The Louisiana Society of American Foresters Executive Committee meets quarterly to discuss projects, policy, and to plan the Annual Meeting held every year.
LASAF Committee to propose Cyress Management Guidelines
LA Foresters Master Directory to be printed in June 2008
Minutes of the
LASAF GENERAL ANNUAL MEETING
4/23/08
CALL TO ORDER - Holly Morgan called the meeting to order at 3:30 PM at the Natchitoches Convention Center.
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SECRETARY’S REPORT –The minutes from the last executive meeting were read and approved.
¨TREASURER’S REPORT- The financial statement was given and approved.
OLD BUSINESS
¨LOUISIANA FORESTERS MASTER DIRECTORY- Holly reported to the membership that we are receiving ads for the directory until the end of May. 1,000 directories will be printed in June. There was some discussion regarding printing costs. Brian Chandler said the Agriculture Center can print the inside B/W for $0.035 per page. They can also bind the directory. We will get the covers printed in color through some means and send them to Brian with the directory.
¨MENTOR PROGRAM- Holly discussed the new mentor program and wrote an excellent purpose statement regarding the program (See Attached). A sign-up sheet was provided to participants of the annual meeting.
¨MEMBERSHIP- Steve gave a report on membership. We have 346 LASAF members and about 15,000 members nationwide.
¨NEWSLETTER/AWARDS-Dave reported that the newsletter had recently been sent out and the next newsletter would be sent out in June. (Awards were given out at the banquet later that night.)
¨CYPRESS ISSUE UPDATE-Steve gave a summary overview of the cypress controversy. It appears that LASAF has an opportunity to mediate between the various factions. Rick Jacob reported that a 3 year study has been proposed by LSU to map areas 1, 2 & 3. Jim Chambers is scheduled to talk with the executive committee about the proposal. The executive committee will then communicate the situation to the general membership. The goal is for LASAF to be instrumental is helping to develop science-based, interim guidelines necessary to lift the moratoriums and promote sustainable commerce with regards to cypress utilization while the harder science proceeds. .
A LASAF cypress committee is being formed to study the situation and make recommendations. Steve Templin will continue to chair the committee.
¨COMMITTEE REPORTS
oFORESTERS FUND- Eugene did an excellent job raising money from the annual meeting sponsors, exhibitors, shotgun raffle, GPS raffle, and silent auction. He collected nearly $7,300 from the sponsors and exhibitors and expects around $3,000 from the silent auction. We have pledged $1,500 to the Forester’s Fund.
oCFE – Bill Wieger gave a report on the new CFE standards. Bill reported a “tightening up” of the standards. The process of applying for CFE credits must be done prior to the event. The provider must fill out a form and sends it to the DFE coordinator (Bill Wieger in Louisiana). The CFE coordinator provides an attendance sheet to the provider with the CFE credits, which the provider will subsequently send to national SAF after the meeting. Bill also promoted online CFE credit opportunities on the SAF website.
oCOMMUNICATIONS-Jeff Peterson informed us that the Teacher’s Tour has 62 teachers registered. This is the highest number of registered teachers ever.
oSCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY- Jim Meeker reported that there are no SPB infestations in Louisiana at this time. Last year there were some very small outbreaks reported in the Florida Parishes. Texas and Arkansas do not have any outbreaks. There are a few outbreaks in MS. Georgia has approximately 2,000 SPB spots affecting 8,500 acres. These outbreaks are attributable to the long drought in GA.
oEDUCATION- Barry Crain reported that the Forestry Awareness Program at Indian Creek does not have a full participation form the schools. We are set up for 7 classes/day for five days. So far, there are only six classes set up for 4 days and five classes on the 5th day. There is concern as to why the slate is not filled.
oPOLICY- Bill Siegel a draft of a policy statement entitle “Federal Estate Tax and Louisiana Nonindustrial Private Forest Resources” that encourages the repeal of the death tax as it relates to the unique aspects of forestland ownership. This position statement will be voted on by ballots in the June newsletter.
oHISTORIAN- no report
oANNUAL MEETING- Mike Blazier is the annual meeting chairman. Holly commended Mike for doing an outstanding job. Everyone in attendance thought the program was excellent and worthwhile.
NEW BUSINESS:
oELECTION RESULTS FOR VICE-CHAIR – It was reported that Rick Jacob was elected as Incoming Chair for LASAF in 2009
oCHAPTER REPORTS
§North LA Group – William Ross reported that attendance has been averaging 30+ at recent chapter meetings. The north chapter rotates their meeting places. Pineywoods – David Stevens reported that they had a great meeting on March 27th with 42 people in attendance. Les Groom talked about biomass to liquid fuel. The next meeting will be held April 24 in Zwolle and Mike Wolf with Weyerhaeuser will discuss Public Policy Issues.
§Cenla – Steve Templin reported that the last meeting was held at the office of Roy O. Martin Lumber Company and that Gretta Boley and Jim Caldwell gave reports on the Kisatchie National Forest.
§Southwest – Rick Jacob reported that a May 20th meeting was planned with lunch at the Hardwood Mill Restaurant in Oakdale, followed by a tour of the new ROM OSB mill in Oakdale.
§Southeast – Terry Haines reported that Latimore Smith will give a talk about longleaf restoration and a field tour of the Abita Creek Nature Reserve with refreshments at the Abita Springs Pub on May 13.
4-H SUPPORT – It was moved and seconded, and approved to approve payment of $500 to help send the state 4-H team to national competition for forestry skills. Payment shall be made and sent to Brian Chandler.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Steven K. Templin
LASAF Mentor Program
GOAL: To foster a relationship with graduating seniors that will encourage them to remain in SAF after they obtain a job by helping bridge the transformation from student to forester with a stable environment.
PROCESS:
1) LASAF contingent will attend a student chapter meeting at LSU and LA Tech to meet the students
2) Enroll senior forestry students in the Mentor program
3) Learn each senior’s interests and goals after graduation
4) Pair the senior with a current LASAF member and one alternate member in the same area
5) LASAF member or alternate makes arrangements to meet the Senior and take them to a local Chapter meeting
6) Introduce the Senior to other Chapter members to create a network of contacts
7) Maintain contact with the student after graduation
8) Sponsor the graduate for SAF membership
9) Make sure the graduate is included in LASAF activities in their local area
10) Continue to maintain contact with the graduate for up to one year after graduation
