Michigan Maple Syrup Association
Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003

The Board meeting was called to order by President Maday at 5:23 PM in Wilson, Mi.

Board members present: Craig Arnold, Fred Bates, Tom Cook, Ron Kistler, Jean Maday, Joyce Ross, Ron Thomas and Steve Youdes.

The Secretary’s report was reviewed and approved. The Treasurer report had been distributed at the membership meeting and approved.

Craig reported that there were 76 attendees at the fall tour. We had 20 on-site registrations. The 2004 fall tour will be in the Blanchard area. We need to be sure that our tours are listed on the web-site. Tom Cook will see that the January winter meeting is added now.

An audit of the treasurer’s records was conducted Saturday morning at the Best Western in Escanaba. Steve indicated that the results were satisfactory and one recommendation was to have more detail documentation on deposits.

Tom Cook reported that our web-site registered domain had been paid for three years. He will talk with Todd about being the contact person. Discussion followed regarding requests for membership through the web-site. Joyce has received applications but not payments. Since we do not have or want web-site payments, it was decided that the membership application should be printed off the Internet rather than e-mailed so that applicants can complete the application and send it with the payment to Joyce. Tom Cook will arrange for this change with Todd.

Joyce commented that there had been some problems with all paid members being properly reported. Jean indicated that she had received several calls from people who reported that they had not received their membership cards. Jean suggested that we do more to promote membership. Several states have a brochure or folders that can be distributed for memberships. Jean requested that Tom Cook and Joyce Ross work on a Michigan membership folder. We can then mail this folder to the unpaid past members as a reminder to re-join. Current members can also distribute the folders to “neighbors” who make syrup. The December newsletter will request dues payment with the winter meeting registration. Then in February a reminder will be sent to unpaid members.

A discussion followed regarding the web-site payments. Since most of the membership listings for the Directory started in August, these people would receive their services until January 2005. Renewals would then be billed in December for January-December Directory listings. Web-site directory listings will only be accepted from members of MMSA.

Board members were requested to review our current membership application\winter registration form. Currently the form requests information that does not appear used. Information regarding syrup production will be listed as ‘optional’.

Promotional materials were reviewed. We have a low supply of the Maple Fact Card. Tom Cook will review for update. Jean will check with Charlotte Litho, and Betsy Carls will check with her printer for price comparisons on re-printing. Member signs and license plates are also low. Jean will contact the company for re-ordering.

Ron Thomas reported that his Representative will be changing in the next election due to term limits He will be working with the office regarding licensing fees and inspections but results could be more than a year away due to elections.

Cathi Bates had previously indicated that handling sale items and the newsletter was quite a load for her. Betsy Carls will be the new newsletter editor beginning in 2004.

Fred Bates indicated that he had contacted several people to run for the Board but that he was looking for additional nominations. Honorary member nominations were reviewed. Ron Kistler will obtain a copy of the Certificate, given to the honorary member, for review at the next Board meeting.

The agenda for the winter meeting in January was discussed. Speakers and possible topics were discussed. We will also check with Ohio and Indiana regarding guest speakers.

Under New Business we had received correspondence regarding a conference in November, “Seeds of Prosperity”. A request for exhibitors or contributors was received. A motion was made and approved to donate 300 of our MMSA bags.

Jean mentioned that as the delegate to NAMSC she had received correspondence regarding syrup grading. The October conference will review a proposal that recommends that all syrup production in the United States and Canada use the same terminology when identifying syrup grades.

Next Board meeting is November 3, 2003 at 5:00 PM at the Doherty Hotel.
Meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Tim Boonstra, Secretary