AKCA Minutes of September 14, 2007

 

Officers Present:                                  Directors Present:                                               Guests:

Chair: Harlan Glenn                                 Burt Ballou                                      Larry Leverett

Vice Chair: Bill Thompson                              Bob Finnegan                                  Spike Cover               

Secretary:  Carole Elliott                      Kelly Houston                                 

CFO:  Doug Dahl                                    Joyce Glenn                                                                     

                                                                Bob Finnegan

                                                                Joan Finnegan

                                                                               

                                                                               

Board Highlights:

Ø       Central Coast Koi Club was voted in as a member AKCA club

Ø       2010 Bid proposals need to be submitted to Burt Ballou by the November Board meeting.

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Harlan Glenn @ 7:00 pm.   101 clubs.

 

v       MINUTES:  Motion:  To approve the minutes of August 10th with the following corrections:  meeting was held August 10th; chain of command  in KOI USA goes to Chairperson (not President).   Motion by Joan, 2nd by Joyce.  Approved.

 

v       AUGUST FINANCIAL STATEMENT/FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Doug reported that as of 8/30 there was $9055 advertising due that is 60-90 days late and only $2430 that is over 90 days late.  Our investment account lost $3653 in July and gained $3420 in August.  Doug sent Connie updated copies of all AKCA Policies to replace old ones in the 1” AKCA binder in the bookstore for AKCA Board use.  NOTICE TO CLUBS:  Only 16 clubs requested KOI USA to purchase an ad in their Koi Show booklet and only 14 clubs requested an ad for Pond Tour booklet, each up to $100.  Clubs are missing out on up to $200 return for these ads each year.  If your club has over 50% membership subscribing to KOI USA magazine, you can also request KOI USA place an ad in your club newsletter for up to $100 for the year.  Brenda sold $2018 in bookstore sales and 10 subscriptions to KOI USA.   Has the budget for the 2008 Seminar.   Motion:  To accept the financial report.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.  

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

v     SCIENTIFIC:   Spike handed out his report; stated that Karen is preparing a koi show water quality course.  Spike passed around the KHA pins; started sending them out to the 32 grads of class #1 that are still with the program.  Harold Biggio was just offered a booth for the KHA program at the Atlanta Koi Show this coming weekend.  They are currently having a Forum discussion on allowing teenagers into the KHA program.  Sentiment is running against it (about 2 to 1) but there is a significant feeling that AKCA should provide some avenue for young people to pursue the hobby.  This might include both health and appreciation aspects and might employ Koi Judges and KHAs to help mentor and/or train the kids.  There was discussion; it was felt that the individual clubs should promote kids into the koi hobby.  Joan suggested that we also use the internet.   Larry suggested starting a Future Koi Keepers of America (along the lines of the Future Farmers of America plan). 

 

v     KHV Project:  Spike stated that it hasn’t been a good month except for the new auction.  Nice work by Gene and Phyllis.  Discussion about Joe White; everyone felt that he is an invaluable member of our team.  There have been two instances of KHV reported, one each in Northern Calif. and Washington.  No positive identification of a source as yet.  More KHV and SVCs outbreaks in the UK. 

 

v       PUBLICATION:    Joan reported they are still trying to improve on the teleconference and still need a laptop.  Steve said he had committed us to sponsor a beach party and moved they set aside up to $3000.  Joan read a letter from Brenda re Pondapolooza; discussion followed.  Doug suggested they have someone come in and give a lecture on how to build ponds.  The Editor reported he is working on the January/February issue; waiting for some articles to come in.  Joe reported some of the hyperlinks were not working and wants to update adding current news.  He is checking into programs that bring over archives.  There were 1700 hits this month so far.  August had 4600 hits.  Bill talked with Steve Hensley who distributed KOIUSA magazines for a couple of months.  This has not worked out satisfactorily. 

 

 

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v      MEMBERSHIP:  Doug reported that he expects a membership application from Rainbow River Koi Club in Dunnellon, FL as a break off from Natures Coast club due to distance.  There is a club forming in

Sonoma, CA.  He received a membership application from Central Coast Koi Club in San Luis Obispo, CA.  Motion:  To accept Central Coast Koi Club as an AKCA member club.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.   93 clubs have paid their dues so far with 7 outstanding.  Blue Water Club of Canada has notified Doug that they are not planning to renew membership.  Clubs to be dropped from AKCA as of Oct. 1 are:

First Coast KGWGC

Northern Lights KC

Santa Clarita K&WGC

Tampa Bay K&WGC

Triad K&WGS

Upper Midwest KC

 

v       JUDGING:  Bob reported that they are busy; Charles Phelps is in charge of koi show assignments.

 

v       SPEAKER’S GRANT:  Burt reported that we will have the drawing next month.

 

v      GUIDES:   Burt received an email from Tom; went over Tom’s figures/quotes for the filter guides.  He felt we should order 5,000 because of the cost differential.  Motion:  To order 5,000 7x10 filter guides at a cost of $17,100 ($3.41 ea).  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.  Discussion on pricing.  Motion:  To leave prices the same as the last filter guide.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.   Burt discussed the Pond Construction guide; 1 section on liners is out.  Kathy Ferris did an outstanding job on the new section.

 

v      INSURANCE:  Burt passed out a list of clubs who have not turned in their forms.  Please make sure your club has signed and turned in the form.  Reps will be contacting those clubs who have not yet complied. 

 

v      AKCA WEBSITE:  Pay Pal was discussed.

 

SEMINAR REPORTS:

 

v      2008 Jacksonville, Fla. Seminar:  Burt reported that Joyce Gipson emailed him regarding the beach party; food and beverage cost will be $3298; bus will be paid for by attendees.  Cost would be approx. $16.95 per person which will include shrimp, fried trout, etc.  Sponsored by KOI USA.  They met this weekend to finalize the workshop topics.  Burt went over the cost of the packages.  There will be no early registration discounts; no discounts for 1st attendees.  Their budget is based on 244 attendees and 35 vendors.  It is estimated that the Seminar will make $11,000 with the host share at $4,400.  Raffle will be kept separate.  Motion:  To approve with 2 open items to be resolved.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Joan.  Approved. 

 

v       2009 San Diego, CA:  Burt stated that the calendar has to be moved up 4 months for Koi Person of the Year, etc.  as the Seminar is 4 months earlier.

 

v       2010 Seminar:  Bid proposal packets need to be in by November (before our next Board meeting); turn in to Burt.

 

REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:

 

q       Written report submitted by Doug:  Judy Schwartz, of Austin Pond Society, reports a successful Pond tour in July and the club will donate a portion of the proceeds to Zilker Gardens to repair/improve the koi ponds.  The August club speaker presented a great slide show about the use of color in the garden.  Ray Jordan will speak at the Sept. club meeting on selecting the best quality koi for your pond.  Debi Gillis, of Central Coast KC, reports their new club is very happy to now be a member of AKCA.  Janice Ramsey, of East Tennessee KC, reports the club held its annual members picnic Aug. 13 at a local park in Knoxville.  The club winners of the pond photo contest were announced at this picnic with a beautiful photo of a dragon fly taking first honors followed by a white lotus blossom for second and a large Kohaku koi for third.  The photo contest judges were from a local camera business.  Contest prizes were purchased from Pattigrafix and

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q       also free photo coupons from the judges camera business.  Teresa Lawrence, of First Coast K&WGC, reports club members are getting ready for the Fall social luau and a nice Sanke will be the door prize.  The club 5th Annual Koi Show will be Oct. 13th.  Sue Boydstun, of Idaho WGS, reports almost half of their club members subscribe to KOI USA magazine.  The club held its 14th annual koi show on Aug. 11th.  Kawa Taiko Japanese drumming group from Ontario, Oregon performed at the show.  The show had 22 tanks with 110 koi and 32 goldfish entered.  Pat & Larry Christensen were the judges and also put on a mini seminar on judging koi.  Dara Newman, of Las Vegas KC, reports Joel Burkhard of Pan Intercorp. Spoke at the August club meeting about choosing and raising koi and quarantine procedures.  Judy Christian, of Lone Star ZNA KC, requests AKCA remove the word ZNA from the club name in AKCA records.  The proper way to net koi and prepare them for transport was demonstrated at the July club meeting.  Club members rescued about 70 fish from a private pond of a person who had been transferred and found homes for all of the fish.  There has been an onslaught of new members joining the club as a result of the recent club Pond Tour.  Pam Francis, of Michigan K&PC-SE, reports 40 club members enjoyed a progressive dinner in August going from pond to pond.  The Sept. meeting will be a Pot Luck dinner and plant exchange with host Mick Hodgson speaking on raising hostas.  The meeting will be held near one of the five koi ponds on the property, the largest being 45,000 gallons.  The meeting in Oct. will be a hay ride to a pumpkin patch.  Dot Wilbanks, of Moto Kara Koi Kai, reports member Ralph Bates won Young champion and the AKCA Award at the Rocky Mountain Koi Club Show with a Dianichi Showa purchased last year from Shigeru Mano when he brought koi to the club for sale.  The club held a joint meeting with MKK and Lone Star clubs in August.  Club Founder Ron Goforth is a Full Certified ZNA Judge and is long time friend of Shigeru Mano.  Ron shared his slide show from his recent trip to the All Japan Koi Show this year and also photos of Dianichi offices, mud ponds and breeding areas.  A buffet was served with 40 people attending.  Dan Olson, of North Idaho Koi Keepers, reports the club will host the PNKCA Convention in Post Falls, Idaho Sept. 12-14, 2008.  Speakers will include Toshio Sakai of Isawa Japan, Mat McCann late of England and now New Jersey and Dick Benbow of Benbonia.  The Convention will include a 3 hour banquet cruise around Lake Coeur d’Alene Saturday evening including a live band.  Melinda Smieja, of Olympic K,G&WGC, reports a great turn out for the recent pond Tour.  The club gave its first ever Friendship Award to a local reporter for the great things she has done for the club.  Kristine Jones, of Salt Lake KC, reports club members held their annual plant exchange at the August meeting in addition to a question and answer session focusing on health and pond construction questions.  Sheb Masters, of The Great Smokey Mountain KC&PS, reports filter products available were discussed at a recent meeting of club members.  Club members are planning the annual Pond Tour and will get local news coverage for the event.  Last year the Pond Tour raised $1200 for the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital aquarium in the waiting area and the club hopes to donate the same this year.  Dick Emerick, of Upper Midwest KC, reports the club recently held its first koi show with 70 fish entered.  An additional 16 koi were from the clubs Champion Challenge growing contest.  The show was held at a local nursery Bachmans and had a large amount of people attending.  Koi Acres was responsible for setting up the show site and helping out.  Judges were Masano San from Japan and AKCA Judge Bryan Bateman.  Show profits allowed the club to purchase 12 new tanks for future shows.  Barb & John Flowers, of the Rocky Mountain KC, flew in to use their show software for the show and to help the judging team record the winners.  All wet vendors willingly complied with the club KHV health certificate requirements in order to have a booth at the show.  A koi show follow up meeting was held to discuss the running of the show and what went well and what could be better next near.  Dick Emerick suggested some sort of recognition for club members who are KOI USA subscribers like a pin, bumper sticker or notation on the club name tag.  (Note:  This was discussed at KOI USA Board and it was left to the clubs to enact if they wished to do so but it was a good thought).  David Yee, of Valley of the Sun KC, reports the club is still dark thru October due to the heat and will start up again in Nov.  Mary Oxman, of Ventura KC, reports the host for the August club meeting gave a great lecture on Japanese appreciation of koi.  He also built his own koi pond.  Tom Holder, of Koi Care Kennel, will speak at the Sept. club meeting on koi health and how to minimize risk of disease.  Tom will bring many products he has for sale to club members for the pond and care of your koi including copies of Dr. Erik Johnson’s great book “Koi Health & Disease” (also now available from the AKCA Bookstore).  Following this meeting club members are welcome to view big beautiful koi at the home of another club member.  Doug tried to contact the following clubs with no response:  Central Calif. KC; Las Pampas K&WGS; Mid Atlantic KC; Middle Georgia K&WGC; Nashville PS; Piedmont K&WGS; Pioneer Valley WG&KC; Tulsa KS; Dai Ichi KC; Rhode Island & Massachusetts KC; and, Internet Koi of North America.                                     

 

q       Written report submitted by Bob:  So Cal Koi Club had a a great meeting in October despite the fact that the speaker failed to show.  Round table discussion.  For October the club will pay members $150 each for attending the Las Vegas Koi Show.    Charles Phelps, of Greater Louisville KC, reported that the club is

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going to Bowling Green, KY to see koi at the two dealer’s fishery.    Dr. Lau, of Indiana Koi Club,  said the club has a health group now and 16 of the 20 are going for their certification.  Their pond tour, last month, had 300 people with the club making money.  They will have their annual BBQ Sept. 16th.   Pat Christensen, of Northwest K&GFC, said that things are going very well.  Will have a pond tour Sept. 16 or 17th.  .Nellie Hawley, of North Florida KC, said the club just had their auction and club meeting; felt it was one of the best monthly events that they have had in a long time.  They are working on next years AKCA Seminar.  Mona Coleman, of Northern Nevada PC, said everything is OK.  Things are slow but they are having their monthly meetings and working on programs for next year.  Lester Berkow, of Tropical K&WG of So. Florida, said that the club is doing very well.  David Vince, of West Tennessee PS, said the club is meeting only every other month but is still active and their meeting are directed on koi health.  Norm Call, of Oregon K&WGS, said everything is going well.  They had a good summer and will have their annual BBQ Sept. 17th.  Bob tried but was unable to reach Sierra KC and The Greater Ponds & Koi Soc. of West Mich.

 

q       Written report submitted by Burt:  Arley Hulstrand, of K&WGC of No. Texas, said the speaker at the Sept. meeting will be Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden, chairman of the Biology dept. at the University of Dallas.  Dr. Marsden, an outstanding researcher and teacher, will discuss global warming.  Also their membership chairman has prepared beautiful packets for new members.  This is the first time the club has offered packets to new members.  Each packet will contain one of the KOI USA seven-issues-for the price of six  introductory subscription cards.  They continue to encourage “old” members to subscribe, as most have koi in their water gardens.  Johnny Foster, of Nature’s Coast K&WGC, said their last meeting was great; the Gainesville club joined them (40-50 people).  Joe Pawluk showed a video of Pondapolooza and then Q & A of Joe; had a field trip on Labor Day to a Ginger farm in Gainesville.  Next meeting @ the Foster’s before their koi show.  Jesus Brito, of Oklahoma KS, said it has been raining almost daily; up to 5” in 2 hours.  Next meeting @ Michael Kimberling’s; will be on pond construction.  Henry Culpepper, of Orlando Area K&PC, said their meeting @ Aquatic eco systems; a lot of new members attended.  Henry & Mike McMahon did a talk on kohaku & showa’s and their history.  Rod Lawton, of ZNA Southern KA, said they are preparing for Naples Koi Show Nov. 16-18 @ Naples Depot Museum because it’s a bigger site and more public exposure.  Barb Flowers, of Rocky Mountain KC, said their koi show went well with 138 koi; the Grand Champion was a male kohaku owned by Jan & Scott Thompson.  Next meeting they are trying to get a speaker on Victoria water lilies.  Joe White, of Florida East Coast K&WGS, said their next meeting is joint meeting with Orlando Club with a panel discussion and a speaker on a koi variety and a local artist that was in KOI USA will bring some of her paintings; the club is still helping on the pond @ the State Agriculture center.  Sandi Soedjono, of Dallas Koi Kichi Group, said they are having more rain; installed new officers with 13 new members; meetings will be divided for beginners and old timers.  Last meeting Ben Soedjono showed how to make emergency quarantine tank & then demonstrated how to catch koi.  Debby Young, of Southern Arizona KA, said Tom Ayer’s lectures on why people should show koi; next meeting @ the presidents’ house and demo how to catch & bag koi for a show; getting ready for Nov. show.  Linda Montgomery, of Cascade K&GFC, said their last meeting was at a Japanese Gardens; speaker on Japanese Lanterns.  Next month is display @ Portland Expo home & Garden show; also going to a member’s home for pruning pines & maples demo.  Jim Hooper, of Mendocino Coast K&WGS, said nominations for officers for elections in Oct.; temperatures are cooling down already; planning for Xmas party in Dec.  John Case, of San Francisco Bay Area KC, said they are going to help the Camellia Koi Club show & will hold their regular meeting there; postponed pond tour until next year; otherwise, all is quiet; planning Xmas party.  Denise Williams, of Santa Clara Valley K&WGC, said they had a very successful South Bay Home & Garden Show.  There was a large turn out of people and they were able to help many with pond problems.  They also signed up new members and got 75 names on a list for notification of their Pond Tour next year.  Saturday is the Santa Cruz Pond Tour and of course Dan Rutledge is working very hard on it.  The tour will be a big success as of course will his wonderful BBQ that follows.  Saturday, Oct. 20th , is their last Pond Social of the year.  This is a get together held at different members homes during the summer on the Saturday following their Friday meeting night.  This month they will be meeting at Barbara Jackson’s home and will have a great time from 1-4 pm.

 

q       Written report submitted by Larry:  Shelly Klinger, of Central Illinois WG, said they will meet Sept. 8th at the home of Bess Desch.  The guest speaker will be Tim Getz, owner of Getz Greenhouses in Eureka.  Tim will discuss shutting down your pond for the winter.  The October meeting will be a social with election of officers.  Jackie Tridle is stepping down as president as she will be moving to Florida.  She has been a great asset to CIWG.  Joan Woelfel, of St. Louis WGS, said they held its banquet at the Jewel Box in Forest Park (site of the 1904 World’s Fair), to honor two of their outstanding members: Gail Abernathy and Pat Henderson.  This month, they have a program on preparing ponds for the winter, as well as their Tiki

 

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q       (evening) tour of seven or eight ponds lit up at night.  Darlene Jennings, of Mid-Michigan P&WGS, said their Pond tour was a huge success, with 177 tickets sold and a lot of smiles and positive comments from the visitors.  Their Sept. meeting will be at Joe Pegues home in Flint, Michigan.  This club has awarded grants for building water features at churches and non profits, this year they have awarded $4,200 .  No response from Prairieland Pond & Koi Club. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Phil Hunter:  James Slider, of the Capital Area K&WGC, reports that the August meeting was held at the home of Troy & Wendy Pitcher.  While it rained during the day, it stopped in the evening and everyone had a great time.  At the end of August 31 members of the club toured Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids.  The September meeting will be held at Luke’s Landscaping in Haslett.  Rich Luke will be speaking about pond lighting, sound systems and other special additions to the pond.  Tess Little, of the Dayton K&GFC, reports that the August meeting was held at the home of Dick & Carolyn Booher, whose home is situated on the Mad River in Springfield.  The meeting was the annual picnic and members enjoyed chatting while watching a steady stream of canoes and kayaks float down the river.  In addition the members enjoyed looking at the ponds, waterfalls, antique cars and donkeys on the property.  Don Hellard, of the Gainesville KC, reports that the club is in the planning stages for a koi show in January.  In addition they are prepping for the Naples SKA show in November.  Claudia McGowan, of the Inland Empire WG&KS, reports that the August meeting was held “pond side” at the home of Cai & Jackie Kabrell.  The purpose of the meeting was to install a liner in a new 25’x50’x8’ pond.  The liner weighted roughly 1500 pounds.  The “helpers’ successfully put the liner in place in about 10 minutes.  The September meeting will be held at the Manito Park meeting room.  The subject will be trickle filtration and/or getting water garden plants ready for winter.  Judith Minor Roberts, of the Mountaineer K&WGS, reports that clubs last meeting of the year will be held Sept. 25th at the home of Roddy & Elizabeth Conrad.  New officers will be elected for the next fiscal year.  The speaker is left as a surprise.  Tom Tranbarger, of the Shasta K&WGC, reports that the August meeting was held at the home of Terry & Marilyn Swanson.  Loretta Haan gave a presentation on plants and water gardening.  The September meeting will be a Pot Luck Dinner at the home of Bob & Penney Hart.  Linda Siler, of the Springfield WGS, reports that everyone had a great time at the August meeting which was held at Garden Adventures owned by Dow & Linda Whitening.  Linda gave a very informative program on butterflies in the garden.  The September meeting will be held at the home of Dave & Helen Simmons.  The program will be on controlling phosphates in the water garden.  High phosphate levels encourage unsightly algae growth.  Also in Sept. is the Annual Fall Festival in the Japanese Stroll Gardens in Nathaniel Green Park and the Wickman Gardens Fall Festival.  And finally, the club will hold a Tiki Tour featuring the ponds of Jim Silzeff, Dave & Helen Simons, Jerry & Sara O-Quinn, and Steve & Charlene Gueulette.  Each garden has a specific time that it can be visited so that the hosts can also partake of the tour.

 

q       Written report submitted by Carole Elliott:  Larry Hursh, of Gennesse Valley Pond & KC, said that they started getting ready for fall by having a presentation on Lotus at their Sept. meeting.  While they  had discussed this plant before, some recent info provided new insights into this wonderful plant.  The new info will review modified planting soil, summer care as well as winter preparation and care.  These could be important facts for them in colder climates and might encourage more of their water garden members to try them again.  Their Oct. meeting will also discuss over-wintering various water garden plants and some of the techniques for jump-starting them in spring.  By early Nov. the days are already shorter and dreary.  Therefore, they are planning on a slide presentation of the IWGS symposium in Thailand this summer.  They hope that the bright flowers and marvelous gardens of this presentation will encourage their members to think pleasant thoughts and make new plans for their gardens during the winter months, when their ponds are mostly white and hidden.  Gloria Ricigliano, of Puget Sound KC, said they had their 10th annual koi show on Aug. 4/5th; entries were down about 20 fish but the show was still a success.  Their auction and raffles were quite plentiful.  They had Burt Ballou and David Young as their judges and they were very helpful to all their questions.  Gene Anderson put on a power point slide show at their banquet and everyone enjoyed the presentation.  Their grand champion fish is owned by Philip Ricigliano.   Gary Floyd, of Amarillo Koi Society,  said the club took 7 fish to Denver and won 7 first place in size 5 or 6; male champion size 5 kohaku, and one other prize.  They had a great time.  They have purchased another show tank to put into their inventory for that show they want to have someday.  The club received from the IRS their 501©3 status and have posted all necessary info on their website should national need any info.  There is some talk on the OWG rolling its membership into AKS; exploring the options with their offices and theirs.  The Texas Assoc. of Pond Society “TAPS” had it’s convention on July 27/28th in San Antonio at Water Gardens and Gems.  Gary headed the convention committee this year and is the State President this year.  They hope to have next years convention in Houston on the same weekend.  Ray Jordan spoke on History of Koi, Chris Mills of

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q       International Filters talked on filter and water quality, Dr. Patricia Varner of Texas AM in Austin talked about fish disease and fish health and how they could help diagnose fish for them when they have problems.  Duane Eaton talked about Amazon or Victorian Lilies and Malcolm Johnson talked about Native fish.  Jan Jordan, of Mid-Columbia K&PC, said the Sept. business meeting was at the home of Ron & Gloria Boedeker.  This was the last meeting before the annual pond tour.  They had excellent weather for the pond tour on Sat. 9/8 with 7 ponds.  Their Chairperson, Carmen Stafford did an amazing job as did President, Phyllis & V.P. Ruth Ashely when they set up an instant win raffle at one pond, netting an extra $155 for the club.  Raffle prizes had been donated by Microbelift, the MCK&PC and Marilyn Swearingen.  Their workers tour and all-club regular meeting will be the following weekend at Jim & Tina Morris who are providing BBQ burgers & hot dogs.  Their newsletter is going electronic for those who would like to save the club some money and will soon appear on their website in color.  The end of Sept. the club is sponsoring a Bio-Security Seminar with Tim Miller-Morgan.

 

q       Written report submitted by Spike Cover:  Tom Ayers, of Tucson KS, reports they had their last meeting at Tom’s home on Aug. 25th.  96% of their club membership showed up (26 people).  AKCA Koi of the Year and AKCA person of the year awards were presented to Tom.  They also talked about the new AKCA insurance and what they are doing for the next year.  Dan Phillips, of NCKWS, said six new members have joined in the last two months; two were corporate.  August meeting was well attended at the home of George & Pat Wallace where they had a koi pop quiz and prizes of donated product for the top five winners.  The motion to hold a koi photo contest this Fall was approved.  The officer selection process for 2008 will begin in Sept.  Mud pond ikeage is first week of October.  They now have four certified KHAs with two more members just starting the KHA program, class of 2008!  They had 34 at their June meeting, nine of which were first timers.  June meeting was at the house of Tim & Megan Hodge.  They held a Q&A session; food & social was great as always.  Three NCKWS members just returned from the annual Seminar in Phoenix where they completed KHA certification – Rich Eitel, John Develin and Roger Lias.  Tamara Skaggs, of the NMZNA, said they had their koi show in Indianapolis June 30-July 1st.  It was deemed a success with twice as many vendors and fish than every before.  The koi show committee met at Dick Thomas’ house the end of

July to revamp and improve for next year.  The show date for next year has been set for June 21-22.  They are working planning a fall meeting and Christmas meeting.  Ray Jordan, of Texas K&FGFS, said several TKFGS members traveled to the Denver show last month to show koi and help with koi wrangling.  Work is proceeding on schedule for their 15th annual show in San Antonio, Oct. 13-14.  More show info at www.texaskoi.com.  They have several first time entrants and the club is giving a live demonstration on netting, bagging and transporting koi at their Sept. club meeting.  They are buying a loaner oxygen tank and regulator that members can borrow to help them bag their fish to bring to their show.  They would like to see a future AKCA Seminar in Las Vegas but not in the summer as that would be too hot to enjoy sightseeing and pond tours.  Consider a special leaflet/booklet on basic koi keeping be included as premium in KOI USA subscriptions as an incentive to new subscribers.

 

q       Written report submitted by Harlan Glenn:  Chuck Poppe, of ZNA Potomac, reported that they had a very successful koi show on Sept. 8 & 9th with 32 tanks and 186 high quality fish.  Chuck & Doris Poppe went to a koi show in Holland.  Chuck was a judge; they had 500 fish in 140 tanks; had a fantastic time.  Bill Thompson, of Koi Club of San Diego, said the club will have a pond tour of 3 beautiful ponds in the Point Loma/La Jolla area on Oct. 20th.  For more info contact Shirley Elswick at (619) 222-9824.  The next meeting will be a picnic Oct. 14th in San Dieguito Park.

 

q       Written report submitted by Joyce Glenn:  Dave Peebler, of Koi Club of Kansas,  reported that they just need to install a wrought iron fence to his new pond; the pond is a big one and the yard around it will hold lots of people for club meetings.  Rod MacNeil, of the Charleston Showa KC, said that nothing much is going on in Charlotte.  Several members are going to the Charlotte Show; some are going to Koi America and some are going to Atlanta.  Michael Anderson, of Atlanta KC, reported they added four new members,

bringing them up to a total of 144 plus nine sponsors.  Planning for their annual show is complete.  The tanks are all sold out.  Tshirts, trophies and other show items have all been purchased.  The Head Judge for Nishikigoi is Nicole Lembke with Debbie Hester and Jan Thompson also judging.  Art Lembke will judge Goldfish.  The Nomination Committee is preparing a list of candidates for the October election.  Club members received an invitation from Carl Forss and Vicki Vaughan to attend a Labor Day cookout and launch a new mud pond.  The photos were wonderful.     Bob Waag, of Florida West Coast, reported they held their club meeting on Sunday, Sept. 9th; guest speaker was Michelle Scranton.  Michelle is a new club member and a landscape architect.  She gave them some great ideas for plantings around their water gardens and their yards in general.  Their club also discussed different concepts for a possible future pond tour,

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reestablishing their club members’ pond of the month visits and more ideas for their newsletter articles.  It was an interesting round table discussion.  They also reminded everyone Paula Biles and her trip to Thailand is the program for next month.  Bonnie Nakahara, of Hawaii Goldfish & Carp, said that the club just participated in the annual Labor Day Okinawan Festival and it was celebrating 25 years.  Bonnie Nakahara wasn’t sure how long the club has been participating, but they have been doing so for some years now.  There is always a good turnout and this year about 20,000 people passed through in three days.  The next meeting they are welcoming a speaker from the Board of Water supply on Oahu.  He will be speaking to the club on the plans to increase chlorination to comply with EPA standards by 2009.  This has been a concern for all of the members and other fish keepers on the island.  Joyce Tsuji, of Washington K&WGS, said that they had their annual koi show.  They had a great turnout with beautiful weather.  The final numbers are not in yet, but judging from what Joyce saw, she expects that the auction and young fish sales did well.  Bundling the smaller items for a silent auction on Saturday during and after the judging worked well and made the Sunday live auction less tedious. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Kelly Houston:  The Inland Koi Society general meeting will be on Sept. 23rd at the koi business of Terry & Karen Harrison in Riverside.  In November they will have elections for the slate of officers and board members.  Guest-speaker is Bob Walters the topic is “Moving Water” because flow rate is important to making any filtration work.

 

PROXY CALLS FOR OCTOBER

§         If your club is interested in the 2010 Seminar – get your proposal in before the next AKCA board meeting!!

§         Is there a site you would love to go back to for another Seminar?

§         How many members does your club have; how many subscribe to KOI USA?

 

Upcoming AKCA Annual Calendar Events for OCTOBER

·         Finance Committee meets

·         AKCA dues deadline

·          AKCA and KOI USA Inc. annual budgets updated

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

Ø       AKCA Bookstore:  Burt brought in samples of items to sell in the bookstore; discussion.  It was felt that rather than selling t-shirts we should sell polo shirts with embroidered logos.  Burt went over cost of varied items.  It was stated that we sold 40 caps and 13 visors at the Phoenix Seminar. Discussion about Q Gifts link to our website.  Burt felt that it should be reciprocal.  Motion:  To approve a link with Q-Gifts.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Joyce.  Approved with 1 opposed.  It was felt that we should have an official t-shirt/polo shirt.  Bill suggested a fleece jacket.

 

NEW BUSINESS:  None

 

Motion: