Flightmasters

Board Meeting 1-5-8 8:30am

Item#1:  Club events for upcoming year.

Club Build:  We’d like to explore a club build.  Purpose of the project is to teach building skills and interaction within the club.

  We decided on one plane that we would all build rather than multiple options.

The thought was we might be able to use it for more than just the club build. i.e. streamer combat, fun fly, pylon racing etc.

            We through around the following kits:

                                                Mojo .40

                                                Falcon 53

                                                Fourstar 40

  It was agreed that we would explore the Mojo .40 due to its speed in building and ability to appeal to multiple skill levels.  Jim Bowers volunteered to research whether or not we could get a club group discount by our next board meeting.

  We discussed items that would be necessary for the build sessions.  We were hoping to keep it down to a build session held on the day of the monthly meetings and have the project ready for late spring early summer.  It was suggested to plan to use February-March to build the plane.  April to cover/set up the plane.

            We discussed the need for a location.  Jim Bowers offered the use of Homan Lumber for the building sessions.  It was discussed that we would need Celotex ceiling tiles so we would be able to pin the structures together. 

  Harry would send out a flier/notice to club of the club build event.

Fundraising:  The board made the following suggestions.

            1. Club Raffles

            2. Nelsons- Chicken

            3. Tailgate/Big Bird Fly-in

            4.  Summer fly/Tailgate with a cook out.

            5.  Club swap event.

            Club raffles were thought a good option at event, but not discussed much.  Nelson’s Chicken was not favorable to most due to small income and large amount of work.  The Big Bird Fly-in was thought to be a good idea but may be difficult to pull off this year.  All thought the Summer fly/Tailgate with a cook out would be a good idea.  It was suggested we would try to generate an income off of the food or charge $5? For those selling from their tailgates.  A few thought we could charge a landing fee either to those flying, or selling.  It was brought up that the clubs grills were disposed of because they were no longer any good.  Both Harvey and Mike said they could probably donate one for such an event.

Item#2:  New Visitors to the meeting or field.

            The board wanted to extend ourselves to new people that showed at the field or the meeting.  Harvey mentioned that he makes a point of introducing himself to all new people he sees at the field.  It was agreed that the club would be more outgoing at introducing and attempting to inform our new guests of Flightmaster activities.

            The following items would be improved to add in our goal:

1.      club to be more outgoing.

2.      A sign or signs were suggested.

3.      Updating the club flyer.

4.      Updating the club website.

5.      Updating AMA

Jim Bowers suggested a 38”x30” entrance sign up by the road to grab peoples attention.  It was suggested that it would have an arrow pointing down the lane.  It was suggested that there would be an intermediate sign prior to pulling into the field that would give information about the club.  Such as website address, Wednesday night trainer night.  Possibly Harry Rombke’s contact number for questions and sign up, field information board location, etc..

            Stan Treadway volunteered to research into the cost and design of new signs.

            Harvey volunteered to research into improving the flyer to grab new persons interest.  Stan volunteered to assist him if he needed.  He told us he helped with the previous flyer.  Harry Rombke said he would get a copy of the existing flyer sent to Harvey.

            Tom L. volunteered into researching whether or not we could continue using Marty King’s site for the club website and whether or not Marty would continue updating the site for us.  Tom L. volunteered using his web picture bucket for club pictures.  He thought it would be a good idea to post recent club pictures on the website so members and non-members could enjoy them.  Jim B. suggested updating AMA with the clubs information.  Harry R. stated that AMA has our club information and website.

            It was suggested that we hand the flyer out to all the hobby shops:  Hobby Land, Maple City Hobbies in Goshen,  The local Hobby Shop on CR14 by the field,  Granger Hobbies, and Pete Russells Hoby Shop.  It was suggested that you need something on the flyer to catch new peoples eye in the top 1” of the tri-fold.  Thad B. volunteered to help type up and print the flyer once a design was established.

Item#3:  Field Cleanup

            Tom L asked to move the cleanup do to personal events.  As President he wanted to make sure he could participate.  It was established that we would have this years field day on April 12^th.  April 26^th would be the backup field day if we were rained out.

            Field needs:  It was brought up whether or not to fertilize and use grub killer.  It was agreed upon to use the grub killer.  Some on the board were not sure the fertilizer was worth it or not.  It was brought up it was a fertilizer/pre-emergence to stop weed/dandelion growth.  Jim Bowers volunteered to look into the different options and cost to present at the next board meeting so we could try and nail down the most inexpensive and effective method we thought necessary.

Item#4: New Field:

            It was discussed that we thought we had roughly 2 or 3 years at our current location and that we need to keep the idea of buying our own property and renting as options.  It was asked that everyone keep their eyes and ears open for something.  Tom L. suggested we map out all the current club members location on a map to aid in finding the best location.  It was suggested that we need a minimum of 5 acres.  Most preferred at least 7 acres similar to our existing field.  It was brought up that it might be financially necessary to move just north into Michigan if we were going to be serious about purchasing a field.  It was brought up to look at EPA superfund sites, however Jim B. said this was done and none met our requirements.  It was brought up to look at closed landfill ground.  Jim B. said this was also done and didn’t look possible.  Tom L asked that the field committee: Jim B., Thad B., & Denny put together a timeline of things that needed to be done to go from our current location to having a usable field.  He also would like us to look into the business/financial end of it.

Upcoming club meeting:

            The upcoming meeting would be January 10^th at the airport facility.  Thad Volunteered to give a demonstration on glassing a wing on his edge 540.

Upcoming board meeting:

            Was set as February 9^th same time.  Location to be set by Tom L.  and sent to board members by Harry R.