Texas Taxidermy Association
Meeting Minutes
June 23, 2023
I. Call to order
Roy Holdridge called to order and Brian Fees opened the session with prayer for the regular meeting of the Texas Taxidermy Association at 5:35 PM on 06-23-2023 in Killeen, Texas.
II. Roll call
Marie Holdridge conducted a roll call. The following persons were present:
Roy Holdridge; Marie Holdridge; Katie Johnson; Jimmy Fontenot; James Poerner; Ben Cromeens, Cary Jackson, Chad Miller, Brian Fees; Keeley Busbee-Smith, Jacob Poerner, Grant Elliot; Scott Burton; Courtney Shaheen; and Wyatt Oakley.
III. Quorum Announcement
A quorum is present.
IV. Amendments/Additions to Agenda
Roy stated that attendees can add other items to the agenda as needed. No additions noted.
V. President’s Remarks
Roy stated the TTAI has a good Board. I feel honored to have served this term as TTAI President and to work with each one of you. You do not have to be on the TTAI Board to lead a committee or volunteer.
VI. Treasurer’s Report
Katie Johnson, Treasurer provided current the current overall account balance and the money for youth scholarships. The Board approved the report as presented 6/21/23. The details for all TTAI financials as prepared by the CPA are available for viewing upon request.
1. Total TTAI Account Balances: $91,648.04
2. Bob Wilkins Scholarship Fund - $8,485.00
3. Kari Cromeens Youth Education - $1,800.00
Committee Reports
1. Convention Chair – Chad Miller reports that thanks to the Board the convention is going smoothy. We have the TAI pre-order T-shirts here available for pick up at the registration desk
2. Competition Rules Committee – James Poerner states no report.
3. Competition Room Committee – Scott Burton & Cary Jackson state they appreciate the additional help. Was there anything else?
4. Supply Room Site Committee –Jacob Poerner chair reports we have 22 vendors. Everything is going well.
5. Friday Night Committee – Cary Jackson reports we have 10 competitors. There will be pizza again like last year.
VII. Old Business
a) None Reported.
VIII. New Business
i. Approved 6/21/23 TTAI Bylaw Change: Election Audit & Corresponding Handbook Changes (see overhead) Marie Holdridge reports the Board approved the change at the meeting on 6/21/23 which was the second reading after appropriate member notice. The reason for the change is that when we conducted our election last year we were unable to find a CPA to audit the results. The background for the original TTAI Bylaw requiring an audit was due to the use of paper ballots and the need to prevent ballot stuffing. When we engaged the CPA firm in the past they used one obvious control measure and an unobvious control measure to assure a fair and honest election. Our new system for TTAI elections is electronic through our member database. It allows one vote per member and is anonymous. Going forward the TTAI will require an audit by an appropriate firm if we have a paper ballot election or upon request by the Board for an electronic election. ii. TTAI Mission Statement & Why (see overhead): Courtney Shaheen read the newly approved TTAI Mission Statement. Jimmy Fontenot reports that he and Courtney were working on obtaining safari club donations for the TTAI. We needed a mission statement per the application process. Our new mission statement aligns our association with the safari club goals of conservation and
preservation of hunting. The TTAI appreciates Courtney’s work to develop this mission statement. Anything else here???
iii. TTAI College Scholarships – Increased Funding and Renaming TTAI Youth College Scholarship - Marie Holdridge reports that the TTAI Board has approved increasing the TTAI college scholarships from $500 to $1,000. These funds are paid directly to an approved college for the recipient. In addition we are pleased to announce that the TTAI Youth College Scholarship has been renamed to the Kari Cromeens Memorial Youth College Scholarship, to honor Kari’s memory.
IX. Adjournment
Roy Holdridge after motion by Chad Miller with second by Katie Johnson and unanimous approval by the Board adjourned the meeting at 5:48 PM.
Minutes submitted by: Marie Holdridge, TTAI Secretary
Minutes approved by: July 29, 2023
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