish, barrel, plants, etc.  Carole tried to contact the following clubs:  High Desert Koi, Bakersfield K&WGS,  & St. Joseph Area WGS.

 

o         Written report submitted by Spike:  Ray Jordan, of Texas K&GFS, said their annual summer picnic is Sunday, Aug. 15th at the same location as last year.

 

o        Written report submitted by Carl:  The May meeting of the Oregon Watergarden Society was held at Norman Call’s Dogwood Motel; guest speakers were Ridley & Bridly Slinker.  Norm gave a very informative talk about judging koi.  They also went to Bonanza, Oregon for a “fishing trip” into the mud pond where they were segregating koi that they picked for potential for beauty & growth.  Most of the fish escaped nets as nets weren’t big enough for the pond.  Mike Osborne, of Koi & Garden Society of Central New York, e-mailed his proxy for Carl (will need to send a letter on their stationary).

 

o        Written report submitted by Larry:  Ladean Paden, of Prairieland Koi & Pond Society, said eponds.com and Laguna are visiting them for an informative meeting about new products.  A plant sale will also be held during the meeting.  Their two AKCA KHA students have returned from their wet lab ready to share info with the club.  Michael Jackson, of West Plains Water Garden Society, said right now their group is in the ticket selling stage of the upcoming water garden tour.  The tour is planned for June 19 and believe it will be very successful.  Their last tour, two years ago, was a hit.  Shelly Klinger, of Central Illinois Water Gardeners, said they will meet on Saturday, June 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Kathy Mundell-Blight.  The speakers will educate them on the Wildlife Habitat project.  Sandy Fisher, of Mid-Michigan Pond & Water Garden Club, said they are hard at work for their July 10th Pond Tour.  Contact Cindy Winters @ (810) 653-4046 or Marshall Callard @ (810) 655-6388.  Melissa Jackson, of Cherokee Strip Water Gardeners, said they are busy finishing up the details for their Water Garden Tour on July 11-12.  This year they have 12

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o        ponds on the tour – the most ever.  Lynn Jones, of St. Louis Water Gardening Society, said their ongoing project has been managing water quality on the quarantine tanks for the auction fish.  It has been an educational experience on the practical application of water testing, water changes and the importance of

binders, buffers and salt in keeping fish healthy.  The auction will be at the end of this month.  Her report from the KHA wet lab was that it was absolutely fabulous.  The instructors were well prepared and well organized.  She passed all the tests and should be graduating as a KHA advisor.  Deb Gunderson, of Madison Area Pond Society, said they have a Pond Tour set for Sunday, June 27th from noon to 5pm.  There are 9 ponds on the tour in and around Madison-the Deforest, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Lodi areas.  MAPS (Madison Area Pond Society) met on Tuesday, May 11th to finalize tour details and provide the members with posters, tickets, etc.  Gulf Coast Koi Society and Ohio Koi Club did not respond.

 

o         Written report submitted by Kelly Houston:  Inland Koi Society is having their annual Pond Tour on June 13th, 2004.  There will be 7 ponds located in Corona & Riverside areas; cost is $8 per person.

 

o         Written report submitted by Joyce Glenn:  Leroy Taba, of Hawaii Goldfish & Carp Assoc, said the club members are really excited about hosting the AKCA Seminar.  They are ready!  Hopefully everyone has reservations.  Dave Peebler, of Koi Club of Kansas, reports that this month’s meeting is a Progressive Pond Party.  There will be no formal program; just ask question of the various pond hosts.  Ikiru Hoseki reports that the new guides are distributed; thank you very much!  Dan Morgan, of Washington K&WGS, said that June 5th they did an information/education booth at the Redmond Farmers’ Market.  They’ll be doing another at the Pet Expo at the Seattle Center on Aug. 21 & 22.  Their Pond Tour is July 17th and their 13th Annual show is Sept. 10-12; banquet followed by awards on Saturday.  Fred McCorkle, of Florida West Coast Koi, said that Paula Biles gave a presentation on planting and care of lilies and lotus.  They learned the correct ratio of cement and sand and stone from Nick Eigsti who has a large pond with four waterfalls.  Their photo contest pet, pond and plant of the year was a success. 

 

o         Written report submitted by Harlan Glenn:  Chuck Poppe, of ZNA Potomac, said they had election of new officers on June 6th; information was sent to Doug Dahl.  They will have club show at the National Arboretum on Sept. 11 & 12.  Their koi auction was a success.  Linda Solis, of San Diego Koi Club, said they will have a koi auction on July 10th.  Next year’s koi show will be the first week of March at the Del Mar Fairgrounds at the same time as the Home & Garden Show.  This could greatly increase the attendance; the club is preparing a bid for the 2007 Koi Seminar. 

 

o         Written report submitted by Ed Salinas:  Al Nicholson, of Santa Clarita Koi & Water Garden Club, reports their club is hosting a pond tour on June 26 and hopes to gain some new club members from the tour.

 

o         Written report submitted by Phil Hunter:  Kirk Hall, of the Shasta Koi & WGC, reported that the May meeting was held at the home of Kirk & Sue Hall.  He also reported that their pond is being totally rebuilt.  The club also attended the Camellia Koi Clubs annual pond tour in Sacramento.  The club members saw some fantastic ponds and several different filtration systems.  Some members went early and toured the gardens in Sacramento as well.  The next club meeting will be at the home of Dee Butler.  Don Hellard, of the Gainesville Koi, Goldfish & WGC, reports that the club’s pond tour is set for June 19th.  There will be 9 ponds on the tour, and some local pond related vendors will join in.  Some club members recently formed a ZNA chapter called the Southern Koi Association.  Planning continues for the remainder of the season.  Linda Siler, of the Springfield WGS, reports that the annual pond tour will take place on June 19th & 20th.  This year there will be 21 ponds on the tour, with 4 ponds showing both days.  In addition, the clubs June meeting will be held at the home of Brenda Gower.  The program will be given by Michael Fessenden from Myron Royce Gardens.  He will be talking about the use of ornamental grasses in and around the pond.  Ralph McGowen, of the Inland Empire WG&KS, reports that the June meeting was held at Rock Placing Company’s rock barn alongside their pond.  Jennifer Dearing presented an interactive program to educate members about the different varieties of Goldfish & koi.  A contest was held to see who could correctly identify the most koi on a poster.  After a tiebreaker, Judy McGowen won, receiving a beautiful 8” Kujaku from Koi gardens.  The club will have its annual pond tour in July.  Judith Minor Roberts, of the Mountaineer K&WGS, reports that the May meeting was held at the home of Gary & Jeanette Baker.  The topic was opening your pond for the season.  The June meeting will be held at the home of Bill & Pat Brison.  This meeting will be the club’s Annual Swap Meet and Sale.  Clubs with no report this month are:  Dayton K&GFC and  Capital Area Koi & WGC.  

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o        Written report submitted by Scott Zehm:  Richard Adema, of Canada KC, said the club is taking a trip to West Coast Koi Farms on Vancouver Island.  The club is starting to plan their pond

tour for this year.  Jackie Allsup, of Eastern Iowa Pond Society, said the club is now starting to plan a pond tour in July; 9 ponds so far.  At the next meeting the club will have a plant exchange.  At the second meeting of this month the club will have a guest speaker who will speak about landscape lighting.  Kevin Fuess, of North Texas WGS, said they presented their first scholarship award to BJ Wethington.  Their club is association with the Texas Association of Pond Societies; attended a tour of Ken Landon’s international water lily collection.  Their 13th annual pond tour is scheduled for June 19 & 20th.  They have over 60 ponds on the tour; map books have been printed and distributed to the sales outlets.  Scott tried but was unable to contact So. Carolina K&WGS. 

 

 

PROXY CALLS FOR JUNE

§         Is your club promoting KOI USA subscriptions?

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

 

Ø       PINS:  Joan handed out a sample of the pins that are being made for AKCA officers and board members as well as KOI USA staff. 

 

Ø       CLUB KIT REVISION:  Doug stated that the club kit has been revised; all the forms have been updated.  Burt stated that Debby Young created Koi Person of the Year form on the AKCA website.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

 

Ø       Press Releases:  Burt stated that in instances where any type of press release is needed, e-mails should be sent out to board members to review/change/approve.  Discussion followed.  In the end, it was felt that we need better communication.

 

 

Motion:  To adjourn the meeting 9:17 p.m.  Motion by Louie, 2nd by Carl.  Approved

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Carole Elliott