Tennessee Tree Toppers Board of Directors Meeting
January 12, 2008
The meeting was called to order by
President Steve Lee at 9:52 a.m. Central Time. Roll call was
taken with the following board members present: Steve Lee,
Kathy Lee, James Anderson, Ollie Gregory, Buddy Cutts, Keith
Atkins, Clark Harlow, Dan Shell, Eric Donaldson, and Carl Burick.
Absent were Mike Nash, Tom Prouhet, Jeff and Allie Dodgen, and
Mark Poling.
TTT members present were: Marc Fink, Alex
"Fingers" Holstead, Jeff and Alex Laughrey, and Bill Colvin.
Steve and Kathy Lee once again kindly
bought over $100.00 of breakfast groceries for the BOD
meeting. Kathy prepared delicious omelets, fruit salad, banana
bread, and juice for 15 people. Thank you, guys, for another
terrific breakfast!
Ollie Gregory read the December 2007 BOD
Minutes which were accepted by the BOD.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
President: Ollie Gregory nominated Steve
Lee which was seconded. No other nominations. Steve won by
acclamation.
Vice President: Steve Lee nominated James
Anderson which was seconded. No other nominations. James won
by acclamation.
Treasurer: Dan Shell nominated Clark
Harlow which was seconded. No other nominations. Clark won by
acclamation.
Secretary: Steve Lee nominated Keith
Atkins as interim Secretary since he said he would not be able
to attend every meeting. This nomination was seconded. No
other nominations. Keith won by acclamation.
CABINET APPOINTMENTS:
Steve Lee appointed the following Committee
Chairpersons:
Social: Mark
Poling. Mark has plans to save money and actually try to make
money for the TTT.
Safety: Tom Prouhet
Membership: Dan Shell
Website: Buddy Cutts
Maintenance: Carl Burick
Awards: Eric Donaldson
Competition: Ollie Gregory
Newsletter: Keith Atkins
Re-Vamp the Ramp: To be
appointed.
Each Committee Chairman will submit a
budget during the February 2008 BOD meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. The Christmas Party 2007: Clark will
mail a check for $150.00 to Matt Taber for one keg of Sierra
Nevada beer consumed during the party. The Christmas Party
write up is posted on the TTT Home Page.
2. Steve Lee mailed awards to out-of-town
pilots. Clark will write a check for $30.00 to Steve to cover
postage.
3. Matt Taber has requested that LMFP be
included in the TTT flight of the year contest. After
discussion, the BOD voted against this proposal.
4. Steve Lee awarded Keith Atkins a
T-shirt for assistance with Team Challenge, donation of six
Favorite Neighbor soap baskets, and USHPA articles and photos.
5. Bill Priday Lawsuit: Dan Shell said
the motion to dismiss was denied and we are awaiting the TTT's
attorney's advice regarding interlocutory appeal.
6. Endowment Fund: Stacy Murdock, CPA may
be willing to advise the BOD about how best to invest funds in
the LZ Endowment Fund.
7. Land Easement Project: Clark talked to
Mr. Allen about the fee and paid a $500.00 down payment. Mr.
Allen told Clark he will talk to his partners and see if he can
get the fee reduced to around $2500.00.
8. Favorite Neighbor Gifts: Kathy Lee
delivered soap baskets to Ms. Hudson, Mr. and Mrs. Castle, and
Mr. Standifer plus a ham to Ms. Hudson and a check for $100.00
to the Dunlap Rescue Squad.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Clark Harlow reported that he has
received Re-vamp the Ramp checks totaling $400.00, so far. The
BOD appreciates these early pledge contributions, initiating the
TTT's "Re-vamp the Ramp" fund raising efforts. The following
pilots have pledged $100.00: Tom Primavera, David Giles, Jeff
Nibler, Ray Helman, James Anderson, Candice Azermendi, Alain
Azermendi, and Nate Newkirk. The following pilots have pledged
$200.00: Keith Atkins and Jeff Laughrey. The BOD encourages
everyone to pledge whatever amount they can and send in their
checks as soon as possible.
Re-vamp the Ramp: Jim Lamb has
generously agreed to match whatever funds the TTT raises for the
ramp project.
Steve and Kathy Lee arranged for S & H
Steel to bid on the ramp project which will include ten 3x3
angle iron supports rolled to the same curve as the existing
ramp. Two light weight beams and six light weight support legs
embedded in concrete will also be installed. The ramp will be
decked with wood to maintain the look, feel, and characteristics
of the ramp we all know and love.
Ollie and Carl suggested that we raise the
funds needed to have the project built professionally. General
discussion ensued and the BOD agreed to get additional bids on
this project. The Re-Vamp the Ramp Fund Raiser will be planned
and we will petition USHPA Foundation for Free Flight for
matching funds. Clark will set up the necessary account for
the Ramp Project. Ollie plans to write and submit an article
about the history of the ramp and the plans for rebuilding the
ramp for The Oz Report and/or USHPA magazine. Bill Colvin
suggested an engineer for a second opinion. Fund raising plans
will get underway after the BOD makes a final decision on the
best bid for the build. The tentative starting date for
rebuilding the ramp will likely be after Team Challenge 2008.
2. TTT in the News: Keith Atkins, Ollie
Gregory, Steve Prater, and Kevin Carter had their Team Challenge
articles and photos published in the January 2008 issue of USHPA.
Additional Team Challenge photos by Cheryl Uhl, Ray Helman,
Colin Hodsdon, Dave Dunning, Wayne Walker, Jerry Keller, and
Cathi Hayes were published in the same issue. The TTT and Team
Challenge garnered fantastic exposure from the contributions of
these writers and photographers.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Treasurer's Report: Clark Harlow reported
the General Account total is currently at $3225.17 and the CD
total is $46, 232.81.
$16,731.41 income for 2007
$13,611.58 expenses for 2007
$3119.91 net profit for 2007
Safety Report: Tom was absent. Dan Shell
has written the Wire launch FRP revision which he read during
the BOD meeting and approved by the BOD. Buddy will add the
FRP revision to the TTT web site. Dan also read his suggested
revisions about Tandem Approval. After discussion, the BOD
approved these revisions which will be added to the FRP link on
the TTT web site by Buddy. Well done, Dan. As of now, Clark
Harlow and Don Murdock are the only approved Tandem Pilots and
Marc Fink's application for Tandem approval is in process.
Ollie filed his accident report and Tom
Prouhet filed Jim Salletti's accident report.
By-laws: Mike Nash was absent.
Website: Buddy had nothing to report.
Membership: Dan reported we have 107
current members; 66 are annual members. Ollie raised the
question of increasing membership dues and discontinuing the
$1.00/1 flight a year option. These issues were tabled for
committee discussion and coordination with Mike Nash on the
By-Laws.
Maintenance: Carl will assess needs and
take suggestions for 2008 maintenance projects. Ollie
suggested building an outdoor shower. Carl will report back
next month with a plan.
Awards: Eric had nothing to report.
Social: Mark was not present but has plans
to save money on social events this year.
Competition: Ollie has sent notices to The
Oz Report and USHPA about TC 2008. Ollie moved that the BOD
investigate an East Coast Points Comp for 2009 or 2010. James
seconded. Approved.
Newsletter: Keith asked for contributions
to the newsletter and will post a request for newsletter
material on the TTTFlymail and Region 6 hang gliding forums.
Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m. Central
time.
Submitted by Keith Atkins
January 12, 2008
