OWA Meeting minutes / notes

Hey guys,

Don Ward here, Hawkeye is my dog's name (Hawkeye Twospots) Twospots is my refuge forum name just so you know who I am.
Here are the minutes as I have them:



Ohio Waterfowl Association

The first meeting of the Ohio Waterfowl Association was held Sunday June 12. A special thanks goes to Brett Buss and family for hosting the event.

We shot the breeze for a while and then had a great meal.

The first order of business was to select a mission statement. We looked at the California Waterfowl Association as a guide. Then Brett read what he had proposed and it was agreed upon.

It was necessary to agree upon a mission statement in order to move on. A non-profit organization must have a mission statement before applying for status.

The mission statement at this time is as follows:
“The mission statement of the Ohio Waterfowl Association will be to promote Ohio’s waterfowling heritage through education, example, and advocacy for all waterfowl enthusiasts in order to conserve our waterfowl resources and ensure our children’s children can enjoy what we love and share today.â€

Before and during this process, a number of ideas were brought up. It was suggested that all funds raised stay in Ohio, although we would work with other like-minded organizations such as DU, Delta…etc. It was also stated we need to remain separate from them.
At this time a separate legal section was discussed, and the US sportsman alliance was brought up as a good organization to utilize until we are large enough to support our own legal department. For insurance purposes, Tom mentioned that the Lake Erie Waterfowlers became a “shooting clubâ€. This is also an option for us.

Our goals were then discussed and the idea of a vision statement was brought up. There is a beginning idea Brett wrote and copies are available upon request from either Brett or myself. It was not decided upon at that time, but something we will work on and look over at the next meeting.

We were all unanimous that the first goal of the organization needs to be gaining members.
We need to know where the funding is going to come from.
Next we had quite a few ideas on how to gain members.

Events and programs were discussed.
Wood duck, Mallard, Pintail, and Canada goose programs exist in other WA’s and could certainly be a basis to start from.
A “Camp Woodie†or another form of youth camp was agreed to be an excellent idea. Getting Women involved was briefly mentioned, but is a great idea to help us gain status and grants.
Attending functions such as state and county fairs, waterfowl festivals, (and although it was not mentioned, attending other events such as archery events and Wild Turkey festivals like the one at Zaleski State Forrest every year as well.)
A newsletter was mentioned and we will discus this at a later time once the organization has gotten off the ground. A magazine is also a possibility in the future.

Dick Benson read some valuable information he was given from a number of sources including the California Waterfowl Association, Minnesota Waterfowl Association, and the NAWF. They had some good advise, as mentioned before, associating ourselves with the Sportsmen’s Alliance and the NAWF for a leg up in starting off the association.

*Mark offered to donate the first year of an OWA website. This was met with enthusiasm. (Thanks Mark)

Ken mentioned this first, and it was welcome by all; we should break the state into sections or “Chapters†for future meetings. This was a great idea so that members are able to attend meetings easily if they choose. Also, the fact that the different portions of the state will obviously have different issues was a deciding factor.
It was decided that we should follow the ODNR districts for our chapters as there are five, and they coincide with the different portions of the state.

For our next meeting, 6 people were decided upon to work on some issues and to convey our interest to their portion of the state.
They are:
Tom
Steve
Andy
Jeff Killian
Don Ward (myself)

Issues for future meeting:

1. Review a vision or goal statement and decide if it is a good idea to have at this stage.
2. Look into state funded programs for grants (Step out Ohio was mentioned). Myra and I will get together on this, as she has some books on the subject. Others are welcome and encouraged to do research and come up with ideas as well.
3. Go over the Lake Erie Waterfowl Association constitution and fine tune it towards our own goals. (Contact Tom, Brett, or me if you need a copy). It is our goal to decide upon and finalize this at our next meeting.
4. Membership fees need to be decided upon at the next meeting as well. It was mentioned that we should start off low to gain as many members as possible, but we also need to take into account the necessary funds in order to continue. This will be hashed out at the next meeting. The 6 people mentioned above were asked to do some research on this subject.
5. Advertising! We need to come up with ideas to get the word out and make our organization know to the public. Putting focus on the right people, and the right cost is an issue. Looking for free advertising and events to attend in order to make waterfowlers and waterfowl enthusiasts aware of us.
These burdens were put upon (voluntarily) the 6 people mentioned above).
6. Everyone was asked to look for any resources we would need as an organization; Attorneys, CPA’s, wildlife or waterfowl biologists, artists, etc.
8. Everyone was also asked to look for an artist, or come up with an idea for our logo.
7. We may (or may not) elect a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, as well as 5 chapter leaders or chairmen at the next meeting. This will certainly be a topic of discussion if it is not completed.

The next meeting will be on Sunday, July 17th. We decided to hold it center state so anyone interested will be able to make it. The actual place is yet to be determined, however, Delaware state park, and Killdeer Plains were both mentioned (Killdeer sportsmen’s facility has air-conditioning, although it is further north.)

I believe that is all of the pertinent information, however, if someone has something to add, or notices something I forgot, please email me and I will add it.

Don Ward

 

The first thing I noticed after reviewing the entire LEWA constitution, was that we definately need some legal assistance on this. At least for their article 2. (if you have it, please read this section and you will understand what I am saying)

Anyone who would like a copy, email me or Brett, or Tom (I don't know last names at this point but will shortly.)
I do not have a copy online and am not about to copy all of it on here, but I believe Brett has a copy on his PC so he could paste it up. If not, I believe Tom may.

I did speak with an Tax specialist (probably better to us than a CPA at this time) who may be willing to help us out. If it is alright with everyone else, I will give him a copy of Lake Erie WA's constitution and see what he thinks.

Don

 

I'll work on it. I don't think they have a web sight, or I'd just get it there. Sent an email to Brett, so it should be available in a day ot two (or three)...