6-27-21 NCNWTF Board Meeting

Dec 30

Buchanan Shoals Sportsman’s Preserve - Wadesboro, NC - 8:00 am

Board Attendees: Henry Smith, Robert Smith, Ken Moore, Tim Draughon, Perry Bryant, Richard Plattenberger, Roger Reynolds, Brent Phillips, Luke Gibson, Jason Huffstetler, Ted White, Bill Collart, Howard Rumfelt

Guests: Bobby Phibbs, Chris Kreh, Dr. Moorman, Trey Oliver, Scott Martin

Robert Smith started the meeting at 8:37 am with opening remarks and welcomed all visitors.

Ken Moore gave the invocation.

The March 27, 2021 meeting minutes were reviewed by the Board. Bill Collart made a motion to approve the minutes the motion received a 2nd by Ken Moore. The meeting minutes were approved.

Henry Smith presented the Financial Report. Henry made a correction to the report for the Superfund Account which was $168,906.73. Seed account was less due to payment of seed. Checking account still has some outstanding not paid. Still awaiting invoice for guns and purchase of the ATV for the December Raffle. Ken Moore made a motion to approve the report the motion received a 2nd by Ted White. The Financial Report was approved.

Robert Smith introduced Chris Kreh-NCWRC Turkey Project Leader.

Chris Kreh discussed the turkey harvest report for the State. NC had a successful spring turkey season, three strong spring seasons in a row. Eastern Region had the highest harvest, Piedmont Region was 2nd and the Mountain Region was the lowest. Duplin County was the highest. Chris stressed that all areas of the state are not equal, and some previously strong counties have declined in harvest and they are working to figure out why.

Chris Kreh and Dr. Moorman distributed copies of the Wild Turkey Gobbling Chronology in North Carolina. In essence the report reinforced that most of the gobbling occurs during the hunting season and was consistent throughout the state. Dr. Moorman showed a video produced by the NWTF about the Wild Turkey Gobbling Chronology study in NC. The study is something that has never been carried out before a lot of valuable information regarding the wild turkey reproduction, nesting habits and mortality was covered in the presentation. Wild turkeys haven’t been studied in NC for many years, so this information is important to the future of the wild turkey in NC.

Robert Smith brought up the Wild Turkey Symposium to be held in NC in Asheville, NC in June 2022. The NCNWTF Chapter participation would be welcomed to be part of the event. It will be a good time to showcase all the work done in NC on the wild turkey.

Trey Oliver and Bobby Phibbs presented the NWTF RD Update.

Bobby discussed the new Superfund revisions to the program. 75% of this year based on a 3-year average and we have received that number roughly $170,000. No deposits into the Superfund for the next fiscal year. It is encouraged to spend the entire amount. Henry Smith brought up to remember the Superfund money is not ours, it is ours to use like we need to. It is a liability to the organization if we do not spend this money. Robert Smith discussed fiscal year 2022-2023 when we will start getting the split again like the past. Scott Martin discussed the timing on the Superfund and a gap of no deposits, and we need to plan accordingly for the projects we would like to fund. This is for the health of the overall organization and this had to be done. The NWTF has formed a committee to review the Superfund and how changes and the program will be managed.
Currently we are looking at 50% participation of the state’s chapters who are holding fund raising events. Hopefully the new processes for banquets will make it easier for chapters to have events but we must get that in front of them.
Bobby discussed the Incentive Work Group that has been formed. No incentives will be issued unless the following happens:
Events need to get more streamline on paperwork to meet this schedule, possible to pay for entering data if needed. We need to do a better job in getting out members what they pay for. Presale tickets is good option to streamline.
Chapters now receive 5% of the net dollars raised.
New Chapter incentive will receive $500 start up fund, Outreach Programs will also qualify.
Core Package for 2022 includes 14 items. Cost is $2,800 estimated. Bringing back the Gun of the Year. 1,600 core packages ordered a lot of USA. Primarily live auction type items. Preferred vendor is still an option and gives the chapters the ability to customize the items for their event. Local vendors are an option as well.
Bobby and Trey discussed the low participation in the fund-raising events. The events that have occurred have been great events.
Trey Oliver discussed the Reeds Calendar Raffle for 2022. Available for all local Chapters and features a gun per week throughout the year tied to the NC Pick 3 Lottery. Cost for these is $50. There will be 1,000 distributed throughout the state. Calendars will be available in July. Trey also brought up the Watauga County Chapter and needs a contact.
Trey and Bobby discussed the Cold Mountain Chapter matter. Still having issues getting connected and money is owed to the NWTF. Bobby requested the State Chapter send a certified letter regarding the issue and may need to get law enforcement involved to get money. If anyone knows any other chapter members it may be good to reach out and make contact. Phone calls are being made to Edgefield regarding why memberships are not renewed. The local gun dealer has been cooperative and is putting together information on guns that were sold. Roughly about $10,000 looks like. Robert Smith agreed to send a letter to hopefully address and resolve this issue.
Trey has been successful in moving several old packages for events.
Richard Plattenberger asked how many active chapters we have in the state currently. Trey stated we should have an accurate count by Christmas. Several chapters have been hard to reach so we are not sure of their status.

Robert Smith stated that Cully McCurdy was not able to make the meeting due to a conflict. Robert will email out the District Biologist update from Cully. That update was emailed out to the Board.

Bobby wanted to know if there had been any conversation regarding a bridge repair that connects some property the NWTF owns in western NC. NWTF is planning to rebuild the bridge and we can possibly add a sign that shows the involvement of the NWTF on the project.

Howard Rumfelt presented the Seed Program Update.

Howard stated the seed program has been running smooth. Howard thanked all the folks involved in the program.
So far, we have got everything we ordered.
Communication with Edgefield has been much better this year.
Payments for the seed has been smooth this year.
Next year we must meet deadline for ordering seed. We always try to accommodate folks, but we have a lot come in late and it makes it difficult.
Bobby stated he had some Milo located in SC if interested. It could be bought at a reasonable cost.

Brent Phillips provided an update on the Save the Habitat-Save the Hunt Program.

NWTF rebrand is a big push by the NWTF and what it stands for and purpose. Its just a logo that we should get past. We need to be on board with the change to the new logo.
If we have any events, please make sure you let the RD and Brent know so we can get a count on new hunters. Please make sure to register the events.
Things seem to be opening back up with events.
Brent stated the NCWRC is planning more zoom meetings and virtual events. Will be followed up with hand on events. They are looking for volunteers to assist in the events. They are looking for the state chapter to take on more to assist Deet James to expand the programs.

Brent Phillips provided an update on the museum.

Brent has had conversations with his contact. The museum is open now.
They are excited about getting this project up and running.
A workday is scheduled for July 17 to finish the displays. All help is welcomed, start about 8am and we should wrap up around early afternoon.
Ken Moore gave an update on awards and he has contacted another vendor. Ken will follow up on them and coordinate with Brent.
Robert Smith stated he had received a call from a young lady regarding a turkey mount. She has a full body mount of the state record and she reached out to see if the State Chapter and we could possibly put it in the museum. It may need to be freshened up by a taxidermist and we can investigate it.

Henry Smith provided an update on the December Raffle.

40,000 tickets are out currently.
Still working on the guns and online sales has been slow to this point.
New folks are getting involved and still sending tickets out.
December calendar is located on the Facebook page.

Bonni Stephenson was not present for the meeting to provide WITO Update.

Robert Smith discussed the website. Robert distributed some information on the website designer and felt they had given a good price to revamp the state website. They will completely redesign the website and train our administrator; they also offer support as well. Robert has spoken with Jason Burkhalter in Edgefield and he said hold off until the new national website. Will be done in phases and they want all state websites to be consistent and eventually the local chapters. Jason did not have any information regarding the cost of this. Henry Smith asked the RD if they had timing for this roll out. Scott Martin stated the national website will roll out in July and it may not be a fast process to convert all website. Henry Smith stated we are currently needed to do something we are hurting ourselves with the old website. Ken Moore stated he thought we needed to move forward to get the website updated. Ken Moore made a motion to move forward. The motion received a 2nd by Bill Collart. The motion was approved to move forward.

Robert Smith discussed the annual State Convention. Going to be coming up before we know it. Need to reach out to vendors-call makers, etc. Tentative dates January 8 or 15.

Robert has spoken with Greg Cook regarding the Stanley County Fairgrounds.
We need to be thinking about it by the September Board Meeting we need to try to finalize the event.
Look at the first week of January that is typically when we hold the Board Meeting
We need something like this to get more of our chapters involved.

Robert Smith discussed the January board meeting and it would be time for elections. We need to decide on a date.

Robert Smith discussed the Frogman Event and the Campbell’s are willing to help us put that together again if we would like to pursue it. Tim Draughon has reached out to Sage Creek Archery Club and they are still willing to allow us to hold the event there if we would like. We need to determine a date and discuss further to see how much support we can get for the event.

Robert Smith opened discussions on the Reverse Raffle.

Roger Reynolds discussed holding the event at the Garner Center in Troy, NC. We could get it at no charge.
We are looking at 350 people and this venue should be able to hold that many people.
Looking at having live entertainment-Brent Phillips knows of a possible entertainer and Roger does as well.
Roger can start looking at dates of availability, Howard stated we need to move forward with trying to generate some funds.
Need to sell tickets online should be no problem selling tickets.
Tickets cost are $100 each, several cash prizes, and other prizes. Chapter need to participate in providing donations.
Looking at possible September or October event.
Also looking at holding the Board Meeting after the event so board members could be present as well to help with the event.
Robert Smith brought up trying to get the event scheduled for this year. Roger and Richard are moving forward with trying to secure the venue.

Robert Smith discussed the Jake trailers. Trying to locate all five Jakes trailers throughout the state. Surry County, Onslow County, Waynesville appear to have trailers currently.

Robert Smith has asked Jason Huffstetler and Jessi Sackett to handle the social media for the State Chapter. Jessi had also offered to take over the management of the Jakes trailers, but Robert felt that would be a lot to handle. Jason Huffstetler agreed to handle the Jakes trailers and he agreed to handle tracking and keeping up with the trailers. We need a system to check out the trailers for easier tracking.

Robert Smith discussed an event on Facebook Live on July 7, 2021. Selling the remainder of the calls from the Call Makers Competition. It will start at 7:00 pm. It will be 20 calls for sale. Ted also mentioned he may need some help tracking down buyers from the last sale. Some are missing addresses and hard to track down.

Brent Phillips discussed the calling contest and the feedback he got from on the event. The callers really liked the outdoor event and having it by itself. Brent got a lot of positive feedback on the event. Robert is going to contact the DDC to see what the calling contest situation is and if there were issues with us taking the contest way from the DDC.

Robert Smith asked if there was any further business.

Need to decide on the September Board meeting. September 11, 18,25 and may can push into October. The dates and location were left TBD.

Ken Moore made a motion to adjourn the motion received a 2nd from Luke Gibson.

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 pm.

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