President Lenny Rogers called the meeting to order at 9:07 am and expressed his appreciation to all for participating in the conference call.
Participating Board Members:
Lenny Rogers - NCACAA President
Gary Pierce - NCACAA Vice-President
Mark Tucker - NCACAA Past President
Barry Foushee - NCACAA Treasurer
Nancy Keith, Kelly Groves, Jim Cowden, Molly Sandfoss, Alan Thornton, Chris Talley and Tyrone Fisher.
MINUTES: Nancy Keith in the absence of Ben Chase, Secretary NCACAA All members had received minutes from previous board meeting via email.
Barry Foushee made a motion to accept the minutes as written and sent out and seconded by Mark Tucker. President Rogers called for discussion and vote.
Minutes were APPROVED.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Barry Foushee
Barry had emailed a copy of the treasurer's report to all board members. Barry indicated that the transfer from savings was a money out of savings to checking. There was also $8000.00 ($7000.00 from trust fund and $1000.00 board savings) transferred into checking, $4250.00 from SW District after state meeting and miscellaneous income was checks for states night out in Buffalo and Lenny Rogers reimbursed.
Savings Balance: There was a transfer of $750.00 for hospitality room in Buffalo into checking. The hospitality room ended up being complimentary due to problems incurred.
Alan Thorton made the motion to accept the treasurer's report as presented and Gary Pierce seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE: Dr. Ort
Dr. Ort discussed salary adjustments as well as the necessity of the equity adjustments, which has been ongoing for the past seven years. He expressed appreciation to agents for help and support during this process. The raise from the state along with equity adjustments will be in the October check and retroactive to July 1.
Dole Initiative: Discussed the Dole plant David Murdock is bringing into the state and the tremendous investment into NC agriculture. The Dole Initiative has been received extremely well by the city of Kannapolis and Cabarrus County. There will be research capabilities in areas of agriculture, health and nutrition. Dr. Ort also discussed the creation of a bag salad plant in Gaston County and the siting of a frozen fruit plant, probably in southeast NC. Farm Bureau is sending four individuals to California to visit Dole operations there to get some idea of what resources will be needed from Extension to help the growers.
Marketing and Change Management Initiative: Dr. Ort and Dr. McKinnie have met with Carolina PR and it has been recommended that we should have one core mission which answers the questions: What should drive us? What do we want to market? What is our core mission? The decision has been and it is the belief that the core mission should be food and fiber (Agriculture) This decision is based on feedback, history, discussions, etc. and that we will be challenged at what we do around the core mission and not to stray from the core mission.
Dr. Ort reported the Dr. Ed Jones had returned from LA and said that New Orleans had been receiving most of the attention but Mississippi is much more devastating than we have seen. Dr. Jones shared with them of what had been done in NC in past years and the importance of volunteer control and management.
Dr. Ort expressed thanks and support for calls, cards food and prayers during his illness.
TRUST FUND REPORT: Barry Foushee
Due to the sensitivity of financial information, detailed financial reports and information will not be posted to the NCACAA web pages. Any member requesting it will be provided detailed financial and investment information by the Trust Fund Chairman.
Everett Davis, Trust Fund Chairman, Mark Tucker - Past President 2005, Marjorie Rayburn - Past President 2004, and Walter Earle - Past President 2003
2008 Committee: Mark Tucker
An executive committee had been scheduled but was cancelled due to travel restrictions. Most committee chairs sent in a report to Karen. Fundraising Committee: Pork producers have committed $50,000 to be paid in 3 installments over the next 3 years. Farm Credit of NC has been contacted for $50,000. Eastern NC Farm Credit has approved their one third but Cape Fear and Carolina Farm Credit have not approved yet. Mark Tucker and Scott Shoulars have met with Phillip Morris and have not received anything official but had a good feeling. Agricultural Foundation has made a commitment of $25,000 but will have to be approved.
There are currently 41 agents who have pledged $21,000. All districts need to encourage members to contribute either by donor or a one-time gift. Our goal is to have 100% of all 261 members participate. 2008 committee members need to push members to donate.
LOGO: Barry Foushee
The logo was sent out to all board members. The logo was approved as sent out.
TOUR COMMITTEE:
Any sites and possibilities of tours need to be sent to committee.
2005 STATE MEETING EVALUATIONS: Lenny Rogers
Forty-one evaluations were received and all indicated that the meeting was very good overall. Some thought that the business meeting was too long and should be made more informative for new agents and that the softball game was too competitive. The evaluations will be passed to the district hosting next years meeting.
AUCTION RECAP AND GUIDELINES: Mark Tucker
Who gets credit for auction items? The person bringing in the item should put a value on the item. Credit will only be given for what the item sells for and actually goes into checking account. For example: If an item is donated and the value is $20.00 and it sells for $30.00; the person donating the item gets a $20.00 credit and the buyer gets a $10.00 credit.
Barry Foushee made a MOTION to accept guidelines as presented and Gary Pierce seconded the motion. MOTION PASSED.
ASSISTANCE FROM BUFFALO: Mark Tucker
It was discussed before the national meeting in Buffalo that they may run short on funds due to losing a major sponsor and may need some assistance. The vote which was done via email was unanimous (14 voted to support) to provide assistance if needed after the meeting in Buffalo if requested.
POLICY REVISION: Mark Tucker
There are some changes that need to be made to policy. Everything has already been voted on, but the changes need to be added to policy. Barry Foushee also indicated that in the awards section it needs to state that all monetary award winners must be present at the state meeting to receive award or the award is forfeited. If there is a conflict and an agent is not able to attend the meeting to receive award, they must present their case to the appropriate committee for a decision on whether or not award is granted. The appropriate committee will then notify Board on the decision.
FEDERATION MEETING:
Scheduled for December 9 at the Lee County Extension Office. District Vice-Directors are to attend along with President, Vice-President and President Elect.
MEMBERSHIP DUES:
Barry Foushee reminded board that membership dues are due to him by December 1st.
Scholarship vs. Awards
Young Agent Scholarship: Sharon Rowland gave the option to be reimbursed from expense receipts, because if it is not a reimbursement and is received as an award; taxes have to be taken out. Lewis Howe Scholarship: was set up as an award but by the criteria set up it is basically a reimbursement. The policy says that the agent will be reimbursed.
Sharon Rowland is going to check with lawyer to see what needs to be done in our award situation (AA, DSA). Mark Tucker will check back with Sharon on it.
The retired agents set up the Young Agent Scholarship. Barry Foushee and Alan Thorton suggested that we need to check with the retired agents to see if they agree to set it up based on a reimbursement up to $500.00 rather than an award where taxes will be taken out up front. Lenny Rogers will check with Bill Holtzman to discuss the situation and let the retired agents make the decision on this.
Barry Foushee made a MOTION to make the Lewis Howe Scholarship a reimbursement based on travel expenses. Mark Tucker SECONDED. MOTION PASSED.
MEAL CO-SPONSORSHIP IN CINNCINATTI: Lenny Rogers
Lenny talked with Tim Hendrick in KY and he a request to see if NC could cosponsor the Monday night BBQ with Florida if they would reciprocate in 2008. The total cost of the meal will be $15,000-$16,000. Florida has committed $7500.00 and Tim feels that if we would commit $7500.00, SC would come up with the rest. We would be able to be present and serve the meal. Barry reminded us that we had donated $4000.00 to the Florida meeting. Mark suggested that anything that we could do now will come back to help us in 2008.
Barry Foushee made the MOTION that we give $7500.00 for cosponsor the Monday night BBQ with Florida with the understanding that KY/Ohio will reciprocate in 2008. Mark Tucker seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Barry will be in charge of the workforce at the dinner and Lenny will pass information back to Tim Hendrick.
SECRETARIES ASSOCIATION REQUEST
Regina Gardner had sent a letter thanking the association for our past support of $1000.00 for their awards program. This letter also included this years request of $1000.00 support. The group discussed that this was the most logical group to support. Mark Tucker made a MOTION to give the secretaries association $1000.00 for their awards program. Barry Foushee seconded. MOTION PASSED.
NCACAA LETTERHEAD
Mark Tucker indicated that Joanna Radford had a request that the beekeeping association be added to our letterhead because for the past 2-3 years they have donated to our association. Jim Cowden made a MOTION to include the beekeeping association on our letterhead (find out from their group how it needs to be). Barry Foushee SECONDED. MOTION PASSED.
Lenny Rogers will check with John Dorner to see if the letterhead could be done electronically, possibly reducing cost.
STATE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE
John Dorner is the newly appointed national electronic communication coordinator for NACAA and has requested the formation of an internal electronic communication committee for the state association. Barry Foushee made a MOTION to form a committee for state internal electronic communication and each district appoint someone to be on the committee.
The President will appoint the chair and the President- Elect would also serve on the committee. Alan Thorton SECONDED. MOTION PASSED.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Bryant Spivey indicated that there is an employee who is paid 100% by the county and is an assistant agent with agricultural programming responsibilities and would like to know if this person eligible for membership. Membership is allowed for any agent who has agricultural responsibilities regardless of whether they have state pay or not.
HURRICANE KATRINA ASSISTANCE: Lenny Rogers
Lenny referenced a letter that he had received from Elmo Collum as to what kind of assistance they needed. All of the different options were discussed for contributing (NCDA collection, Extension Fund, national NACAA fund, or directly to state). After much discussion, Alan Thorton made a MOTION that as an association we make a contribution to the administrative fund and as agents work with producers who may want to contribute to supply fund or work on getting supplies to affected areas.
Nancy Keith SECONDED. MOTION PASSED.
Barry Foushee made a MOTION that we contribute $2500.00 now and revisit in a month to see if more is needed after Hurricane Rita. Alan Thorton SECONDED. MOTION PASSED.
OTHER BUSINESS: Lenny Rogers
Lenny sent a card to Kathy Chase (Ben's wife) on behalf of the board. Barry Foushee will handle getting flowers and a gift certificate to send to Kathy at home and will let board know total amount for those who wish to contribute.
NEXT MEETING: January 6, 2006 at the Wake County Office
Kelly Groves - North Central next meeting is October 6 and will have slate of officers.
Chris Talley - West next meeting is October 6 at Cherokee Reservation and officers are on website.
Alan Thorton - Southeast had to reschedule meeting due to travel restrictions. They are working on 2006 state meeting plans. The meeting will be at the Hilton in downtown Wilmington. They are considering a dinner cruise instead of softball.
Molly Sandfoss - Southwest they recently met and they are contributing to "Katrina Fund" as a district.
Tyrone Fisher - South Central researching hotels in Southern Pines for 2007 state meeting.
Nancy Keith - Northwest next meeting scheduled for October 27.
For those who ordered state pictures from national meeting in Buffalo they will be the ones taken at the banquet.
Meeting adjourned
Respectfully Submitted
Ben Chase
NCACAA Secretary
Last updated: 2/13/2006
Please send comments and suggestions to John Dorner.