Minutes of WFGA Business Meeting, held at Kelowna, BC, July 26, 2004
Meeting called to order at 18:38 by Michael Stoehr (12 persons present)
Motion to accept 2003 minutes:
Financial Report:
WFGA has three accounts: One is an account that can be used as a start up cash source for our meetings (Bank of America account, BOA). The other two accounts are trust funds administered by the OSU Foundation. The purpose of these two accounts is to pay the Critchfield award for the best student presentation. One account is an Expendable Account and the other is an Endowment account. Monies in excess of the historical gift amount are placed in the expendable account and can be used to distribute money. Traditionally, the student awards are paid out of the Expendable account. Due to the past economic downturn, the Expendable account only has a balance of US$360.12, so we are still without sufficient funds for the Critchfield award from these accounts. The 2003 award winner has not received their monies yet and the BOA account balance does not take that into consideration. Closing Balances as of May 31 for the OSU accounts and June 30, 2004 for the BOA account:
Bank of America Account: US$6,109.70
OSU Expendable Account: US$360.12
OSU Endowment Account: US$16,968.76
Glenn Howe suggested that we resend out the memo on how to donate to the Critchfield account. Randy Johnson will look into it.
Sally Aitken said $20 was still left from last year. She will send it to Laura DeWald to put in the checking account.
Sally Aitken moved that the financial report be accepted. Seconded: Alvin Yanchuk – Carried.
Sally Aitken moved that the Critchfield Award be limited to 2 yrs. Seconded: Om Rajora, Thirded: Jack Woods – Passed.
This year’s Critchfield award was for $700, and discussion followed on the 2005 award(s). Glenn Howe suggested we may want a second award. Randy asked if it was wise since we have needed to use the checking account because, in the past 2 years, the OSU foundation account has been insufficient. Sally Aitken discussed the finances and pointed out that we can always add to registration fees to cover awards. Glenn Howe moved we allocate $250 to a poster award for next year (simply cash without restrictions) and transfer $1,000 to the endowment account, all from the checking account. Seconded: Greg O’Neill – Passed.
Sally Aitken moved that the award be for $700 next year. Seconded: Glenn Howe – Carried.
Randy Johnson moved we pay this year’s Critchfield out of the BOA account. Seconded: Glenn Howe – Passed.
Location of future meetings:
2005 Meeting – Randy Johnson proposed that we meet in Corvallis Oregon. Theme: Getting Gain to the Woods: Current and Future Applications of Genetics to Tree Improvement. Dates 26-28 July 2005. The meeting will also probably include the NWSOMA.
Moved: Randy Johnson – Seconded: Sally Aitken – Carried.
Elections:
Randy Johnson nominated Greg O’Neill for vice-president/secretary, seconded by Glenn Howe, no other nominatons, Greg becomes next VP/Sec. Next year’s officers will be: Randy Johnson-President, Greg O’Neill-VP/Sec, Laura DeWald – treasurer. The treasurer position will be up for election next year for a 2-year term.
Glenn asked if any BC folks wanted to be involved in organizing the conference next year. Greg O’Neill will be involved as VP. We will be sure to have invited speakers from BC Min of Forests to represent the BC perspective at the Corvallis meeting.
Meeting ended at 19:09.
Respectfully submitted by:
Randy Johnson
2003/04 WFGA Vice-President/Secretary