MMSA 2006 Fall Board Meeting
Saturday, November 4, 2006

The MMSA Board Meeting was called to order by President Tom Cook at 12:11 PM.

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

Both the Secretary’s report and the Treasurer’s report were reviewed and approved by the Board members.

The 2006 Annual Fall Tour was well attended and rated as very successful. We thank Terry Coleman for hosting this years’ event and for investing his time making the days activities so memorable.

The 2007 Fall Tour will be held in the S.W. area of the lower peninsula, to be hosted by Volinia Maple. It was noted that Terry Coleman is currently looking for a portable P.A. system to be purchased by the Association and used at our public gatherings.

In the way of promotion, one new member was added to our ranks as a result of the Fall Tour. Tom Cook has through the course of the year received correspondence from several individuals and organizations regarding maple questions and requests. We appreciate Tom taking the time to respond through e-mail etc. in handling these contacts.

More Association Items are being purchased for re-sale including coloring books and license plates. New hats with the Association logo were discussed for possible purchase. A motion was made by Joyce Ross and seconded by Dale Forrester to authorize Betsy Carls to order 144 hats at $3.05 each to be added to our assortment of sale items. The Board then approved the motion.

Two new nominations for Board positions for 2007 have been solicited. In addition, all three current Board members will once again run for office. They include Dale Forrester, Ron Thomas and Tim Boonstra.

There will be no Honorary Member recognized in 2007.

Ron Thomas informed us, as the NAMSC Representative, that the dues structure has been changed for that organization. They were set at $125/year but will increase to about $175/year. The new fee schedule is based on a $1/person rate within each state’s Association. We currently have approximately 170 members. The cost for publishing The Digest is also increasing to $4/member. This compares to $3/member previously. This international publication is paid for through each state’s Association Annual Dues structure. The International Board is currently working on having it printed in French as well for the benefit of the Association of Quebec.

Jean Maday presented us with the IMSI report, as our designated representative. She updated us on topics of interest such as Quebec’s missing syrup, the lead issue, organic syrup, the “Color Wheel”, etc… Jean will update the Association Membership at the Annual Meeting in January. Maday informed us that the new Syrup Producers Manual has now been printed and will be ready for distribution shortly. Cost of the updated edition will be $17.95 for the paperback version and $25 for the hardbound. Also, new research proposals seeking financial assistance from the NAMSC will now be delegated by the NAMSC so as to better study topics of interest of maple producers. This places the national committee more in the drivers seat when sponsoring studies through colleges, universities, research stations and the such.

In order to compensate for our increase in dues on the national level, as discussed earlier, MMSA dues will now be $23. Ross made this motion and was seconded by Coleman. The Board voted in favor of this motion.

Debbie Thomas updated us on the 2011 National Meeting to be held here in Michigan. A couple of more people have volunteered to help with the planning of the big event. It will take many such people to make it successful. It is tentatively scheduled to be held at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, probably the third weekend of October Dates will be reserved soon. A preliminary visit to the site is planned for Nov. 21, 2006.

After some discussion a motion was made by Boonstra and seconded by Bates to raise the amount of money that the MMSA compensates our delegates for attending meetings out of state. The new rate will be $350 for each meeting for both the IMSI and NAMSC. This is retroactive to the October NAMSC meeting held in Green Bay Wisconsin.

Discussion was held concerning website dues. It has been clarified that they are based on the calendar year regardless of the time of entry in the listing. The directory cost is $20/year and the link is $50/year.

In the past Newsletter advertisers were billed by the editor. They will now be billed by the Treasurer. Lack of advertising payments will result in ceasing of ad publication.

For the January 2007 Annual Meeting Brad Gillilan, from Leader Evaporator, will handle our educational sessions. He will be speaking in both the morning and afternoon time slots. A new lunch menu will be available to us at this years meeting. The registration fee for this years winter meeting will be $25/person and $35/person for late registration and walk-ins. This motion to increase fees was made by Bates and seconded by Ross, Board approval followed.

Terry Coleman will conduct the syrup contest
Door prizes will be awarded at the end of the program.

Terry Coleman will look into the possibility of purchasing a new syrup density tester to be used in judging of the Syrup Contest.

With no further business to discuss at this time Joyce Ross made the motion to adjourn at 2:56 PM, Dale Forrester seconded and the Board approved.

Respectfully Submitted, Tim Boonstra, Secretary