SCGFA Minutes of April 28th. 2008

Meeting opened at 7:40pm with the singing of O Canada.
Attending: President, 1st. Vice, Treasurer, Secretary, 8 Directors, 10 Members and 5 Guests
Treasury: Tom C. Reports that we have a healthy balance at present.
To date we have sold 145 derby tickets, 42 ramp passes and 143 memberships
The Kids Day acct is at $3700 and growing.
Motion to accept the report by Doug G. Seconded by Jerry B.
Secretary: No correspondence. Deadline for submissions to the newsletter is May 26th.
Would like to have a CD produced of our Kids Day activities as an advertising and marketing tool.
Minutes are no longer read out at the general meeting. Hard copies are made available upon request and are always available at the club prior to meetings. We are still working out some technical difficulties with the computer. The goal is to have the minutes and the newsletter available through the website.
1st. Vice: Doug was absent most of the month due to illness.
Ticket sales at Canadian Tire and Bronte Outdoors have been slow. We do not have any outlet along the Niagara River.
The bite is still slow on the lake and only 7 fish are on the leader board. One fish was disqualified.
The Flea market on the 19th. Was a little disappointing. Possibly due to lack of advertising, date conflict with Earth Day activities and 2 fishing derbies.
The ramp has been very busy the past 2 weekends with derby traffic.
No date set for the fall derby, but the committee wants to retain the prize structure used last year.
2nd. Vice: Absent- Jerry Mitrovich thanked the volunteers for their efforts in rebuilding the docks and working as ramp attendants. Noted that ½ of these volunteers are 70+
Much of the area has been cleaned up. Thanks in part to Bill Andrews, Bruce Miller,
We have some new signage at the ramp. The Lakeshore Rd. sign has been put up and repainted by Bruce D.
KIDS DAY: Dagmar Miller reports that all is well in hand. Some very generous donors stepped forward in a big way this year. A few more volunteers are needed.
Set up is Friday noon until whenever. At least 6 bodies are required.
For Saturday, all helpers should be at the club 7-7:30 in the morning.
President: Jerry Mitrovich reported on this springs stocking efforts in Port: 4000 browns, 2500 bows with 2500 to come, and 100,000 chinook planted on the 19th - 20th . Ringwood is micro-chipping salmon stocked in the Credit River for study. There was also a discussion on pen rearing and the level of commitment required.
A meeting will be held with our insurer to renegotiate and renew our policy. The goal is to remove certain unnecessary coverage clauses to realize some savings.
Good and Welfare: A minute of silence was shown in respect for the recent passing of longtime members Albert Mason and John Livingston.
The executive unanimously found it was time we adopted a policy for bereavement. In future a $30 donation will be made to the charity of choice upon being informed by family of a member’s passing. Upon hearing of hospitalization of a member a card will be sent.
After the break, Percy again won the draw donating the proceeds back to Kids Day.
MNR: Dan Andrews attended the MNR outreach seminar this month. The TIPS hotline works. As a result of increased call volume Niagara region has been allocated 1 more CO.
The MNR does monitor forums like niagarafishing.net regularly and are surprised by the amount of misinformation being disseminated.
New Business
Bill S-213 on animal abuse has been passed by parliament.
There was a lengthy discussion on provisions within Endangered Species Legislation which infringe on landowner rights.
Herb Schnick spoke on Landowner Association. Business and the failings of various governments to respect the rights of the landowner.
The club does not wish to see the 4 Falls area posted as a sanctuary.
There are still problems between the Dalhousie Yacht Club and area anglers.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30
Minutes of General Meeting May 26th. 2008

Meeting opened with the singing of O' Canada at 7:40pm

Minute of silence offered for the passing of member, John Yuell

In attendance: President, 2nd. Vice, Secretary, 8 directors, 13 members, 2 guests.

Treasury: Tom C. Absent. Quick summary given by Jerry M. 190 memberships and 213 derby tickets sold thus far. The first 2 months of the boating season have been very healthy financially.

We may see a decline in the sale of seasonal ramp passes due to the recent surge in fuel costs.

Bill B gave a quick summary report on the salmon derby.

2nd. Vice: Paul G reported that our roadside sign was in need of repair yet again. Line painting will take place in the parking lot.

George D has volunteered to update our sponsor boards.

Short discussion on signage: posting a waterway speed limit sign at the ramp.
: getting the city to place boat ramp signs in town.
: investigate attraction signs at the QEW.

President's report: The club has successfully renegotiated our insurance at a savings of $1300

A floral gift was voted on behalf of Dagmar in recognition of her efforts in organizing Kids Day.

The ramp attendant, On Duty, will be allowed free beverages while doing their shift, as per previous guidelines.

Kids Day : Dagmar M. Reported on a successful event despite the weather. Participation of 400 youth and 58 volunteers. Only 21 fish weighed in as the cold front shut down the bite.

Fund raising efforts were extremely successful. We now have a healthy starting fund for next years Kids Day.

Welland Watershed Plan: An open house to be held at the Welland Lion's club on River Rd. on June 3rd. 7-9pm. Secretary to attend.

Draw for $35.50 won by Bruce M. ( Might buy an hour’s gas on the water)

Sporting Clubs of Niagara have taken an affiliate membership with the Landowners Assoc.
A video presentation was made by the Landowners Assoc.
Meeting adjourned at 9.20pm.
Minutes of General Meeting  June 23, 2008


16 attended the last meeting before summer break. The next regular meeting will be September 22, 2008


Treasurer, Tom Copeland and secretary, Bruce Downs were unable to attend.


Doug and Bill presented a summary of the winners from the Spring Salmon Derby. We agreed to mail the cheques in about two weeks allowing for any potential challenges to the results

Salmon:

1st Dave Sullivan 30.02

2nd Greg Amiel 28.00

3rd Rob Sciarra 26.98


Lake Trout

1st Kevin Hampson 20.36

2nd Kevin Hampson 19.68

3rd Don Degrace 19.36


Rainbow Trout

1st Robert Tait 13.80

2nd Mike Deyoung 12.47

3rd Jerry Barnett 12.20


Brown Trout:

1st Dave Smith 12.56


Big Fish of the Week Winners courtesy of Scotty First Aid boat kits, Thundermist Viper Spoons,

A-TOM-MIK Tournament Trolling Flies and SplitKing Lures. Thank you for your generous support.


April 6 Tyler Gamble

April 13 Stephen Klejdys

April 20 Dick Vanstone

April 27 Darren Vanstone

May 4 Karl Chmilnitzky

May 11 Gavin Cameron

May 18 Dave Sullivan

May 25 Bowen Sandercock

June 1 Greg Amiel

June 8 Greg Amiel

June 15 Don Degrace

June 22 Dave Sullivan


The Fall Salmon Derby is scheduled to run 8 weeks, Saturday August 16 until 12:00 noon Saturday October 11.

This is a Salmon only derby with a first prize 50% of ticket sales, with some additional merchandise prizes to be announced prior to the start.

BONUS: $1,300 will be paid out to the first salmon 35lbs or over.


Drinking Water Source Protection - The committee has an information meeting Wednesday June 25th allowing for input from the club and concerned organizations. Jerry Mitrovich and Charles Clark are planning to attend, representing the interests of the SCG&F.


Charles Clark volunteered to review the Bell telephone and internet service charges to determine if savings are available. Jerry Mitrovich suggested that we should consider dropping internet service due to the relatively high cost essentially for minor email. An alternative could be a hotmail account that is easily accessible from any computer.


Jerry Mitrovich raised the suggestion for a volunteer recognition dinner since the bank balance would support it. No one offered comment or volunteered to chair organizing the event.


Jerry Mitrovich suggested that the club contact all new members to determine why they joined, what they hoped to get out of a membership, and if they were interested in volunteering for any initiatives. Only Paul Groves has volunteered.


Jerry Mitrovich suggested that the club start working on plans to celebrate our 80th anniversary in 2010. Ideas put forth included a grand dinner (possible game & fish); updating a historical record of the club and making Kid’s Day and the Salmon Derby special events. No volunteers again, but I'm hoping by this fall to have a dedicated committee in place.


Paul Groves updated us on a proposed fall training seminar for turkey hunters requiring volunteer support if approved. Paul Groves, Brandon DeSantis and Jerry Mitrovich agreed to represent the club and hopefully others will also step forward when required.


Jerry Mitrovich advised the group of details pertaining to a fund raiser in support of "Big" Jim McLaughlin. Muskies Canada is selling $5 raffle tickets for 5 prize packages to date. Paul Groves made a motion, seconded by Percy McKay to purchase a block of tickets for $50.00. If the club wins, the prize package will be awarded by draw to a paid member.


The club will manage Canada parking on Tuesday July 1st, collecting $2 per car in support of Kids Day. Dawn, Doug & Chris Ferrier, Doug Gauthier, Jerry Mitrovich and others have agreed to run the parking lot from 5:00 until required.


Dawn Ferrier reminded us of the annual summer barbeque. It was agreed to have it August 18th beginning at 6:00 pm. Details to follow.