OPTU Minutes
8/26/2009
El Charro Restaurant
Speedway and Swan
Tucson

Attending
Jeff Collins
Lauren Lucas
John Singley
Stan Vanagunas
Clay Hernandez
Mick FLetcher
Mike Mehrer
Joe Fagan

The meeting was called to order by President Clay Hernandez at 6:00 PM.

John Singley reported that VP Roger McKee is in good shape after his second back surgery and plans on being able to make the retiree fishing trip in September.

Halloween Fest (HF)
Mike Mehrer reported that we missed publication of the Halloween Fest promotion notices in the latest newsletter. It was agreed that we should send out email notices as well as post cards in September. Stan Vanagunas will prepare the message and work with Steve Reiter to send the post cards to all members. Stan will include a "bring and buddy" message. An idea to send the post cards first class to collect undeliverable returns was discussed but not approved. Stan will work with John Murphy to send the email promotion notices.

Mike reported that the HF committee selected Fishing Western Tail Waters as the presentation Ed Engle should make.

Tentatively hamburgers and hotdogs were approved to be offered pending the next meeting of the HF committee. The committee will ask Scott Koktavy if we can use his grill.

A raffle was approved as a fund raising activity. The Banquet committee will be responsible for the raffle.

Mike will host Ed Engle and Clay will loan Ed a car during his stay. The board asked the HF committee to organize contests for the event (such as for best and worst Halloween costumes)

Other AZ fishing groups will be invited, including Healing Waters, Trout in the Classroom kids, several AZF&G folks and a slew of Arizona fishing clubs. Stan, Jeff, Whitey and Joe will work together to make the invitations. They will advise Mike as to invitations and acceptances.

Mike Mehrer moved that a PA amp be purchased from Radio Shack for approximately $100 plus a microphone for approximately $25. Mick Fletcher seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

A meeting of the HF committee will be held next week.

New Web Site
A general discussion of the new web site resulted in consensus that it was a big improvement over the the current one. Robin, Mark and Stan were thanked for their continuing hard work. John Singley moved that funds up to approximately $600 be approved for the web site work. Jeff Collins seconded. Approval of the motion was unanimous.

Web links to other fishing clubs in AZ were suggested as a step toward closer cooperation.

2010 Banquet
The committee members are Jeff Collins (coordinator), Lauren Lucas, Roseanne(sp?) Marsett, John Singley, Mike Mehrer and Clay Hernandez, confirmed, and Jay Elliott TBD (to be drafted). Others are invited, of course.

Various locations for the banquet were discussed including the Holidome and the Grant Rd Sheraton. The high cost of hotels led to consideration of the YWCA, manning House and other possibilities that could be separately catered. Lauren will work with others in the committee to identify a "best" location.

2/20/2010 was tentatively selected as the banquet date.

Jeff Collins moved that $3000 be approved as the prize budget. John Singley seconded.
The motion, after discussion, was approved unanimously.

Lauren asked John Singley to make a Shadow Box for dry fly display to be auctioned. John suggested that Mike also make one. Whitey agreed to coordinate the fly tying. Seems like that is a done deal.

Christmas Party 09
Clay Hernandez opened the discussion with a suggestion that the party be Pot Luck rather than catered. He suggested that not only is pot luck less expensive but it engenders broad involvement and commitment. After more discussion the board agreed unanimously to make the party pot luck this year. Invitations will be by email and postcards. Location will be at SKC headquarters again this year on Saturday, Dec 5th. Coordinator?

Workdays
Sept: Jeff will replace the OPTU banner, left behind at the last workday.
Oct: Healing waters soldiers are invited. Clay is looking into a large tent for weekend.
Clay and Joe are working on a permanent permit from AZF&G for mud bug collection.

Dead Horse Park family outing
Jeff Collins will invite the Sierra Vista and Payson fishing clubs to the outing. It will be promoted to the members at meetings, the Halloween Fest and by email. Food will be purchased locally when we see how many show up.
Members will be informed that if they wish they don’t need to camp out and can take advantage of the local B&B’s and motels. Promotions will include information about the many local activities such as the train ride.

Liability Insurance through TU
For just $100/yr, TU offers insurance that covers TU members and includes medical if injuries occur during a OPTU function. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

Speakers Committee
There is some confusion about who is on the Speakers Committee. Whitey, and Gilbert Castillo for sure. Mike, temporarily. Probably John Murphy. We need a speaker or activity for the October meeting. Whitey volunteered to be the temporary coordinator until things firm up. Mike volunteered to attempt to recruit Steve Newman. More on this later.

Shirts and hats
John Singley reports that his supplier cannot offer insect repellent shirts. Columbia shirts are $40-$50 plus $10 for the OPTU logo. Safari (?) style caps with neck cover will be $20 w/ logo. Another option for caps would be TU, with the TU logo and OPTU also embroidered. More on this later.

With no more business to discuss Clay adjourned the meeting at 7:30PM Respectfully submitted by Mike Mehrer, Secretary.
(That’s his story and he’s sticking to it.)