First off you could not miss that this edition of the, “President’s Column”, is authored by the vice president. Ray had to step down “due to circumstances that have changed in his life”. Ray will begin teaching at St. Bonaventure University and must direct his energy towards this venture and his family. Ray did so with a heavy heart, however he hopes the club will continue with the programs we have started. Ray will continue as a member and will remain as active as possible. He will still continue Project Healing Waters as long as he can.
I know I can count on our current membership, directors and officers for their support while I finish Ray’s term as president. I believe that Ray has built the club on a good foundation, and as Ray has said many times a club is not one person but a community, we will continue. As your new president I will continue our programs and I hope we can build upon our successes. If we are to succeed we need to grow our membership and retain current members.
The club voted to make some structure changes to our General Membership meeting that will make two positions critical to our success in the future. We have restructured our meeting; we will not be discussing business at the general membership meetings. These meetings will be social events were we can get together to hear good speakers, talk about fly fishing, tie flies, and meet new members and cultivate friendships. Therefore, I believe our program director is vitally important to the club. He arranges for guest speakers and coordinates activities at all general membership meetings. These meetings are how members and potential members judge and see the club. An interesting meeting will bring members back and encourage more people to join. This makes it very important that we have a good program for the General Membership meetings. I believe a strong membership chairman is very important to our club his activities keeps our membership growing by reaching out to our community to recruit new members. I know one person can not do everything so I hope as we move forward members will step up to help both of these directors. Highlighting these two director positions I do not mean to diminish the value or importance of the other directors, everyone is important.
A term is only one year that is not very long; I sincerely hope that if you take on a position you can remain active for the term. I know circumstances can change and I understand that, however we have had a couple committee chairmen and a director take on a role and just as the activities got started we have not heard from them since. We need some commitment to the position for the term. I also hope each person who takes a position recruits someone who can fill in if something should happen. Our terms are short so we need to be continually grooming our successors.
Officer and Director Positions for the Lake Erie Chapter of the Federation
of Fly Fishers
President - Chairs all committees, directs and is responsible for all
club activities and functions. All communications to the press or outside
the club is through the president unless he directs otherwise. Position
carries one vote at board meetings. (Ray Markiewicz 2nd term)
Vice President – Serves to the directive of the president, fills in for the president in the president’s absence or in the event the president can not continue his term. Position carries one vote at board meetings. (Tom Marks 2nd term)
Recording Secretary
– Records meeting minutes, reads minutes at each meeting, makes
a copy of the minutes for the president and keeps a copy for the club
records. Minutes are legal documents of the club’s business. All
reports and records must be approved by the membership. Position carries
one vote at board meetings. (Al Himmel 1st term)
Treasurer – Keeps records of the club’s finances savings and
checking account. Pays all bills at the directive of the board of directors
and membership. Reports finances to federation, membership and officers,
keeps records for tax purposes. All reports must be approved by the membership.
Position carries one vote at board meetings. (Terry Devine 2nd Term)
Membership Secretary – keeps records of membership, may remind members to renew. Maybe asked to send email or post mail reminders. Coordinates membership drives. Distributes membership flyers to local shops, etc. may form a committee to help with distribution. Reports membership figures to members and officers. Position carries one vote at board meetings. (D. G. Rosner 1st term)
Sargent at Arms – keeps order at all meetings and functions. Forms election committee for elections if more than one candidate is nominated for a position. Tallies votes at meetings. Position carries one vote at board meetings. (Tony Marino 2nd term)
Program Director – Arranges for guest speakers and coordinates activities at all meetings. Reports to the Board the upcoming speakers and activities for the Board’s approval. Position carries one vote at board meetings. (Bill Swartz 1st term)
Education Director – Coordinates educational programs for members and non-members, educational activities for members and non-members such as but not limited to fly tying, rod building, and casting classes. Coordinates youth activities and education. Reports to the board all activities for approval. Position carries one vote at board meetings. (Jay Lechner 1st term)
Financial Development Director – coordinates all raffles, 50/50 and fund raising events at meetings and functions for the club. Coordinates club merchandise/clothing purchases and sales at meetings and functions. Director can form committees to assist with activities. Reports to the membership and board about fund raising programs. Position carries one vote at board meetings. (Chris Ried 1st term)
Director at Large – is an honorary position for the outgoing president. He/she assists the new president as necessary. This position may be vacant in the event the outgoing president is elected to another board position or chooses not to hold the position. This is a non-elected position.
Nomination Updates:
At the December meeting the following individuals were nominated to the following offices. Installation will take place at the January meeting.
President: Tom Marks ; Vice President: David G. Rosner; Secretary: Al Himmel; Treasurer: Paul Doyka; Sgt. at Arms: Ed Kurbecki; Membership: David G. Rosner; Program Director: Ron Ziarnowski; Education: TBA; Financial Development Director: Open.
