Minutes of October, 2008 meeting of the Tennessee Tree Toppers.
Meeting called to order by President Steve Lee at 9:23 central
standard time. James Anderson volunteered to take minutes.
Present were James Anderson, Buddy Cutts, Dan Shell, Mike Nash,
Steve Lee, Kathy Lee, Mark Poling, Bill Colvin, and Carl Burick.
Members in attendance were John Sumner, Dave Hopkins, and Sharon
Tubbs, who was kind enough to cook a very fine and much
appreciated breakfast for us. James Anderson made coffee.
Buddy Cutts read the minutes from the last meeting.
Old Business:
Dan Shell reported on the Bill Priday lawsuit. Little has
changed. As it stands, the legal proceedings will be held in
TN, not in CA. Dan reported that there was a request that we
enter mediation. Carl Burick moved (seconded by James Anderson)
that our feelings on any mediation were that "If they want to
drop the lawsuit and cover all our expenses associated with it,
we are OK with that." There was much discussion. Motion
passed.
New Business:
A plea from the Elsinore Hang Gliding Association for funds to
provide for their legal defense of their landing zone was read
by James Anderson. Mike Nash moved that it be placed on our web
site. Seconded by Buddy Cutts. Unanimous.
Mike Nash showed the brass plaque. Missing only the acid etched
photograph (which is coming), everybody agreed that it was
magnificent. A location right out in front of the club house
was selected for the plaque's permanent location. Mike Nash
will look into a suitable rock on which to mount the plaque.
All expressed their appreciation for Mike's (and others) great
efforts.
Thanks to Steve Lee for seeing to the rock by our gate to block
traffic around the gate.
Thanks to Ollie Gregory for securing insurance for the Team
Challenge. Unanimous vote to reimburse him.
Board members agreed to send $500 to the TN land trust in
accordance with earlier discussions by the board.
Discussion on the shady bottom pavilion. Carl Burick
volunteered the use of his truck to move a bench there, a long
overdue move. Thanks Carl.
Discussion of gifts to our favorite neighbors. Kathy Lee
volunteered to take care of it for Mrs. Hudson (soap basket), Mr
Standifer (likewise), the home owner beside the Whitwell church
LZ (fruit basket?), Mr.and Mrs. Castle (ham/turkey?), and Mrs.
Basham (likewise). A $50 gift certificate to the Co Op will be
mailed to Mr Blevins (included because an inconsiderate member
landed in his crops). Mr. Galloway will be recognized and our
standard $100 check to the Whitwell church.
Steve Lee sought nominations for the coming year's board. The
current board is willing to stand again less Tom Pruit and Clark
Harlow. Additional members willing to stand for election
include Nate Newkirk, Mike Bradford, Jeff Nibler, Ricker
Goldsborough, Lucas Ridley, Tip Rogers, Brian Barnes, and Johno
Fisher.
James Anderson reported on his progress with the USHPA board
meeting mixer. The board voted to support the mixer.
Treasurer Bill Colvin reported that there was little change on
our permanent treasury items. There is still some confusion at
this point, but there were net gains from various donations,
Ricker's keg, Jeff Wilson's food. The only tiny loss was
breakfast at -$135, which everybody agreed was well worth it
anyway. Steve Lee reported a net gain of $3,874, more or less,
for the TC.
Competition Committee chair not present. Many thanks to Ollie
for the great job on the TC.
Awards Committee chair not present. Everybody needs to be
thinking about who should be the TTT of the year.
Social Committee chair Mark Poling reports another big success.
The band (Mark Poling, Robert Sims, and Chuck Fergeson) was much
appreciated. Mark will ask LMFP if it is OK to have our
Christmas party in their pavilion on the first Saturday evening
in December. The Pizza providers cooked an additional 15 pizzas
beyond the call of duty. James Anderson moved a check for $150
be sent them to cover that effort. Second Buddy Cutts.
Unanimous. The only complaint was that the only drinks provided
by TTT were beer and water, leaving little choice for the
non-drinkers, youngsters, etc.
Membership Chair Dan Shell pointed out that Greg Heckman is now
in compliance with TTT rules and moved that the board meeting
requirement be waived. Second James Anderson. Unanimous. Tom
and Wanda are checking our database. Thank you Tom and Wanda.
There was discussion of creating a non-flying non-voting
membership status for those who wish to support the club even if
they don't fly. Tabled.
Newsletter Chair not present. Send him something to publish.
Web site Chair Buddy Cutts reports all is well. Many thanks
Buddy.
Bylaws Chair Mike Nash will consider the non-flying non-voting
membership status problem.
Safety Chair Tom Pruit (not present) is reportedly looking into
an accident report for the incident where Mr. Gavin hit a tree
during the TC even though there was little damage.
Maintenance Chair Carl Burick gave his report. The gravel at
the Whitwell launch needs smoothing out and the Basham's need to
be paid for mowing the Whitwell launch. Thank you Carl for a
job well done.
Bill Colvin announced that the Lewis Chapel VFD benefit was
going on and a good place to get lunch. We agreed to send them
$100.
Dan Shell will tell Sean Martin he would be welcome to attend
our board meeting.
Carl Burick motion to adjourn. Buddy Cutts second. Unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 11:45 AM CST.
Respectfully, James Anderson.
