The January 2006 Board of Directors meeting of the Forest Fire Lookout Association was called to order at 8:55 on the 14 January 2006 at the Magnus Memorial Tree Farm World Forestry Center, Ladd Hill Road, Sherwood Oregon. The officer presiding was Chairman Keith Argow. Board members present, include:
Keith
Argow, Chairman
Rob Hoeye,
Secretary
Gary Weber, Treasurer,
Editor, North Idaho-Montana Director
Dave
Bula, Western Deputy Chair, Eastern Washington Director
Howard
Verschoor, Oregon Director
Marie
Hall, Northern California Director
George
Morey, Southern California Director
Ray
Grimes, New Jersey member and past Secretary
Rick
McClure, U.S. Forest Service
Don
Allen, Sand Mountain Society
Sarah
Miggins, Exec.. Director. San Bernardino National Forest Association
Ed
Siefert, New Jersey member
Jim
Liddicoat, Oregon member
Linda
Liddicoat
Howard Verschoor
described the facilities, including the tower standing in the farm, and described
the Sunday tour to the nearly completed ODF Learning Center near Tillamook.
Hoeye moved approval of the minutes of the 2006 Board of Directors meeting at Roanoke Virginia January 2006, the Eastern conference in Rhode Island August 2006 and the Western conference in McCall ID September 2006, Seconded by Verschoor, the motion passed.
Chairman Argow presented the agenda for the meeting.
Reports from the Eastern Deputy Director and individual states were read. Please see the attached reports for details.
Reports from the Western Deputy Director and individual states were read. Allen of the Sand Mountain Society related that groups accomplishments over the past year. Please see the attached reports for details.
Hall reports that her continued service as Northern California director is no longer possible. She will actively seek a replacement and make recommendation to the board. She will continue to play a significant roll in lookout advocacy and preservation in Northern California but can no longer commit to the level of involvement needed to perform the duties of director. She will miss the interactions with the other directors and wishes all the best in our quest.
Weber reporting
|
2005 National Account | |||||
| Approved | Actual | 2005 +/- | |||
|
1/15/2005 | 12/31/2005 | ||||
|
Income | |||||
| Balance Forward |
$2,032.31 | $2,032.31 | $0.00 | ||
| Dues |
$11,000.00 | $9,220.00 | -$1,780.00 | ||
| Donations |
$200.00 | $701.00 | $501.00 | ||
| Merchandise Sales |
$1,500.00 | $653.00 | -$847.00 | ||
| Total |
$14,732.31 | $12,606.31 | |||
|
Expenses | |||||
| Newsletter |
-$6,000.00 | -$6,230.43 | -$230.43 | ||
| Chapter Distributions |
-$1,600.00 | -$715.77 | $884.23 | ||
| Brochures |
-$3,000.00 | -$2,235.37 | $764.63 | ||
| Welcome packets/cards |
-$525.00 | $0.00 | $525.00 | ||
| Restoration Grants |
-$2,500.00 | -$700.00 | $1,800.00 | ||
| Merchandise Purchase |
-$800.00 | $0.00 | $800.00 | ||
| Web page mgmt/host |
-$150.00 | -$100.00 | $50.00 | ||
| Executive committee |
-$157.00 | -$114.62 | $42.38 | ||
| Total |
-$14,732.00 | -$10,096.19 | |||
|
National Account Balance 12/31/05 | $2,510.12 | ||||
Weber reported that 95 members failed to renew and 98 people became new members, for a total year end membership of 862.
The 2005 report of the Lookout Restoration Grant Committee was read by Weber. Copy attached.
PROPOSAL:
To
make the grant making process more predictable:
1)
Make the grant application process known
2)
Include dates, timeframes and advocate names
3)
Require submission through the division director
4)
Require Division Director to track and provide annual reports about the
grant (project) until the grant (project) is fully exercised (complete).
Weber moved to adopt the process, Seconded by Hall, the motion passed.
. Chairman Argow reported on the progress and importance of the local “chapter” concept. It empowers local advocates with the clout of the nationally recognized organization. It gives title and leverage to local leaders. With it, local advocates can use their title to signify their leadership in the state and national associations thereby enabling the respect of agency’s and press in terms of commitment to the preservation of the local lookout resources. The local “chapter” is always responsible to the Division State Director, providing regular and valuable feedback to the Executive Committee about status and achievements. The local “chapter” can also utilize the 503C status of the national board to accept tax-deductible donations.
The American Resources Group is progressing with the development and distribution of an adaptation of the famed L4 lookout building (cab). Provided in kit form, -it will accept standard pre-hung windows (not included), it will be available for sale on the internet and in magazines.. The Colorado State Park Department has placed the first order.
For the Plus members, be advised that access to discount commercial fueling services of Pacific Pride is now available. Check National Woodlands Magazine for details.
2006 is poised to be a pivotal year in terms of helping preserve the history and archaeology of the Forest Service. It is well known that the FS is challenged to care for all of the buildings it has accumulated through the years. Archeologists, managers and the general public are at odds over how to balance the needs of the heritage in the face of diminishing funding. To help with the dissemination of information, www.forestranger.org has been created as a resource and outreach to agency archeologist and the concerned public. It should be considered a sister organization with focus on non lookout structures.
The work of cataloguing standing and past lookouts is progressing well. This information is them posted on our website. The results are impressive. Thanks to many Directors for their good work.
A challenge for 2006 is the strengthening of the number of younger members. We are an aging group, where the “same usual suspects” regularly attend the gatherings. To keep the gatherings fresh and vital we need to encourage non-member and potential member participation.
All told, the State of the FFLA at the end of 2005 is Excellent! Many thanks go to the directors and members who have made this possible. Keep up the great work. 2006 looks even better!
There were 16 ballots returned for the 2006 election. Chairman Argow appointed a Tellers Committee of Rick McClure and Ed Siefert, two FFLA members who are not on the Board to count the ballots.
There were 16 ballots cast, all nominees were confirmed.
Chairman of the Board: Keith Argow
Eastern Deputy Chair: Henry Isenberg
Treasurer: Gary Weber
Hoeye moved the acceptance of the election report, Seconded by Weber, the motion passed.
Weber read the submitted report from the Answer Man, see the attached report.
Weber related the activities and progress made by the newsletter for 2005. See the attached report for details.
The new printer will not only provide full color (every page) but perform the mailing too. Details on how to distribute the renewal form (which has been stapled into the news letter, and likely disturb the direct mailings) have not been fully resolved.
The membership report was included with the treasurer’s report above.
It was observed that the current stock of brochures is sufficient to last the coming year.
Treasurer Weber presented the budget proposal.
| 2006 FFLA Budget | |||
|
Proposed | |||
| Income | |||
| Balance Forward | $2,510.00 | ||
| Dues | $9,000.00 | ||
| Donations | $300.00 | ||
| Merchandise Sales |
$1,000.00 | ||
|
Total | $12,810.00 | ||
| Expenses | |||
| Newsletter | $7,000.00 | ||
| Chapter Distributions |
$1,800.00 | ||
| Brochures | $200.00 | ||
| Welcome packets/cards |
$200.00 | ||
| Restoration Grants |
$2,000.00 | ||
| Merchandise Purchase |
$800.00 | ||
| Web page mgmt/host |
$150.00 | ||
| Executive committee |
$160.00 | ||
| Year-end Balance |
$500.00 | ||
|
Total | $12,810.00 | ||
Weber moved to accept this 2006 Budget with dues increase, Seconded by Hall, the motion passed.
The 2006 Eastern conference will be in New Jersey, but no date and location has been announced.
Sarah Miggins Exec. Director of the San Bernadino National Forest Association made a presentation about the efforts ongoing in Southern California. The Southern California Division and SBNFA offered to host the 2006 Western Conference at the National Forest Discovery Center at Big Bear CA the 15th, through 18th of September 2006.
The 2007 Board of Directors meeting will be at the Forest History Society headquarters in Durham North Carolina the 13th and 14th of January 2007.
Bula moved to accept these dates and places, Seconded by Hall, the motion passed.
Chair Argow modeled a sample of a dress shirt with the FFLA logo embroidered above the left pocket. The proposal is to make the shirts available through the Western Heritage online store and newsletter. There will be two colors of shirts available.
Hall moved to approve the logo-ed shirt, Seconded by Verschoor, the motion passed.
Isenberg submitted a proposal to place paid advertising on www.ffla.org as a means of generating income. The issue received considerable email discussion among the Directors, with a majority in opposition.
The Board would like to have a more specific proposal, with checks and balances explained in detail before additional consideration. Chairman Argow appointed a Web Advertising Task Group, chaired by Isenberg with Cobb and Hoeye as members to study the issue and make a recommendation to the Board at the 2007 annual meeting.
Argow proposed the establishment of a ‘lookout archaeologist’ network” It was noted that public agencies have internal newsletters catering to each type of professional discipline, however they are more sporadic than periodic. The intent is to make District Archeologists aware of the resources of the FFLA. It was agreed that the conference in Libby MT, which coincided with a gathering of Archeologists, helped promote this cooperation. We should consider this when planning future conferences.
Accountability standards will be set and required for any and all reimbursements. Weber will be providing them at a later date.
Considering the level that the grants have risen to, the FFLA leadership would like to know that the grants are being acted upon in a timely fashion and appropriately used.
The following priorities were accepted:
Although it is generally known that grants be used for supplies and materials and not be used for labor or transportation costs we prefer that:
1)
Funds be used for the stabilization of buildings in dire need
2)
Matching (and or other) grants be obtained for major repairs
3)
Funds can be used for ongoing maintenance of otherwise uncared for structures.
There being no further business, the 2006 Annual Meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM
Just before sunset most everyone walked to the nearby Magness Tree Farm lookout, the first flight of stairs was removed to inhibit climbing it. The Tree farm is considering removing it if the vandalism and misuse cannot be resolved.
Sunday will be a tour of the near completion Oregon Department of Forestry Tillamook Burn Learning center near Tillamook Oregon, which includes a new lookout. A description of the tour will be in the next issue of Lookout Network.
Rob Hoeye Keith A. Argow
_______________________________ ___________________________________
Secretary Presiding Officer