Missouri Association of RC&D Councils Annual Meeting

Best Western Hotel – Jefferson City

March 4-5, 2009

The annual meeting of the Missouri Association of RC&D Councils was called to order by Steve Radcliff, President, at 1:10 P.M. on Wednesday, March 4, 2009.  A roll call was conducted and a quorum was determined (see list of attendees).

 Present: Big Springs RC&D, Green Hills RC&D, Southwest Missouri RC&D, Top of the Ozarks RC&D, Gateway RC&D, Heart of Missouri RC&D, Prairie Rose RC&D, Osage Valley RC&D, Bootheel RC&D,

 Absent: Northwest Missouri RC&D, Northeast Missouri RC&D

 Steve announced that Virgil Wagner had called and could not make the meeting.

 Katie Francka announced paid members.  Heart of Missouri RC&D Council and Gateway RC&D Council thought they were paid.  Prairie Rose RC&D and Gateway RC&D were paid at this meeting. 

Minutes from the previous meeting in October was emailed and also sent by hard copy by the past secretary/treasurer Linda Bray.  Copies were handed out.  Floyd Clark, Top of the Ozarks RC&D, stated that on Page 2 of the minutes that it needed to be corrected.  He would like the word “endowment” changed to “funds”.  He said he did ask about the $10,000 going into a fund not an endowment.  Floyd also asked the status of the $10,000 that was passed through the Southwest States RC&D Association and to be placed in the Foundation.  Steve Radcliff asked Rita Mueller to explain the arrangement of the endowment.  Rita explained that at the last meeting it was voted and approved to invest  $10,000 from the profit from the Southwest States RC&D Conference into an endowment of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.  This money would be under the umbrella of the Southwest States RC&D.  The Community Foundation of the Ozarks matches the $10,000 that is invested.  The Missouri RC&D Association should profit around $200 in interest which will not show until after the initiative. The spendable portion can be used for each Council or it can be left in the account.  Then in June more can be invested if wished.  The spendable portion is determined by a percentage.  A quarterly report will be generated.  The Foundation shows 10% earnings on all their money.  The Association still keeps control of their money.

 Floyd voiced concerns about the budget not showing the expenses for the hotel from this meeting.  Steve stated that the 1 room free that was offered to each Council was taken from the dollars that was budgeted for his trip to DC that he had to cancel.  It was offered to the Councils to aid in their expense in hope of better attendance at the meeting.

 Linda Bray asked that business items be discussed in more detail between the officers before decisions are made.

Floyd stated that the budget needs to be presented before the beginning of the year.  Kathryn stated that the budget was fixed to get the Association through her Presidency.

 George Engelbach stated that he had not been notified of this meeting.  All RC&D Councils were emailed and sent hard copies of the Agenda and asked that the information be passed on.

 Steve Radcliff asked for a motion to approve the budget as presented. Linda Bray made motion to go ahead with the presented budget and that next years budget be presented ahead of schedule.   Basil seconded the motion.   Motion passed.

 With no further old business Steve Radcliff mentioned that the Southwest States meeting will be held June 14-17 in Albuquerque.  Steve mentioned that only the hotel information is on the website as of yesterday.  Councils will need to keep checking for more information.

New Business

 Steve Radcliff has talked to Roger Hansen, NRCS State Conservationist, and NRCS has budgeted $5000.00 available to the Missouri RC&D Association to help in expenses for the RC&D program.  These funds are usually used for rooms and mileage and not for food, etc.  There is still a remaining $1500.00 left in the budget from last year that is still available to RC&D. 

Katie Francka stated that the $10,886.00 that was listed as the profit from the Southwest States Conference and that was stated as being transferred was actually $10,523.58 that was transferred to the Bolivar bank.

 Treasurer’s Report was handed out.  George Engelbach paid the dues for the Gateway RC&D.  Floyd C. didn’t see that Top of the Ozarks was on the list as being paid but later found that is listed as being paid on 9/30/08.

 Kathryn Braden announced the fax numbers so that letters of support for the RC&D program could be sent to legislature.  Also fax copies of your letters to the National RC&D office.  Letters can not be sent out from government offices.  The following is fax numbers that you will need.  It is crucial that letters are sent out in the next couple of days.

Kit Bond #202-224-8140

Claire McCaskill #202-228-6326

JoAnn Emerson #202-226-0326

Russ Carnahan #202-225-7452

 George E. asked how it would be decided who would attend the Albuquerque meeting in June.  Steve R. mentioned that it is listed what expenses will be covered for officers in the Standing Rules, revised on 2/08.  Some was not sure of what the Standing Rules stated.  Pat Hufford read the Standing Rules out loud.  Copies were handed out.

 Kathryn asked Linda to send her the host sheet.

 Steve R. mentioned that Bob Miller, Nomination Chair, could not make it to the meeting due to family illness.  Steve asked E.L. Reed to read the list of recommendations of nominations for Secretary and Treasurer.  E.L. said there had been recommendation for Brad Powell, Osage Valley RC&D, as Secretary.  There were no recommendations from the floor.  Margie Best said that she thought Brad would be a good choice as he has been an officer of their Council.  Kathryn B. made a motion for nominations to be closed.  Seconded by E.L. Reed.  Recommendation of nomination for Katie Francka as Treasurer from Basil Ferguson.  There were no other recommendations from the floor.  Kathryn B. made motion for nomination to be closed. E.L. Reed seconded.  Motion passed.

 Steve R. announced that the next Missouri Association Meeting will be hosted by the Top of the Ozarks RC&D.

 Linda B. made the statement that after reviewing the Standing Rules, she does not think that the Standing Rules made it into the minutes from the last meeting.  Kathryn B. moved to reaffirm that the Standing Rules be adopted from the last meeting in October get into the minutes.  Seconded by Katie F.  Motion carried with 2 opposed and 3 approved.

 Katie F. asked the Councils how many they might be sending to the meeting in June.  Green Hills about 3, about 3 from Southwest Missouri, and the other Councils was not for sure without knowing more details.

 E.L. Reed moved that the meeting adjourn.  Kathryn B. seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.