AKCA Minutes
of March 14, 2003
Officers Present: Directors Present: Guests:
Chair: Larry Leverett Harlan Glenn (San Diego) Spike Cover
Vice Chair: DougDahl Bruno Kudrecki (Koi Kichi) Tom Graham
Secretary:Carole Elliott Bob Finnegan (6 clubs) Carl Caddies
CFO: Joan Finnegan (Greater Louisville) Judy Caddies
Burt Ballou (OC ZNA+9 clubs) Ed Salinas
Board Highlights:
v By-laws committee reviewing by-laws for some proposed changes
v Registration discount rates for the 2003 Seminar end March 31st
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Larry Leverett. There are 103 paid member clubs.
¨ MINUTES:
Motion: To approve the minutes of February 13th. Motion by Joyce, 2nd by Bob. Approved
¨ FEBRUARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT/FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Larry handed out the Financial statement prepared by Lisa. The 1st part of the report stated that we need
Board approval to purchase the copies of 3 different videos that we have. Per an agreement with
William Lim, he will do 50 copies of each: Healthcare for Koi; Koi Fish Video; and, Step by Step Pond
Design. Motion: To approve a total cost of $926 to duplicate three (3) different videos, making 50
videos each. Motion by Joyce, 2nd by Doug. Approved. There was discussion about the 78 past due
bookstore orders. It was found that we were having problems with our e-mail system. Doug will call
each of the people whose orders are past due to see if they still want the item(s) requested. We also
need approval to order a new version of Quickbooks Pro; 3 copies (CFO, bookstore, A/R person) along
with 12 months support, interactive training CD. Motion: The approval of the new version of
Quickbooks Pro at an approximate cost of $1100 along with a $15 monthly for merchant account.
Motion by Joan, 2nd by Joyce. Approved. Net profit, year to date, for KOI USA is $10,060.99. The
2003 AKCA Seminar has a minus profit of $3,000. Need clarification on the $ amount for the Buyers
Guide. Larry stated that the Finance Committee met. They talked about our investments, in particular,
the one mutual funds where we are losing a great deal of money. Feels that we need to put this into
either a CD or Bond fund for a guaranteed interest rate; will have a recommendation by next meeting.
¨ KOI USA: Joyce reported that they had a meeting on March 4th and discussed the renewal of the Accounts
Receivable Contract with Judy Caddies. Her contract was to expire as of March 6th. In an e-mail from
Carl, he stated that Judy would continue on until March 31st. Judy, at the Board meeting, stated that she
would NOT stay on. It was decided that they would interview for the position. They found one person
with experience in accounts receivable and decided to offer her a new contract. It was also decided that
a letter should be sent to Judy, informing her of the decision and thanking her for her many years of
service to KOI USA, both as a contractor and as a volunteer. The AKCA Board of Directors needs to
ratify the action before a letter can be written. Motion: To authorize KOI USA to offer and confirm a
contract with Connie Friehoff as the new Accounts Receivable Manger. The terms of her contract
would be as follows: $22.00 per hour for the first six months (three billing cycles) after which we will
discuss where we are and consider a monthly rate if appropriate. Hours will be monitored with the
expectation the total will average approximately $800 per month. KOI USA will provide postage, the
set-up and maintenance of a second phone line and official stationary. Connie will provide and
maintain a computer, fax, internet and office supplies. Details of the contract to be determined. Motion
by Joyce, 2nd by Carole. Approved, 1 opposed.
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¨ SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE: Spike handed out the monthly KHA Program report. He said that they
had a good lab in San Jose with Sandy Yosha, DVM. They are trying to get some Biotalk for Andy
Goodwin to evaluate; Joel Burkard sent some to Andy. No word from Andy on it if it worked. Biotalk
is a chemical they use in Japan that is supposed to stop the transmission of KHV. Spike got an e-mail
from Israel saying they had a company that was gearing up to produce and sell a KHV vaccine. Sandy
Yosha presented the KHV update at a general meeting at McFadden Intermediate School. She also
presented her proposals to the AKCA Board at the special meeting. Her 1st proposal is to be the Vet
editor on staff for KOI USA (Ask a Vet Column). It was felt that the KOI USA staff should take this up
at their next meeting and come back to the Board with their recommendation. As to her two other
proposals, it was decided to table these.
¨ MEMBERSHIP: Doug stated that there are 103 active AKCA clubs representing 8605 family
memberships for the 94 clubs he has member data for. He has complete club data for 77 clubs and
90% for another 17 clubs. There are 9 clubs still owing requested information on the forms sent
out: Cherokee Strip Water Garden
Society; Desert Koi Club of Southern Nevada; Florida West
Coast
Koi & Water Garden Club; Gread Ponds & Koi Society of West Michigan;
Idaho Water
Garden
& Koi Society; Ohio Koi Club; Sierra Koi Club; ZNA-Potomac Chapter Koi
Club; and,
ZNA Southern California Chapter Koi Club. Doug has interest from New York wanting to start a
koi club. Doug also updated Carole’s list of club contacts with lots of changed information.
¨ JUDGING: Bob stated that there are
31-32 shows planned for this year. Burt
showed the Polo Shirt
arranged for the judges.
¨ SPEAKERS GRANT : Burt was contacted by Texas for a grant; he explained about the 6 club
grant.
¨ GUIDES: Burt got an addendum from Chris Neaves to add to the Nutrition guide; Debby & Burt
will work to revise. Tom recommended having a master CD to send out to the clubs rather than
guides. Discussion followed. It was felt that if we went to a CD format we would still need to
print some guides.
¨ Insurance Committee: Burt hasn’t had time to meet/arrange for an attorney to draw up a self-
insured agreement.
¨ Website Committee: Burt stated that judging is still taking place. Debby will not be at the
Seminar; Burt will handle this.
¨ Koi of the Year: Burt stated that Koi of the Year forms will be due by May 1, 2003; forms will be
sent to Debby Young.
¨ Koi Person of the Year: Burt stated that because of problems last year with receiving the Koi
Person of the Year forms in the mail, he is now requiring that all Koi Persons of the Year must be
e-mailed to him. Should a club contact not have e-mail, please call Burt at (714) 839-1836 to give
him the information; make arrangements on phone after 6 p.m. PST.
¨ Champion of Champions: These must be given to Debby Young no later than May 1st. To
qualify, the fish must have won in a koi show from the previous calendar year. Debby will need a
photo (please, no digital pictures) along with a negative.
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¨ By-Laws Committee: The committee met several times and have come up with recommended
changes to the AKCA By-Laws. This has been e-mailed to 92 member clubs and to all local
Board members and AKCA Executive Officers for discussion at their club meeting and for
feedback to Doug Dahl. They plan on a follow-up meeting to discuss the club feedback the week
of the April AKCA Board meeting and to finalize the changes to recommend to the AKCA Board
for approval. Upon approval, the By-Laws with changes will be sent out with a ballot to clubs for
vote. Clubs will have 45 days after they are mailed to respond (mail in ballot). If passed, the new
AKCA By-Laws will go into effect at the June Board meeting and will be part of the Club Kit
changes to be mailed out to all member clubs.
SEMINAR REPORTS:
¨ 2003 SEMINAR: Doug stated that 30 people have signed up. Everyone should be aware that there
is a discount for registration before April 1st; $30 for single and $50 for double. Speakers and
tours are set up and ponds have been picked for the Pond Tour. The wet lab, on Thursday is not
on a first come first serve basis. Priority will be given to those who registered prior to Seminar;
will open up (only 90 spots available) only as space is available. Discussion was held as to the
PERKS being in AKCA’s name and for their discretion as opposed to any individual’s name.
¨ 2004 SEMINAR: Burt stated that we are going with the Waikiki Marriott at $135 per night. They
will have a private Luau Friday night. Burt is working with Maureen Hansen for an airline
package with Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays. The hotel has been very helpful. Joe & Sherry White
were in Hawaii and toured the hotel and gave their input from their past experience with the
Orlando AKCA Seminar to the Hawaii Club and Burt.
¨ 2005/6 SEMINARS: MAKC will not consider hosting the 2005 Seminar but is interested in hosting
the 2006 Seminar. Tulsa is very enthusiastic; still working on the Northwest Chapter in Chicago.
Will make a decision at the May Board meeting on the site of the 2005 Seminar.
REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:
q Written report submitted by Burt: Kenneth Wong, of Dallas Koi Kichi Group, said that they will
have their 1st Koi Show May 10th; members only at the Dallas Art Center in conjunction with the
Asian Community Festival. Their last meeting was a health Seminar in how to use a microscope;
next meeting will discuss where and what to purchase koi items for the pond. Henry Culpepper,
of Central Florida KC, said that at their last meeting they had a talk on nutrition. Did Koi Person
of the Year (Tony Callahan). No club meeting next month due to AFKAPS. Joe White, of
Florida East Coast, said that they are getting ready for AFKAPS. John & Susanna Trittschuk
were Koi Persons of the Year. Joe did talk on his trip to Japan; have several Japanese koi breeders
coming to the AFKAPS Show. Johnny Foster, of Nature’s Coast K&WGC, said that they had
their last meeting at a Bed & Breakfast; was a social event, no speaker. The club participated in
an Animal Fair 2003. They are getting ready for AFKAPS; have several planned activities in the
future. Have an outing on April 13th to a nursery that specializes in irises. They will be having
their Young Fish Show May 3rd; picked their koi fish already from the October show. Norbun
Watson, of Middle Georgia Koi Society, said that they did koi identification at their last meeting
with a video of Bob Spindola’s talk. Their pond tour will be in May. Jackie Welch, of Oklahoma
KC, said that their first meeting this year will be in March; several members went to the Phoenix
Show. Will show Jack Chang’s tapes of Japan seining ponds. Debby Young, of Southern
Arizona, said that several members entered koi in the Phoenix show; planning a pond tour for
April. No February meeting due to the Phoenix show. ZNAOC had their last meeting at Spike
Cover’s; discussed different quarantine tank set ups; planning meeting for upcoming koi auction
and koi tutorials. Plans for fall koi show. Sheila Jackson, of San Francisco Bay KC, said that
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they are working on a koi sale & auction in September; possibly a koi show and a pond tour in
uly. Some of their members went to the KHA wet lab last weekend; great instructors. UC
Berkely Tour will be by the most experienced koi person on the UC staff. Carl Fridenstine, of
Santa Clara Valley Koi, said that they are planning on their Pond Tour for June 7th; working on
trying to double their attendance; are paying some speakers. Several attended the KHA wet lab
and were very impressed with it and the speakers. The club bought a new microphone system;
wants to purchase Sandy Yosha’s KHV tape. Ron Ernst, of Koi & WGC of No. Texas, said that
they are planning a Pond Tour in September. Their last meeting was at a landscape company; will
help this company to build ponds. They are going to have several booths at the various Garden
Shows to recruit new members. Linda Montgomery, of Cascade K&GFS, said that they are
doing a field trip to Pan Intercorp in May. Working on their By-Laws; planning a water plant sale.
Alan Hollister spoke at their last meeting on photographing koi; just did a Yard Garden & Patio
Show display at the Convention Center. Peter Enfield, of Pacific Wonderland, said that they had
their last meeting this past Saturday. Tim Miller-Morgan was the guest speaker; there will be a
new AKCA rep. He has made 3 slates for the Atlanta Seminar auction.
q Written report submitted by Doug: Gene Stogsdill, of First Coast KG&WGC, reports their club will
have a koi auction in April and is considering a Pond Tour and their first Koi Show for this year.
Judy Schwartz, of Austin KC, reports that their club is growing slowly and trying to gain money
to partner with the larger Austin Pond Society to provide better speakers for their meetings. Their
newsletter is quarterly and they have 4 businesses as sponsors. They plan their first koi auction
and BBQ in May. Judy Schwartz also reported on the Austin Pond Society that blends well with
the Austin Koi Club for several functions. The Pond Society will have their plant swap in April
and is working with the Koi Club to have more joint fish speakers. The Pond Society already
maintains a pond at Mayfield Park and is considering building a pond at a hospice location. They
have also been giving pond classes to children at a local elementary school with a pond. Susan
Pleimann, of Dayton Koi & Goldfish Club, reports that their club just participated in a very
successful Home & Garden Show. They have an auction planned in June and a large pond tour
planned in July. Marcie James, of Desert KC of So. Nevada, reports that their club is struggling
by loss of members and Officers and would appreciate any advice from clubs that have gone
through similar problems. Her e-mail address is jessejames@lvcm.com. I know Klahanie Koi
Club is also going through this struggle as many clubs have in the past. Don Hellard, of
Gainesville K&GWGC, reports their club is finalizing plans for participation in the AFKAPS on
March 25th. Their club is planning their first young koi show in late April at the Botanical
Gardens. Their club website is www.pondhoppers.org and they plan many links. Beth Grunden,
of Lone Star ZNAKC, announced their 2003 English style Koi Show will be held at the Rose
Garden in Hermann Park this year on April 11/12th. Dr. Tsai of Taiwan will be the Head Judge.
Koi sizes will be from 14” and under to 26” and over. Catherine Hodgen, of Michigan K& Pond
Club-SE, reports that their annual calendar meeting will be March 23rd to plan the year. Art
Lembke, of Mid Atlantic Koi Club, reports their club had it’s annual planning meeting in
February and decided to continue with Koi America in August but declined to combine the 2005
Koi America with the AKCA Seminar due to the difficulty of combining the events. MAKC
would like to host the 2006 AKCA Seminar. Nick Leschuck, of Northern Midwest ZNA Club,
reports that they have opened their club website at www.NMZNA.org. They have a Seminar
scheduled with Dr. Myron Kebus speaking on March 29th. Their koi show is set for Sept. 6/7 with
Dr. Art Lembke as Head Judge. Claudia Brownlie, of Nashville Pond Society, reports she has
found a couple fellow koi kichi in this club of water gardeners. Doug Dahl sent them the
Beginner Koi Tutorial and Koi Classification & Judging Criteria lectures to help teach new
members about koi. Doug also encouraged them to send new people to the AKCA Seminar in
Atlanta to hear both of these lectures given by Doug in person. The club display at the Lawn &
Garden Show received rave reviews. They look forward to the annual picnic in April at Green &
Hagstrom. The Mountaineer K&WGS newsletter reports Judith Minor Roberts speaking on
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Opening Your Pond and reporting your plants at the March meeting. April will be the club fish
photo contest. Geoffrey Huntley, of Piedmont K&WGS, reports they will hold their first meeting
March 22. They will hold their annual koi cull auction in April and a pond tour in June or July.
Dale Vessey, of Pioneer Valley WG&KC, reports their club held their first meeting of the year in
March. They raised their yearly dues from $10 to $12 per family. They will hold their 10th
Annual Pond Tour in July. Dee Butler, of Shasta K&WGC, reports their club continues to grow
and they are planning a full day bus trip to the San Francisco Koi Club Pond Tour later this year.
Linda Patience, of Springfield WGS, reports they are having a beginners Seminar for new
members March 29th. Their club March program is on Trickle Filters; April meeting will be on
getting plants ready for spring and their May meeting on unusual water plants. They will have
their first members only tour in May. Debbie Goddard, of the Tulsa Koi Society, reports they
have changed their club meeting place to Tulsa Garden Center. They plan their 2nd Annual Swap
Meet and Sale in April. They have voted to volunteer to host the 2005 AKCA Seminar. Doug
tried to contact the following clubs but received no reply this month and will try against next
month: Mendocino Coast KC and Ventura Koi Club. Doug will contact the following clubs in
April: Blue Water Pond Club;
Dai Ichi KC; Idaho Water Garden Society; Klahanie Koi
Club; Las Pampas K&WGS; Moto Kara Koi Kai; Central California KC,; and, Olympic KC.
Doug has turned over the following
clubs to Phil Hunter: Capitol Area K&WGC; Dayton Koi
& Goldfish Club; Gainesville K&GWGC; Inland Empire WG&KS; Mountaineer K&WGS;
Shasta K&WGC; and, Springfield WGS.
q Written report submitted by Larry: Bob Dice, of Ohio Koi Club, said they are gearing up for the
2003 pond season after a tough winter. Member Mary Bergman has been diligently working on
their upcoming one day Seminar featuring two key speakers. Dr. Eric Johnson and Karl Forss of
Koi by Kerrin will be speaking on koi health and the latest information on fighting both bacterial
infections and KHV. The seminar/lecture will be held May 3, 2003 in Dayton, Ohio area. Ledean
Paden, of Prairieland Koi & Pond Society, said they voted in their new bylaws unanimously by
members present at their February 8th meeting. This included a new name, “Koi” was added. The
March meeting will cover salinity and fish nutrition. Their goal this year is education. Fritz
Jetten, of Gulf Coast Koi Society, said Secretary Donna Wood and President Kathy Barnard will
attend the AKCA Seminar in Atlanta. At their February meeting they discussed preparations for
the Festival of Flowers, a major show in Mobile, Alabama, scheduled for March 20-23. For the
first time in the history of the koi club, they’ll have a display tank with koi on display. Debrah
Gunderson, of Madison Area Pond Society, said their March meeting will have a report from
their newly formed Steering Committee and a presentation by Dennis Bethel on his recently
completed “Indoor, Outdoor Pond and Fish Hotel.” Shelly Klinger, of Central Illinois Water
Gardeners, said they are planning their Pond Walk on July 12th to raise money for their club. She
said they are fortunate to be able to get an educational speaker at every meeting. She is very
excited about her club and the coming year.
.
q Written report submitted by Bruno Kudrecki: Bruno, of Koi Kichi & WGC, reported that their 1st
auction of the year was held on March 9th at Eastern Nishikigoi. They auctioned off around 80
koi; plan on buying more show tanks for their 2nd Annual koi show.
q Written report submitted by Carole: Gini Cope, of Bakersfield K&WGS, said that they are getting
ready for Spring; not much going on right now. Mike Przewoznik, of High Desert Koi Fanciers,
said that they have rented a bus for a club field trip to the Huntington Botanical Gardens. They are
getting ready for upcoming pond tours and will have their annual fundraiser in September. Their
membership is slowly growing. Bryan Bateman, of Mid-West Pond & KS, said that they are
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planning their Pond Walk Tour in July; very popular event. They will have their 11th Annual Koi
& Goldfish Show August 24-25th. In June they will have their 1st Tosai Auction; approximately
50 fish. Tarrall Arnold’s message on the Texas WGS North answering machine stated that their
March 11th meeting was on repotting plants and what is new in plants. Kathryn Wright, of Saline
County WGC of Missouri, said that they are trying to get going on Summer; tour later part of
June. They’re waiting for the weather to change so that they can start working in their yards.
Southwest Koi & Pond Association reports that they are now a part of TAPS (Texas Association
of Pond Societies). Ed Roberts , from M&E Aquatics, LTD., spoke at their March meeting. Jan
Jordan, of Mid-Columbia Koi & Pond Club , reported that at their February meeting they had
Gene & Phyllis Anderson and Dan & Sharon Olsen, from the Spokane Koi Club, come down and
share the making of Anderson’s new indoor koi pond to be. Sharon & Phyllis shared their trip to
Japan koi shopping. Both presentations were done using Power Point and were excellent. They
also voted LaDelle Borcherding as their PNKCA Ed Fugimoto Award winner and Chris Hinkley,
AKCA Koi Person of the Year. At their March meeting, Ron Boedeker led discussion on spring
pond start-up and not feeding the fish too soon. Both membership and the treasury are very
healthy. Carole was unable to reach the following clubs but did leave a message:
Central Alabama K&WGS.
q Written report submitted by Joyce Glenn: David Marier is the new club rep for the Atlanta Koi Club.
Len Brown, of Tampa Bay Koi Club, said that they have all the By-Law recommendations and is
going to present them to his club at their next meeting. Very busy working on the AFKAPS show
to be held on March 21-23. Dan Morgan, of Washington Koi Club, reported they are looking
forward to PNKCA in British Columbia; 2nd weekend in May. Rich Street is Show Chairman.
The Home & Garden Show, in Seattle, had a display arranged by Lisa Street and Cindy Riley. Dr.
Tim Miller-Morgan presented a very interesting program at their last meeting; hope to invite him
back. Dave Peebler, of Koi Club of Kansas, is busy trying to work out the details of a visit from
Brett Rawley on June 7th. A speaker grant from AKCA made this possible. Tony Stabaugh, of
Florida West Coast, was newly elected President of the club; Fred McCorkle will be acting rep to
AKCA. They are also involved with the AFKAPS show. Leroy Taba, of Hawaii Koi, reports that
he is very encouraged by the group of people that have committed to putting on the 2004 Seminar.
The Marriott is a very nice hotel ($60 million renovation) and located right across the street from
Waikiki Beach. He has enjoyed working with Burt who has done a very good job in negotiating
with the hotels. Tim Lee, one of their members on Kauai, would like to put together a package for
Convention attendees on Kauai for a couple of nights before the convention. He would like to
arrange some tours, including a pond tour. Louie Hernandez, of ZNA Southern California,
reports they are busy this month with their 29th Annual Koi Show. This year’s show will be
English style. The Show Chairman is Chai Taevanitcharoen. This year they will have a one-hour
Seminar before the Banquet at 6pm. Mr. Grant Fujita will kick off the evening with an
informative talk on koi followed by a delicious dinner and award presentations. Jennifer
Hollington, of Showa Koi Club, said that they will be voting on Koi and Koi Person of the Year
at their next meeting.
q Written report submitted by Bob Finnegan: Kim Chaney, of Great P&KS of West MI, said that
they are still frozen. Charles Phelps, of Greater Louisville GF, said that everything is OK.
Richard Thomas, of Indiana Koi Club, said that everything is OK; will have a booth at the
Indianapolis Garden Show. Gregory Young, of Niagara K&PS, said that everything is OK; will
have koi show Sept. 20-21. Todo Todorsky, of No. Florida KC, said that they are planning for
their Young Koi Show; April 19th.. Sandie Todorsky, wife of Todo for 31 years, passed away in
her sleep February 2nd. Our well wishes go out to the Todorsky family. Mona Coleman, of
North Nevada, said that they aren’t getting any newsletters from AKCA. Pat Christensen, of
Northern K&GF-ZNA, said that they will have a koi lottery with Kohaku, Sanke’s and Showa’s
as the prizes. There will also be a judging contest with Utsuri in May. So Cal Koi Club had
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elections at their last meeting; Bob was elected President, Phil Martinez V.P., Carole Elliott
Secretary, and Don Spina Treasurer. John & Natalie Loftus were voted Koi Persons of the Year.
They will have an exhibit at the Buddist Church on April 13/14. Lots of interest; good exhibits
and exposure to the Japanese culture. They are planning for their upcoming Pond Tour May 18th
in the Orange County area. Bob called and was unable to reach the Rocky Mountain KC and
Sierra KC.
q Written report submitted by Harlan Glenn: Chuck Poppe, of ZNA Potomac, will vote on AKCA
officers and have it submitted before May 1st. Activities very light because of their bad winter
weather. Cindy Graham, of Koi Club of San Diego, said that they had a very successful show in
February; will submit vote results.
q Written report submitted by Spike Cover: Gary Chin, of Camellia Koi Club, said that their March
general meeting will be a microscope lab, lead by it’s AKCA Koi health Advisor Candidates.
The club will also be voting upon it’s 2003 budget. They are sponsoring a Spring Koi/Supply
Buying trip to five koi dealers in the San Jose area; trip scheduled for May 4th.
PROXY CALLS FOR April
v
Have
your officers changed; have you sent in the paperwork for any changes??
v
Remind
clubs to vote for officers, Koi of the Year, and Koi Person of the Year and
Submit.
OLD BUSINESS:
ü PKK Books: Doug passed out handout on printing up three new AKCA books. Book 1 – Judging &
Buying Koi. Book 2 – Basic Koi Disease, Medication & Koi Care; need Board approval for 2000
copies for $31,360 or $15.68 per copy price; $25 retail. Book 3 – Basic Ponds, Filters & Water
Quality needs Board approval for 2,00 copies for $31,360 or $15.68 per copy; retail for $25. Total
initial investment of all three books would be approximately $92,920.
NEW BUSINESS:
ü Sandy Yosha’s video: Video from Sandy Yosha’s presentation on KHV will become available once
we find someone to do the duplication of tapes.
Motion to
adjourn at 9:28 p.m.. Motion by
Doug, 2nd by Joan. Approved
Respectfully submitted,
Carole Elliott
Secretary