MMSA 2006 Spring Meeting
Saturday May 13, 2006

The MMSA Board Meeting was called to order by President Tom Cook at 1:00 PM.

Members Present: Tom Cook, Dale Forrester, Joyce Ross, Ron Thomas, Fred Bates, Mark Battel, Terry Coleman , Arnold Hammel and Tim Boonstra.

Guests Present: Julie Forrester, Debbie Thomas, Cathi Bates and Diane Battel.

It was noted that our current membership stands at 169 individuals. A post card or e-mail will be sent out to members that have not renewed, encouraging them to once again join The Association.

In the way of promotion, the Ionia Free Fair will be held July 20-29 and five different producers will be manning a display promoting MMSA and they will market their products.

Ron Thomas and Mary Fogle-Douglas are working in conjunction with two State Legislators attempting to exempt maple producers from unfair property taxation. More will be said about this as new developments unfold.

It has been felt that the MMSA meetings should be covered by liability insurance. Farm Bureau Insurance has given us a quote of $840 for one million dollars of coverage for all sanctioned MMSA meetings. These include the Board Meetings, Fall Tour, Annual Winter Meeting and the Annual Fall International Meetings. Dale Forrester made the motion and it was seconded by Terry Coleman to purchase this for a one year period. The Board voted unanimously in approval.

A greater variety of sale items will be available for our membership in the near future.

Several names have been submitted for consideration as future Board Members. At least three are necessary each year at the annual meeting to be voted upon by the membership.

There will be no Honorary Member designated this year.

The Fall Tour is slated to be held on Saturday, September 23, 2006 in the Ludington area. Terry Coleman will be our host this year and there will be much in store for us. A motion was made to raise the Fall Tour late registration fee an additional $5.00 by Fred Bates. This will be done in an effort to discourage ‘walk-ons’. Last minute attendees make it difficult for food preparation and refreshment plans. Dale Forrester seconded the motion and it was approved

Jean Maday will not plan on attending the NAMSC Meeting as there are not many pressing issues of importance on the agenda.

The web site tapping reports were not well represented this year. Paid advertisers on the site have mostly renewed.

The guest speaker for the 2007 Winter Meeting will be Bradley Gillian from Leader Evaporator Company.

Sale of the Association jugs will continue to be handled by Maple Syrup Supplies. Other dealers showed little interest at this point unless Jean Maday decides to opt out of the program.

A motion was made by Tom Cook and seconded by Dale Forrester to adjourn the meeting at 2:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tim Boonstra, Secretary