January 22, 2006

Board Members:

President………………………..Roger Fitchett
Vice President………………….Charlie Beale
Region 1 Director………………Bill Haire
Region 2 Director………………Steve Woodroof
Region 3 Director………………Stuart Wood
Region 4 Director………………Abe Street
Region 5 Director………………Tim Love
Region 6 Director………………Scotty Stephenson
Region 7 Director………………Andy Noel
Region 8 Director………………Ray Allen
Region 9 Director………………Russ Shetley
Region 10 Director…………….David Sanders
Secretary/Treasurer……………Ann Dalton
Youth Director…………………..John Britton
Conservation Director………….
Tournament Director……………Alton Vaughan
Asst. Boat Raffle Mgr…………..Bonnie Wood
Tight Lines Editor……………….Charlie Beale

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Acting President Charlie Beale at the Best Western, in South Hill, Virginia.

Russ Shetley distributed a revised Federation Constitution and By-Laws that removed all references to B.A.S.S. and inserted references to TBF, Inc. Russ advised that one such reference, in Article 7, Section 7.2-6, dealing with Insurance, was overlooked, so he will make this change when he gets home. Thereafter, a Motion was made by Region 9, seconded by Region 3, to accept the revised Constitution and By-Laws. This Motion PASSED on the following vote:

Region 3 proposed that the defined term "bass" in Article 2, Section 2.1-1 referring to the species of fish, should be identified as "Bass" so as to avoid any concerns or problems with the B.A.S.S. organization at a later date. This proposal was accepted and Russ will make the change.

Region 9 Moved, seconded by Region 3, that the Federation President and Vice-President elected in September 2005, should be re-instated to their respective positions. This Motion PASSED on the following vote:

Thereafter, Charlie Beale turned the meeting over to President Roger Fitchett. Charlie was then thanked for the outstanding job that he did in representing the Federation during the past couple of months.

Roger Fitchett welcomed the following guests to the meeting: Mike Gibson from Region 3, Leroy Keisel from Region 7, James Vick from Region 6, Vernon Wilson from Region 6, Bubba Barksdale from Region 5, Joan Blakenship from Region 5, Mike Bryant from Region 5, and Bo Copley from Region 3.

Boat raffle tickets were turned in to Bonnie Wood, the Assistant Boat Raffle Manager by all of the Region Directors.

A Motion was made by Region 3 to approve the minutes as written; this Motion PASSED by unanimous voice vote.

Roger Fitchett advised that the Federation is in need of a Conservation Director. Roger asked the Region Directors to take this back to their respective Regions to see if anyone is interested in this position. Roger will also ask Pete Herbst to put this up on the Federation website.

Joan Blakenship reported that she attended the recent Lake Gaston Homeowners meeting and advised that this group has joined forces with the Smith Mountain Lake Homeowners Association. They are planning to hold several forums to discuss their concerns—they are also very upset with the Commonwealth of Virginia for not supporting their efforts. They are attempting to raise $1.2 Million and they are hoping that B.A.S.S. will support them.

Youth Director John Britton reported that out of the nine Junior Clubs and one Mentor Club formed last year, four Junior Clubs and the Mentor Club want to stay with B.A.S.S. He has not yet heard from all of the Clubs as some have not yet made up their minds since they are not sure what is going to happen. John asked what the Federation and TBF are planning to do with regard the Youth program. Roger Fitchett advised that nothing will change, a comparable program will be developed. There will still be State Youth Tournaments on the dates already published—there will be no changes to these dates and locations. John also indicated that the families of the Virginia participants in the Junior World Championship event to be held at the Bassmaster’s Classic in Florida could use some financial assistance in getting to the event. Roger stated that B.A.S.S. provides no financial support, the only help they get is from the Federation and the Federation has assisted the past two years. A motion by Region 5,seconded by Region 9 that the Federation provide $500 to each of the two participants to help defray costs—this Motion PASSED by unanimous voice vote.

Charlie advised that Roger Fitchett is no longer on the TBF, Inc. Board. There are now six Divisional Representatives on the Board and there are now 55 total shares of stock for TBF, Inc.—49 of these shares are to be owned by the State Federations and one share each will be owned by the six Divisional Representatives. The states can never own less than 97% of the outstanding shares of stock.

Charlie Beale reported on the meetings that he attended in Florida in early January with B.A.S.S., TBF, Inc., FLW Outdoors, and BassFan Army. As a result of these meetings and discussions, Charlie advised that TBF, Inc. chose to affiliate with FLW Outdoors and BassFan Army and to disaffiliate with B.A.S.S. As a result of this decision, the Federation, as a member of TBF, Inc., will now be aligned with FLW Outdoors and BassFan Army and will no longer be affiliated with B.A.S.S. TBF, Inc. and FLW Outdoors are now in the process of finalizing a 5-year contract outlining their agreement. Thereafter, Roger Fitchett distributed to the Region Directors, and then reviewed and discussed, several draft handouts prepared and provided by TBF, Inc., FLW Outdoors, and BassFan Army; specifically the proposed tournament process for FLW Outdoors and BassFan Army. Charlie Beale then distributed to the Region Directors, and reviewed and discussed, the proposed Ranger boat and Yamaha engine rebate program.

Roger Fitchett advised that rosters and dues for TBF, Inc. are to be sent to the Federation Secretary, Ann Dalton, no later than February 28, 2006. In addition, to be a member in good standing of the Virginia Federation, a membership in TBF, Inc. and FLW Outdoors are required—thus, the Federation agreed that a membership in FLW Outdoors is also required by February 28, 2006. Therefore, in order to fish the 2006 Virginia Federation State Tournaments, and so as to be covered by the AD&D insurance policy of TBF, Inc., a membership in TBF, Inc. and FLW Outdoors must be obtained by February 28, 2006.

Roger Fitchett indicated that there has been some question as to who will sign the contracts. All contracts will go through TBF, Inc., which will sign contracts with FLW Outdoors and BassFan Army. However, for any State Federation to take advantage of the contractual relationships between TBF, Inc. and FLW Outdoors & BassFan Army, each State Federation will need to sign a separate contract with TBF, Inc. Individual Clubs and members will not need to sign any contracts.

Charlie Beale advised that it has recently been discovered that the AD&D insurance policy only covers tournament participants during "safe light" hours—and that it has been this way for the past two years. The insurance company will not specifically define "safe light" hours—thus, this should be taken in to consideration when scheduling Region or Club tournaments, especially night tournaments as there may be no coverage.

Brenda Beale advised that the deadline to submit Articles for the next issue of Tight Lines is February 28, 2006.

Roger Fitchett asked the Region 3 Director if the plans were in place for selling boat raffle tickets at Bassarama. The Region Director advised that all of the Region 3 Clubs have been assigned designated time periods for selling these tickets and that everything is well in hand.

Roger Fitchett advised that Mare Marine will provide the 2007 boat for the annual raffle—the deal is the same deal that the Federation has previously had with Bill’s Marine. The engine on the 2007 Ranger boat will be a Yamaha 150 h.p. carbureted engine.

The 2006 Mr. Bass tournament is scheduled to be held on Lake Gaston out of the Americamps Ramp—Region 6 is hosting.

Charlie Beale advised that to date there have been no changes to the Budget as it has been very difficult to try and create a new Budget in light of all of the recent issues. However, now that it appears that there have been some decisions made, he will work on getting the new Budget completed.

Roger Fitchett asked if the Region Directors would like to invite the individual Club President’s to a meeting with the State Federation Board. The consensus was that such a meeting should be held—it has been scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2006 from noon until 3:00pm at the Best Western in South Hill, VA.

A motion was made by Region 3, seconded by Region 5 to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion PASSED by unanimous voice vote.

A motion was made by Region 5, seconded by Region 3 to approve the boat raffle report. Motion PASSED by unanimous voice vote.

Roger Fitchett read a letter that was received from a national historic preservation organization that is soliciting funds from the Federation. After a brief discussion, Region 7 moved that the Federation not provide any funds to this organization at this time—this Motion PASSED by unanimous voice vote.

Roger Fitchett asked if anyone had any information regarding the speed limit on Smith Mountain Lake. Charlie Beale advised that a Bill has been introduced, HB 1058 he believes, and that it is still in Committee, which he thinks proposes a limit of 35 m.p.h. from 6:00pm until 6:00am. Charlie will e-mail information to the Region Directors. Roger asked the Region 3 Director to contact Larry Elliott to see what he might know about the proposed Bill.

Roger Fitchett advised that he has received two e-mails from a sunglass company that is interested in being a Federation sponsor—he will check with them to see what they are proposing. Roger also indicated that Shimano had a great program last year; however, the program has been changed—Roger will talk to the Shimano representative at the Bassarama and more information will follow. Charlie Beale reported that while he was in Florida he was approached by a representative of a small company that sells GPS glass cleaner, who proposes to hold a seminar in Virginia on sonar and GPS units and then sell his product.

Roger Fitchett reported that the Concerned Bass Anglers of Virginia is holding a banquet/fundraiser on February 25^th—tickets are $40 each or $75 per couple. They will also have a booth at Bassarama.

Region 7 distributed a written Motion to change the Constitution and By-Laws of the Federation regarding the eligibility requirements for the President and Vice-President of the Federation. The Region Directors were asked to take this Motion back to their respective Regions for review and discussion.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Dalton

Secretary/Treasurer