Votes & Polls

Votes and Polls

2012

Votes and Polls (During the First Quarter of 2012)

On 2/10/12 I, Randy Rowley, initiated a vote of the officers on a proposal to buy three years of web hosting instead of one (buying three years would result in a 30% savings.  I noted that we have $1517.72  in checking and our major expense (insurance) has been paid (we have more than enough money to pay the $250.20 fee).

On 2/16/12 the proposal  passed unanimously (8 to 0).

2011

Votes and Polls (During the Fourth Quarter of 2011)

On 11/16/11 I, Randy Rowley, initiated a vote of the officers on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Budget.

FY 2011 Facts
Income – $1,454.50
Expenditures – $889.32
Surplus – 565.18

This does not include our ministry budget, which is not based on specific donations; therefore, it cannot be projected.

I am presently not concerned about our budget. We’re more than holding the line with over $2,000 in checking.

The expenditures are based on last year’s budget minus FCS Gear. As FCS Gear is no longer a membership benefit there is no longer a need to put it in the budget. We’ll handle the purchase of FCS Gear as we did the caps that we recently purchased (everyone who wants one pays for it in advance). I kept the purchase of six DVDs in the budget (I plan to buy the Spiritual Outdoor Adventures series – hunting videos and devotionals in one). As I was spending anywhere from 4 to 8 hours preparing a devotional for a meeting, I think that these will be a good investment. They’re entertaining, about hunting, contain spiritual applications, and will free up 24 – 48 hours of my time a year.

I won’t send in the NRA donation until the end of the year and won’t send it in if we don’t meet our budget.

Proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

Projected Income

1000.00 – 50 memberships ($20.00/member)
1000.00 – Total

Projected Expenditures

713.00 – Liability insurance
107.00 – Annual Web Hosting renewal fee
60.00 – DVD purchases (for six meetings)
35.00 – Annual NRA (or another organization) donation
18.00 – Photocopies
16.00 – Miscellaneous office supplies and other expenditures
15.00 – Fill up the FCS propane tank
15.00 – Stamps and postage
10.00 – Annual domain transfer fee (automatically transfers when people type fcs-texas.com to fcs-texas.org)
991.00 – Total

Projected Surplus

9.00

On 11/22/11 the proposed budget  passed unanimously (6 to 0).

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On 11/22/11, I, Randy Rowley, initiated a vote of the officers on the proposed 2012 FCS Calendar (see below).

Proposed 2012 FCS Calendar

January

• Friday, 12/30/11 through Sunday, 1/1/12 – Winter Dove Retreat at Lee Ewald’s ranches near Dilley.
• Friday, 1/6/12 through Sunday, 1/8/12 – Parent/Child Deer and Hog Hunt on Frank Hamilton’s ranch near Trickham.
• Saturday, 1/7/12, 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Friday, 1/13/12 through Sunday, 1/15/12 – Self-Guided Saltwater Duck Hunt near Port Aransas.
• Saturday, 1/21/12, 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Saturday, 1/21/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM – “Clay Targets Covered with Ice Sickles” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane , Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Monday, 1/23/12, 6:30 – 8:30 PM – Officers Meeting at Mighty Fine Burgers (10515 North MoPac # B205, Austin, 512-524-2400).
• Friday, 1/27/12 through Sunday, 1/29/12 – Self-Guided Hog Hunt at the Walters Ranch near Jarrell.

February

• Saturday, 2/11/12 – Guided Upland Bird Hunt with the 4R Ranch near Tarpley.
• Monday, 2/13/12, 7:00 – 9:30 PM – FCS Meeting and Chili Cookoff at Charlie Batts’ home (9706 Bordeaux La., Austin, 512-258-8773 – Home, 512-750-2225 – Cell).
• Saturday, 2/18/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM – “Spread the Love (Broken Clay Targets) Around” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Friday, 2/24/12 through Sunday, 2/26/12 – Self-Guided Hog Hunt at the Walters Ranch near Jarrell.
• Sunday, 2/26/12, 12:45 – 3:45 PM – Red Apple Open Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).

March

• Saturday, 3/3/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Spring “Break the Targets” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Friday, 3/23/12 through Sunday, 3/25/12 – Self-Guided Hog Hunt at the Walters Ranch near Jarrell.
• Thursday, 3/29/12, 6:30 – 8:30 PM – Wild Game Dinner at St. George’s Court (1443 Coronado Hills Drive, Austin).
• Saturday, 3/31/12 – Self-Chartered White Bass Fishing Trip at the Colorado Bend State Park.

April

• Sunday, 4/1/12, 12:45 – 3:45 PM – South by Southwest Open Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Saturday, 4/7/12, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM – “April Showers of Broken Clay Targets” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Monday, 4/9/12, 7:00 – 9:30 PM – FCS Meeting and Catfish Fry at Ron Denison’s home (1009 Ambrose Cv., Pflugerville, 512-670-7717 – Home and Work, 512-217-4677 – Cell).
• Sunday, 4/15/12 through Tuesday, 4/17/12 – Semi-Guided Hog Hunt at the Wild Hog Hunting Ranch near Gonzales.
• Saturday, 4/21/12, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM – “Rabbit Shoot” Sporting Clays Tournament at the Gun Smoke Shooting Range (in Snook, near College Station).

May

• Saturday, 5/5/12, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM – “FCS Open” (Two Rounds of Sporting Clays) at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707) and the 290 Café in Manor.
• Friday, 5/18/12 through Sunday, 5/20/12 – Self-Guided Hog Hunt at the Walters Ranch near Jarrell.
• Sunday, 5/20/12, 12:45 – 3:45 PM – The Emerald Open Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Monday, 5/21/12, 3:30 – 9:00 PM – Chartered Hybrid Bass Fishing Trip with Jay Garrett on Lake Belton.

June

• Friday, 6/1/12 through Sunday, 6/3/12 – Self-Chartered Bay Fishing Trip near Port Aransas.
• Saturday, 6/9/12, 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM – Student Instructor/Student Sporting Clays Shoot at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio.
• Monday, 6/11/12, 7:00 – 9:30 PM – FCS Meeting and Fajita Dinner at Larry Dowden’s home (905 Cashew Lane, Cedar Park, 512-259-2490 – Home, 512-507-5894 – Cell).
• Saturday, 6/16/12, 12:45 – 3:45 PM – Dickie Loy Memorial Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Saturday, 6/23/12, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Youth Skeet and Five Stand Shoot with Operation Orphans followed by an FCS Sporting Clays Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).

July

• Monday, 7/9/12, 6:30 – 8:30 PM – Officers Meeting at Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q (11570 Research Blvd., 418-9898).
• Saturday, 7/14/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM – “Hotter than Blazes” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Monday, 7/16/12, 6:30 – 8:30 PM – FCS Dinner at Texas Land and Cattle (14010 North Hwy 183, Building B, Austin, 258-3733.
• Sunday, 7/22/12, 12:45 – 3:45 PM – McBride’s Open Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Saturday, 7/28/12, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Shooting Range Shoot at the Eagle Peak Shoot Range (20026 Lindeman Lane, Leander; near Jonestown).

August

• Saturday, 8/4/12, 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Margarita Open I Sporting Clays Tournament at the WB Ranch near Whitney.
• Saturday, 8/4/12, 7:00 PM – dark – Clay Target Shoot with Legacy Outfitters at a ranch near Georgetown.
  Monday, 8/6/12, 7:00 – 9:30 PM – FCS Meeting and Steak Dinner at Mike Coppedge’s home (3920 Crest Lane, Round Rock, 512-632-9550).
• Thursday, 8/9/12 and Friday, 8/10/12, 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM (both days) – Student Instructor/Student Sporting Clays Shoot at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio.
• Saturday, 8/18/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM – “Dove Tune-Up” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).

September

• Friday, 8/31/12 through Sunday, 9/2/12 – Dove Hunt (Central Zone) with Whitewings Galore near San Angelo.
• Saturday, 9/8/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 PM – “Dog Days of Summer” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Sunday, 9/9/12, 12:45 – 3:45 PM – Bill Hughes Open Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Friday, 9/14/12 through Saturday, 9/15/12 – Guided Teal Hunt with Bill Sherrill Waterfowl near Wharton.
  Saturday, 9/15/12 – Blast and Cast (Dove Hunt and Bass Fishing Trip – Central Zone) on Joel Kirby’s land near Lometa.
• Thursday, 9/20/12 through Sunday, 9/23/12 – Dove Hunt (South Zone) on Lee Ewald’s ranches near Dilley.
• Friday, 9/28/12 through Sunday 9/30/12 – Dove Retreat (Central Zone) on Frank Hamilton’s ranch near Trickham.

October

• Saturday, 10/6/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM – “Welcome Fall” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Sunday, 10/7/12, 12:45 – 4:00 PM - Bob White Open Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club.
• Monday, 10/8/12, 7:00 – 9:30 PM – FCS Meeting and Shrimp Boil at Charles Cutchens’ home (2704 Buckeye Trail, Cedar Park, 512-918-8205 – Home).
• Saturday, 10/13/12, time TBD - “FlingFest” Sporting Clays Tournament at The Gun Smoke Shooting Range (in Snook, near College Station).

November

• Saturday, 11/3/12, 4:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Saturday, 11/10/12, 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Saturday, 11/10/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM – “Thanks for Giving us the Knowledge to Make Clay Targets” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Friday, 11/16/12 through Saturday, 11/17/12 – Chartered Bay or Deep Sea Fishing Trip with Kenneth Gregory Guide Service near Port O’Connor.
• Saturday, 11/17/12, 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Saturday, 11/24/12, 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Sunday, 11/25/12, 12:45 PM – Mike McAlpine Open Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).

December

• Thursday, 12/6/12, 6:30 – 8:00 PM – Shrimp Boil at Great Hills Baptist Church (10500 Jollyville Road, Austin, 512-343-7763).
• Friday, 12/7/12 through Saturday, 12/8/12 – Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt with Kenneth Gregory Guide Service near Port O’Connor.
• Saturday, 12/8/12, 3:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Saturday, 12/8/12, 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM – “Rudolf’s Revenge” Sporting Clays and Skeet Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).
• Monday, 12/10/12, 7:00 – 9:30 PM – FCS Meeting and Turkey Dinner at Wayne Weilnau’s home (16100 Fritsch Cove, Austin, 512-388-3340 – Home, 512-589-4120 – Cell).
• Saturday, 12/15/12, 3:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Saturday, 12/22/12, 3:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Saturday, 12/29/12, 3:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Self-Guided Freshwater Duck Hunt on Lake Stillhouse Hollow near Harker Heights.
• Saturday, 12/29/12, 12:45 – 3:45 PM – Year End Finale Sporting Clays Tournament at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, Austin, 512-272-4707).

On 11/28/11 the proposal passed unanimously (4 to 0).

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2010

Votes and Polls (During the Fourth Quarter of 2010)

On 12/16/10 a poll was initiated to get feedback on where to hold the 1/1/11 “Bring in the New Year” Shooting Range Shoot – at Eagle Peak Shooting Range or Best of the West Shooting Sports. The results on 12/22/10 were two members favored shooting at Eagle Peak and no one favored shooting at Best of the West.

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Votes and Polls (During the Third Quarter of 2010)

On 8/10/10, I, Randy Rowley initiated a poll of the Club inactive members regarding as to why they have not renewed their FCS memberships. The poll ran through 8/15/10. The results were as follows:

• 5/93 inactive members (of whom I have their e-mail addresses) responded (5%).
• No members have not renewed because the Club no longer gives FCS Gear to renewing members.
• Two members have not renewed because of being too busy to participate in Club events.
• Two members have not renewed because of not having the funds to participate in Club events.
• No members have not renewed because of not being happy with something the Club does or doesn’t do.
• Two members have not renewed because of the following reason:

• Keep forgetting/have not taken the time to mail in membership renewal check.

As there is no data to support the possibility that some long time members have not renewed because we are no longer giving FCS Gear as membership renewal benefits, there is no need to change the bylaws.

On 8/20/10, I, Randy Rowley initiated a vote of the Officers on the proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget. On 8/26/10 the proposal passed unanimously (5 for and 0 against). One officer proposed that we don’t buy any new DVD’s. They will be our lowest priority (we will buy them only if we have met our other obligations and have adequate funds).

Fiscal Year 2011 Budget (Beginning 9/1/10)

Projected Income

330.00 – 11 new memberships ($30.00/member)

920.00 – 46 membership renewals ($20.00/member)

1250.00 – Total

Projected Expenditures

673.00 – Liability insurance

318.00 – Membership benefits (FCS Polo shirts, T-shirts, or Mouse Pads)

107.00 – Annual Web Hosting renewal fees

40.00 – DVD purchases (for six meetings)

35.00 – Annual NRA (or another organization) donation

18.00 – Photocopies

16.00 – Miscellaneous office supplies and other expenditures

15.00 – Fill up the FCS propane tank

15.00 – Stamps and postage

1237.00 – Total

Projected Surplus

13.00

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Votes and Polls (During the Second Quarter of 2010)

On 6/5/10, I, Randy Rowley initiated a poll of the Club members regarding the two possibilities for our Annual “Student Instructor/Student Sporting Clays Shoot” at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio. Options included Saturday, 6/12/10 – Sunday, 6/13/10 (we would shoot on Saturday) and Thursday, 8/5/10 – Friday, 8/6/10 (we would shoot on Friday).

The poll ran through 6/10/10. Two members preferred to shoot on 6/12/10, two members preferred to shoot on 8/6/10, and one member preferred to shoot on both dates. We will have the event on both dates.

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2009

Votes and Polls (During the Fourth Quarter of 2009)

On 11/11/09, I, Randy Rowley, initiated a vote on three propositions from me to change our bylaws that address membership dues and change all references of ‘active’ member, and to add a bylaw regarding a Release of Liability Waiver.

Proposition 1

Change:

III. Membership:

C. FCS adult members shall consist of those men and women who have:

· Expressed a desire to be an FCS adult member by completing an FCS Adult Membership Application (the address to send your application and dues check is located on the application) and have paid FCS membership dues. New adult member dues are $20.00. New adult members who choose a FCS Gear membership benefit item that costs more than $14 will have to pay an increased due, according to the cost of the item. Exceptions to the $20.00 new FCS adult membership dues are noted on the FCS Adult Membership Application and the FCS Gear web page. A new FCS adult member who wishes to have his or her membership benefit mailed must also cover the cost of postage and a large envelope (see the FCS Adult Membership Application and the FCS Gear web page for specific postage and envelope amounts).

or

· Paid a $10.00 FCS adult membership renewal. Renewing FCS adult members receive no FCS Gear membership benefit; however, renewing FCS adult members who wish to purchase FCS Gear at the time of their renewals can do so as FCS Gear can be purchased at any time.

To:

III. Membership:

C. FCS adult members shall consist of those men and women who have:

· Expressed a desire to be an FCS adult member by completing an FCS Adult Membership Application (the address to send your application and dues check is located on the application) and have paid FCS membership dues. New adult member dues are $30.00. New adult members who choose a FCS Gear membership benefit item that costs more than $14 will have to pay an increased due, according to the cost of the item. Exceptions to the $30.00 new FCS adult membership dues are noted on the FCS Adult Membership Application and the FCS Gear web page. A new FCS adult member who wishes to have his or her membership benefit mailed must also cover the cost of postage and a large envelope (see the FCS Adult Membership Application and the FCS Gear web page for specific postage and envelope amounts).

or

· Paid a $20.00 FCS adult membership renewal. Renewing FCS adult members receive no FCS Gear membership benefit; however, renewing FCS adult members who wish to purchase FCS Gear at the time of their renewals can do so as FCS Gear can be purchased at any time.

The reason for this proposed change is so that we can afford to pay for liability insurance each year. As you know, I started a poll on this subject a week ago. A record 21 (out of 60) active members responded to the poll. All respondents stated that they supported adding liability insurance and would continue to renew. I assume that the remaining 39 members are not opposed to the idea, or they would have so indicated in the poll. During our one week discussion on this proposal no one expressed opposition.

Proposition 2

Change all references of ‘active’ member to ‘supporting’ member.

The reason for this change is because I think that ‘active’ was not the best adjective for us to use to define a member who is current in his or her membership dues/supporting the Club financially. ‘Active’ intones an involved member who is participating in events. We presently have several ‘active’ members who are current in their dues who have never attended an event. We also have several members who are very involved in events yet are not considered ‘active’ because they are not active in their dues. Changing ‘active’ to ‘supporting’ would be a more accurate description of people who are supporting the Club financially.

Proposition 3

Add:

IX. Release of Liability Waiver:

A. All members and guests must sign a life time FCS Release of Liability Waiver prior to participation in FCS events that involve the use of: landowners’ land and bodies of water, outfitters, guides, guns, bows, knives, other weapons, and vehicles used in hunting, shooting, and classes that involve the use of weapons (concealed handgun license, shooting, etc.); landowners’ land and bodies of water, outfitters, guides, vehicles, boats, bows, and knives used in fishing, canoeing, and kayaking; vehicles used in car racing; vehicles and trailers used in camping; and any other FCS events that involve potential hazards. It is at the sole discretion of the FCS president as to whether an event requires participants to sign a life time FCS Release of Liability Waiver prior to participation in the event. The FCS president shall maintain a binder of completed FCS Release of Liability Waivers. A member or guest who refuses to sign an FCS Release of Liability Waiver will not be allowed to participate in FCS events that involve potential hazards until he or she does so.

We have required a Release of Liability Waiver at all Dove Retreats for around the past 12 years (during our hunts at Mr. Ewald’s ranches near Dilley and at the Camel Mills ranch near Pearsall) but have never formally included the requirement of a waiver in our Bylaws. We need to add this to our Bylaws and require that all members and guests sign a waiver for all events that are potentially hazardous in order to meet the requirements to obtain liability insurance. Instead of signing a waiver for a specific event, I propose a life time waiver for all FCS events involving hazards, which will be much easier for me to keep track of and will prevent members and guests from getting annoyed with having to sign a waiver every time that they attend an FCS event that is potentially hazardous. Waivers will also support our case if someone sues us for a baseless reason (e.g., a guest at an FCS duck hunt slams his finger in his truck door, breaking it, and then sues us for $50,000 for not providing a safe environment in which to hunt).

The vote ran through 11/17/09. All three propositions passed unanimously (16 votes for and 0 votes against).

On 11/17/09, I, Randy Rowley initiated a poll of the Club members regarding the two possibilities for our Annual “Bring in the New Year” Shoot at the Eagle Peak Shooting Range (Eagle Peak has handgun, rifle, and shotgun ranges). We can have it on Saturday, 12/27 and/or on Thursday, 1/1 (New Years day).

The poll ran through 11/23/09. One member preferred 12/26/09. One member stated that he could shoot on either date. One member stated that he could shoot on either date or both. We will have the event at least on 12/26/09.

On 11/18/09, I, Randy Rowley, initiated a vote on a proposal by me that the Club purchase liability insurance for $673. Our Bylaws require all proposed unplanned purchases of $50.00 or more must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the FCS officers who cast a vote prior to the purchase(s). The cost of the liability insurance was not added to our Fiscal Year 2010 Budget, which was approved by the officers on 9/5/09, and the amount is more than $50.00, therefore, we were required to vote on the proposal.

I noted that the policy will be in effect for one year. We presently have $927.23 in our checking account (counting an IOU for $13 from one member), so we can afford it. This will leave us with $254.23 in checking. The results of the vote on the proposition by me to change our Bylaws that address membership dues so that we could afford the insurance were 16 votes for and 0 votes against. If we still have 60 supporting members in August of next year I will add this expense to my Proposed Annual Fiscal Year Budget (which means that the officers will vote on it when we vote on the proposed budget each year). However, if membership drops significantly we will have to revisit the issue at that time.

The vote ran through 11/24/09. The proposal passed unanimously (6 votes for and 0 votes against).

On 12/2/09 I, Randy Rowley, proposed the 2010 Calendar to the Club officers. The vote ran through 12/8/09. The proposal passed unanimously (6 votes for and 0 votes against).

Votes and Polls (During the Third Quarter of 2009)

On 8/1/09, I, Randy Rowley, initiated a vote on three recommendations from the officers.

As I noted in the 7/20/09 Club Officers Meeting page, the officers discussed a problem related to our membership benefits.

A history of the problem:

• On 4/10/97, the active Club members approved mandatory Club membership for all Dove Retreats. This was re-approved on 4/5/01 and implemented at the Fall Dove Retreat on 9/21/01.
• On 9/19/03, at the Fall Dove Retreat, the Club officers approved (by Executive Decision) and implemented a membership benefit of a FCS cap. We distributed almost the entire box of 48 caps at that Retreat. The idea was that distributing a box of caps or shirts would be easy, as most of the hunters at the retreat would receive one as a membership/ membership renewal benefit and/or would purchase one. During that time very little mailing of membership benefits was required.
• On 12/23/03, prior to the 12/31/03 – 1/3/04 Winter Dove Retreat, the active Club members approved the continuation of FCS Gear as membership benefits.
• In September of 2006, Mr. Ewald doubled his price for dove hunts. Consequently the large Dove Retreats, which averaged 46 participants, became a thing of the past. Our primary means of distributing membership benefits changed to mailing them to members.
• With currently 61 active members, the mailing of membership benefits, which remains our primary means of distributing membership benefits, has proved taxing.

In short, we never intended to mail massive amounts of FCS Gear as membership benefits. To be blunt, it is taking up too much of Richard Corbin’s (our Membership Director) and my time.

The officers made the following recommendations:

• New members membership dues will remain at $20 and new members will continue to receive their choice of FCS gear. New members who choose a FCS Gear item that costs more than $14 as a membership benefit will have to pay an increased due, according to the cost of the item.
• Change membership renewal dues to $10 with no FCS Gear benefit. Renewing members who wish to purchase FCS Gear at the time of their renewals can do so.
• We should continue to not require active membership in order to participate in Club events. (This has been our position for 18 years. The officers recommended to continue with this position and to make it a Bylaw.)

These recommendations, if enacted, will require the following Bylaws to be changed:

From:

III. Membership:

A. FCS adult membership is available to men and women, 18 years old and older, without regard to race, national origin, age, denominational preference, or political persuasion.

B. Active FCS adult members shall consist of those men and women who have:

1. Expressed a desire to be an FCS adult member by completing an FCS Adult Membership Application (the address to send your application and dues check is located on the application); and

2. Have paid an annual FCS membership due. Current dues are $20.00 a year (any exceptions are noted on the FCS Adult Membership Application and the FCS Gear web page). Those FCS adult members who wish to have their membership benefits mailed to them are asked to also cover the cost of postage and a large envelope (see the FCS Gear web page for specific postage and envelope amounts).

C. A directory of members will be maintained by the FCS officers.

D. Current FCS adult membership benefits:

Active FCS adult members receive:

• FCS Gear options as detailed on our FCS Adult Membership Application and FCS Gear web page (shipping is extra for some items – see the FCS Gear web page for specific postage and envelope amounts)
• Quarterly newsletter, Annual Calendar, and Annual Membership Directory (for members who do not have Web access).

Active FCS adult members have the following rights:

• Make amendment proposals to the FCS Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Annual Calendar of Events, and/or Annual Fiscal Year Budget;
• Participate in all active FCS member discussions and votes; and
• Check out (borrow) FCS equipment items, videos, and books

E. A FCS adult member who declines his or her FCS Gear membership benefit (a T-shirt for example) will have the option of whether to designate the portion of their dues that would have been dedicated to cover the cost of the FCS Gear to either go to cover general expenses or to be contributed to a FCS Scholarship Fund that will be used to help active FCS adult members and youth members who need help in paying for FCS events. No revenues from the FCS budgets will be dedicated to the Scholarship Fund.

To:

III. Membership:

A. FCS membership is not required in order to participate in FCS events.

B. FCS adult membership is available to men and women, 18 years old and older, without regard to race, national origin, age, denominational preference, or political persuasion.

C. Active FCS adult members shall consist of those men and women who have:

• Expressed a desire to be an FCS adult member by completing an FCS Adult Membership Application (the address to send your application and dues check is located on the application) and have paid FCS membership dues. New adult member dues are $20.00. New adult members who choose a FCS Gear membership benefit item that costs more than $14 will have to pay an increased due, according to the cost of the item. Exceptions to the $20.00 initial adult membership dues are noted on the FCS Adult Membership Application and the FCS Gear web page. A new FCS adult member who wishes to have his or her membership benefits mailed must also cover the cost of postage and a large envelope (see the FCS Adult Membership Application and the FCS Gear web page for specific postage and envelope amounts).

or

• Paid a $10.00 FCS adult membership renewal. Renewing FCS adult members receive no FCS Gear membership benefit; however, renewing FCS adult members who wish to purchase FCS Gear at the time of their renewals can do so as FCS Gear can be purchased at any time.

D. A directory of members will be maintained by the FCS officers.

E. Current FCS adult membership benefits:

New FCS adult members receive:

• FCS Gear options as detailed on our FCS Adult Membership Application and FCS Gear web page (shipping is extra for some items – see the FCS Adult Membership Application and the FCS Gear web page for specific postage and envelope amounts)

All active FCS adult members receive:

• Quarterly newsletter, Annual Calendar, and Annual Membership Directory (for members who do not have Web access).

All active FCS adult members have the following rights:

• Make amendment proposals to the FCS Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Annual Calendar of Events, and/or Annual Fiscal Year Budget;
• Participate in all active FCS member discussions and votes; and
• Check out (borrow) FCS equipment items, videos, and books

F. A new FCS adult member who declines his or her FCS Gear membership benefit (a T-shirt for example) will have the option of whether to designate the portion of their dues that would have been dedicated to cover the cost of the FCS Gear to either go to cover general expenses or to be contributed to a FCS Scholarship Fund that will be used to help active FCS adult members and youth members who need help in paying for FCS events. No revenues from the FCS budgets will be dedicated to the Scholarship Fund.

Renumber the remaining letters as G – J.

These changes should result in having to mail FCS Gear benefits and purchase FCS Gear less frequently.

A vote was taken. The results were 15 votes for and 0 votes against.

On 9/5/09, a vote was held among the officers regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2010 Budget. The proposal passed seven votes for to zero votes against

Fiscal Year 2010 Budget (Beginning 9/1/09)

Projected Income

300.00 – 15 new memberships ($20.00/member)

450.00 – 45 membership renewals ($10.00/member)

750.00 – Total

Projected Expenditures

339.00 – Membership benefits (FCS Polo shirts or Deluxe Caps and Mouse Pads)

109.00 – 500 brochures

80.00 – Annual Web Hosting and Domain Name renewal fees

72.00 – DVD purchases (for six meetings)

41.00 – Stamps and postage

35.00 – Annual NRA (or another organization) donation

32.00 – Photocopies

30.00 – Miscellaneous office supplies

12.00 – Fill up the FCS propane tank

750.00 – Total

Projected Surplus

0.00 – Total