Louisiana Society of American Foresters Executive Committee Meeting
February 12, 2009
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Rick Jacob
Attendence
Present:
Rick Jacob, Buck Vandersteen, Steve Templin, George Ramsey, David Stevens, Dave Haywood, Terry Haines, Jim Meeker, Bill Wieger, Eugene Austin, Holly Morgan, Vic Blanchard, Bill Ross, Bill Siegel and Bill Patterson.
Rick Jacob, Buck Vandersteen, Steve Templin, George Ramsey, David Stevens, Dave Haywood, Terry Haines, Jim Meeker, Bill Wieger, Eugene Austin, Holly Morgan, Vic Blanchard, Bill Ross, Bill Siegel and Bill Patterson.Guests Present:Mike Murphy and Clay Bales, Texas Forest Service
Mike Murphy and Clay Bales, Texas Forest ServiceJoint 2010 Annual Meeting of old Gulf States Group
The first order of business was to discuss the potential of a Joint Annual Meeting with the old Gulf States Group that disbanded in 1980. The committee was very favorable to hosting an annual meeting with Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Terry Haines and Niels deHoop will work with Mike Murphy (representing Texas) and with Mississippi to organize the meeting. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for sometime in mid to late April 2010 and will be held in Marksville at the Paragon Mari Center.
Secretary Report
The secretary’s report was approved.
Treasurer Report
The treasurer’s report was approved. Buck also presented a budget that will be continuously updated and reviewed throughout the year. It will be used for planning purposes.
Misc. Business
Bill Wieger moved that we refrain from ordering any more forester directories until we see a need for more of them. David Stevens seconded the motion which passed.
Steve Templin moved to authorize Holly Morgan to purchase promotional items to be sold for profit at the upcoming annual meeting. George Ramsey seconded the motion and it passed.
David Stevens moved that we offer to pay up to $500 for any LASAF member desiring to attend the SAF Leadership Conference as approved by the state chair. The motion passed.
2009 Annual Meeting
David Stevens reported that the 2009 LASAF Annual Meeting will be held at the Natchitoches Events Center April 21-23, 2009. The focus of the meeting will be “Restoration of Native Plant Communities.” This year’s meeting will include a field trip. Johnny Thompson, with Landmark, will conduct a GPS/GIS seminar in conjunction with the meeting.
Awards
Dave Haywood will recognize members with +30 years membership in SAF. He is also working on awards for this year.
CFE
Bill Wieger reminded everyone that the SAF national website lists CFE credits for meetings. Since some meeting sponsors do not apply for CFE credits, members may apply for CFE credits individually in those cases. Bill will provide Holly with provider CFE request forms that will be available on the website.
Communications
Ray Newbold will make efforts to get articles into the media about LASAF. Holly showed the new LASAF display board.
Education
No report
Silent Auction
Eugene Austin will make his best efforts to once again have another successful silent auction at the annual meeting. He encourages each chapter to donate cash or items to be auctioned. Part of the money raised goes to the Forester’s Fund and some goes to finance some of the state projects of LASAF.
Historian
Bill reported that he intends to make an inventory of our assets and archives.
Membership
Holly reported the LASAF currently has 336 chapter members and 339 state members. Our goal is to increase our membership to 343, which is one more than our year end roll.
Our membership by chapter:
Cenla48
48North LA109
109Pineywoods31
31Southeast86
86Southwest17
17LA Tech27
27LSU15
15We also have 3 members at large (they do not belong to a chapter).
Bill Wieger presented a rough “mock-up” of a brochure that could be used to interest new members. Holly and Bill will work on this idea together.
Policy
A position statement was ratified this past year regarding the Federal Estate Tax Policy. LASAF will use national position statements for local issues, as per the Action Plan. Bill will review our renewable fuels policy statement and work with Rick to write letters to the Public Service Commission candidates. Bill will monitor the economic stimulus package to see how forestry can play a role in economic, energy, and environmental concerns.
Science and Technology
No report
Wetland Forest Management
The committee has had several meetings and plans to have another one in March. Progress is being made regarding recommended Best Management Practices in wetlands. The objective of this committee is to develop a handbook for foresters, so that they can ascertain what steps are necessary for successful regeneration of cypress on a specific site. Bill Wieger suggested we confer with certified loggers who specialize in wetland harvesting.
Chapter Reports
CenlaThe Cenla Chapter will have a meeting March 10, 2009 at the Roy O. Martin headquarters. Irene Norris from CLECO will discuss carbon issues.
The Cenla Chapter will have a meeting March 10, 2009 at the Roy O. Martin headquarters. Irene Norris from CLECO will discuss carbon issues.PineywoodsThe Pineywoods Chapter had a meeting January 29 about Toledo Bend Reservoir with a representative from the Sabine River Authority. 60 people were present.
The Pineywoods Chapter had a meeting January 29 about Toledo Bend Reservoir with a representative from the Sabine River Authority. 60 people were present.SoutheastThe Southeast Chapter had a Christmas meeting (party) and are planning their next meeting (TBA).
The Southeast Chapter had a Christmas meeting (party) and are planning their next meeting (TBA).SouthwestThe Southwest Chapter is planning a meeting soon.
The Southwest Chapter is planning a meeting soon.LA TechThree students from tech attended the SAF national meeting in Reno. Tech has participated in Forestry Day at Oakdale and have planted trees at Hill Farm Research Center. They also raised $450 for St Jude Research Center.
Three students from tech attended the SAF national meeting in Reno. Tech has participated in Forestry Day at Oakdale and have planted trees at Hill Farm Research Center. They also raised $450 for St Jude Research Center.New Business
LA. Natural Resources Symposium will be held at LSU July 16-17th. Bill Wieger moved that we sponsor the meeting with $300 donation. Eugene Austin seconded the motion, which passed.
Elections
Terry Haines will run for Vice-Chair. Write-in nominations are encouraged.
2009 Action Plan
Rick reviewed a 2009 Action Plan for LASAF that is organized by stated desired SAF Strategic Outcomes. The executive committee discussed the various aspects of the plan. Rick will continue to develop and revise the plan and will present it to the committee at the next meeting.
Adjourn 3:30 p.m.
