AKCA Minutes of November 11, 2005

 

Officers Present:                                  Directors Present:                                               Guests:

Chair: Larry Leverett                   Burt Ballou (OCZNA+)                 Spike Cover

Vice Chair:  Ed Salinas                                Harlan Glenn (San Diego)                   Tom Graham  

Secretary:  Carole Elliott                      Joyce Glenn (Hawaii+)                     Cindy Graham                                  

CFO:  Doug Dahl (via phone)                     Kelly Houston (Inland)                    Debbie Leverett  

                                                                Joan Finnegan (Louisville)                             

                                                                Norbun Watson (Middle Georgia)

                                                                Louie Hernandez (Nishiki)

 

Board Highlights:

Ø       Board welcomes Norbun Watson – Visiting courtesy of AKCA

Ø       Larry thanked Cindy Graham for all her help with KOI USA

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Larry Leverett @ 7:18pm.   We have 107 clubs.

 

v       MINUTES:  Motion:  To approve the minutes of October 14th.  Motion by Joyce, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.

 

v       OCTOBER FINANCIAL STATEMENT/FINANCE COMMITTEE:

 

Doug’s financial report was passed out; Doug went over report in detail.  He stated that the tri-fold Koi ID poster will now be called the “Koi Collectors Pocket Guide”; will be in the upcoming issue of KOI USA.  It was thought that this would be a good way to increase subscriptions.  Motion:  For the AKCA Board to approve the additional expense by KOI USA Inc. to provide a “Koi Collectors Pocket Guide” for all NEW subscribers in November and December at an estimated cost of less than $1,000.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Harlan.  Approved.  Doug asked Tom to reorder the Koi ID posters because he ordered the first set.  Tom stated that AKCA owes Joel Burkhard money for photos we used for the ID poster.  Motion:  To pay Joel Burkhard $180 for use of photos for ID Poster.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Harlan.  Approved.  Doug stated that the Finance Committee met to discuss various items including IRS a request of full refund  of taxes for 1999, 2000 and 2001 paid by us due to the statute of limitations.  Doug also stated that Joseph (AKCA’s tax man) has finished our annual review and rough taxes calculation; has been approved and forwarded to Michael (AKCA CPA) to do our taxes.  Doug completed a budget analysis projection for AKCA for this year with comparison data for the prior 2 years.  It was decided to delay a vote on the budget until the January meeting.  Doug feels that KOI USA Inc. will have a projected $68,001 net profit after expenses for this year before the $50,000 KHV Project match commitment.  Early data suggested the Nov/Dec issue of KOIUSA was sent to 158 more subscribers than the Sept./Oct issue which was misleading.  In actuality, KOI USA has 250 fewer subscribers than 12 months ago per the chart in the finance report.  PCS has agreed to send Doug and Tom this data each issue of the magazine.  Also misleading are the Profit/Loss by Issue reports that only account for the cost of producing the magazine and ignore all other costs.  The reports show $20,000* net profit per issue that is actually only $10,398 net profit per issue for last year and $7,524 net profit per issue projected in this years approved budget for KOI USA Inc.  Even though AKCA cash flow is good, Doug has requested the KOI USA Inc. Board brainstorm ideas to improve KOI USA Inc. profitability.  Some ideas may impact AKCA and require AKCA Board approval either because they impact AKCA member clubs.  Doug sent an email to KOI USA Inc. Board members with a few of his ideas to improve KOI USA profitability.  Our investment account lost $456.14 in October.

 

v       KOI USA BY-LAWS AMENDENDMENTS:  Doug suggested that with the resignation of Ed Salinas as Editor, he suggested an additional change to the KOI USA Inc. bylaws.  Suggested having one person for Chairman of the Board and another for Editor.  Motion:  To change the bylaws to read there shall be a Chairman of the Board and another person as Editor.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Harlan.  Approved

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

v     SCIENTIFIC:  Spike discussed his report.  Stated that Karen Pattist got part one of the new CE course sent out to the KHA grads and parts two and three announced as being ready.  Updated rules and requirements for CE sent to the grads by Karen.  He is still working on getting koi professionals to enroll in the course.     

 

v      KHV Project:  Spike stated that he communicated with Andy Goodwin regarding possible projects for Project KHV to pursue; developed a partial list.  Scott Patterson suggested we have guidelines for submitted proposals; great idea!   

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v      PUBLICATION:    Tom reported that they met Nov. 8th.  Ed Salinas resigned as Editor but came to the meeting to help.  There was a correction in the last minutes in that the book used to help determine salaries is called AIGA/Aquent Survey of Design Salaries.  Doug gave his financial report.  Connie reported she is recommending we pull ads of two companies that are delinquent in payments; Tom reported that both ads had been pulled totaling 2.5 pages of advertising.  He was able to re-sell one page.  Connie signed her new contract with the addition of additional comments.  Joyce signed the contract as an officer of the corporation.  A new deadline date was added to the production schedule.  Approximately one week prior to the advertising close of each issue, Connie will report to Tom any advertisers she feels should be considered for suspension due to lack of payments.  This will allow a week to use every option to bring the advertiser within compliance and allow production to pull any ads without disrupting the schedule.  Discussion followed concerning various ideas geared towards getting subscriptions back up.  Work will continue on that topic.  They reviewed the decision of their last meeting to cancel the remaining advertisements with other magazines.  Joan mentioned that we often do not finish what we start and felt we should stay the course.  Tom pointed out that the two remaining ads are both for annual publications and thus have a longer shelf life.  If was agreed that we should not cancel these ads.  Motion:  to accept the financial report.  Motion by Joyce, 2nd by Bob.  Approved.  Two names were presented to the board as candidates for the redesign and maintenance of the KOI USA website.  Their qualifications will be reviewed by this board. This board will be holding a special session to discuss the KOI USA.com website on Saturday, November 19th at 10 a.m. in the Blue Ridge office.  They will be reviewing the mission of the website and defining the elements they feel the site should include.  They will also be discussing ways to mesh the magazine and website so they work together. 

 

The special price of the magazine is going to end soon.  Our current price is a limited time offer.  In the next issue they will be announcing the expiration date of this offer.  Motion:  To go back to our former rate by May 31st.  Motion by Bill, 2nd by Joyce.  Approved.  They also discussed the possibility of sending someone,l preferably Brenda or Tom, to the Seminars and major koi events around the country for the purpose of selling subscriptions and other items the hobbyist would like.  This could entail renting a booth as well as shipping items for sale.  They also discussed Tom being able to reach more potential advertisers if he were to go to more events.  They had a discussion about revitalizing the magazine and giving people good reason to buy it.  Since they are now competing with more magazines, it’s time we think about hiring a paid Editor.  We need someone who can spend the time developing articles, perhaps a part time job.  This needs further discussion, but is one of our goals.  A master plan was suggested, with two divisions:  a business plan and an editorial plan.  One improvement suggested by Tom was that Brenda could use her talents developing other articles besides Club News.  It is time to enforce the policy that any clubs that do not send in their 150 word news releases will no longer be featured in Club News.  Brenda will no longer scour club newsletters for information for her column.  Cindy announced the magazine went to the printer yesterday.  The 2nd brain-storming meeting is tentatively scheduled to be the second Saturday in January.  The purpose of this meeting will be to develop the Editorial goals of the magazine for next year.  It was asked if AKCA has actively searched for an Editor.  No one knew the answer to that, but we discussed having one person for Chairman of the Board & another for Editor.

 

v      MEMBERSHIP:  Doug reported that AKCA currently has 107 members.  Austin Koi club has gone under; will not get refund of dues but will be considered a member of AKCA until dues expire.

 

JUDGING:  Bob stated that two more people are into the program; will be at the Seminar.  Bob went over a letter received from Steve Childers regarding Koiphen Koi Nationals and AKCA.  Bob asked that anyone with concerns should contact Bob directly.

 

v       SPEAKER’S GRANT:  No report.

 

v      GUIDES:  No report.

 

v      INSURANCE:  No report.   

 

 

 

 

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SEMINAR REPORTS:

 

v      2006 NIAGARA SEMINAR:  Burt stated that they have approved the budget.  Registration forms are done; he also went over speakers/topics confirmed.  Menus are done and tours are finalized.

 

v      2007 Seminar:  Joan stated that she hasn’t talked to them; need budget by August.

 

v      2008 Seminar:  Burt sent Jan Davis-Brown an email; hasn’t responded as yet.

 

REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:

 

q       Written report submitted by Doug:  Judy Schwartz, of Austin Pond Society & Austin Koi & Goldfish Club, reports the Austin Koi & Goldfish Club has decided to disband and return to being a part of the Austin Pond Society.  Bob Slack, of Blue Water Pond Club, replaced their lost check for AKCA dues and provided requested club information.  The newsletter of Central Calif. KC reports their 27th annual Koi Show was a success with 145 koi in 12 tanks.  Dr. Bob Winkler was head Judge with Norman Call assisting.  On Sunday, Dr. Winkler showed club members how to anesthetize, inject and do a fin repair on a koi.  The club voted to send $100 donation to the AKCA KHV Project.  Becky Maier, of Enchanted Koi & WGC, reports the topic of the last club meeting was winter feeding of koi and pond prep for the winter.  Sue Boydstun, of Idaho WGS, reports their club is working on using the AKCA speaker grant they were awarded and wanted information on how to proceed.  The club is also trying to whip their club by-laws into shape since they have been working with unsigned and unofficial changes for a while.  (Doug’s note: clubs often take their by-laws for granted until the day they need them and either they cannot produce a copy or the club has not been managing its affairs to the official by-laws.  This is a house keeping issue and I suggest all clubs keep their by-laws available for review and official even to the point of sending a copy to the state if you are a 501(c)3 club or recognized non-profit club.  AKCA also needs to send a current signed copy of our by-laws to the Calif. Secretary of State).  Debby Davis, of Las Pampas K&WGS, reports their Pond Tour in July raised over $2000.  The club has not selected the community charity to give that money to yet this year.  The club will select new officers in December.  They had 26 club members at the last meeting.  Debby asked for ideas the club could use to create more club activities so Doug shared some ideas with her.  The club is 4-6 hours from other major cities with koi activists so having a person come from one of those areas to lecture would require the club to board and feed the speaker for the night at least and perhaps also pay travel expense.  Doug also discussed several ideas to use a few show tanks for a small and fun sort of club show where club members do the judging for prettiest face on a koi, best left side, etc.  Bob Sievert, of Las Vegas KC, reports they are getting good turnout for club meetings and the topic of discussion at the last club meeting was a presentation on koi health including a wet lab given by Drs. Jason & Jamie Sullivan.  Charlene Jandick, of Lone Star ZNA KC, reports their club held a round table discussion on how to prepare for storm and how their members fared with the recent hurricane.  The club has voted to form a Board of Directors/Steering Committee.  Brett Rowley is having a fish sale at his farm on Nov. 19th and the clubs are invited.  There will be ZNA style judging seminars during this sale.  Dr. James Hooper, of Mendocino Coast KC, called just to say hello since Doug has not contacted him in 3 months.  Pam Francis, of Michigan K&PC-SE, asks who Connie Friehoff and Tom Graham are since their salaries were discussed in the last AKCA Board meeting minutes.  (Doug’s Note:  AKCA & KOI USA Inc. have no employees.  Connie is the contractor KOI USA Inc. pays an hourly wage to manage the Accounts Receivable for advertising for the magazine.  She sends out the invoices, collects the advertising money, deposits it and provides the KOI USA Inc. Board with a monthly report.  Tom Graham is the contractor Production Manager for KOI USA Inc. magazine.  Tom lays out the magazine and gets it ready to send to the printer, manages the production and mailing of the magazine and sells all the advertising for magazine.  Tom receives a flat salary for each issue of the magazine in his contract for his production work and a commission on advertising sales.  AKCA also has a contract with Amber Henderson to manage the AKCA Bookstore sales and shipping on an hourly basis.  All other personnel in AKCA and KOI USA Inc. are volunteers who receive no reward for their many hours donated to the cause.  There have been suggestions of KOI USA magazine paying for articles or having paid professional Management but this has been rejected by the AKCA Board to date.)  Art Lembke, of Mid Atlantic KC, reports the club information AKCA has for the club is still correct.  Melinda Christopher, of Olympic K,G&WGC, reports the club is planning its holiday party and will be making nominations for the club Ed Fujimoto award.  The club has already started planning a pond tour and pond info day for 2006.  Geoffrey Huntley, of Piedmont K&WGS, reports they are real busy preparing for their annual koi show in Charlotte.  They have 33 show tanks reserved by participants and all 29 vendor booths have been sold.  They

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q       also have received hundreds of donations for their show raffle from companies and individuals.  They will include a koi photo contest at their show.  Club AKCA Dir./Rep Geoffrey Huntley appeared on a local radio show “The Carolina Gardner” to discuss the upcoming koi show.  Show results and photos will be available on the club website www.pkwsonline.com.  Timothy Czech, of Pioneer Valley WG&KC, reports their 2006 Koi Show committee met in October to start planning the show for Aug 26/27 at the Three Country Fair Grounds.  The club raised $496 at the KHV auction in August and has sent the check to the AKCA KHV Project.  Karen Buchanan, of the Great Smoky Mountain KC&PS, reports the topic of discussion at their last meeting was preparing your pond and pond plants for winter.  Karen Buchanan demonstrated hand feeding koi and Sheb Masters discussed koi identification.  Barbara Collier, of Tulsa Koi Society, had a question about an expense for the 2005 AKCA Seminar hosted by this club.  David Yee and club Alt. AKCA Dir/Rep Robbi McCleney, of Valley of the Sun KC, asked if the AKCA 501(c)3 non-profit status provided non-profit coverage for its member clubs.  The answer if NO.  Pages 13-17 of the Club Kit provided to each member club of AKCA stresses the importance of each club obtaining non-profit status for their club.  If you have lost your club Kit, you can buy a replacement binder from AKCA for $20 or you can go to akca.org website and download the pages to put into your own binder.  Mary Oxman, of Ventura KC, reports their club meeting Nov. 19th will be at the home with a pond inspired by the owners 3 years in Japan.  The island in the center of the pond represents Japan, the three levels of the waterfall represent heaven, man and earth and the spa next to the pond, inspired by a spring in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, is meant to give the illusion you are swimming with the koi.  Speakers for this meeting will be “Chris Preston and Lee Anderson of Preston Waterscapes and also Dan McDonnell of McDonnell Pools and Spas who will all speak about construction of the pond and unique filter system at this home.  Dawn Webster, of Dai Ichi KC, reports their club is still meeting monthly and are planning their holiday dinner next month.  Doug tried to contact the following clubs with no information response:  First Coast K&WGC; Middle Georgia WGC; Nashville Pond Society; Rhode Island & Massachusetts KC; and, Salt Lake KC.

 

q       Written report submitted by Bob:  So Cal Koi Club had to cancel their November meeting as the scheduled guest host had recently had surgery and was unable to host.  They are working on their upcoming Xmas party for Dec. 11th at the home of Linda Messenger.  Also in the works is their annual pond tour for May 21, 2006 and a koi auction for August 13th at the home of Bob & Joan Finnegan.  Lester Berkow, of Tropical K&WGC, said their club was hit hard by the last hurricane.  Many of their members have been out of electricity for several weeks.  The building that stored their show tanks was washed away with all the tanks with it.  Even so they are planning their show for February, ’06.  Jan Brown, of North Florida KC, said the weather was not a problem in Jacksonville this year; their kow show (Nov. 19/20) will be held as scheduled.  Tim Gilbert, of Rocky Mt. KC, said the judges committee was happy to bring Mrs. Jan Thompson, a member of Rocky Mt. , into the AKCA judging program, starting June ’06 after the Seminar.  Great Ponds & Koi Soc. Of West Michigan’s last meeting for the winter was Nov. 10th; they elected new officers and left for Florida.  Charles Phelps, of Greater Louisville K&GFS, said everything in Louisville is OK; some members have been hit with a bad tornado.  They will be having a Christmas party.  Richard Thomas, of Indiana K&WGS, said the clubs monthly meetings are discontinued until Feb. ’06.  Mona Coleman, of Northern Nev. Pond Club, said everything is OK.  Larry Christensen, of Northwest Koi, said everything is OK.  Nine members went to Ray Abel’s koi farm in Virginia for the annual Nov. pond Seminar; this event is getting more interest each year.

 

q       Written report submitted by Burt:  Joe White, of Florida East Cost K&WGS, said their next meeting is at Jack Dunlop’s; last month Joe White showed how to handle koi & move them.   Joe White, of ZNA Southern Koi Association, said some members were on generator power for up to 5 days; none suffered any real property damage.  One member lost a couple koi; working on their koi show.  A planning meeting was rescheduled due to Hurricane Wilma for Dec. 3rd.  Some members are going to koi show at North Florida Nov. 19th.  Henry Culpepper, of Orlando Area Koi & PC, said their last meeting they reviewed their show; discussed officers for next year; discussed winter changes in day and night temperatures; Xmas party planned in December.  Debby Young, of Southern Arizona Koi Assoc., said everybody is preparing for the koi show on Nov. 11/12th.  Last months meeting their KHA told of an experience of a koi keeper not cleaning filters for 5 years and then stirred up hydrogen sulfide and killed their koi.  Their Xmas party will be with a Chinese gift exchange.  Sandi Soedjono, of Dallas Koi Kichi Group, said their last meeting was a talk on judging koi by the clubs next President elect; the club is currently looking at 2 sites for their next koi show.  After the talk about judging, the members all got a copy of the CD by Art Lembke on judging.  The club is considering taking care of the Dallas Arboretum’s three ponds and a long stream; the ponds have no filtration.  The Xmas party is with a Chinese gift exchange.  Jesus Brito, of Oklahoma Koi Society, said that this month they will talk about last month’s Mud pond harvest at the house of Chuck & Kimberly Downs; it was another

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q       successful year; great results; they had an auction afterward which was also a success.  This month they will be electing new officers and making arrangements for the Xmas dinner.  He will be updating their website soon to get all the pictures from the mud pond (http://www.oklakoi.org).  John Case, of San Francisco Bay Area KC, said he just had his pond gunited; the club is working on the koi show; elections are this month.  They are starting to work on the May Pond Tour for next year; there will be a Christmas luncheon in Dec.  John Case will be doing a pond construction seminar at the local Lowe’s in Brentwood.  Carole Lee, of Santa Clara Valley K&WGC, said Dough Dahl did a talk on koi classification & judging; next meeting will have a speaker on improving their pond filtration.  Christmas party is Dec. 11th; all members that volunteered at a club event will get a free dinner; no gift exchange as the club buys grab bags.  Had elections; no president.  Linda Montgomery, of Cascade K&GFC, said they are helping on cleaning Portland Japanese Gardens; next meeting will be a “gadgets night” where all members will discuss things new or adapted by members for their ponds.  Planning for Xmas party which is in January.  ZNAOC will not be merging with Nishiki; members

attending the Nov. meeting chose 4 options for the club to go; these options are being sent to all members for their vote.  The Xmas party is a catered dinner at the Whalen’s.  A final decision on the club will be at the

end of this 2 year period.  Johnny Foster, of Nature’s Coast K&WGC, said they had the end of summer cookout last Sunday; 40 attended.  Had a successful koi show; next meeting is 6 year anniversary for the club; will have some raffles.  Members will be attending the Jacksonville show in two weeks; Xmas party Dec. 10th .  Johnny helped put in a 10,000 gal. Pond for a new member.  Bill Hogan, of Koi & WGC of North Texas, said they will be meeting next week; election of officers; speaker will talk on “winding down” and “winterizing a pond”; there will be a Xmas party in Dec.  John Hathaway, of Pacific Wonderland, said that Nov. 5th meeting was at Dale & Sharon Richardson’s home.  Sharon cooked up her traditional Thanksgiving turkey with dressing and pumpkin pies.  The members brought side dishes.  John presented the AKCA KHV Project update; noted that Peter Enfield’s koi slate was just auctioned off for $1,525.  A new auction is started with another of Peter’s slates.  The officers for 2006 were voted on; all 2005 appointed officers remain for the same for 2006.  John suggested to the club that instead of exchanging Christmas gifts at their Xmas dinner, they each bring an unwrapped new toy for the Toy & Joy Project.  It was voted on and approved that they do this.  Toy & Joy in conjunction with Tualatin Valley Fire Dept. work with over 11,000 needy children in the Portland area; it was also decided that they would still bring a gift for their Christmas raffle.  Norbun Watson, of Middle Georgia KS, said that last month they donated $300 to the battered women (Salvation Army organization).  A committee was formed to get officers next year.  Plans were aired about their Christmas party; also talked about how to get new members.

 

q       Written report submitted by Carole:  Linda Love, of North Texas KWGS, reports they had a koi auction/raffle in Oct.  Sold $5 raffle tickets; 1st winner was Carsten Pederson.  On Nov. 19th they will have a trip to Brett Rowley’s Fish farm; will have a special koi harvest sale.  There will also be a koi judging presentation and contest.  Gregory Young, of Niagara Frontier K&PC, reports that for November their guest speaker’s topic will be “Strange but True Insights Into Nature.”  Mark (speaker) has worked with Animal Planet and supplied a wide variety of live animals to many national TV talk shows.  Their Xmas Party will be Dec. 9th.  Each month their newsletter features a members pond with info on it.   Buck Williams, of Central Alabama K&WGS, reports that they just got their website up and running again.  The address is:  www.geocities.com/one_goldd.  Larry Hursh, of Genessee Valley Pond & KC, reports that their club elections were recently held; same officers.   The demonstration of edible pond plants was an interesting topic for their November meeting.  They also discussed some native and landscape fruits that are not fully appreciated by the people that have them.  Members also brought some of their favorite picnic and party recipes and some even brought samples to share.  Everyone again was involved and, as a preparation for their Christmas party, it put everyone in a very social mood and piqued their curiosity for what some of the holiday treats might be.  The committee is working on the Christmas Party and are selecting answers from the meeting and newsletter topics to be used in their pond version of Jeopardy.  This is always entertaining and re-enforces some of the information that they have tried to share with them.  There will be no January meeting due to the usual holiday let-down and the possibility of poor weather.  The Board will meet during the month to plan the events, topics and activities for at least the first six months.  The members have been reminded to get their suggestions and concerns to any of the Board members by January 9th.  The programs and tentative schedule will be presented to the members in the February newsletter and will be discussed at the meeting on Feb. 3rd.   Gary Floyd, of Amarillo KS, stated they recently had a meeting and discussed various activities for the future.  They will help provide food for the up coming Christmas party which will combine all clubs belonging to Amarillo Botanical Gardens including the Pampas Pond & Koi Society.  They just had a fundraiser and part of the proceeds went directly to the KHV Project.  Their club website is:  http://webpages.acs.ttu.edu/jonalong/  It has all club members listed and shows photos of water gardens and koi ponds.  Also has all minutes of club meetings and other good information.  Gary had an idea for AKCA

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q       for a project that would be a Project for a National Endowment.  1)  The endowment would be set up so that only a portion of the income could be drawn out leaving most as well as some income untouchable.  2)  The club as a whole will decide what the endowment could be used for; suggestions for use include: research, travel money or fees for guest speakers at conventions, judges, expenses at shows, education, advertising, scholarships and so on.    3)  They can fund the endowment in many ways.  I.E. dues to national to increase $1.00 per local club member collected on local basis, and sent with nationals yearly dues, donations, memorials to club members done on a local basis and sent to national with recognition in KOI USA.  Add $1 to cost of KOI USA annual subscription, auctions on national and local fundraising events and so on.  Doug thinks this would be a great project and it would benefit the local and national association.  He feels this would not take very long to build a fund if everyone will get behind it.  Doug would like feedback to see if this is possible; is AKCA interested??   Bryan Bateman, of Midwest Pond & KS, said they had their Fall elections last week.  Their volunteer dinner was also last week; there were 90 members in attendance.  Things get pretty quiet over the winter months.  The board will meet in December to hash out a budget for 2006 and to finalize their 2006 calendar.  Jackie Allsup, of Eastern Iowa PS, said they had their last meeting of the year last Sat. 11/12.  They elected new officers for the 2006 upcoming year.  They said thank you to the outgoing officers and those members that had their ponds on this year’s tour by presenting them with gift certificates to area vendors.  They also asked members to sign up for new committees to form the backbone of next year’s business and entertainment.  After all the business was complete, everyone enjoyed a great buffet dinner and began talking about the next year to come.   Carole tried but was unable to reach:  Bakersfield K&WGS; Southwest K&PA;  South Carolina K&WGS; and Puget Sound KC.

 

q       Written report submitted by Larry:  Shelley Klinger, of Central Illinois Water Gardeners, said they did not meet for November or December due to the craziness of the holidays.  The next meeting will be the 2nd

Saturday of January with the meeting place and topic to be announced.  Ron Carter, of Prairieland K&PS, said they held their elections on October 8th.  They had a great meeting; Kip Northrup, owner of e-ponds, gave a presentation on closing your ponds for fall/winter.  They also talked about some new products.  They are having their banquet at Q’s Smoke House on November 12th and a good time is going to be had by all.  There will be a door prize, raffle and a gift for everyone.  Lynn Jones, of St. Louis WGS, said on Oct. 7th they had the annual Members-Only Tikki Tour – an evening tour of ponds.  Their club has had the final meeting of the year and put out the final newsletter of the year.  They should have held their annual elections; don’t think there were any changes.  According to the October newsletter, there was also a vote on by-law changes and a vote to increase annual dues form $15 to $20.  Larry apologizes for not contacting the other clubs as he is in the middle of a home remodel.

 

q       Written report submitted by Phil Hunter:  Greg Bates, of the CapitolArea K&WGC, reports that the October meeting was held at the Delta Community Center.  Greg Bates presented a slide show on closing the pond for winter.  In addition, the election of the 2006 club officers was held.  The club will hold its final meeting of the year in November which will be the end of the year party.  Don Hellard, of the Gainesville K,GF&WGC, reports that they will be holding its annual fall BBQ in December at which the 2006 officers will be elected.  Claudia McGowen, of the Inland Empire WG&KS, reports that the club held its year end banquet.  Chris Moore, of Moorhaven Water Gardens, gave an animated speech on water gardening.  Elections of the 2006 officers was also held at the meeting.  Annual Awards were also voted on.  Receiving the AKCA Koi Person of the Year was Robert & Waunita Fischbach.  The PNKCA Ed Fujimoto Award went to Steve Devany and the Ray Jordan Award went to Ralph McGowen.  Kirk Hall, of Shasta K&WGC, reports that the October meeting was held at the home of Terry & Karlene Stoker.  There were 80 to 100 koi for sale along with many goldfish.  Linda Siler, of the Springfield WGS, reports that the October meeting was a great success.  Michael Fessenden gave great advice on getting your landscaped plants ready for winter and Linda Siler gave a presentation on getting your pond ready for winter.  The November meeting will be held at the St. John’s Cancer Center.  The program will be the election of the 2006 Board members and Wild Birds Unlimited will give a presentation on what types of food to feed our feathered friends in the winter.  Clubs with no report this month are:  Dayton K&GFC; and Mountaineer K&WGS.

 

q       Written report submitted by Spike Cover:  Dan Phillips, of North Carolina K&WGS, reports stated that he is opposed to the Koiphen show; said that one club is already making plans to downsize.  Officer elections are held in November; have 10 members with new koi ponds under construction.  Their ikeaga in October was a great success, with members retrieving their now nisai left to grow out for the summer. It was a great learning experience for everyone.  Tom Ayers, of Tucson Koi Society, reported they had their October meeting; talked about attending the SAKA show and the Christmas Party at Rose Kennedy house in

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q       December.  Marc Skaggs, of Northern Midwest ZNA KC, reports that several of their members made trips over to Japan to buy fish; some for the first time.  They are looking forward to seeing their new fish.  Their President, Bob Brudd, has also recently returned from a trip to China with professional photographers.  Several members of their club will be attending the mud pond pull at Ray Abell’s place in Virginia.  Finally, their next meeting will be their Christmas party at the home of Kevin Clark in Crown Pointe, IN.

 

q       Written report submitted by Joyce Glenn:  Bob Waag, of Florida West Coast K&WGC, reported it is kind of quiet due to a combination of hurricanes and the upcoming holiday season.  The club’s Nov. 6th meeting covered drying aquatic flowers and was presented by Renee Smith.  The club plant sale was rescheduled to Nov. 4th due to hurricane conditions.  They are currently searching for new board members.  Their current president, Marilyn Eigsti is not running again and the club is looking for a replacement.  Everyone is looking forward to the Dec. 4th meeting and holiday party at Rob Branchi’s house in Sarasota.  Should be a fun time with good food and great people to share it.  Rod MacNeil, of the Charleston Showa KC, reported he and some of his club members received the Anniversary issue of KOI USA instead of the Nov/Dec. issue with the Pocket Guide.  If this has happened to you, please notify Tom Graham or Joyce and we’ll be happy to straighten it out.  Apparently some boxes got mixed up and I apologize for the error.  Michael Anderson, of the Atlanta KC, reported they held elections last month.  Ron Scott was returned to the office of Treasurer.  David Marier was elected as the new Vice President.  Their holiday party on Nov. 13th will be at the home of Brenda and Charlie Atwell.  They do not meet in December.  Leroy Taba, from the Hawaii Goldfish & Carp. Assn., said they had nominations for next year’s slate of officers.  Their new President will be Mike Thompson.  Ginny Lee, of the Washington K&GS, told Joyce their October program included winterizing the pond and Japan’s new health issues.  For the November they hope to have Dr. Tim Miller-Morgan talk about fish health.  He also put on their advanced wet lab which was praised by those who attended.  Koi Club of Kansas has produced a beautiful calendar with excellent photography of their families and ponds.  The statistics of the ponds are also in there.  Dave Peebler reported they raised $1210 on their wall quilt raffle with a generous donation from Doris Brinegar.  They have had to get busy with the fall cleanup in preparation for winter.

 

q       Written report submitted by Kelly Houston:  Inland Koi Society reports that their Nov. 20th meeting will be at the home of Phil & Rachel Hunter in Temecula.  There will be a Thanksgiving Turkey potluck dinner for club members; elections as well.  The guest speaker this month will be Shawn McHenry, from Mystic Koi, talking about “Buying & Judging the Right Koi for Your Pond.” 

 

q       Written report submitted by Harlan Glenn:  Chuck Poppe, of ZNA Potomac Chapter KC, reports everything is OK.

 

PROXY CALLS FOR December/January

§         What cities (at least 3) would you like to visit or be a site for a future AKCA Seminar?

§         Is anyone in your club having problems getting their magazine? 

 

Upcoming AKCA Annual Calendar Events for December/January

Include AKCA financials in meeting minutes to all clubs

AKCA Chair appoints Nominating Committee

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Ø      KOI USA:  Kelly suggested that people having problems with their subscription should contact their AKCA rep who could assist them.  Phone number for help is on the inside of KOI USA.

Ø      Chairman’s Award:   Larry discussed the award for the 2006 Seminar.

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Motion:  To adjourn the meeting 9:40.  Motion by Harlan, 2nd by Burt.  Approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carole Elliott