Michigan Maple Syrup Association
Board of Directors Meeting
September 23, 2006
Aiken Sugar Bush - Walkerville, Michigan

The MMSA Board Meeting was called to order by President Tom Cook at 3:30 pm.
Members Present: Tom Cook, Ron Thomas, Arnold Hammel, Terry Coleman, Fred Bates, Mark Battel and Dale Forrester.

The participation at the Ionia Free Fair was discussed, two producers canceled with one producer making arrangements for Bates to take their place and the other was a no-show without any notification. Bates stated that at the fair they signed up a producer as a new member of the MMSA. Bates expressed that the fair was a good way to promote Michigan Maple and volunteered to take the entire week next year. The Board agreed that as long as Bates is willing to run the booth for the week they should do it.

Ron Thomas reported that until after the 2006 state elections not much will happen with the legislative issues facing the MMSA.

It was reported that the new drinking tumblers were selling well. We need more of the Association license plates and coloring books. Bates will contact Jean Maday for ordering the plates and Fred Bates will purchase the coloring books at a show this fall at a discounted rate.

Nominations chairperson Mark Battel believes that he has two good Nominees for the Board. They are Gerald Nelson and Bernard Aiken.

Terry Coleman reported that we had 21 walk-ins and a total of 116 fall tour participants. It was mentioned that we should try to locate the porta-johns further away from the main crowd next year. Cook had received a phone call from Sandy Wiseman of Volinia Maple inquiring about having the fall tour in her area in 2007 and she would like to furnish the lunch as it will be her last year with the Volinia program. Darren, Ken and Shelby Flagel are the likely hosts of the 2007 fall tour. They are located in Benton Harbor, Michigan so the tour would be in Southwest Lower Michigan.

Ron Thomas stated that at the National meeting they are hoping to finalize the strategic plan and to vote on which research studies they should fund. The Board felt that Thomas should read-up on the different study projects and decide on which studies are in the best favor of the Michigan Producers and vote for those.

Dale Forrester remarked on the proposed flavor wheel that compares maple syrup flavors to other known food flavors. Forrester is against its use. The Board agreed with Forrester and felt that the USDA color/flavor grading system or a uniform color/flavor grading system would probably benefit all parties much better than the flavor wheel.
Forester made a motion to raise the amount of money the MMSA provides to the NAMSC Delegate for the National Meeting to $300.00 to help defray the costs of attending the meeting. Mark Battel seconded the motion and Ron Thomas abstained, the remainder of the Board approved it. The amount of money the MMSA provides to the IMSI Delegate will remain the same as approved at the January 18, 2003 Board of Directors meeting of $350.00

Some discussion was made on the winter 2007 meeting and time allotment for Dealers to address the membership on products, topics, etc. Also, possibly lengthen the lunch hour an additional half hour in order to give more time for members to visit dealer’s booths. Much more discussion will follow at the next Board meeting in November.
Terry Coleman thought that the MMSA should purchase a portable public address (PA) system for use at functions requiring it. Ron Thomas made a motion for Coleman to look into purchasing a system for an amount not to exceed $200.00. Dale Forrester seconded the motion and the Board approved it.

The next Board meeting will be 12:00pm November 4, 2006 at the Doherty Hotel in Clare, MI.

Terry Coleman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:30pm and Fred Bates seconded the motion, it was approved.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tom Cook