CONSERVATION OFFICERS OF PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION

Board of Trustee’s Meeting Minutes

Ross Leffler School of Conservation

Harrisburg, PA

      June 3, 2007

Table of Contents

Roll Call……………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………1

Officer Reports…………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………2

     Secretary’s report………………………………………………………………………....………………………………2

     Treasurer’s report………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………2

     Membership Secretary’s report………………………………………..……………………………………2

     Media Secretary’s report…………………………………………………………………………………………2

Fish & Boat Liaison………………………………………………………………………………………………………2

Game Liaison………………………………………………………………………......…………………………………………2           

Ongoing Business…………………………………..……………………………………………..3

            The Green Line/Membership Communication…………………………………..3

            2007 COPA Field Day Event….…………………………………………………3

            NAWEOA 2010 Update.………………………………………………………….3

            Sale Items...................................…………………………………………………..4

            Kayak Raffle…............……………………………………………………………4

            2007 Rendezvous………….....................................................................................4

New Business…………..………………………………………………………………………….4

            Tee Shirt Program…..……………………………………………………………..4

            Staff Position………................................................................................................4

Motions...............................……………………………………………………………….4

Good of the Order………………………………………………………………………..5

          Next Meeting – Date-Time-Place………………………………………………………...…5

Board meeting attendance………………………………………………………………………….5

The Meeting was called to order at 12:20 pm.

  Roll Call of Board Members:  Present (Y/N)

President Tom Burrell                                                                                        Yes

Vice President Erin Czech                                                                                 Yes

Secretary Rich Cramer                                                                                      No

Treasurer Tim Marks                                                                                        No

Membership Secretary Jake Dingel                                                                    Yes

Media Secretary Patrick Snickles                                                                       Yes

Trustee Tom Grohol                                                                                          No

Trustee Tom McMann                                                                                       No

Trustee Colleen Shannon                                                                                   No

Trustee Martha Mackey                                                                                                No

Trustee Linda Swank                                                                                         No

Trustee Peter Thomas                                                                                       Yes

Trustee Brian Burger                                                                                         Yes

Trustee Matt Visosky                                                                                        Yes

Trustee John Pedrick                                                                                         Yes

Trustee Frank Parise                                                                                         Yes

Associate Member Trustee Ted Onufrak                                                                        No

OFFICER REPORTS:

Secretary’s Report:

None

Treasurer’s Report:

• None

Membership Secretary’s Report:

Jake Dingel submitted the following report:

• Regular members – 340
• Lifetime Regular Members – 120
• Regular Associate – 65
• Lifetime Associate – 18
• Honorary Associate – 29                                                                      
• Junior Associate – 4                                                                             
• Family Associate – 1
• Total membership is 577
• 144 members have memberships that expired at the end of 2006 that are not included in this report
• Need to get Region Reps more involved with membership retention/recruitment.  Need to have Region Reps be other than Board members.
• Region reps are as follows:

1.       NW – (F) Visosky, (G) Cramer

2.       SW – (F) Walsh ?, (G) Snickles

3.       NC – (F) McMann, (G) Shannon

4.       SC – (F) Burrell or Quarracino, (G) Marks

5.       NE – (F) Cummins, (G) Smithonic ?

6.       SE – (F) Peddrick ?, (G) Eyler

Media Secretary’s Report:  None

Fish & Boat Liaison:  Ten cadets remain in training with enough current vacancies for all to have slots upon graduation.  Five to Ten shall go to the SE, two to the SC and one to the NE.  There will be no new class this fall but one may begin in 2008.  New vehicles are in.  Upcoming retirements are expected in B&E & Fisheries and may result in realignment of Bureau positions.

Game Liaison:            No Report

ONGOING BUSINESS:                                                                                                        

The Green Line/Membership Communication:

            No report.  Need an update.  Discussed recruiting Vance Dunbar to again become involved with GL.

2007 COPA Field Day Event:

            No Report.  No information yet concerning availability of BSA Camp, an attempt to reach Linda via cell phone was unsuccessful. As was discussed at March Meeting, if the Lancaster BSA Camp is not available, then a 2007 event will be scraped and planning will instead focus on 2008. We will not attempt to join the NE States cycle until after 2010 Conference.

NAWEOA 2010 Update:

• Erin reported on behalf of Jack Lucas the both Executive Directors are onboard with the 2010 Conference.  Director Roe has allowed the use of time and State vehicles to attend planning meetings.  Director Austen deferred to LE Director Kamerzel.  Mr. Kamerzel has requested a committee list and wishes to know exactly which officers will be on which committees and how much time is to be spent on the 2010 conference by each officer.  Main components of the 2010 conference include a golf outing, Warden Skills Day, the 5K Torch Run and meal, a trip to SGL 93 and the Flight 93 memorial and of course much training.  Due to questions concerning 2010 Committee’s use of COPA’s tax status and general oversight, the Board directed the Committee to submit a report at each regular COPA Board Meeting and supply COPA President with a copy of a Committee Meeting Minutes and Treasury Reports.
• Jack Lucas sent the following report by e-mail.  I am sending this memo to once again thank you for the support given by the COPA Board for the planning process of the 2010 North American Wildlife Enforcement Officer’s Association’s annual conference and to update you on our progress.  Today, I have a meeting with a few core committee members to discuss warden skills locations and tour those facilities.  Recently, Erin Czech, Tom McMann, and I met with Mr. Roe, Dr. Austin, and Mr. Kamerzel. We updated both Executive Offices as to our pursuit and thanked them for their support in our conference. Their commitment and support will make the conference a success.  To date, we have a one-year CD for $5000 earning a little over 5%. In the checking account we have $1514.  Fundraising efforts have been very productive this past couple months. Over 300 companies have been contacted with over 100 pending grants submitted to additional companies and foundations. We have had positive responses from a few potential major sponsors. Their status will be determined in the next few months.  Indiana University of Pennsylvania has graciously approved a grant I submitted last August. They have granted one federal work-study student to be an administrative assistant for the conference. Trista Lookabaugh was appointed by IUP and has been doing a super job tracking down grants. Trista is approved to work through the spring of 2011. She is able to work 25 hours a week while the spring and fall semesters are in and 40 hours a week during the summers. This is a grant for nearly $35,000 in wages.  Last week I was notified we are approved for a part time student through the summer.  Monday at 9:00am, we are having a 2010 meeting at the Four Points Sheraton in Cranberry, our host hotel. If anyone were available, we would love to have you join the pursuit.

Sale Items:

• Patches are in.  Tom Grohol has the Otter patches.  Payment has been delayed and must be completed ASAP.  Problem with ????? resolved.  Check crossed in mail??? 
• Matt has made contact with several lure manufacturers; to date Rapalla is the only one able to supply a COPA Collector Lure. The main roadblock appears to be the complex design of the COPA Logo. Matt will contact the suppliers again with additional design options (GL Logo, Wording w/out logo etc) and obtain additional quotes.

Kayak Raffle:

            Raffle to drawn either Sept 20, 2007 or Oct 14, 2007.

2007 Rendezvous:

            To be held at DelGrosso’s on Aug 15, 2007.  Discounted ride tickets will be available for members.  Tickets for the Spaghetti Dinner will be discounted as well.  COPA will provide each family two children ride tickets; spaghetti dinner tickets will be available for $3.00 each. COPA will also provide snacks and beverages at the pavilion.

NEW BUSINESS:

Tee Shirt Program:

            Matt directed to submit applications for grants, including one from PFBC, to determine what money may be available. $12,500 would be needed for a statewide program with an estimated 7,000 shirts. At the Jan 2008 meeting a review of grant status will be used to determine further action.

Staff Position:

            Part time, share employee with another organization.  Possibly double our revenues.  Two full days per week or $8,000.00 per year.  The Board recognized that there are main areas of business, which may benefit from greater day-to-day attention. The President has been directed to investigate the possibility of contracting for a part time administrative position, with possible time/ cost share with a fellow conservation organization.

MOTIONS:

Contingency Operations Procedure:

            Brian Burger made a motion, seconded by Erin Czech that reads, Whereas exigent circumstances have and will occur affecting the timely transaction of business including mailing, revenue and disbursements all of which impact the operations and reputation of the organization, the Board directs the President and Treasurer to apply due diligence in developing and implementing a contingency operating procedure to handle these functions when the primary organizational contact is unavailable to do so.  Motion passed 9-0.

Contracted Clerical Services:

            Brian Burger made a motion, seconded by John Pedrick that reads, The Board directs the President to establish as an ad hoc committee to investigate the potential of hiring contracted clerical services, possibly as a shared position with an allied organization, who would work in concert with particular board members and/or COPA functions including, but not limited to, mail handling, merchandise processing, show organization and communications.  No obligation will be made on COPA’s behalf without further review and Board approval.  Motion passed 9-0.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Next Meeting: August 15, 2007 DelGrosso’s Park Altoona

                        October 14, 2007 Stackhouse

Board Meeting Attendance 2006-2007

[Home]