FHTU ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

MINUTES

January 15, 2013

Dan Bullock welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Dan introduced the 2013 proposed members of the FHTU Board:

Dan Bullock

Ernie Bradley

Barbara Larime

John-Paul Schaefer

Ken Neubecker

Kendall Henry

Ernie Bradley asked if anyone at the meeting would be interested in volunteering to serve on the Board. There were no volunteers.

Dan asked for a motion to approve these members.  A motion was introduced by Ernie Bradley and seconded by John-Paul Schaefer. The motion passed unanimously.

John-Paul Schaefer then presented the Treasurer’s report.  FHTU currently had $8,842.01 available for programs, activities and grants.  The Chapter has completed the required financial reporting to TU National as well as the IRS and in 100% compliant.  In 2012 FHTU made grants to other organization and activities in the amount of $1,950.

Dan then provided an overview of FHTU activities in 2012:

PARTNERSHIPS:

1. Partnered with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers on tamarisk removal project on the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers.

2. Sponsored a boat in the Roaring Fork Conservancy river float in Mar. 2012.

3. TU Members worked with Roaring Fork Conservancy on water temperature monitoring on the Roaring Fork, Crystal and Colorado Rivers.

4. Partnered with the Buddy Program in May for a day of youth fishing.

5. Partnered with both Glenwood Springs and Carbondale for their area River Clean Up efforts.

6. FHTU was part of the Town of Carbondale Steering Committee for the forthcoming Gateway Project. 

7. Continuing to work with the Forest Service on the repair of the handicap fishing access below Ruedi Dam.

FHTU had actively taken positions on the following regional issues:

1. Signed on to support efforts to protect the Thompson Divide and emailed a request to members to send letters to Senator Bennett.

2. Sponsor of candidate forum in September at PAC3.

3. Signed on to a letter to the BLM as a chapter over concerns for oil and gas drilling along with other TU chapters and CTU.

4. Openly voiced concerns over Aspen Hydro Project in November.

5. Wrote letter of support for the LOVA trail in the South Canyon in Glenwood.

6. FHTU added the chapter support with many other organizations to issue 1A - open space - on the Garfield County ballot in November.

FHTU hosted the following events:

1. Sponsored TU Tuesdays in March and April in Aspen, Carbondale and Glenwood with demonstrations of fly tying.

2. Sponsored a chapter meeting in November 2012 on climate change with the Wilderness Workshop. Shown on Grassroots TV.

3. Sponsored a meeting in September 2012 to explore partnership opportunities for TU with other nonprofit organizations in the Roaring Fork Valley. Invitees were: Wilderness Workshop, US Forest Service, Division of Parks and Wildlife, ACES, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Roaring Fork Conservancy, Audubon Society, Sierra Club, American Rivers, Challenge Aspen, Glenwood River Commission, City of Glenwood, Town of Carbondale, Buddy Program, Eagle Valley TU Chapter, Thompson Divide Coalition, Rachel Richards Pitkin County Commissioner, CTU and National TU.

4. FHTU offered to assist Grand Valley TU chapter - Charlie Hensel - with the VA/DVA Winter Sports Clinic fly fishing opportunities in April 2013. Put Charlie in contact with Scott Kraemer of Challenge Aspen and 7 fly shops/guides in the Roaring Fork Valley.

5. Posted numerous meeting notice of other groups meetings and activities of interest and importance to FHTU members on FHTU website.

FHTU also made grants totaling $1,950 to a variety of regional causes and efforts.

Dan then welcomed Zane Kessler of the Thompson Divide Coalition and Aaron Kindle of the National TU Sportsmen Conservation Project for a presentation on the Thompson Divide issues.

Dan thanked a number of guests at the meting including Sinjin Eberle, CTU President, David Nickum, CTU Executive Director, Richard Gytenbeek, TU Colorado River Basin Outreach Coordinator, Shane Cross, TU Legal Counsel, and Stephanie Scott, CTU Chapter Liaison.

Dan alerted everyone to FHTU’s presentation of the Fly Fishing Film Tour on March 29th at PAC3.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted

JP Schaefer, Secretary

January 21, 2013