TVMA Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, May 7, 2007
9:00 am - Noon
Texas Cooperative Extension Office
2619 Highway 21 West
Bryan TX 77803
Jim Cruser – opened the meeting, with eight board
members (Robert Lane, Matt Churches, Howard Pierson, Rick Bennet,
Myron Rabalais, Rob Brooks, Scott Dunham)
Stan Jones, Red River Specialties attended
Ken Draper, Wright Tree Service, attended.
Donnie Dippel, and wife Kay, introduced themselves
and their consulting service, CHB Consulting, Inc.
February minutes reviewed:
Jim Cruser reviewed minutes from February board
meeting and went over recent activities; such as, the Texas legislature visit
with Sen Craig Estes.
Overall, the meeting was a big success and continued cooperation
with the legislature looks promising.
Budget for ’07 was accepted.
Paul Northcutt was unable to attend the meeting.
Review of Corpus Christi’s proposal for the ’09 and ’10
annual conference. They
are anxious for our business.
Plans for internal audit are on-going.
Minutes accepted for February 7, 2007 board
meeting.
Unfinished Business:
TVMA presentation
Jim has been unable to include all supporting
vendors due to limited space and the difficulty of being sure to
include everyone.
Reviewed Mission Statement and key sections, such
as, Education, Conferences, Members, Service to community, etc.
Howard Pierson suggested listing active sponsors
on the website for current year only.
Agreed to approve the presentation prior to the
annual conference and plan to present to the members at the annual
conference. Stressing
it’s purpose is to communicate TVMA service to Texas’ vegetation
management.
2007 annual conference – San Antonio
Rick Bennett went over:
tentative plans utilizing the hotel’s foyer,
hallways and conference rooms.
proposed agenda and needs to fill time slots (see
attached agenda).
plans for the Casino night; utilizing card dealers
better for ones who get out early on Texas Hold’em tournament with
craps and blackjack tables.
As well as, opportunity of the Riverwalk.
continue sponsorship of breakfasts, breaks and
possibly other functions.
Actions on-going:
contacting last year’s sponsors and vendors.
filling in remainder of agenda.
organizing silent auction.
updating the website for the ’07 conference.
Speaker topics: emerging technologies – GPS, fire
control, drift control, invasive species actions-to-date,
environmentalist point-of-view, identifying meth labs and actions to
take, etc.
TVMA merchandise – caps, tentative
Guest speaker at luncheon, tentative Training slot
Reviewed list of current speakers signed up to present.
Howard
Pierson recommended a target date of July 1st.
CEUs authorized by July 1st.
Training
Proposed date and agenda for the Lubbock training
session, a CEU session for TX, OK and NM, in Oct.
Board agreed to Howard Pierson’s initiative to organize the
session as part of his Training chair responsibilities.
Rich Hendler had agreed to assist per an e-mail he sent to
Jim Cruser.
Paul Northcutt’s changed responsibilities due to
his new position/job was briefed by Jim Cruser.
Treasurer’s Report
Myron reviewed accounts-to-date (see attached
report)
Reviewed income and expenses.
Income: registrations and interest
Expenses:
correction of Scholarship as TVMA expense for CEU training
and misc meeting expenses.
Report accepted
Secretary’s Report
Jim Cruser read Paul’s e-mail re: his need to
change his role and responsibilities.
Also, discussed Paul’s outstanding expenses.
Indicated Donnie Dipple’s possible role on the
Quarterly CLIP.
Paul is willing to maintain website, and
membership database.
Paul can no longer maintain the
Quarterly CLIP, the
conference registration packets, conduct training session – but,
will make available presentations to the TVMA
CHB Consulting – Donnie and Kay Dipple
Reviewed some of the other ag industries
organizations and liaisons with TX legislative and regulatory
authorities. Passed out
a booklet of services and resume.
Proposed possibilities of administering TVMA’s
communication efforts through the
Quarterly CLIP newsletter.
Donnie also suggested educational presentations
around DOT/DPS regulations, such as, what tank sizes are allowed and
how can they be configured on truck and/or trailer rigs.
Kay asked for some background on activities with
Harris County and prior news from other state organization.
Rick Bennett proposed that two actions commence:
1)
a
Quarterly CLIP and
2)
conference registration.
Coordinate Paul’s current activities with proposed
action needed from Donnie and Kay; have content for
CLIP to Paul/CHB
immediately and a CLIP published by June 1st.
Motion by Rob Brooks that a sub-committee,
consisting of Jim Cruser, Rick Bennett, and Rob Brooks, explore the
transition of Paul’s responsibilities to CHB Consulting, Inc.
Moved, seconded and approved.
Myron reported that TVMA paid Paul ~$1,600 for web
hosting and maintenance in 2006.
Past-President – no report
Committee Reports
Research – no report
Membership – Scott Dunham reported continuing the
call for papers and posters with another e-mailing going out to
faculty and students this week.
Scholarship – Rob Brooks has been approached by
OKVMA to use our scholarship format.
Rob moved that we allow OKVMA use our format, board
seconded and approved.
Rob reviewed the new format to seek scholarship applicants earlier
in the school year. Four
applicants were awarded and checks will be mailed to their accounts
for the fall semester.
Rob mentioned in the past Paul had issued certificates as
scholarship recipients and enrolling them in our membership.
Rob moved to make all scholarships $1000 per
recipient, regardless of school year, i.e., freshman, sophomore,
junior or senior. Board,
seconded and approved.
Legislative – no report
Nominating – Jim Cruser reviewed board positions
that will open this year per his recent e-mail:
Utility 2007, Contractor 2007, and At-Large 2007.
Internal Audit – Myron reported he would contact
Ron Held to get it done.
Advisory – no report
Awards – Jim reported he had sent out request for
Lifetime Achievement Award and would follow up.
Unfinished Business – none
New Business – none.
Board moved and closed meeting at 11:30 am.
Respectfully submitted, Scott Dunham
