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Saturday morning
dawned Clear, Cold and Beautiful in Kentucky. If fact it was 5 degrees
at the motel! Before the next two days were out, I was again reminded
what a special organization we have, and proud to be your Chairman.
Our meeting was well attended: 41 people. We took time to have the round
of self introductions which revealed a history and interest in fire
lookouts. "Lookout Magic" was evident. My favorites were recollections
that fire towers had some of the only telephones in the area. People
would walk to the lookout to call out for an emergency. If the towerman
was not there, the door was unlocked. The phone lines ran to the ranger
station and forest warden residences.
One woman told of standing on a box to reach the crank on the phone.
Several former tower observers were introduced and added to the story
telling.........something they do well in the Cumberland Mountains!
The meeting was also well attended by Directors or their proxy. Several
of you put your proxy with the ballots, which of course were not opened
until that morning and I did not know they were coming. Nor did I know
Marie Hall would drive across the US with her family all the way from
northern California! Our by-laws are clear that proxies are not needed,
business can be conducted by those who attend a duly called meeting.
I know I bugged several of you, it was important to me to get as much
director participation as possible.... and I am well pleased with the
results.
John Henshaw of the Forest Service and a Member of the 377 Fire Company
counted the ballots. Dave Bula was elected Western Deputy, Rob Hoeye
is our Historian, and Ray Grimes will continue as Secretary. Thank you
all.
We had a formal presentation of the Kentucky Chapter Charter (which
was framed). Our local host, and our newest chapter, did themselves
and FFLA proud. The front page of the Morehead paper had a picture of
Hickory Flats lookout and a large headline: "TOWER POWER".
Saturday night, the KY Chapter hosted a community fish fry as the 377
Fire House. About 200 folks from the community came out in the falling
snow and the Hickory Flats Lookout restoration fund earned $500 profit!!!
Now that is getting off on the right foot in my book!
A real highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the deed to
the Hickory Flats lookout and the land under it to the Hwy 377 Rural
Fire District. 20 of their members are also members of the Ky Chap.
of FFLA. Look for more details of the presentation in the upcoming LOOKOUT
NETWORK.
The next item on the agenda was an excellent presentation by the Kentucky
Division of Forestry. They had sold all eight fire towers in the NE
Ky District, but they went out and got pictures of all of them for a
display, along with condition reports and owner names. The Kentucky
chapter agree to look into to restoration possibilities and maybe getting
some listed on the NHLR. A 1979 state inspection letter was shared recommending
a pair of towers be taken down because of their use as a site for "illicit
love affairs." Fortunately, one of the two is still standing.
The Forest Service District Archeologist gave a glimpse of life in the
area during the depression and World War II years. Besides fire towers
he reviewed CCC camps, early ranger stations, and road projects.
During the BUSINESS MEETING we had an excellent discussion on the strengths
and opportunities of FFLA.
* Minutes of the 2002 Annual Meeting (Virginia Beach) and two summer
meetings (NH and WA) were approved without corrections as distributed
to the Directors.
* John Henshaw gave an update on the FS Challenge Cost Share program.
We will work toward some changes in this initiative that will permit
FFLA to cost share in some restoration projects as well.
* Lookout Video Proposal. Rod Bacon is no longer with PBS. While we
think the idea has merit, there are no plans to fund the program.
* January Annual Meetings. The issue of attendance at the January annual
meeting was discussed at length. In review, these meetings are if fact
well attended, especially if proxies are presented. The timing was deemed
to be important by our founders, and we see no reason to change. We
will continue to emphasize both convenience of travel, cost effectiveness,
and interesting lookout visitation opportunities in selecting the January
meeting sites. MLK weekend will continue to be our preferred date. Two
other important reasons: 1) Approval of the upcoming year's budget,
and 2) Conduct of the national election.
* By-law Changes. Proposals. Dave Quam and Curt Cogan has submitted
a proposal to move Minnesota to the Eastern Region. Steve Cummings in
his written report suggested consideration to four regions to better
focus FFLA projects and growth. I have recommended creation of a southern
region.
None of these proposals were circulated 60 days prior to the annual
meeting. We did have a good discussion of boundaries and the board recommends
a new southern region: consisting of 13 states including and south of
Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma. At some time in the future,
a split of the western region, either on east/west or north/south lines
may be advisable.
My recommendation is that we remove boundary designations from the by-laws
and give the authority to the Board to create up to four regions in
the US, each with either an elected deputy chair. This will make it
easier for the Board to respond to growth and changing opportunities.
By-laws are difficult to change for very good reason......... they are
our guiding procedures. Boundaries are administrative, a board responsibility
within guidelines set out in the bylaws.
I am no longer recommending a minimum number of directors and/or proxies
to conduct a properly called meeting. Our by-laws are fine on this and
the system works.
* By-laws Committee. I have asked Western Deputy Chairman Dave Bulla
to chair a By-laws Committee. Any proposed changes to by-laws should
go to him. When we have proposals, they will be reviewed by the Executive
Committee and then submitted to the Board for consideration in the established
procedure.
* Treasurers report. Within a few days you will receive the 2002 Annual
Financial report from Gary. FFLA has never been in better financial
condition. We approved a balanced 2003 budget which includes.....finally....the
long requested and often postponed FFLA membership brochure and application.
It is full color with pictures of lookouts from all four areas of the
US (much like our popular sweat shirts). Our first printing will be
30,000. That will be enough to distribute to active and participating
lookouts, Forest Service, Park Service and state visitor centers, museums,
Chamber of Commerce office, and shops. The distribution and follow up
will be the responsibility of each chapter director. The draft of the
brochure was approved and the final draft will be shared with directors
by email for review.
* Merchandise report. Sales earned $750 profit in 2002. The 2003 budget
includes $1000 for resupply of merchandises. We have an offer from Pat
Lynch, to help market our merchandise through his mail order house,
and I recommend we take him up on it. Merchandise is a proven, and continuing
source of income for FFLA.
* Restoration Report. The increase in restoration grants from $50 to
$100 as proposed by Chairman Spear was approved.
* Election Committee: A new election committee was appointed and approved.
Chair: John Henshaw, USFS, with Marie Hall (Nor CA) and Danny Blevins
(KY) as members.
* Next National Chairman. The first task of the Election Committee will
be a search for a Board Chair to be elected in January 2004. Nominations
may be sent to Committed Chair Henshaw or either member: Hall or Blevins.
An early call for candidates is important, there is much going on.
The 2003 FFLA annual meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM, January 18.
Sunday morning we hiked to Hickory Flats fire tower and held a brief
ceremony honoring its listing in the National Historic Lookout Register
(KY# 4). The day was clear and the view from the cab magnificient. The
ground house is in very good condition and restoration of both the tower
and ground house will get underway soon.
Following lunch members traveled to Tater Knob Lookout (NHLR KY# 1).
If time permitted, they planned to reach others as well. John Henshaw
and I headed back to Norther Va.
In a few days all the 22 voting directors of FFLA will receive special
non-binding email "ballot" entitled LOVOT (lookout vote).
Included will be a copy of the 2003 budget and an opportunity to express
you preference on each of the items voted on and approved at the annual
meeting.
I know that annual meeting was held in full acccordance with by-law
procedures, and the actions approved are just that.....already approved.
However, concensus and expression of opinion has always been important
to FFLA. I want every board member to have the opportunity to express
their "vote" on each item approved. I will share these ballots
with the full board. Participation in LOVOT is entirely up to you. I
would not expect to hear from those of you who attended the meeting
in person. Those of you who participated by proxy are urged to respond......if
for nothing else for us to see how well we represented you!
Respectfully submitted, Keith.
Keith A Argow Chair, FFLA
President
National Woodland Owners Assoc
374 Maple Ave East, #310
Vienna VA 22180
Ph: 703-255-2700
Fax: 703-281-9200
Email: argow@nwoa.net
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