Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts

60^th Annual Business Meeting

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

8:45 am - 11:00 am

Hilton Hotel - Capital/Illinois

Springfield, Illinois

President Terry Davis called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Secretary Aaron Ferguson gave the invocation. Vice President Jim Todd led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Secretary Aaron Ferguson gave the first roll call. Absent in the initial roll call were voting delegates from the following 18 counties: Bureau, Calhoun, Fulton, Hamilton, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson, Kane-DuPage, Massac, McLean, Monroe, Ogle, Pike, Randolph, Scott, Shelby, Williamson, and Winnebago. There were 77 voting delegates in attendance. The following SWCDs did not have voting privileges: Boone, Douglas and Pope-Hardin.

Acting Director of Illinois Department of Agriculture, Tom Jennings provided a welcome message to the group.

Introductions

President Terry Davis introduced Parliamentarian, Howard Heavner. Howard announced to the group that the meeting will follow the guidelines set forth in Roberts Rules of Order. Terry Davis introduced AISWCD officers and staff. Motion to approve the rules governing the meeting outlined in the delegate packet by Livingston Co. and seconded by DeWitt Co., MCVV.

Annual Meeting Minutes

Motion to approve the 59^th (2007) Annual AISWCD Business Meeting Minutes by Sangamon Co. and seconded by Montgomery Co., MCVV.

Board Meeting Minutes

Motion to approve all of the 2007-2008 Board Meeting Minutes was made by Morgan Co. and seconded by Macoupin Co. MCVV.

Second Roll call was completed by Aaron Ferguson. Absent in the call was: Bureau, Calhoun, Fulton, Hamilton, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson, Kane-DuPage, Massac, McLean, Monroe, Ogle, Pike, Randolph, Scott, Shelby, Williamson, and Winnebago. 

Resolutions

No resolutions were presented to AISWCD prior to the June Quarterly Board deadline. A motion by Piatt Co. and seconded by Lee Co. for AISWCD dues for FY2009 be based on 3% of operations money. Motion amended to include, “dues not to include insurance funding”, MCVV on amendment, and MCVV on amended motion.

Financial Report

In the absence of Treasurer Rollie Spaniol, Terry Davis gave a quick review of the financial information.  Motion to approve Fiscal Year 2009 budget by Hancock Co. and seconded by Henderson Co., MCVV. Terry Davis asked if the group had any questions concerning this year’s audit. Mark Besse noted on page 62 of the delegate packet, there was mention of two certificates of deposits totaling $5,379 that were removed from the books. A: The deposits were put into the Bank of Springfield but were inadvertently left out of QuickBooks; therefore they were pulled out and put back into different accounts to correct the mistake. Another concern brought forth from Mark Besse was concerning the prior period adjustment. A: This was correcting a payment to the insurance account, when it was posted in QuickBooks for December but was not written until after January. Terry Davis noted that a different auditor was used this year and they had made other recommendations for the AISWCD to utilize. Motion to approve the FY 2007 Audit Report was made by St. Clair Co. and seconded by Menard Co., MCVV.

New Business

Jim Todd brought forth from the Annual Meeting Taskforce a resolution from a AISWCD committee to receive a ¾ majority vote t bring onto the floor for discussion, seconded by Sangamon Co., MCVV. Resolution named 2008-1. John Beckhart, Piatt Co. amended the motion to add after progress, “and the AISWCD shall report to individual SWCDs every three months with progress on stable financial funding” seconded by Stark Co. SWCD, MCVV. Vote taken on amended resolution, MCVV.

Myron Kirby, Land Use Council 6 presented a resolution to have the AISWCD develop a marketing plan to assist the districts in educating our non-traditional customers about SWCDs value and purpose, seconded by Effingham Co., MCVV motion open for discussion. Myron Kirby noted that some sort of information be developed so everyone is on the same page, provide continuity. MCVV. Resolution named 2008-2.

Nominating Committee Report

Terry Davis asked Darrell Roegge, Nominating Committee Chairman to come forward. The Nominating Committee submitted the following:

Jim Todd for President - There were no nominations from the floor and a motion to close nominations was made by Gallatin Co. and seconded by Henderson Co. to close nominations for President, MCVV. Jim Todd elected as AISWCD President.

Aaron Ferguson for Vice Chairman - There were no nominations from the floor and a motion to close nominations was made by Clay Co. and seconded by Montgomery Co. to close nominations for Vice-President, MCVV. Aaron Ferguson elected as AISWCD Vice President.

John Beckhart for Secretary - There were no nominations from the floor and a motion to close nominations was made by Macoupin Co. and seconded by Effingham Co. to close nominations for Secretary, MCVV. John Beckhart elected as AISWCD Secretary.

Rollie Spaniol for Treasurer - There were no nominations from the floor and a motion to close nominations was made by Livingston Co. and seconded by Kendall Co. to close nominations for Treasurer, MCVV. Rollie Spaniol elected as AISWCD Treasurer.

Area Vice President Elections

Jim Todd noted Area 2 and Area 4 needed to hold elections since their elections are held on even years. Area 3 would also need to hold elections, since John Beckhart was just elected as AISWCD Secretary. Areas met to hold elections. Results were as followed:

Area 2 - Darrell Roegge, Morgan Co. and alternate David McCormick, Brown Co.

Area 3 - Eric Suits, Champaign Co. to fill John Beckhart’s term and alternate Steve Stierwalt, Champaign Co.

Area 4 - Norbert Rider, Gallatin Co. and alternate Kenny Vosholler, Perry Co.

Introduction of IL Department of Agriculture Staff

Terry Davis introduced Illinois Department of Agriculture’s staff.

Director Service Awards

AISWCD President Terry Davis and IDOA Acting Bureau Chief Steve Chard presented the Director Service Awards to directors serving 10, 15, 20, 25 and 35 years.

Confirmation of Board of Directors

Terry Davis asked for confirmation of the board for the 2008-2009 year. Motion made by Whiteside Co. and seconded by Lee Co, MCVV.

Future Annual Meeting Date & Location

Aaron Ferguson reported the 2009 location is at the Hilton again and presented two different dates to choose from - July 19-21 or July 26-28. Jerry Snodgrass noted the dates of July 19-21, might conflict with NACD’s Washington meeting. Vote was taken to hold Summer Conference on July 26-28, 2009, MCVV.

Officer Reports

Terry Davis gave his President’s report and thanked those who have helped him during his term.

Focus Area Committee Comments

Communication - John Beckhart reported the FAC will work on getting information out on stable funding.

Legislative - Jim Todd reported on the Legislative Breakfast that was held this year.

Forestry - Written report submitted in voting delegate packet

Financial Management - Written report submitted in voting delegate packet

Education - Written report submitted in voting delegate packet

Planning - No report

Urban Community & Conservation - No report

Partner Reports

Reports from National Conservation District Employees Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources had written reports submitted in the voting delegate packet.

NACD Report - Jerry Snodgrass, NACD Board Member gave a short presentation on NACD activities.

Terry Davis asked if there was any other business that needed to be brought before the board.

Jim Todd noted that if anyone would like to serve on the taskforce addressing the funding taskforce.

Motion by Bond Co. and seconded by Iroquois Co. to adjourn meeting, MCVV.

Submitted by: Stacy Stremsterfer