AKCA Minutes of September 9, 2005

 

Officers Present:                                  Directors Present:                                               Guests:

Chair: Larry Leverett                   Burt Ballou (OCZNA+)                 Tom Graham

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

Secretary:  Carole Elliott                      Joyce Glenn (Hawaii+)                     Spike Cover                                     

CFO:  Doug Dahl                                    Louie Hernandez (Nishiki+)                                Kelly Houston 

                                                                                               

 

                                                               

Board Highlights:

Ø       New tri-fold Koi ID guide to go out with future KOI USA issue.

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Larry Leverett @ 6:59 pm.   We have 107 clubs.

 

v       MINUTES:  Motion:  To approve the minutes of August 12th with the following correction: delete 1st sentence under Upcoming AKCA annual calendar events.  Motion by Doug, 2nd by Ed.  Approved.

 

v       AUGUST FINANCIAL STATEMENT/FINANCE COMMITTEE:

 

Doug reported that the AKCA finance computer was very old and showing some problems; did not have an Ethernet card.  Neither MSN nor Earthlink had local numbers for dialup internet in Oakhurst so internet/email would have been long distance.  It was necessary for Doug to buy a new computer with an Ethernet card in order to have email at his new home.  He now has Quickbooks and email on the same computer.  The computer cost $377.10 after rebate.  The only thing it does not have is Microsoft Office.  Motion:  To authorize reimbursement of $377.10 for the AKCA computer as well as purchasing the Microsoft office program.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Ed.  Approved.  Doug sent Joseph Porter and Michael Pomerleau both a disc of our Quickbooks file and authorized Joseph the $3100 annual review and Michael to do our taxes.  Doug also closed down the AKCA PO Box in Orange; they will forward to the new PO Box in Oakhurst for 12 months as we notify all of our vendors.  Doug delivered the paperwork for the new KOI USA Inc. bank account at Union.  He is waiting for Ed & Joyce to sign the signature card at the bank before transferring some funds to the new account and ordering checks.  He will also notify PCS when he gets the new account number and start the process of changing PCS Nova credit card charges from Bank of America to Union Bank.  Doug was required to buy 50 min8imum order of Kokugyo Vol. 1 in order to get the $54 price.  As of 9/2 there was $8992 advertising due that is 60-90 days late and $2984 that is over 90 days late.  Niagara will not be ready to submit their budget until mid Sept.  It was due late August so he could present it to the AKCA Board at this meeting for approval.  This will require him to approve the budget so Niagara can print the blow in registration form for the Jan/Feb KOI USA.  Once we get the price structure and registration form Debby can set up the registration website.  Doug also needs to include the $50,000 for liability for the KHV Project.  Motion:  To include $50,000 for liability for the KHV Project.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Harlan.  Approved.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

v     SCIENTIFIC:  Spike handed out the monthly report.  He stated that there were delays in the continuing ed classes from several causes.  The agreement was signed by Sandy Yosha; ready for AKCA;s approval.  Karen Pattist will run the CE program to help reduce Spike’s load. 

 

v      KHV Project:  Spike stated that the Scientific Committee reviewed the proposal from North Carolina State Univ. and recommended that we fund them.  Motion:  To fund the NCSU-VM proposal at a cost of $13,675; to be distributed at 2 intervals.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Harlan.  Approved.   Spike will negiotate with them on possibly selling the vaccine, at wholesale prices, to AKCA member clubs.  Motion:  To approve up to $2500 for Project KHV fundraising budget.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Harlan.  Approved.  Spike stated that Joe White may help with the update web site. 

 

v      PUBLICATION:    Ed reported that Tom Graham put together a new fold-up koi ID guide; is a trifold that will be inserted in all KOI USA magazines for one issue.  There was much discussion about cost vs. benefits; particularly, it was felt that the KOI USA Board was not mindful of its fiduiciary responsibility to AKCA and its member clubs.  The concern was also that the total cost was not reported to the AKCA Board but had to be “extracted” from the KOI USA Board.  The concern is that because KOI USA is the lifeline of AKCA, the

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v      KOI USA Board needs to spend money prudently.  Doug stated that the KOI USA Board needs to come up with a budget as well as projected net income (profit) for the fiscal year.  It was also felt that we need to amend the KOI USA bylaws to reflect this concern.  Motion:  To approve the purchase of the tri-fold koi ID guide.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Louie.  Approved with 1 abstain.   Ed also stated that are considering the idea of getting some knowledgeable koi keepers together for an Editorial Meeting to generate ideas for Editorial content for future issues; should also include newer koi keepers.

 

v      MEMBERSHIP:  Doug reported that AKCA currently has 107 member clubs.  We have received dues from 95 clubs.  12 clubs are remiss and have been notified by Doug via email that the grace period ends Oct. 1; clubs paying their dues after Oct. 1 will be charged a $50 reinstatement penalty per our By-Laws.  Madison Area club has said they wish to quit AKCA while the club reorganizes.  Doug handed out the clubs needing to renew and possibly also sending in their club info. 

 

v      JUDGING:  (Bob is out of town judging)  Doug stated that Bob was really impressed with the video conferencing @ the Tulsa Seminar.  He has been hard at work towards doing the same thing for the Niagara Seminar.  Also working on judging big fish at the same time.  Will discuss proposed budget at our next meeting. 

 

v       SPEAKER’S GRANT:  No report.

 

v      GUIDES:  Burt stated that he is going to start with plans on a new pond construction guide sometime next year; it will be more detailed.

 

v      INSURANCE:  Burt gave Doug the new policy for Directors & Officers.   

 

SEMINAR REPORTS:

 

v      2006 NIAGARA SEMINAR:  Burt stated that he may have to go to Buffalo to meet with them before the Seminar to help with any questions/problems.  The budget is due by Sept. 16th; needs cost of meals.

 

v      2007 Seminar:  Doug stated that Robbie & Tom Ayers don’t want to move the time of the Seminar.  Burt stated that we can’t as we are locked into a contract with the hotel. 

 

v      2008 Seminar:  Burt will be the AKCA Chair; Jan Browne will probably be their Chair.

 

REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:

 

q       Written report submitted by Doug:  Judy Schwartz, of Austin Pond Society, reports there is not much to report this month.  Bob Slack, of Blue Water Pond Club, reports they did send in their AKCA dues and club information but it appears to be lost in the mail.  Becky Maier, of Enchanted K&WGC, reports they are planning their 1st annual Pond Tour.  Club members have been having failures in a rubber boot quick connect system in several ponds causing loss of koi in 3 ponds.  Club members will tour the Jones Fish Hatchery in October to view some beautiful koi.  Sue Boydstun, of Idaho WGS, reports their 12 annual Koi Show on Aug. 14th was a qualified success with fewer entries than prior years but the quality was there.  Steve Drake was the Head Judge and complimented the club on the koi quality and the efficiently run koi show.  Gene Anderson, from PNKCA Board, was also a guest.  Tommy Hut, from A’s Aquarium, was the Goldfish Show Judge and also one of the vendors.  The club will have a potluck in September and will nominate new club Officers at that meeting.  Bob Sievert, of Las Vegas KC, reports club member Bob Wilson is interested in perhaps taking over the AKCA Koi of the Year management from Debby Young.  There was a large turnout for the August club meeting including 2 new members.  Special guest speakers George & Linda Manska Gave a presentation on the AKCA KHA Program with a hands on session on the microscope.  A koi rescue committee was formed by members with operational quarantine tanks.  The club 2006 Calendar Project is moving along well.  Nomination for club Officers will occur at the next meeting.  A club flyer will be sent periodically to all new pond owners in the Las Vegas area.  Charlene Jandick, of Lone Star ZNA KC, reports Brett Rowley did a powerpoint presentation on spawning Koi at the club August meeting.  The club

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q       newsletter focused several articles on the use of salt as a koi medication and also the Bakki Shower & Bacteria House Filter.  The club September meeting topic will be koi food, feeding and nutrition.  Bob Reed, of Middle Georgia WGC, reports Katrina did some damage with a tornado in the area.  The club is going to build a pond for a member who is in a wheelchair and the public is being invited to watch as the pond is built.  They will charge a small fee to the public but will provide lunch.  The pond will be 8x14 feet by 3 feet deep with a connecting bog and a waterfall.  The club has been planning this for 6 months and has all of the equipment ready.  Dot Wilbanks, of Moto Kara Koi Kai, reports Jim Prappas, Director of Animals for Landry’s, took club members on a rare tour behind the scenes at the Houston Aquarium which has 500,000 gallons of visible water tanks with more than 200 species of fish.  The Aquarium also has 4 white tigers.  Club members lunched in the restaurant after the tour.  Melinda Christopher, of Olympic K,G&WGC, reports the annual Pond Tour was outstanding with visitors all day and some new club members signed up.  Timothy Czech, of Pioneer Valley WG&KC, reports their 1st koi show was a tremendous success thanks to the work of a lot of folks and the club made a few thousand dollars profit.  The club plans to hold a show next year again and then hold a show every other year.  The club is discussing perhaps volunteering for the 2010 AKCA Seminar.  September/October would be perfect for a Seminar in New England because of the Big E fair attended by a million from all over the country.  They also have the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Yankee Candle flagship store, and Old Sturbridge & Deerfield Village.  The fall colors would attract many to the Seminar.  Dorothy Connors, of Rhode Island & Massachusetts KC, thanked club member Bill Story for all the help he provided for the Koi America and the Pioneer Valley club Koi Shows.  Meeting educational discussion focused on pond side water testing, a slide show of Koi America and koi classification.  Kris Jones, of Salt Lake KC, reports their August meeting focused on testing club members pond water and discussing what the results meant.  The club website is generating interest with several new members already.  The September club meeting will have Tom Holder, of Koi Care Kennel, speaking on koi disease.  The club obtained booklets on pond water chemistry from Norm Meck, of the Koi Club of San Diego, and will focus on that information at the October meeting.  The 2 club members who are KHA students have been making frequent pond calls to help others.  The club is thankful AKCA has provided the KHA Program and KOI USA magazine to educate the hobbyist.  Karen Buchanan, of The Great Smoky Mountain KC&PS, reports their club now has 2 members enrolled in the AKCA KHA Program.  The club will give its 1st ever Friendship Trophy at the Atlanta Koi Show.  John Collier, of Tulsa KS, reports they were unaware that AKCA CFO Doug Dahl had paid the invoice for the video conference with Japan at the 2005 AKCA Seminar.  David Yee, of Valley of the Sun KC, reports their club is not active this month due to the heat but the 2007 AKCA Seminar Chairpersons have stated they do not want to move the date of the Seminar from late June.  Mary Oxman, of Ventura KC, reports a contractor presented information on the Urea Liner material for ponds including samples of the material at the last meeting.  Doug tried to contact the following clubs with no information response:  Austin Koi & Goldfish Club; Dai Ichi KC; First Coast K&WGC; Michigan K&PC-SE; Mid Atlantic KC; Nashville Pond Society; and, Peidmont K&WGS.

 

q       Written report submitted by Bob:  So Cal Koi Club had to cancel their September meeting; meeting host forgot they won’t be in town and speaker cancelled.  Their October meeting will be in Laguna Beach  North Florida KC is getting organized for the 2008 AKCA Seminar.  Bob tried but was unable to reach all other clubs.  Joan reported that Charles Phelps, of Louisville K&GFC, said they are having a Koi Pond Tour on Sept. 24th in Lexington area with 4 or 5 ponds to visit.  Next month will be Election of Officers and the Christmas Party will be coming up fast in December. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Burt:  Henry Culpepper, of Orlando Area K&PC, said there was no meeting in July or August; Sept. will be a planning meeting for their young koi show on Oct. 15th at Lewis Gardens in Orlando; sizes up to 18”.  Joe White, of Florida East Coast K&WGS, said its raining like crazy; next meeting @ a middle school that has a miniature fish farm; the school grows tilapia (lost most of their fish last year in the hurricane).  Last meeting was at a member’s home and then went to an elementary school that has a koi pond that Joe White helped design & build; it is 2,500 gallons & the koi are doing well.  The 4th grade students are in charge of caring for the pond with a teacher’s aid for guidance; they intentionally spawn & sell the baby koi to the students.  Joe White, of ZNA Southern Koi Assoc, said 20 members went to Koi America & helped with the show.  They had a general meeting of the club; Bob Brudd spoke to the group and were working on their Central Florida Koi Show March 10-12th; the 2nd show.  Norbun Watson, of Middle Georgia Koi Society, said everything is quiet; last social was last activity which he didn’t attend.  Planning on building a pond for a nursing home (haven’t decided yet).  Johnny Foster, of Nature’s Coast K&WGC, said they are getting ready for his show Oct. 1; last field trip to the Ginger Farm; had great turnout.  Last meeting was at Gallagher’s Gardens; larger turn out.  Kenneth Wong, of Dallas Koi Kichi Group, said there was no meeting until next week due to Labor Day.  Next meeting will have Ray Jordan talking on

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q       transporting, netting, tubbing, etc.; election of officers is at this meeting.  Jesus Brito, of Oklahoma Koi Society, said that at their next meeting they will be talking about their 2006 show and a koi auction that they will be having after the mud pond pull in October.  They are going to try to get it to be as big as possible with many high quality koi to be auctioned.  Their show will be on May 6/7th, 2006.  He wants to know how to get the info published in KOI USA (contact Brenda Atwell).  Debby Young, of Southern Arizona Koi Assoc., said they are working on their koi show; last meeting was at Wilcox; discussed sub committees from each club for the 2007 AKCA Seminar; worked on planning for their next auction & some new rules & an auction added in the spring.  Linda Montgomery, of Cascade Koi & GFC, said the club did well with PNKCA convention.  Their last meeting was @ Linda’s; good turnout for the picnic meeting.  Planning for Xmas banquet; several people having problems with newly purchased koi.  John Case, of San Francisco Bay Area KC, said they have 96 members; planning on Pond tour in Brentwood next May and an auction & koi sale next year after the pond tour.  Planning for next year; last meeting in Napa at a commercial member’s home (Richard Wagoner).  Doubtful if there will be elections this year as the officers will stay on for another year.  Several members are going to the Camellia (Sacramento Show); taking a friendship award and the following weekend (10-8/9) same with the Fresno club.  Carole Lee, of the Santa Clara Valley K&WGC, said their last meeting they had Burt Ballou as a speaker on filtration and then a mini pond tour and barbeque at Dan Rutledge’s beautiful home.  Many members from San Francisco club joined this pond tour & barbeque.  In Sept. the speaker will be Stephen Davis on carnivorous plants around the pond.  Doug Dahl will speak in Oct. on koi classification & judging; elections are in Oct.  Carole has been calling the 800#; they take your name & # and say somebody will return the call; never gets the call back as she is trying to order filter guides.  Wally Hathaway, of Pacific Wonderland KC, said the booth at the Hawaiian Days in August was a huge success.  There will be 2 booths at the Festival Japan this month with 2 koi tanks.  A part of the focus will recognize Japan’s contribution to the hobby of koi keeping.  The club unanimously voted to donate money to disaster relief in the south.  The hope is that other clubs will do the same.  ZNAOC had a joint meeting barbeque with Nishiki koi club; had Polynesian dancers; everyone had a great time at Pam Spindola’s home.  The Sept. joint meeting with So Cal KC was cancelled at the last minute as the hosts were going to be out of town.  This meeting will be rescheduled as the scheduled speaker was to be from a spray on liner company which many members were very interested in hearing.  William Hogan, of Koi & WGC of North Texas, said the club members went to Vent-a-Hood Corp. and cleaned up their koi pond & got the pumps running.  Their last meeting had a hands on building of a whiskey barrel water garden & raffled it off; next meeting will be elections.

 

q       Written report submitted by Carole:  Jackie Allsup, of Eastern Iowa Pond Society, said they recently held their Thursday night meeting at the home of Larry Tharp.  Fall is in the air there already so they have begun talking about what to do with plants and fish for the winter months ahead.  Rita Tharp fed them some marvelous BBQ sandwiches as they watched a video on all the different bugs one might find in their ponds.  They will be having their Saturday meeting next week and they’ll have a demo on building toad houses and will be talking about the various winterizing devices that they use to keep a hole open for the winter. Bryan Bateman, of Midwest Pond & KS, said their show was a great success.   They had 150 koi and 75 goldfish.  Over 10000 show attendees as well.  Judges were Pat & Larry Christensen, and Charles Phelps did a terrific job.  On Sunday they did a walk-around, discussing the winning koi and answering questions on just about everything.  Their fall koi auction is on Sept. 18; will be donating 20% of the proceeds of that event to KHV research.  Their annual volunteer dinner will be on Nov. 13th.  This is a popular event for those volunteers who have worked for 6 or more hours for the club during the past year.  Gary Floyd, of Amarillo Koi Society, reports that their next activity is the Saturday night social at Applejack on the 17th.  Scott Foster, of South East Wisconsin KC, said they haven’t set a date for their next meeting.  Last winter they had meetings every month so he hopes that once everyone slows down they can all get together.  He will be going to the Midwest ZNA meeting on Sunday and is hoping to meet a couple of their members.  Jerry Woodbury, of Miami Valley WGS, reports they held election of officers in August.  All officers remain the same except Vice President: Dick Dyer voted into office.  Winding down their last two meetings for 2005 with talks to help members prepare for winterizing ponds.  Lining up activities for 2006.  Roselyn McVicker, of Koi & WGS of Central New York, said that they meet once a month but will be shutting down in Nov/Dec for a couple of months.  They hold elections in April; looking for ideas for meetings (Carole told her about the upcoming AKCA Seminar in Buffalo).  Jan Jordan, of Mid-Columbia K&PC, reported that their business meeting was held at Larry Gillespie’s.  Topics currently under discussion are the Pond Tour on Sept. 10 and hosting the PNKCA Convention next year.  Their potluck/recreation meeting was held at Ron & Gloria Boedeker’s.  They had about 25-30 members turn out and lots of raffle prizes from members were donated, including a coupon for any water lily from their newest pond store, Water Gardens West, located in W. Richland.  For Sept. the business meeting was at the home of Judy & Lester Hamilton; the high point topic

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q       was the pond tour for Sept. 10th.  The PNKCA Convention that they will be hosting in June of 2006 is on the PNKCA website.  Carole tried but was unable to reach the following clubs:  Bakersfield K&WGS; Canada KC of British Columbia; Central Alabama K&WGS; Genesse Valley Pond & KC; High Desert Koi Fanciers; (email address returned); Niagara Frontier K&PC; Northern Lights KC; North Texas WGS; Puget Sound KC; South Carolina K&WGS; Southwest Koi & Pond Assoc. (email returned); and WGC of South Texas (called & emailed).

 

q       Written report submitted by Larry:  Shelly Klinger, of Central Illinois Water Gardeners, said they met on August 13 at her home.  Members toured the 2 acre gardens and learned about the benefits of a bottom

drain.  The 7,000 gallon koi pond is in the midst of reconstruction at this point, so members got a close up and personal look of bottom drains, settlement chambers, and filtration boxes.  She also said she started another water garden group.  This is the group from Decatur and the area.  Their name is the Water garden & Koi Club of Central Illinois.  They have met three times and hope to become a part of AKCA as soon as they have enough funds.  Michael Jackson, of West Plains WGS, said they don’t have a lot to report.  They didn’t meet in August and are planning to meet Sept. 13 to plan the fall mum planting that their group will be handling as part of the downtown beautification.  Barbara Campana, of Madison Area Pond Society, said they are in the process of reorganizing their club.  Ron Carter, of Prairieland Pond Society, said the Vice President is forming a committee to select candidates for the Executive board.  They will need a new treasurer, as the present one can’t do it next year.  They will also be looking at replacing two directors this year.  On the 10 is their bus trip to St. Louis to see the botanical gardens and a couple of nearby ponds.  That is taking the place of their regularly scheduled meeting.  Melissa Jackson, from Cherokee Strip WGS, is having their first progressive dinner meeting on Sept. 30th.  They will be visiting 4 club members’ homes and visiting their water gardens.  They are looking forward to a new and fun type of evening.  Darlene Jennings, of Mid-Michigan Pond & Water Garden Club, said they had a great time at the August meeting at Randy & Linda Kilgore’s home with great food and beautiful surroundings.  Their next meeting will be at Bruce & Karen Bordeau’s; they have a very cool place that includes water features and a private village.  Their home is being featured in the Flint Journal.  Gulf Coast Koi Society has not been in contact; let’s hope they survived Hurricane Katrina.  Ohio KC and St. Louis Water Garden Society did not respond.          

 

q       Written report submitted by Phil Hunter:  Phil tried to email report; Carole has a new internet provider and needs to work out the kinks.

 

q       Written report submitted by Bruno Kudrecki:   Koi Kichi’s August meeting was held at the home of Rod Williams.  Rod is a landscape artist and his yard shows it.  They discussed their upcoming show; received confirmation from the judges who will be Dr. Art Lembke along with Burt Ballou and Nicole Lembke as well as Gary Chin.  They also voted on having some entertainment this year; Nancy is looking at two possibilities.  They are also in the process of obtaining a catalog from hiromi Ogata of Japanese trophies. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Spike Cover:  Dan Phillips, of North Carolina K&WGS, said they are promoting their club at a Sept. 17th Fall festival at Atlantic Ave. Garden Center with lectures and an info table.  NCKWS members won all MAJOR awards at the ZNA Potomac Koi show Sept. 10.  They have –5 members in the club putting in new, “proper” koi ponds this season, 5-20 K gallons; averaging 3-4 new members each quarter. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Joyce Glenn:  Leroy Taba, of Hawaii Carp & Goldfish, reported they joined in the Annual Okinawan Celebration; this is a large festival with many people attending.  Dave Peebler, of Koi Club of Kansas, sent the newsletter which told about their annual calendar which features members whose homes were used for pond tours and/or meetings.  One of their club members, Susan Hofflineier, has completed a koi wall quilt and it will be raffled off at the October meeting.  Their next program will be culling of high quality koi in Japan.  Michael Anderson, of Atlanta, reported they are getting ready for their annual show Sept. 16-18th at the North Atlanta Trade Center.  Rod McNeil, of Charleston Showa, reported all is quiet in Charleston.  Ginny Lee, of Washington Koi, said this is the weekend of their annual show.  Ludo Van den Bogaert, of Tampa Bay, reported all is quiet at this time. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Louie Hernandez:  ZNA Southern CA’s August meeting was held at the home of Carl & Pam Grooms.  They have a 20,000 gal. Pond with outstanding colorful stonework; their collection of koi is quite a viewing pleasure.  Their topic was “Parasite Identification using a microscope.”  Some of them brought microscopes and shared with their fellow members.  This meeting was well received

 

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q       thanks to Allen Stein, their resident KHA adviser.  Their September meeting will be held at Japan Koi Online. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Kelly Houston:  Inland Koi Society reports that Sept. 25th they will go on a bus trip to the Huntington Library & Gardens in San Marino, CA.  It consists of the Library, Art Galleries, including a new 16,000 square foot structure housing a distinguished collection of European paintings, sculptures and decorative arts and over 150 acroes of Botanical Gardens to explore.

 

 

PROXY CALLS FOR October

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

 

Upcoming AKCA Annual Calendar Events for October:

Finance Committee meets

AKCA dues deadline!

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

Ø       Koi Fish of the Year:  Doug stated that Bob Wilson, of Las Vegas Koi Club, was interested in filling Debby’s position to coordinate Koi Fish of the Year.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Ø      Logo:  Susan Boland emailed us stating that Space Age Systems was using our logo; Larry will contact them.

.

 

Motion:  To adjourn the meeting 9:10 p.m.  Motion by Joyce, 2nd by Burt.  Approved

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carole Elliott