Montana SAF Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

March 7, 2002

Butte, MT – State Meeting

Attendees: Sam Gilbert, Mark Teply, Mark Boardman, Paul McKenzie, Dan Pittman, Scott Kuehn, Dave Stack, Rick Franke, Bev Yelczyn, Bruce Schlaebitz, Dale Kerkvliet, John Northey, Dennis Devaz, Bob Pfister

Chair Steve Hayes called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting. He then called for reports, beginning with the Treasurer’s Report.

Secretary/Treasurer’s Report: A motion was made, seconded and approved to approve the Executive Committee meeting minutes from January 26, 2002 as previously presented. The minutes have been posted to the website. Rick Franke reviewed the financial statement for the period January 1 through March 5. Checking balance as of 3/5/02 is $3,655.10, with $385.23 in the Forester’s Fund Membership Grant Fund, $306.11 in the Dick Guth Memorial Fund and $2,963.76 in the general fund. There is a balance of $$2,863.96 in the U.M. Scholarship fund, which is held separately. Devaz commented that a yearly notice should be sent to Chapters as a reminder to contribute. Hayes will talk to Fiedler about that. Hayes also reported the financial records of MT SAF were audited for the previous year by Franke, Chuck Seeley and himself and were found to be in order.

Chapter Reports:

Missoula; John Northey – Northey reported the Missoula Chapter recently donated $200 to the UM Scholarship Fund. The Chapter is pursuing some fundraisers, and has commitments for firewood donations. Another big focus will be recruiting new members and retaining current members. Recent meetings have included Rich Lane from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Dave Stack speaking about some of the obstacles thwarting Forest Service management efforts, and Brad Powell, Region Forester from Region 1, who gave his vision of key issues facing the agency and his region. The 2001 SAF Outstanding Citizen award went to Dave Stack and the Field Forester award went to Dale Kerkvliet.

Scott Kuehn gave a synopsis of Forestry Day, which will be held at Fort Missoula on April 27. This will be held in conjunction with the forestry conclave, which will host about 180 students. The sports arena at the Fort will be dedicated to Gharrett Grothen, who poured so much effort and enthusiasm into past events at the site. Arbor Day events will be held at the Fort on April 26, with memorial trees planted for Grothen and John Host, a 52-year member of SAF who recently passed away. A scholarship has been established as a memorial for Grothen, and the first award of $1,200 is expected to take place on May 3, 2002. Congratulations were extended to Kuehn for garnering a volunteerism award from Habitat for Humanity.

Flathead; Paul McKenzie – Flathead Chapter has established goals, including contributing labor and materials for a Habitat house in Whitefish; hosting a weekend forest management station at Flathead Forestry Expo (May 5-11); boosting membership; getting more active participation from existing members; cooperative efforts with Libby Chapter; continue successful field trips (legislators, Chamber of Commerce). Recent meeting topics have included Tree Farm overview and conservation easements. The March 26 meeting will feature a presentation on New Zealand forestry by Patrick Heffernan, who just returned from a trip there. The Chapter goal of contributing $500 annually to the FVCC scholarship fund has been coming up short due to softening financial returns. The FVCC forestry program is faltering, which could change the direction of this fund. Bill Morgan was selected as the Field Forester this year.

Eastside; Mark Teply – As host of the Butte meeting, Chapter has primarily been focusing on State meeting preparations. One meeting has been held this year – Lee Harry spoke on insect treatments on the Beaverhead/Deer Lodge Forest. Goals for 2002 include increasing membership (have added 8 new members in last 2 months!), improving contacts, using e-mail, recruitment; improve professional education, make meetings eligible for CFE credits; conduct significant field trip to Tenderfoot Experimental Forest (worth 10 CFE); leadership development, need 2 new good leaders; develop a Chapter policy contact; support the Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp (MNRYC) with scholarships. Chapter is looking at a community project with City of Helena, working with Open Space Committee to measure and interpret forest data. Next Chapter meeting will be in Billings.

Libby; Tim Ryan – (presented 3/8 during Business Meeting) Last meeting had Bob Bosworth to talk about SAF structure and goal setting. Libby’s goal is to increase members 25%. Currently have 21 members, with 4 new members in 2002. March meeting will be held jointly with Trout Unlimited, talking about FWS management of the Flathead Wildlife Refuge. Annual 5^th grade tour is coming up this spring. Stimson has donated spinouts for firewood revenue. Libby would like to hold community forestry forums to raise the visibility of SAF. Ryan will represent SAF on the local Resource Advisory Council.

Student Chapter, UM; Elisa Stamm – (presented 3/8 during Business Meeting) Student Chapter currently has 30 members, with 5 new members this year. Have about 7 students at the State meeting. Recent speakers have included Bruce Schlaebitz talking about the Mentor Program, Orville Daniels on Bitterroot salvage issues. Students are going to produce a letter in the Kaiman on this issue. Students need help serving lunches at the Conclave April 25-27. Forester’s Ball will be held April 26/27, with the theme “United We Stand, Timber We Fall”.

Committee Reports:

Science and Technology; Bob Pfister – Provided a handout with the entries for the poster session. Scott Woods, watershed professor at UM and a new SAF member, will help Pfister put up the posters. Pfister announced Carl Fiedler had an article in Bioscience magazine recently about fuel reduction/wood supply issues.

Mentor Program; Bruce Schlaebitz – Met with Student Chapter to discuss national and local mentoring programs. There is also an e-mail mentoring program available – check it out on the national SAF website.

Communications; Bev Yelczyn – Has been busy working on media coverage for Butte meeting. Should be good coverage, including TV for the Governor’s luncheon presentation.

MNRYC; Dale Kerkvliet – Currently three SAF members are on Board, including Kerkvliet, Jim Mountjoy and Bob Pfister. Kerkvliet recognized Wayne Maahs for 12 years of service to MNRYC in various roles. Camp will be held July 28 through August 2 at Lubrecht. Friday afternoon is open house, all encouraged to attend. Kerkvliet requested $100 donation from MT SAF for camp expenses – motion made, seconded and approved. Would like to see at least one camp sponsorship from each Chapter. Camp is seeking an endowment of $350,000-$500,000 to establish a permanent source of revenue. (See attached summary report submitted by Kerkvliet.)

CE/CFE; Dale Kerkvliet – When Dave Stack was Chair of MT SAF he issued a challenge to his Executive Committee to pursue CFE and/or CF. The challenge went unanswered. Only one State CFE application since May 2001. Kudos to Yelczyn for recognizing the accomplishment in the newspaper. Currently 14 CF in Montana, same as past two years. Kerkvliet read the names of those attaining CF status and provided a written list. After 12/31/02 an exam will be required as part of the CF application.

Policy – No report.

Newsletter – No report, but Hayes reminded all of the newsletter deadlines, which are the 15^th of January, April, July and October.

Cultural Diversity – No report.

Membership – Hayes reviewed some membership figures provided by John Casselli. Montana membership is up 19 YTD, with 8 new members, 5 reinstated and 9 transferred in. However, March is the purge date when members are removed from the roles if dues are delinquent, so membership is expected to fall. National has a coupon book they are using to promote recruitment and national numbers are up 157 YTD.

Old Business:

2003 State Meeting – The Inland Empire Society is on board for a joint meeting with MT SAF. Meeting will be held in Missoula, with the Missoula Chapter as host. Tentative dates are in mid-March. Hayes handed out a paper with possible themes and topic ideas (dated 2/1/02, 2^nd Draft). Hayes asked that suggestions and comments be directed to him.

Gavel Contest – Hayes has two entries. Original deadline for submissions has been extended (indefinitely?) to get more entries. Someone from the peanut gallery suggested a “Burl Working Group”, but the idea did not draw a motion and died in committee.

2002 MT SAF Goals – No further additions or changes have been suggested to the goals presented by Hayes at the Lubrecht Executive Committee Meeting on January 26, so they will be adopted and posted on the website.

Governor’s Conference – Dave Stack provided an update on progress toward a Governor’s Conference on the “Future of Montana’s Forests”. Stack and Pfister have been on the planning committee. Dates have been finalized as May 13 and 14 in Helena. Registration fee will be $50, by invitation only. Organizations are being allocated seats and SAF will be at the table. Let Stack or Pfister know if interested in attending.

New Business:

Council IV Position – Montana’s own Dan Pittman is running for the Council seat for our District. He needs 35 signatures on his petition in order to be nominated. MT SAF members in good standing were asked to sign the petition.

SAF Signboard Repair – Dale Kerkvliet presented a proposal to make repairs to the SAF signboard, which is used to promote SAF to the general public at events such as the Flathead Forestry Expo and our State meeting. Kerkvliet requested $50 to purchase hardware and make basic structural repairs to the signboard. A motion was made, seconded and approved to spend up to $50 on signboard repairs.

Temperate Forest Foundation Teacher’s Tour – Rick Franke sought the interest of the MT SAF in sponsoring an elementary science teacher from Montana to attend the TFF’s Teacher Tour in Lewiston, ID to be held July 10-13. A slot is being held open, but a response is needed soon. Registration fee is $300, which includes room and board. Additional sponsorship may be required for transportation to the event. The annual tour provides resource management information to teachers. Franke will conduct research to answer questions about the Foundation and the Tour and will distribute before the next Executive Committee meeting. There was discussion about possibly sharing the sponsorship with the Montana Wood Products Association. No action was taken.

Next Meeting – The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be May 3, 12:00 p.m. at the Plum Creek office in Missoula. Bring your brown bag lunch.

There being no further business, Steve Hayes adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:00 p.m.

Submitted by Rick Franke

April 1, 2002