TVMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

October 26, 2005, Radisson Resort
South Padre Island, TX

 

 

There being a quorum present, President Ray Erwin called the October 26, 2005, TVMA Board Meeting to order at 12:30 pm.  The following members were present:  Ray Erwin, David Wall, Myron Rabalais, Paul Northcutt, Michelle McAfee, Steve Prather, Howard Pierson, Rob Brooks, Robert Lane, Jim Cruser, Richard Karber, Rick Bennett and Scott Dunham.

 

Paul Northcutt read the minutes of the September 30, 2005 conference call Board Meeting.  A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the minutes as read.

 

Officer Reports were received as follows:

 

President:  Ray Erwin welcomed the new Board Members to the TVMA board and welcomed their new ideas to the TVMA leadership.  Ray felt the conference went well and will address those later.   

Vice-President:  Jim Cruser thanked TVMA for the confidence in him.  Jim indicated that members are already volunteering for the 2006 Program Committee,.  He discussed the possibility of YO Ranch tours, shopping tours for spouses, golf, skeet/trap shooting, gambling / Texas Hold-em, etc..  Suggestions received have included spouse trips, and to bring a variety of speakers into the conference, looking at different topics.  Jim will contact, for a possible keynote speaker, the supervisor of the Kerr Wildlife Management Area.  The Board encouraged that as a positive suggestion.

 

Treasurer:  Myron Rabalais distributed the Treasurer’s report.  Myron indicated that a final financial picture is not available as there are still checks to be posted and still bills to be paid.  From his preliminary estimate, it appears that TVMA has grossed approximately $29,205.00.  Final expenses for the Radisson and some speakers have not been received at this time.  The preliminary estimate looks like TVMA will clear approximately $7,000 from the conference.   A MOTION WAS MADE, SECONDED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT 10/26/05.  A MOTION WAS MADE, SECONDED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT OF 10/25/05. 

 

Secretary-Editor:  Paul Northcutt estimated approximately 180 – 190 personnel in attendance at the conference. 

 

Past-President:  David Wall thanked Ray and the program committee for a good job.  David  reported on the Past-President breakfast held 10/26/05.  Attendees at this function were Jim Crosby, Rich Hendler, Ron Held, Dennis Markwardt and Steve White, with David Wall, Paul Northcutt and Jim Cruser.  The purpose of the meeting was to receive input from the past president and give them an opportunity to provide guidance and suggestions.  Ray Erwin recommends that we continue hosting a Past-President’s breakfast in future years. It was the consensus of the group to host more training workshops throughout the State, as well as working with the TDA on “invasive species.”

 

Committee Reports were given as follows:

 

Nominating:  Ray Erwin will chair this committee for 2005-2006.    

 

Internal Audit:  No internal audit report was received. 

 

Membership: Scott Dunham will continue chairing this committee.  Scott discussed that the hurricane issues has taken a good bit of the drive out of the membership program.  Approximately 80 individuals became new members this year, but most were the result of our CEU workshops.  Paul will prepare a list of those members who dropped out in the last two years; and Paul and Scott will work on contacting those former members and inviting them back.  The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center will host an invasive species conference on 17-19 November.  A MOTION WAS MADE, SECONDED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD THAT IF THERE IS A REGISTRATION FEE FOR THIS CONFERENCE, TVMA PICK UP THE FEE FOR ONE TVMA MEMBER TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE.

 

2005 Program – Jim Cruser will chair this committee.

 

Scholarship:  Rob Brooks will chair this committee.  Rob indicated how hard it is to get applications for our scholarships;  applicants simply do not apply.  Rob needs continued help for silent auction items to raise funds for scholarship.

 

Training: Rick Bennett will chair this committee.  The 2005 training went very well.  We had approximately 19 students.  It appears that 100% of the students will pass the TDA exam.

 

Legislative:  No report was received, and Rich Hendler will continue as chair.    

 

Advisory:   David Wall provided an update on our meeting with TDA and will continue as Committee Chair.  Ray Erwin suggests that we have a Board meeting in Austin and meet with TDA as well.  David Wall will contact TDA and work on a suitable date for a possible meeting.

 

Research:  Howard Pierson will continue to chair this committee.  Howard has found an individual who is capable of performing a literature search of available applicable research.  The Committee needs to write a proposal which outlines the scope of work and the specific deliverables, and the estimated cost for this work.  Howard will continue to develop the proposal for this effort.

 

Awards:  Ray Erwin will chair this committee.    

 

Unfinished Business

 

The Houston CEU joint TVMA/TCE training will be attended by Myron Rabalais, Ron Held and A.J. Thibodeaux, in Baytown and Hockley on January 19th in Hockley, and January 20th in Baytown.

 

David Wall will select an out of state vegetation management conference to attend during the 2005-2006 calendar year. 

 

Ray Erwin will provide the Historical information to Paul Northcutt for development of a historical page on the web site.

 

Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative requested a refund for three (3) employees who pre-paid for the conference, but due to hurricane efforts, they could not attend.  A MOTION WAS MADE, SECONDED AND APPROVED TO REFUND $75 TO EACH OF THE THREE MEMBERS, RETAINING $25 TO KEEP THEM AS GENERAL MEMBERS.

 

A comment was received from a member that the spouse registration seemed excessive given the return.  After discussion, the Board saw no justification to adjust the cost of spouse registration for the 2005-2006 conference year.

 

Given the fact that the membership approved a change to the TVMA By-Laws now authorizes the Board to remove, for cause, and replace, any board member or officer who fails to perform the duties of this office,  A MOTION WAS MADE, SECONDED AND APPROVED UNAMIOUSLY BY THE BOARD TO REMOVE A BOARD MEMBER.  The name of the board member removed is available through the Secretary-Editor.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE, SECONDED AND APPROVED UNAMIOUSLY BY THE BOARD TO APPOINT SCOTT DUNHAM TO REPLACE FILL THIS BOARD VACANCY WITH A TERM TO RUN  THROUGH 2006.

 

New Business:

 

Ray Erwin will email potential dates for our next Board Meeting hopefully during the week of December 5th, 2005, in Austin at the TDA building. 

 

It was discussed that TVMA Honorary Members will be extended comp registration to all future TVMA annual conferences.

 

There being no further new business, A MOTION WAS MADE, SECONDED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD TO ADJOURN AT 1:30 PM, 10/26/05.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

Paul Northcutt, TVMA Secretary-Editor