ABATE of Indiana Board of Directors Meeting
October 15, 2005 -- Lawrence County Recreation Park, Springville, IN

Meeting was called to order at 12:10 by Executive Director Jay Jackson. Everyone rose for the Pledge of Allegiance. Those present were: Region 01-Ken Boyer, Jon A. Criss; Region 02-Doug Kreag; Region 03- Scotty Barker; Region 04-Steve Madary; Region 05-Elmer Brown; Region 06- Bob Sipes; Region 07-Dennis Tyger; Region 08-Terry Penn, Michanne Smiddy; Region 09-Tom Buchanan, Rick Meadors; Region 10-Lenny Stancombe; Region 11-James and Jamie Hignite, Kenny Casey; Region 12-Dave and Sandy Hawkins; Region 13-Eugene Abbott; LCRP-Bob Dillon; State Office-Mary Walton, Kim Tyger, De Dillon. Members present were: Dave and Susie Lewis (Region 11), Craig Walton (Region 06), Angel Sherer (Region 06) Donna and Bill Landers (Region 05), Mike Meyer and Gary Williams (Region 13). Region 00 was absent. A moment of silence was observed for lost brothers and sisters, Rev. Kenny Hendricks (Region 05) and De Kintner (Region 09).

ITEM #1: De Dillon went over the current financials. Questions were asked concerning various expenses from the Boogie. The office still has not received some of the bills from the Boogie. Several attempts have been made to receive those invoices. A page of the financials was missing. This will be mailed to all directors.

(Motion 1)

ITEM #2: Minutes were approved via email/fax from the August BOD meeting.

Several minutes and treasurers reports were submitted without mention of what county or region they were from. Please make sure that information is on the reports.

ITEM #3: $10,000 bingo night will be November 5, 2006.

Gino, Jay, and De are working with the Allen County Assessors office to find alternatives that will allow for property tax exemptions for the Bingo Hall. 501c3 organizations can conduct charitable gaming however; this is not an exempt purpose. Ideas for complying with the exemption laws will be to utilize the facility for non-profit organization meetings, educational seminars, and Church services. It is unlikely that the property will ever be 100% tax exempt.

ITEM #4: The timber company has left some wood on the ground. If members would like to come out and chop the wood for personal use, they need to call the LCRP office and set that up. The timber company will be back when the price of timber increases.

An entertainment promoter has expressed some interest in utilizing LCRP for a concert venue. We will continue to look into this and evaluate what interest we have in pursuing this.

A new advertisement for LCRP will appear in the upcoming HMC in an effort to promote the park and the fall foliage.

DNR has a grant that LCRP could benefit from. A committee was formed to work on the grant writing proposal. Committee members are James Hignite, Gary Williams, Susie Lewis, and Bob Sipes.

There have been no new developments with cell phone companies for putting a tower up on the property.

Regions interested in putting up a shelter on the property will need to follow the plans from the existing Region 13 shelter and consult with the Board of Directors before constructing a shelter.

If a region would like to use the park for an event, they need to coordinate this with the state office and LCRP office.

ITEM #5: Chuc Hunter will be handing over the position of LINC Director to Terry Eads from Region 06.

ITEM #6: The Center for the Advancement of Transportation Safety was delayed in completing the survey concerning motorcycle accidents and near accidents due to some funding issues. It is expected that this will be available and distributed by Fall Training Seminar.

Jay is working with Chairperson for the Transportation committee, Representative Cleo Duncan, to work on legislation to increase the fee for BMV Alternate Most testing.

Per current Indiana statute, a “moped” is any vehicle that is 50cc or less, goes under 25 mph and 2 horse power or less. Any two wheeled vehicle that goes outside of any of those parameters is considered a motorcycle. Defining exactly what is or is not a motorcycle is an issue that legislators are looking into.

BMV would like ABATE to continue administering the Alternate Most Skills examinations.

(Motion 2)

ITEM #7: Dennis Tyger stated that Ad Com is working on a few things but nothing to report at this time. Ad Com was not able to meet today as Gino had family issues and Rod had to work.

Dennis’s term is up as well as the appointed position for Ed Bowman. Gary Williams will be the new appointed Ad Com member for two years. Jay will be approaching the committee to discuss maintaining Ed as an ex-efficio member do to his reputation within the state house.

(Motion 3)

ITEM #8: Directors are expected to have a submission to the HMC monthly. Please try to keep up with this.

The honorary committee is continuing to investigate an award for members that have passed. Discussion as to levels of awards was opened. Jamie Hignite asked to be placed on this committee.

ITEM #9: The Perry Township Fire Department is looking to us for assistance in purchasing equipment.
(Motion 4)

MRF Board of Directors will be having their meeting in February in conjunction with the Awards Banquet. This will give them the opportunity to view the hosting facility for the 2006 Meeting of the Minds in action.

In previous years, regions and counties did not have events during the months of July and August. A problem related to this is memberships not getting into the state office in time to be processed prior to the Boogie. Traditionally, the guideline is that no memberships will be processed after June 30th.

Cyndii Underwood has asked that directors look into limiting events in such that one county/region hosting six events in a month may not be beneficial. In conjunction with that, make sure that your request for flyers is turned in with a reasonable amount of time. If you request yours late it delays others that were submitted early. T-shirt request for small quantities can be extremely costly. Not all events need to have shirts.

Fall Seminar/Officer training Director Prep will be covered in the break out sessions. If after the seminar Directors feel the need to have a separate Director’s Prep, please let the office know and one will be scheduled.

The State Charity events held in the month of August should be addressed as the ABATE state charity. They are not the charities events. Jay met with Amber Deckard, the new state director for MDA, this week to discuss any concerns/issues with the 2005 events. Amber would like to hear any of the concerns from the various regions.

Region 01: Thought the rep was handling issues such as dignitaries
VIP passes, and EMS and this didn’t happen.
Region 02: MDA holding lock ups at the same time the region is out
trying to get sponsors.
Region 03: No issues at this time.
Region 04: No issues at this time.
Region 05: MDA rep did not show for event. Rep was supposed to
bring pizzas.
Region 06: No issues at this time.
Region 07: Rep quit just prior to event. Had to mail our own
flyers. There was no local advertising which the
handout said is the responsibility of MDA rep. The
pop was not delivered-Amber had to get it and bring it.
Region 08: Lack of communication, Rep showed up late so they did
not have any waivers at the start.
Region 09: Had problems with drinks, lack of coordination. Would
like to know exactly what MDA can do for them.
Region 10: Would like to know why some reps work hard for one
region but not for others.
Region 11: Had four reps in one year. Lack of representation and
communication.
Region 12: Rep quit. Would like to know what the rep has done and
what wasn’t done so that they can make sure everything
is taken care of.
Region 13: No advertising. One county’s drinks showed up after the
Event was over. Communication is missing.

A committee was comprised to look into the charity. Committee members are Kim Tyger, Ken Boyer, and Rick Meadors.

Chances were drawn for the bike and the $1500 in accessories. The bike was won by Tom Tautens from the Region 01 event. English Mike won the $1500 in accessories. A third name was drawn, Cathy Garcia from Ft. Wayne, in the event that there is a third prize.

The sanction dates for 2006 were reviewed.

Names for sponsors and members that you would like to receive plaques at the Awards Banquet need to be turned in no later that December 16th.

Officer acceptance forms need to be turned in to the State Office as soon as elections are over so that those individuals can be mailed a letter reminding them to attend the Fall Training Seminar.

(Motion 5)

Respectfully submitted,
Kim Tyger

MOTIONS

#1 Motion to approve the June and July financials was made by James Hignite and seconded by Dave Hawkins. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

#2 Motion was made that ABATE should continue to conduct the BMV Alternate Most licensing exams by Terry Penn and seconded by Scotty Barker. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

#3 Motion was made by Scotty Barker and seconded by Dave Hawkins to nominate Dennis Tyger for the Advisory Committee position. Bob Sipes motioned to close nominations and James Hignite seconded it. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

#4 Motion was made by Bob Sipes and seconded by James Hignite to donate to the Perry Township Fire Department an amount not to exceed $2500 for equipment. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

#5 Motion was made by Bob Sipes and seconded by Steve Madary to adjourn the meeting.