EC meeting minutes

[2050z]

I know I have ask for this before, but can somebody on the EC start posting the meeting minutes? It would be very helpful for the members to read what was discussed at these meetings. Any and all information shared with the members helps keep us informed and on the same page.

[LostHawg]

Yeah, I agree with Timm.

What is the LSBA doing that's supporting bowhunting in Texas at this time?

[Cull]

Ditto!

[2050z]

I sent an email to the President requesting this information be posted on the forum. 8)

[LostHawg]

Any word yet Timm?

[2050z]

No sir no word.

No rush......
Just letting the process work. I encourage all of you to contact your area rep and ask them for assistance. Our area reps are there for us and we need to rely on them. They are here to help us so we need to let me help us. :D :wink:

[LostHawg]

Agreed.

[2050z]

I have been in touch with our President and area reps.

I offered some possible solutions to making this work.
If a member has any suggestions on making this work, please contact your area rep and EC. We(the LSBA) need to figure out a way to get current information to the members. It will probably take some time, but at least we(the LSBA) can get the process rolling. 8)

I suggested a members only area with user id and login password. This will allow the current members a chance to read the information.

Also, where can I get a copy of the LSBA by laws?

[hogslayer]

Timm, From what I understand (from various sources) we are operating with bylaws that need to be updated to include any changes. That said, various people that use to serve on the EC have some copies in different stages of update. THis needs to be a priority and I would hope that pro and Beleg can get someone at the EC to realize that the membership would like to see these. I think our site needs a members only area, but we need to be careful what we hide from the general public since we do not want to be considered a click. Many current organizations have indicated to me that is how we are seen and I am sure that has hurt membership.

[2050z]

I agree that we need to be careful. I to have heard that we are a click. I am trying to work within the system to make sure all the members and non members get the latest information.

My intentions are pure and I want the LSBA as a whole to benefit.
Tomme posted awhile back about this very issue and his suggestion need to be reviewed again.

Like I said this process could take awhile and we just need to work it out so we all benefit.

[Tomme]

Click - a small snapping noise - clique - a small group


I feel that one way to handle things would be to clearly mark the preliminary minutes as DRAFT - Preliminary Minutes or in some similar fashion.

Another possibility might be to label a section of the website as EC meeting news with a disclaimer statement that these are not the official minutes but rather a pick of items that might be of wide interest. For example, if the someone tries to legalize the crossbow, or if there's a big hunt coming up or fellowship activity, members might want to know about it. If a hot check is being discussed or someone not paying their bill, it probably doesn't have to make the post. A draft of main ideas could be typed up right after the EC meeting, approved by the President and posted and that would be a good, quick way to let the membership know what's going on.

I think something that gives a brief financial update. (like how much is in the bank), and the main points of the meeting as in the preceding para, could be done, without it needing to be the official minutes and it would serve to keep the members informed and interested.

[biggen]

agreed

[kodiak]

Tomme,

I think you are on the right track.. The membership not only has the need, but the right to know what is occuring at and on our leadership level.

[kodiak]

Tomme,

I think you are on the right track.. The membership not only has the need, but the right to know what is occuring at and on our leadership level.

[Tomme]

The main thing is to get the news out, stir up interest and support, but not cause a lot of grief for folks on the EC. If a lot is going on and word is published, I think it can be real positive in getting new members. That would be my goal for this.

[T-Post]

E.C. meetings are open to any LSBA members feel free to show up for them.

[Tomme]

Hey Brian (T-Post) good to see you on the site again.

It's hard for a lot of people to make the meetings. For example, Tracy lives in Abilene and it's quite a haul to Houston or Victoria, especially if he's not going there to shoot in an LSBA regional anyway.

I think the people who started this discussion are really interested in what's going on in the organization and would just like to see the main points of the meeting posted. That seems like about the easiest way to do it. After all it would be pretty near impossible and darn expensive for all the members of LSBA to come to all the meetings. This would help keep people informed and interested.

[2050z]

Tomme

thanks for posting your ideas again.

Brian,

glad to see you posting again.

[LostHawg]

To go to the meetings, one must know where the meetings are. I wouldn't mind going to some of the meetings, but just using a for instance, a couple years ago we had one in a break room a the LCRA complex in Austin. (I think it was LCRA, could be mistaken). Anyway, it was no larger than an average living room. Kinda tough to get 30 folks in one of those. The meetings would have to be at a larger place than that. For instance a state park picnic grounds or something. Plenty of shade and sightful as well. Perhaps some fishing on the side. :D

Really enjoyed seeing you again at the BSR there Brian. You keep a beautiful ranch.

[T-Post]

Everyone on the EC has jobs and lives other than LSBA but we make every function we possibly can for the sake of the organization.Debbie and I spend about $150 of our money going to the 3-D shoots to try and help keep this org. running.Why do we do this? we do most of the traveling for the fellowship and friends we have been lucky enough to meet. The 3-D was started as 2-D for hunting practice and it grew faster than alot of people would believe.We wouldn't have even known about LSBA if Larry and Tina Zimmerman hadn't taken us with them to a 3-D shoot.
I would like to see more people practicing before they come to the ranch hunting. I have seen more gut-shot animals this past season and up until the present. Having to try and find 75 or so gut shot animals will turn your stomach awfully bad.
I know this is a hunters organization but all need to try and get along to try and preserve our archery only season,if we don't we will lose it.

[2050z]

Brian,

You and Debbie solid folks and do a lot for the LSBA. :D
My point to this post was to start using a tool to reach new members and keep existing members up-to-date on the latest information from the EC.
We all have busy lives and this is a central location to keep up with the LBSA. Wouldn't you agree?

[bowjunkie]

Back to the topic at hand. It was decided a few years ago at an EC Meeting that the Minutes and Treasurers Report would be printed in the magazine, (Minutes were published in the mag when I was Secretary after this EC meeting for a few issues), and posted to the site.....pending final (next meeting) approval by the EC.

Plays back into the post Bob Gagnon made earlier that the By-Laws and Policy and Procedures of the Org need to be made current.....something neither myself nor previous or current Secretary or Treasurers kept current and updated.

[2050z]

Thanks for posting again bowjunkie!

[hogslayer]

I hope all the members remember these issues the next election and get involved,that is the only way we can make a change. To make the EXCUSE that we need to attend meetings to know what is going on is shallow. To indicate that practice is needed is one thing to indicate that 3D shoots are important is another. They are not necessarily the same thing. I shoot dart but do not like 3D at all. That is me. I spend a lot of money on an adult video game using it to get ready for a hunt. I am thankful that people donate their time to the organization, but they have a responsibility to the general membership NOT the other way around. That is the nature of a NOT FOR PROFIT.

[T-Post]

HOGSLAYER,
The organization is a non-profit entity but we have expences for the newsletter,insurance,etc.we have to make a certain amount every year just to survive and the money brought in from 3-d is a very big help.You don't have to participate if you don't want but don't slag everyone else for trying to keep our organization alive. You are welcome to step up to the plate any time you want.

[hogslayer]

Tpost,

With all due respect, 3D is not keeping the organization alive, without the 2 recent hunts we would be in dire financial condition. I am very involved in the hunt activities, and if you participated in those you would know that. I realize all to well the needs of the organization, I also understand the respect that the rank and file do not get from members of the EC when information is leveraged as a either or thing. We have meny members that would benefit from complete disclosure of all information. That does not happen. We see all EC meetings in South Texas. Maybe the EC could travel to the DFW area and have a meeting, also Where does the general Rank and file find when and where a meeting is held? I do not see them on the site, which would be a logical place to publish such information. Last years financials paint an entirely different picture than you are articulating. Your inability to read what I said dismays me, I never said anything negative about the 3D except that I do not like them, I never indicated who or why others might participate, I did indicate that your opinion was one sided and unfair. I indicated 3D is not the only answer, but again someone with 3D interests got excited for no reason. That really bothers me. The original request from members is clear, let's use the site to openly and fairly distribute information, ALL information should be here. We should not have secrets.

[T-Post]

Hello all,
this is Debbie Keeling and this is my first time posting on this forum so be gentle. :D
I have just spoke with Gary Lassmann and if we get the okay from Gary Dick we are gonna have the latest approved minutes posted on this forum.
Have you all noticed the magazine being on this website yet? It is under the news link. Let us know what you think,

Deb

[biggen]

It's a good start!

[hogslayer]

Thanks to the EC for the information on the site, this is a Great effort on their part and I know it will require more of their time which many of us really do appreciate. Debbie, please you and your better half :wink: join us more here, we need to exchange ideas and share. Thanks for your efforts....

[Beleg]

Welcome Debbie. Glad to have you join in on the fun on the LSBA Forum. Posting the magazine on the site is a great idea. Once again, welcome.

[Tomme]

Hey Debbie, good to see you here.

Good thoughts on the minutes and no I didn't know the magazine was on the site. I'll go check it out.

[T-Post]

Thanks alot guys for the welcome :wink:
I just spoke with Gary Dick and the minutes are already on the agenda for the next meeting which is at Buffaloe Field on the 22 at 9.00 a.m. if anyone wants to attend.
I will let everyone know what comes of it.

Deb :wink:

[proforce99]

Hopefully everyone likes having the magazine online. The EC is working to get as much information on the website as we can. We have added a link to the TBBR website under links. Ron did a great job setting up a website for the records, check it out if you haven't had a chance.

[RSATT]

How much money could we save if we cancelled the hard copy of the magazine to people that can read it on the website? I personally have read the whole magazine on the website and have not received my copy yet.

Just a thought

Ronnie

[kodiak]

I agree, having the magazine on-line is a great idea. I also have read the on-line version already. The only problem I had was trying to patiently wait for it to load at times. But that problem is because I'm on a slow dialup connection, so I don't don't have an issue with the load time. From the PR standpoint, its a fantastic idea. Someone surffing the sites, sees the link, reads the on-line and becomes a member.

Once again, for whoever had the idea on on-line mag, well done. Also, I agree with the cost cutting idea on having the magazine on line. But how about offering the members the option of hardcopy or on-line. The members with less than speed of light systems could choose whether to receive a hardcopy or not. But on the other hand, I can see where that would be a nightmare for the publisher. It would be a major pain from the varying size of the print run, to the problem of people calling to say that they didn't get a hadcopy, etc. I can see where that would really be a nasty can of worms. So maybe that my idea of offering an option needs to be re-thought a bit.

[kodiak]

I agree, having the magazine on-line is a great idea. I also have read the on-line version already. The only problem I had was trying to patiently wait for it to load at times. But that problem is because I'm on a slow dialup connection, so I don't don't have an issue with the load time. From the PR standpoint, its a fantastic idea. Someone surffing the sites, sees the link, reads the on-line and becomes a member.

Once again, for whoever had the idea on on-line mag, well done. Also, I agree with the cost cutting idea on having the magazine on line. But how about offering the members the option of hardcopy or on-line. The members with less than speed of light systems could choose whether to receive a hardcopy or not. But on the other hand, I can see where that would be a nightmare for the publisher. It would be a major pain from the varying size of the print run, to the problem of people calling to say that they didn't get a hadcopy, etc. I can see where that would really be a nasty can of worms. So maybe that my idea of offering an option needs to be re-thought a bit.

[Linedawg]

I think putting the magazine on the internet is a good idea for the reasons stated. I especially like non-members being able to view it and hopefully deciding to join. I think the regular magazine still needs to go out to all members. I like to pass on my magazines to non-members. It's just another way to try to encourage membership. Plus the advertisers are paying to have their add put out there in a real magazine. Of course if we save enough money by going online with the magazine we may not need advertisers. Good topic for discussion.

[hogslayer]

Your points are good, but remember the magazine is handed out at events to entice new members. It is really a pretty impressive publication and I would hate to see it go the way of the dinasour (tomme?). I also think that the PDF is great, but you can also publish HTML and actually have it so it is browser enabled. Maybe the new webmaster could help with that so people could read without actually downloading. I especially like the electronic version because I can keep them on my drive for those lonely nights on the road, they help me remember you guys and why I work so hard...

[Linedawg]

You work hard?


:twisted:

[Tomme]

You? Work?

We recently cut the magazine by two issues in order to save $9,000 a year. Perhaps another option might be to expand back out to six issues per year which we had through 2003 and make two of them purely ezine issues. I think if someone went through the archives an "LSBA Classics" with say a good story of the month taken from prior years might be neat. Similarly but in terms of current articles, maybe there could be a bonus article section each month, along with last meetings minutes, the treasurer and other officer reports. That way you wouldn't have to wait from one EC meeting for as much as 6 months to know what was happening.

One problem with putting the magazine solely on line is that not all people even have internet, much less a fast internet. A second is those people who don't or won't join and would simply read or download off of the site. I've heard people who used to pick up a free magazine at a bow shop say why should I join, I get the magazine for free.

Still we could save about $18,000 per year by going solely on line. That would buy a lot of hunts for the membership, pay for a lot of kids bows, allow us to donate to bowhunter defense efforts around the country, etc. :D

[LostHawg]

Tomme, the problem with going solely online is that many folks don't have i-net service, let alone a computer (though the number constantly is increasing). Furthermore, with dial-up, it sure takes long to load. I think it would be best to set our online pace to our members' progress in technology. Meaning, if folks would prefer to view it online instead of receiving it in the mail, they can make a note of it on their membership applications and renewals. Life members can call in and inform the administrator of their preferences. :?: I personally like having a hard copy around.

I like the reallocation of funds idea, if it'd work.

Are we still "nonprofit"? :?: :?: :?:

[2050z]

Tracy,
More members have internet service and posting the information is just one tool for the LSBA to use. I for am glad to see we have the magazine on line.It shows we are moving in the right directions.

If we need to scale it back then we pick out the most important information and get it on line. Let the stories and pictures be printed in the magazine.

[Cull]

I spend all day at a computer with a full T-1 internet connection but I am old fashioned when it comes to magazines. I like the real thing in my hands. I like to pass on the copies to try and promote this sport we all love. I think any attempt to make the magazine an online only publication would be met with much resistance from those without computers or high speed connections and traditional hard copy guys like myself.

[hogslayer]

If we use 2 technologies we can post it for everyone, 4 times a year in print (with the pdf posted) and then 2 times a year HTML (Hyper text markup Language) most word processors and publishing packages output native html and that is very quick to browse. Now to add the links (goto page xx) would take work, but I believe that everyone including the advertisers would benefit from 2 mags on the net.

I also think that we could have a submission page for the editor where the stories and pictures could be saved more easily for future issues.

On Events I would like to see the meetings posted 4 months in advance. I would also like to see 5 meetings a year with 1 in each region to support the members and give them a chance to attend.

[LostHawg]

I agree Timm. But, as with the Traditional Bowhunters of Texas newsletter, the members could have the option of either viewing it online only or receiving a magazine. I'd like to do both and I do believe that having it online is a good thing.

[walking eagle]

Let me throw my two cents in the pot. For the entire exsistance of the LSBA (I have been with it for the whole show) we have fought the on going up-hill battle of membership recruitment. The annual dues paid to belong to the LSBA are the major portion of our budget income.
I don't think the issue should be deciding which news media to use, but to utilize all of the media outlets available to reach as many bowhunters across the State that we can. The potential of our website has long been under-used.
I applaude the decision to put the mag on the website, but we also need the hard copy . As said, not everyone has the i-net. and there is a lot of areas in this grand Sate of Texas where it is not available for the average people.
I constantly run into bowhunters that don't know that there is a State records system or even a bowhunting organization (LSBA) that works hard to perserve the bowhunting rights they take for granted. We spend too much time attemping to sell the LSBA to bowhunters that are already members.
I am a hard core bowhunter of 44 years, and the LSBA was brought into exsistance to offer the bowhunters thier own association, but being open-minded, I welcome any program to support the LSBA. Bickering among our ranks does not promote the results we need to continue for another 30 years. Membership is the key factor to survival, and keeping that member is the main focus. So channel your ideas in that direction and sign up a new member in your area.
Ron Collier
TBBR Chairman

[RSATT]

Very well put, Ron. I agree with all you said. Thanks :)

Ronnie

[Cull]

Well said Ron!

[kodiak]

Score a bullseye for Ron.

[kodiak]

Score a bullseye for Ron.

[kodiak]

Question? Off topic..Why does this double post almost evrytime I submit? What am I doing wrong?

[hogslayer]

The topic that started was just requesting the minutes on the site, that got feedback from it is on the EC agenda to go to meetings if you are interested. Whilst there is value in all the opinions, the original question was distorted. As stewards of the site we all need to keep the focus on serious topics like the communication issues. Ron's point is very accurate to the issue of the magazine, he more importantly directs focus to the fact that our goals are membership increase and communication to have an informed association. I am glad to see the posts and happy to be part of the organization but we need to break these threads up so we can focus and be sure the answer is not lost, to people that are new to the LSBA site they probably wonder why we cannot stay focused...

[Phillip]

I haven't been on in a while but wanted to give an update to the magazine. It is scheduled to ship out on Friday. We are right on the normal two weeks from approval schedule.

Hello to the T-Post family. Good to see you on the sight.

Phillip

[proforce99]

Hopefully everyone has noticed that Linedawg has started a new thread called Meeting Notes. Steve volunteered to recap the meetings and post the notes on this thread for the membership to have access to. Thanks for getting right on this and having them posted already. Thanks again and enjoyed working with you this weekend and having you and beleg shoot.

[Linedawg]

Enjoyed getting to hang out with everyone. Thought the meeting went well also.