Summer MMSA Board of Directors' Meeting - May 16, 2000

The meeting was called to order at 5:25 PM by President Larry Haigh. All Board members were present. Also present was Cathi Bates, Newsletter editor.

The 2000 crop was discussed. Of those present the average crop was 35% of the 1999 crop with a range of 25 -60%.

The Secretary's report was received and approved as printed.

The Treasurer's report was received and approved as printed.

In the Legislative report Mary Douglass reported on the status of the new agriculture legislation -HR-5196 the body of which can be read at the web site www.michiqanleqislature.org. The impact this resolution will likely have on maple producers is an increased licensing fee of at least $70.00. As this measure is still in committee Vissers and VandeBunte moved to work for an agricultural exemption for maple producers with the wording of "reasonable fee". It would be understood that the Board would then work with MDA in the administrative rule phase to create an optimal fee structure. Motion passed unanimously.

In the IMSI/NAMSC report Mary Douglass reported that a poster was being developed for all member producers to use in their local area. There was discussion of sending Haigh to the MMSA delegate to IMSI as well as Douglass who is vice-president of IMSI. Anton and Vissers moved to support a delegate and any IMSI board officer to the amount of $250.00 per meeting attended. The motion passed unanimously.

Jean Maday reported that the small cookbook was ready for print and that a decision on the cover and amount of copies was needed. By acclamation the Board decided on a cover and to print 4000 copies for approximately $1096.00. A decision by acclamation was then made to print 1000 copies of a large (200 recipe) spiral bound cookbook with a maple collage cover. Haigh gave Maday authority to finalize all details.

The winter meeting discussion was concluded with the consensus of holding the fees at the same level as the 2000 meeting. Also discussed were the possibilities of having an attorney speak on "limited liability corporations", an MDA rep address HR-5196, and the keynote speaker.

Craig Arnold gave the Fall Tour report. The tour will be held on September 30 with registration beginning at 8:30 AM at Rick Peters' sugarhouse in Cass City. The tour will conclude at Bob and Darlene Nelson's in Lapeer with a sawmill demonstration.

The Promotion Committee presented several sample puzzle stickers for approval of the Board. The stickers would be available for use with school presentations and other promotional events hosted by member producers. To have the stickers made would require the balance of the Promotion Committee's budget. The Board recommended the committee move forward with this project.

Gerald and Leola Lundstrum and Sophy Carpenter were nominated by the Honor Committee and accepted by the Board as recipients of the 2001 Special Lifetime Memberships.

Haigh assigned Maday to the nominations committee.

The status of the web site was discussed. Vissers and VandeBunte were directed to find someone to polish the web site to include promoting the video and new cook books.

Mary Douglass gave a report on the possible bus tour to the IMSI/NAMSC annual meeting in Vermont. At this time there are 19 people expressing interest in attending.

In other business the relationship between the Board and Kres Jugs was discussed. Because product deliveries have become so poor Anton and Arnold moved to terminate relations with Kres Jugs. Haigh will write a letter to producers with outstanding orders alerting them to this decision.

President Larry Haigh adjourned the meeting at 9:36PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Brian G. Vissers, Secretary