Arizona Deer Association

Annual Meeting of Members and

Board of Directors Meeting

May 18, 2005 

Attending

Officers and Directors:

Mark Bool, President
Domenick Lopano, Vice President
Todd Julian, Past President
Craig Dunlap, Treasurer

Pete Cimellaro                          Kevin Harris
Amanda Moors                        Stan Johnsen
Rick Rademacher                     Chris Denham, Board of Governors

Guests:

Tracey Martin                           John MacIvor
Steve West                               Lee Molina
Clay Delcoure                          Mike Kannapel
Leonard Ordway                      Rodney Medeiros
Ken McKenna                         Joe Allen

I.  Welcome and Call to Order

The president called the meeting to order at 6:55 pm, and distributed a sign-in sheet.  He reviewed the evening’s agenda.  The attendees then introduced themselves.

II.  Minutes of the April meeting

Pete Cimellaro moved, Domenick Lopano seconded, that the minutes be approved as presented.  Motion carried. 

III.  Treasurer’s Report

Craig Dunlap presented a financial report and reviewed income and expenses for the 2005 fundraiser.  We received $8224 in cash donations for this fundraiser, which is an excellent figure.  He reviewed the income and expenses for each of the fundraiser activities.  He also reviewed the balance sheet and profit and loss statements, as well as the check register.   

Craig also provided a comprehensive report on the funds received and expended on habit projects through the special tag funds.   Over the past four years, we have sold mule deer, whitetail, buffalo and javelina special tags.  We have also authorized the expenditures for the projects through these special tags, and this report reflects the funds expended on each project for each species and what percentage the expenditure is of the funds received.  Stan Johnsen moved, Todd Julian seconded, that the funds be disbursed to Game and Fish as outlined in the written report.  Motion carried.  Leonard Ordway reported that accounting changes are being made at the department to better track the tag funds. 

Todd Julian moved, Domenick Lopano seconded, to accept the treasurer’s report as presented.  Motion carried.

IV.  Funding for the Kaibab Meeting

Pete Cimellaro reviewed the arrangements for this weekend’s meeting, at the junction of US Forest Service roads 422 and 429, providing directions to the base camp.  Game and Fish will be there between 9:30 and 10:00 am on Saturday morning, and Pete reviewed who would be attending from the Forest Service, G&F, the regional office, and the Buckskin Chapter.  The plan is to review habitat and discuss options and goals over steak dinner.  After breakfast on Sunday, it appears that the meeting will break at around noon.  LSD has already presented its final report on their research, and the board reviewed what its goals for the meeting are.  We anticipate that the discussion will be frank but collegial as we all explore ways to improve the Kaibab deer herd.   

V.  Boquillas Ranch Clean up

This event will be June 25^th, and Pete Cimellaro volunteered to pull the trailer.  The ADA has again been asked to provide dinner and breakfast.  The board discussed the issue of access to the Boquillas property for the purpose of lawful hunting.  There is a signed agreement with the Navajos that the Boquillas will stay open for this coming hunting season, and the department has issued deer and elk tags in unit 10.  Pete Cimellaro moved, Chris Denham seconded, that the ADA allocate up to $500 to fund food and supplies for the Boquillas Ranch clean up.  Motion carried. 

VI.  Bowhunter Happening

Chris Denham reviewed prices for booth space and details of the events at the Bowhunter Happening, July 22-24 in Williams.  The ADA will sell memberships and merchandise, but won’t need to haul the trailer or present the deer head collection.  It was suggested that we purchase two booths because we need the room.  The Happening also has a youth shoot, which we might be able to sponsor or join in.  Chris Denham moved, Todd Julian seconded that we fund up to $250 for booth space at the Bowhunter Happening.  Motion carried. 

VII.  Mule Deer Foundation

Kevin Harris received communication from Tony Abbot, the new director of the MDF, who would like to come to one of our board meetings and discuss joint projects and explore forming a closer relationship.  He has made some significant changes in MDF staff, and is looking to open lines of communication with ADA.  After discussion, the board felt that this would be a positive move forward, and the consensus was to ask Mr. Abbot to attend the June board of directors meeting.  Kevin will communicate our desires to Mr. Abbot.  The projects committee will be come very active as its members review all the department’s proposed projects.  Once the committee narrows the projects in to those that will be most beneficial for deer, they will present them to the board for final approval. 

VIII.  Other Business

Pete Cimellaro moved, Chris Denham seconded, that the ADA allocate up to $100 for the monthly meeting refreshments at the next WCC meeting.  Motion carried. 

The board briefly discussed SB 1365, which has passed and is now on the governor’s desk.   

Pete Cimellaro gave an overview of Sportsmen for Wildlife, a program that originated in Utah 11 years ago.  The group is now expanding across the west, consisting mainly of consumptive-use sportsmen advancing our political agenda.  The group has been extremely successful in the political arena in Utah, working with their game management agencies, funding long-term habitat restoration projects to the tune of $100 million, removing 700 predating lions in Utah, etc.  The Sportsmen for Wildlife formula is designed to be custom fitted to each state’s unique set of circumstances, and many big donors have come together to use their influence and money to get the group off the ground in Arizona.  SWF Arizona plans eventually to have an executive director, employ a lobbyist, etc.  Organizational meetings are scheduled statewide in June and July and Pete reviewed the meeting schedule and the plans for membership and sponsorship opportunities.  When the meeting schedule is finalized, Pete will send it to Amanda Moors to post on the website. 

Ken McKenna reported on the predator hunt in Heber, which had a great turnout.  Nearly 40 people attended, and seven coyotes were killed.  The predator clubs were thankful for our sponsorship, and G&F has the biological material for analysis. 

 IX.  Election of Officers and Directors

Mark Bool reviewed the slate of officers being presented to the members for their consideration and election:  Domenick Lopano, president; Tim Tanner, vice president; Craig Dunlap, treasurer.  It appears that our secretary candidate, John Brishky, has rescinded his candidacy, so that position will be open at this point.  Pete Cimellaro moved, Chris Denham seconded, that the slate of officers be accepted as presented.  Motion carried. 

Mark Bool also reviewed the association’s directors.  Pete Cimellaro, Stan Johnsen, Kevin Harris, Rick Rademacher  and Amanda Moors are serving out the second year of their two year terms.  The president then asked if there were any candidates from the floor who would like to serve for a two-year term on the board.  Domenick Lopano moved, Rick Rademacher seconded, that Rodney Medeiros be elected to the board.  Motion carried.  Rick Rademacher moved, Domenick Lopano seconded, that Joe Allen be elected to the board.  Motion carried.  Chris Denham moved, Todd Julian seconded, that Clay Delcoure be elected to the board.    Motion carried.  Chris Denham moved, Stan Johnsen seconded, that Jeff Dickey be elected to the board. Motion carried.   

IX.  Strategic Planning Discussion

Stan Johnsen led a group discussion for strategic planning goals for the association.  Stan took notes as the discussion progressed, and copies are attached to these minutes.   (see below)

X.  Adjournment

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm. 

Arizona Deer Association

May 2005 Strategy Summary & Next Steps 

Mission Statement Review

The Arizona Deer Association is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to improving habitat and expanding Arizona's mule deer and coues deer herds.  To fulfill our mission, we raise funds from members, the public, and private sources.  These funds support projects, education, and programs that directly benefit Arizona's deer herds and their habitat. 

Overall Current Organizational Assessment

•         Membership numbers dwindling.

•         Active participation by board members is low.

•         Low level of commitment & accountability of role of board members??

•         Limited means by which general members are communicated with (flyers, newsletter, etc..)

•         Possible misalignment of organization goals and objectives.

•         Low level of ‘action’ taken on topics discussed at meetings. 

High Level Goals to Support Overall Mission Statement

•         Increased membership.

•         Increased participation by members.

•         More $$ raised to help Arizona’s deer.

•         Increased ‘political’ voice.

•         Stronger ‘youth’ presence in Arizona.

•         Increased/better communication within and outside the organization.

•         Establish annual operating budget, and future CBS projection/analysis.

•         Grow ADA project volunteer corps.

•         Create accessible projects for our members to work.  Communicate positive impact that the ADA projects have on the AZ deer herds. 

Potential Areas of Opportunity

•         Exploit the Conservation Bonus Point system to ensure a strong supply of ready volunteers.

•         Conduct ADA Sponsored Hunter Education classes.

•         Create e-mail distribution list of ALL members to advise when sponsored activities are happening or when volunteers are needed.

•         Leverage volunteer lists from other organizations by teaming-up for various functions throughout the year.

•         Grow the organization through increased ‘chapter’ affiliations (like the current Buckskin Chapter).

 Risks/Challenges

•         Burn-out of current board members.

•         Competition for donation dollars with other clubs/organizations.

•         Misalignment of goals & objectives within the organization.

Action Plan Going Forward

•         Realign internal committees to closely align with the goals of the organization.

•         Recruit and assign committee members.

•         Build goals & objectives at committee level (in support of overall organizational goals…).

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