Georgia Vegetation Management Association

Electric Cooperative Training Center
Smarr, Georgia

In attendance: Tim Beale, Mark Dennis, Ray Dorsey, Mark Heffley, Doug Jones, Werner Kralick, Jerry McGukin, Tim Murphy, John Raese, Darryl Russell, Gary Youngblood

Administrative Assistant
John Raese announced Beth Murdock as the new Administrative Assistant for GMVA.

Team V Update
Board Members discussed the possibility of using Team V Services for conference planning and registration, newsletter, scholarship, and various administrative duties. Members agreed money would be better spent on a strategic planning session, geared toward developing a marketing plan to increase membership by targeting MEAGS, counties, public works, and military bases.
Action Item: John Raese will check with other state vegetation management associations on planning/marketing strategies.
Action Item: John Raese will check with Team V Services on cost of strategic planning session.
Action Item: Tim Murphy will check with Jimmy Hill (retired from Georgia Power) on cost of strategic planning session.
Action Item: Ray Dorsey and Yuanita will check with public works and counties on their vegetation management procedures.
Action Item: Darrell Russell will check on purchasing a book of county commissioners.
Action Item: Werner Kralick will check with Keith Bass on putting an article in the MEAG newsletter.
Action Item: Gary Youngblood will check on obtaining a list of MEAGs in the state.

GVMA Scholarship
Werner Kralick reported on legal concerns of awarding a scholarship, due to GVMA being a non-profit organization.
Action Item: Werner Kralick will follow up with attorney on proper procedures to follow.
Action Item: John Raese will check with Team V on how they can assist with awarding a scholarship.

GVMA Newsletter
Board Members discussed developing a newsletter to be distributed prior to the annual conference. Suggestions for content from Board Members include:
• Review articles from other vegetation management association newsletters
• Request speakers to submit articles on conference presentations
• Review articles from Department of Agriculture and Georgia Green for possible topicsJohn Raese requested a Chair for newsletter; Darrell Russell accepted.
Action Item: Darrell Russell requested Board Members to bring possible topics/articles for newsletter to next Board Meeting.

Clarion Jekyll Island Ocean Front Resort Update
GVMA Conference – April 6-8, 2005
John Raese reported hotel renovations are currently in progress. Board Members expressed concerns over size of facility; may be too small to accommodate more than 200 attendees.

Testing
Board Members voted to change testing to 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Vendors can set up after 12:00 PM.
ISA Exam Vendor Room
Pesticide Exam Large Conference Room

Golf
Board Members discussed cost of golf tournament per person, ($45.00 – $55.00).
Action Item: John Raese will follow up on golf prices and payment options through hotel.

Meals
Breakfast
Board Members voted on, “The Eye Opener,” (eggs, bacon, grits, cereal, coffee and juice) for Thursday and Friday morning, at $8.50 per person. Breakfast will be served from 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM.

Lunch
Board Members discussed whether to include the cost of lunch in registration fee, or require attendees to pay for lunch (sandwiches/deli items served by hotel – ($10.00 per person). Board Members addressed concerns of attendees leaving hotel for lunch.
Action Item: John Raese will ask if GVMA can pay for the amount of food eaten, rather than paying for a certain number of people.

Dinner
Board Members decided on serving a Low Country Boil at the State Park, Thursday,
5:30 PM, $15.00 per person. Equipment demos will be conducted on-site during dinner.
Action Item: John Raese will announce location of Board Members’ dinner at the next meeting.

Breaks
The hotel will provide beverages Thursday and Friday morning, and will only charge for what is used.

Shirts
Conference attendee gift will be a polo/golf shirt, approximately $10.00 each.
Action Item: Mark Heffley will bring three shirt samples to next meeting.

Board Members voted to purchase a high-quality cotton/polyester blend shirt for each Board Member to wear. John Raese and Mark Heffley will decide on color and place order.
(My notes end with discussion of 4-H Nature Tour.)