January 2003 BOD Meeting Minutes
This meeting was held electronically on January 8, 2003 9:00PM EST

BOD Present:

Charles Scannell (President/Internet Promotion)
Nancy Swart (Past President, Treasurer)
John Brandt (MAC/USCRTF Representative)
Lee Morey (Membership/PR)
Travis Nelson (OMAS President)
Shane Graber (Reefs.org)
Kevin McDonald (Upstate Reef Society MASNA Rep)
Tim Oestreich (Upstate Reef Society)
David Adkins (C-SEA Delegate)
JT Croteau (Harbor Aquatics/AMDA Liaison)
Kelly Jedlicki (LMAS VP/MACNA XV Speakers)
Rocky Herdon, Member
Carvahda Shamsid-Deen, Member
Howard Hoag (LVMAS)
Mark Schreffler (WAMAS/AMDA)

Absent:
Tom Walsh (Vice President)
Jennifer Myerscough (Secretary)
Sandy Shoup (Newsletter Editor

Call to order 8:09 PM EST

President’s Report (Charles Scannell)

I hope everyone has a Wonderful Holiday Season. With the holidays not much for me to report since our last meeting. I attended a NOAA meeting in Washington last month on intrusive species. The majority of issues brought up were very commercial in nature like ship ballast water bringing contaminants into our tidal zones. There were a few aquarium-related matters like the Caulerpa issue snakeheads and a brown carp, which I had not heard of yet. In all not too many issues that directly affect our hobby.

2) Vice President’s Report (Tom Walsh, presented by Charles Scannell)

At last meeting we had reported that a lot of letters asking for donations for our auctions site. This was only a few weeks ago and we already have 3 replies. They are as follows:

Marine Enterprises International: 1 Marine Master Test Center ($24.99)
Kent Marine: 1 NTE 523 Nautilus TE Skimmer ($259)
Seachem Labs: 1 Each: Ammonia Alert, PRIME, Reef Builder, Marine Buffer,
Reef Advantage Calcium, Reef Strontium, Reef Plus, Reef Carbonate

3) Treasurer/Webmaster (Nancy Swart)

Treasurer's Report
Income:
$135.00 Dues
$225.00 Newsletter Ad
$360.00 Total Income

Expenses:
$300.00 Newsletter Printing Advanced to Sandy
$ 55.58 Merchant Account & Bank Fees
$355.58 Total Expenses
Bank Balance as of 12/31/02 - $3526.67

Presented info on PayQuake Merchant Account to BOD by email. Need to decide on whether or not we want to cancel current account and switch to PayQuake.

Web Report

Routine updates, FAA info and links added. No interest in M13 Souvenirs. No activities at all on Auction Site but clubs are using the Calendar of Events.

4) Newsletter Editor (Sandy Shoup)

No Report

5) Director of Public Relations/Membership (Lee Morey)

Not a lot to report due to the holidays, but we have added 2 members since the last meeting.

Total individual members now stands at 38 and total clubs stands at 17, have draft fridge magnets and window decals will distribute drafts to BOD for comments. Magnets will cost approximately $0.50 each and decals approximately $0.30 per piece. Perhaps we can distribute them with the next newsletter. I have materials around to do most of them, I'll donate materials until I run out. I probably have enough for one to everyone right now.

6) AMDA Report (J.T. Croteau)

I had wanted to announce the results of the recent BOD elections that ended on Sunday. Unfortunately, our secretary has not published the results yet. However, it looks like we have new officers in key roles such as President and Vice President. The new administration moves into office, for a two year term, on Jan. 15th. I will try and write up a brief article in regards to the new administration for submission in the next newsletter.

Per Mark Schreffler, the new AMDA BOD shall consist of: Steve Robinson - President, Rick Pruess – Vice President, Liz Harris-Treasurer, Karen St. Pierre- Secretary. I am AMDA North Central Regional Director, and J.T. is the new Webmaster.

7) MAC/USCRTF (John Brandt)

Well, I spent a good amount of time parting the wheat from the chaff on the FAA issue. I managed to write a letter and posted it on the Federal Registry and I saw many others had done so as well.

I am putting together Part 2 of my USCRTF meeting report. It might not fit in the next newsletter. I am not sure what anyone thought of Part 1, because only Lee had any comment on it, which he complimented.

I spent more time on the phone with MAC, there is a great effort going on there to boost PR, as you can tell, the BOD is making lots of noises about improving public (Internet) image. Given the Internet climate there's only so much MAC can do, as it is highly charged and politicized.

The next USCRTF meeting is the end of February in Washington DC. I would be willing to go for sure. It’s a cheap trip, and a good opportunity for Chuck to go along, a great experience. Airfare is inexpensive right now. Give me time to find out what hotel they want us to stay in. But if you recall 2 years ago, it was a cheap stay near the Dept. of Interior. I should also mention that ANY MASNA member is welcome to accompany me on any of these meetings. It's an awesome experience. I'll introduce you to high-ranking Government officials. David Vosseler of MAC will no doubt be there as well. There will be much for them (USCRTF) to report on the CITES meeting in Chile. It was in November 2002.

(Response to Lee Morey’s question regarding MAC timetable for Cyanide Detection Test {CDT})

I wouldn't use the word concrete, but they want to have it as bad as anyone. Nothing would help them market the certification and boost Internet P. R., like having an easily accessed test. Cyanide testing politics seems to be a mess in Philippines, what is happening now is that a very limited number of animals are coming in certified. They are paranoid about certifying those who might try to cheat. So they are going real slowly. More people want to be certified than MAC can comfortably do. Those who have been getting MAC certified fish are saying great things about them. They appear for all practical purposes to be truly net-caught. The fact that only a few species are available supports this even if only by supposition.

(Response to Carvahda Shamsid-Deen’s question regarding mortality statistics)

Rick Pruess says zero mortality,one jumper.

(Comment by Mark Schreffler) There is a difference. Overall, fish from the certified collectors are healthier.

You know the sad part about cyanide testing is that there probably won't be any way around killing fish to do the test. There is something queasy about blending a fish and then getting a negative result. Not that I would ever object to testing...

One last thing... there is a pretty big waiting list of major wholesalers in the USA who want to get MAC Certified immediately. Until the test becomes readily available, and word is the Filipinos just don't want to ramp up any testing yet, MAC is going to have to settle for intensive personal relationships with collectors and exporters, and watching mortality VERY CLOSELY. In theory, if mortality is very low, certain assumptions can be made about collecting and handling methods. Poorly handled, caught, and shipped fish reflect this with higher mortality.

8) MACNA XV Report (Kelly Jedlicki)

With the holidays, family obligations and work, LMAS did not work as much as they had in the previous months. We should have the tax ID/credit card issue dealt with within the next 2 weeks. We are working on the AV proposals currently and are working to get a top notch AV company for MXV. We have 15 confirmed speakers! The list of vendors is current and on the website, the list of speakers is not, due to family health reasons of Rich. Prayers are with Rich and his family. Also, AFM wants to sponsor the Friday night reception again.

9) Secretary:

Jenn was absent but minutes are up to date.

-Old Business:

There is no Old Business.

-New Business:

There is no New Business.

Motion to adjourn by Nancy, seconded by Lee at 10:46. Carried.