MSPAC Annual Meeting – November 9, 2013
Northwest Park, Windsor, CT
DRAFT MINUTES – APPROVED 1/11/14
The business meeting was called to order by President, Mark Harran, at 9:15 AM. Approximately 90 members were in attendance.
I. Opening Remarks – Mark Harran
· Mark welcomed our guest speakers: Henry Marckres, of VT Agency of Agriculture and Bruce Gillilan of Leader Evaporator.
· The new Rhode Island maple association was recognized.
· It was noted that MSPAC Director, Randy King, was not in attendance as he is recovering from a serious accident – but is doing well.
II. Treasurer’s Report – Buster Scranton
· A copy of the Treasurer’s Report as of 10/1/2013 was reviewed and is attached.
· The financial details will be reviewed by Paul Hughes. He will report to the membership on his review at the January Pre-Season meeting.
· Ron Wenzel proposed, Rich Norman second that the financial report be accepted. Passed unanimously.
III. Minutes
· The Minutes from the November 10, 2012 Annual Meeting were reviewed. Rich Norman proposed, Paul Hughes second the minutes be approved as presented. Passed unanimously.
IV. Membership and Dues – Bob Dubos
· Bob Dubos proposed, Rich Norman second that the recommended dues, membership fees and contributions be accepted. They are $2/member to NAMSC, $200 to IMSI, $200 to the Research Fund and MSPAC membership dues for 2015 of $30. After some discussion as to the value derived from MSPAC membership, the proposal was passed unanimously.
· Bob Dubos reported on membership for the year. MSPAC has 206 on the membership list, 103 of whom have paid dues for the current year. An additional 9 are life members. Over the past year the Membership Committee has worked hard to get current e-mail addresses for members. Discussion followed as to how many people would like to receive The Drop via e-mail vs. snail mail for both ease of communication and cost savings. Bob noted that 11 Comp members and 7 dealers also receive our newsletter.
V. Officer and Director Nominations - Wayne Palmer
· The recommended slate for officers was presented:
President: Mark Harran
Vice-President: Bob Dubos
Treasurer: Buster Scranton
Secretary: Chuck Drake
Bob Dubos proposed, Mike Girard second that the nominations be closed and the vote called. Passed unanimously.
It was noted that both Mark Harran and Chuck Drake do not plan to stand for re-election next year so the Directors and membership should be thinking about succession for them.
· The recommended slate for the expired Director terms was presented.
Western Directors: Mike Girard
Art Roy
Eastern Directors: Randy King
Wayne Palmer
Ron Wenzel proposed, Rich Norman second that the nominations be closed and the vote called. Passed unanimously.
VI. CT Department of Agriculture – Jaime Smith
· Jaime reported that the Governor would like to increase promotion and branding for CT Grown. The grants available through the State will be directed in this way. The Department has looked at current publications and plan to make “branding’ consistent going forward. She asked MSPAC to consider working with them on MSPAC publications (e.g., SHOP) with the objective of increasing visibility and cross marketing via web-sites.
· It was decided that a sub-committee should work with Jaime to discuss possibilities and report back at the January meeting. Mark Harran and Ron Wenzel will work on this committee.
VII. IMSI Report – Rich Norman
Rich reviewed happenings at the annual international meeting for IMSI. A report on the meeting can be found on MSPAC web-site with a link to the IMSI web-site.
VIII. NAMSC report – Mike Girard
Mike reported on the 54th annual meeting of NAMSC. A report on the meeting can be found on MSPAC web-site with a link to the NAMSC web-site.
IX. ALB/EAB report – Kay Carroll
Per Rose Hiskes who is the State expert on this, there is nothing new.
X. Sugar Houses Open to the Public – Ron Wenzel
Copies of the 2014 Sugar Houses Open to the Public (SHOP) will be available at the January meeting.
XI. Web-site report – Kay Carroll for Geoff Pickard
Geoff is managing the changes on the web-site. We have the ability to accept classified ads. Contact Geoff if interested.
XII. Ag Day at the Capital
· Art Roy will lead this activity but we need some volunteers to help.
· Paul Hughes has provided the maple leaf syrup favors in the past, but he wanted the membership to know he is very willing to step aside if someone else is interested. The membership indicated they would like Paul to provide the 250 favors again this year. He will provide 50 ml maple leaf bottles with special “Connecticut Maple Syrup” label at $2/bottle for a total of $500.
XIII. Publicity report
Mark Harran will continue to provide some low level of publicity to the media, but he asked that someone else step up and take responsibility for this.
XIV. Old Business – Kay Carroll
The remaining small sampler glass bottles and caps will be available at the January meeting.
XV. New Business
International Cookbook – Kay Carroll
The Northeast Division of the US Department of Commerce approached MSPAC about developing an International Edition of The Maple Syrup Cookbook – Connecticut Style which would include additional sections with about 20 recipes translated into French, Italian and Spanish. They offered a matching grant of $5000 to MSPAC to develop this cookbook. Two directors donated the $5000 to MSPAC to match the grant since a decision about that much money could not be made by MSPAC without it being identified in the budget. They will be paid back with the proceeds from the cookbooks. It is hoped copies of the cookbook will be available for the January meeting.
The membership was reminded that the Pre-Season Workshop is scheduled for January 11, 2014.
Art Roy proposed, Wayne Palmer second that the business meeting be closed. Passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:11 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kay Carroll, Recording Secretary
For Chuck Drake, Secretary
DRAFT MINUTES – APPROVED 1/11/14
The business meeting was called to order by President, Mark Harran, at 9:15 AM. Approximately 90 members were in attendance.
I. Opening Remarks – Mark Harran
· Mark welcomed our guest speakers: Henry Marckres, of VT Agency of Agriculture and Bruce Gillilan of Leader Evaporator.
· The new Rhode Island maple association was recognized.
· It was noted that MSPAC Director, Randy King, was not in attendance as he is recovering from a serious accident – but is doing well.
II. Treasurer’s Report – Buster Scranton
· A copy of the Treasurer’s Report as of 10/1/2013 was reviewed and is attached.
· The financial details will be reviewed by Paul Hughes. He will report to the membership on his review at the January Pre-Season meeting.
· Ron Wenzel proposed, Rich Norman second that the financial report be accepted. Passed unanimously.
III. Minutes
· The Minutes from the November 10, 2012 Annual Meeting were reviewed. Rich Norman proposed, Paul Hughes second the minutes be approved as presented. Passed unanimously.
IV. Membership and Dues – Bob Dubos
· Bob Dubos proposed, Rich Norman second that the recommended dues, membership fees and contributions be accepted. They are $2/member to NAMSC, $200 to IMSI, $200 to the Research Fund and MSPAC membership dues for 2015 of $30. After some discussion as to the value derived from MSPAC membership, the proposal was passed unanimously.
· Bob Dubos reported on membership for the year. MSPAC has 206 on the membership list, 103 of whom have paid dues for the current year. An additional 9 are life members. Over the past year the Membership Committee has worked hard to get current e-mail addresses for members. Discussion followed as to how many people would like to receive The Drop via e-mail vs. snail mail for both ease of communication and cost savings. Bob noted that 11 Comp members and 7 dealers also receive our newsletter.
V. Officer and Director Nominations - Wayne Palmer
· The recommended slate for officers was presented:
President: Mark Harran
Vice-President: Bob Dubos
Treasurer: Buster Scranton
Secretary: Chuck Drake
Bob Dubos proposed, Mike Girard second that the nominations be closed and the vote called. Passed unanimously.
It was noted that both Mark Harran and Chuck Drake do not plan to stand for re-election next year so the Directors and membership should be thinking about succession for them.
· The recommended slate for the expired Director terms was presented.
Western Directors: Mike Girard
Art Roy
Eastern Directors: Randy King
Wayne Palmer
Ron Wenzel proposed, Rich Norman second that the nominations be closed and the vote called. Passed unanimously.
VI. CT Department of Agriculture – Jaime Smith
· Jaime reported that the Governor would like to increase promotion and branding for CT Grown. The grants available through the State will be directed in this way. The Department has looked at current publications and plan to make “branding’ consistent going forward. She asked MSPAC to consider working with them on MSPAC publications (e.g., SHOP) with the objective of increasing visibility and cross marketing via web-sites.
· It was decided that a sub-committee should work with Jaime to discuss possibilities and report back at the January meeting. Mark Harran and Ron Wenzel will work on this committee.
VII. IMSI Report – Rich Norman
Rich reviewed happenings at the annual international meeting for IMSI. A report on the meeting can be found on MSPAC web-site with a link to the IMSI web-site.
VIII. NAMSC report – Mike Girard
Mike reported on the 54th annual meeting of NAMSC. A report on the meeting can be found on MSPAC web-site with a link to the NAMSC web-site.
IX. ALB/EAB report – Kay Carroll
Per Rose Hiskes who is the State expert on this, there is nothing new.
X. Sugar Houses Open to the Public – Ron Wenzel
Copies of the 2014 Sugar Houses Open to the Public (SHOP) will be available at the January meeting.
XI. Web-site report – Kay Carroll for Geoff Pickard
Geoff is managing the changes on the web-site. We have the ability to accept classified ads. Contact Geoff if interested.
XII. Ag Day at the Capital
· Art Roy will lead this activity but we need some volunteers to help.
· Paul Hughes has provided the maple leaf syrup favors in the past, but he wanted the membership to know he is very willing to step aside if someone else is interested. The membership indicated they would like Paul to provide the 250 favors again this year. He will provide 50 ml maple leaf bottles with special “Connecticut Maple Syrup” label at $2/bottle for a total of $500.
XIII. Publicity report
Mark Harran will continue to provide some low level of publicity to the media, but he asked that someone else step up and take responsibility for this.
XIV. Old Business – Kay Carroll
The remaining small sampler glass bottles and caps will be available at the January meeting.
XV. New Business
International Cookbook – Kay Carroll
The Northeast Division of the US Department of Commerce approached MSPAC about developing an International Edition of The Maple Syrup Cookbook – Connecticut Style which would include additional sections with about 20 recipes translated into French, Italian and Spanish. They offered a matching grant of $5000 to MSPAC to develop this cookbook. Two directors donated the $5000 to MSPAC to match the grant since a decision about that much money could not be made by MSPAC without it being identified in the budget. They will be paid back with the proceeds from the cookbooks. It is hoped copies of the cookbook will be available for the January meeting.
The membership was reminded that the Pre-Season Workshop is scheduled for January 11, 2014.
Art Roy proposed, Wayne Palmer second that the business meeting be closed. Passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:11 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kay Carroll, Recording Secretary
For Chuck Drake, Secretary
