The meeting was started promptly at 2:11 pm by President Larry Heagy. We had our meeting at Larry’s Barn, 120 N Parkview St. Maryville, IL 62062. The new venue allowed everyone to bring their own drinks and Larry provided some vittles for us to eat.
17 members were in attendance.
Larry started off the meeting with a recap of the 2023 Season and acknowledged that Chris rensing was the AOY for 2023 and Caleb Garcia was the 2023 Rookie of the Year out of 12 new members in 2023.
Ed read the meeting minutes from the last winter meeting November 16, 2023. Approval of the minutes was by Frank Wilcoxon and seconded by Paul, all members voted for approval.
Larry discussed the Table rock expenses and that the club is currently losing money at the Table Rock Events. This is dues to an increase in costs over the year. The rate for the tournament has never been raised since the club was founded therefore at the November meeting the membership voted unanimously to raise the entry fee to $150 per team or $75 per individual.
Currently the Angler of the Year (AOY) is based on the total weight of the anglers. This Total Weight systems rewards anglers, disproportionately for high weight tournaments, mainly in the spring and fall. We feel that a Points system evens the seasons out, a win is a win, doesn’t matter if you had 5 pounds or 25 for a tournament win. The club will discuss the points system at the January 2024 meeting, this point system will certainly reward the winning anglers but will also provide some points for the Anglers that participate but get Skunked.
The Let’s Go Fishing show will be January 5, 6&7, 2024 at the Gateway Convention Center. The Steel City Bassmasters will be hosting the Kids Corner again this year. On Saturday night the membership is invited to attend out annual Zapatas night at 7:00pm, please let the board know if you are going to make it so we can make appropriate reservations.
The 2024 Tournament Schedule is posted on teh website and is available to sync with your phone on the Google Calendar. Here is the link to the 2024 Schedule: Approved-2024-tournament-schedule
The banquet will be held on January 27, 2024 at the Caseyville Community Center, Ravenellis catering will cater the event. Carl Gansner arranged the food for the Banquet, thanks Carl for your efforts. To better control costs of the banquet we request that each person attending the banquet fill out the registration form and indicate how many people they are bringing. This effort is not to discourage attendance it is designed so that we can order the proper amount of food without unecessary expense. If you do not register you may not get any food as registered people will be the only approved people to go through the food line. The costs for the banquet still remains free, you will need to bring your own drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). If you bring alcohol you must present your cooler or beverage to the bartender for them to serve you. At the end of the evening you can take your remaining liquor home.
Ed made a new EZ-Registration page on the club website to register for the Banquet, Club Dues and Tournaments. The page is: EZ-Registration Page This link can be used to register for all of the events for the club.
Carl made a Motion to Adjourn at 3:19pm. Motion passed.
50/50 was won by Larry Heagy and the money will be used for his upcoming wedding and home improvements (or some more beer for the fridge).
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