Officers Present: President-Michael Voigt, Vice President-John Amidon, Executive Manager-Dave Thomas, Secretary-Kathy Littman

Directors Present: Area 1-Bruce Gary, Area 2-Jake Kempton, Area 3-Arnie Christianson, Area 4-Troy McManus, Area 6-John Hurst, Area 7-Rob Boudrie and Area 8-Mike Martin

Comments in blue are those of Rob Boudrie, Area 7 Director, and are not part of the official minutes.

Directors Not Present: Area 5-Neil Keller

The meeting was called to order 8:20am, Saturday, July 28, 2001.

Michael Voigt welcomed Charles Bond to the meeting. Mr. Bond is a candidate for Area 6 Director and was invited to attend the meeting by the Board of Directors as an observer, excluding any executive sessions. This invitation was extended to all the current candidates.

Michael Voigt presented the Board with a letter from Neil Keller appointing the President as Area 5 Director's proxy for this meeting.

Approval of the January 20 & 21, 2001 in person meeting minutes.

Area 6 moved that the minutes be approved as submitted.

Motion seconded by Area 3

Motion carried unanimously

Approval of February 2001 phone meeting minutes.

Area 1 moved that the minutes be approved as submitted.

Motion seconded by Area 8

Motion carried unanimously

Approval of 2000 Audit Committee Report.

Area 1 presented that the Audit Committee had reviewed the report and recommended that the report be approved.

Area 3 moved that the Approval of the 2000 Audit Committee Report be approved as submitted.

Motion seconded by Area 8.

Motion carried unanimously.

USPSA uses the services of a CPA firm to conduct an annual audit. This vote indicates that the audit committee (Neil Keller, chair; Arnie Christianson and Rob Boudrie)  did not find any problems with the audit report, and that the board concurred with that conclusion.

Approval of the 1999 Audit Committee Report.

Area 8 moved that the Board of Director’s approve the 1999 Audit Committee report.

Motion seconded by Area 4

Motion carried, Area 7 abstained

I did not cast a vote on this motion since I did not review the 1999 audit report in preparation for this meeting (the 1999 audit approval was not on the agenda for this meeting).  It turns out that this motion was an exercise in redundancy since the 1991 audit committee report was approved at the January 20-21, 2001 board meeting.

USPSA Building Lot

Executive Manager Dave Thomas presented his report and asked the Board for approval to list the lot with a new realtor. The Board agreed with the stipulation that the asking price could be changed depending on current circumstances. Mr. Thomas' report is attached as Exhibit A.

Dave has prepared an excellent report. We are not actively pursuing purchase of another lot at this time.

Bylaw Committee Report

The committee reported that they are not finished reviewing the bylaws. Executive Manager Dave Thomas was added to the committee. The current committee consists of President-Michael Voigt, Executive Manager-Dave Thomas, Area 2 Director-Jake Kempton and Area 4 Director-Troy McManus.

World Shoot Team Selection

President Voigt stated that since the World Shoot was scheduled for September 2002, our 2002 Nationals may not be complete and is too close timewise to select the team using those results.

Area 2 moved that "The 2000 and 2001 USPSA National championships be used to determine USPSA Team member selection"

Motion seconded by Area 4

Area 1 moved that the motion be amended to read "The 2000 and 2001 Open National Championships will be used to select the USPSA Open Team, Women’s Team and Junior Team and that the 2000 and 2001 Limited National Championships will be used to select the USPSA Standard Team."

Motion seconded by Area 4

Amended motion approved unanimously

Motion carried unanimously.

Points Championship Series

President Voigt appointed a committee to gather information regarding a potential Series of points matches. The following Board members were appointed: President Voigt, Neil Keller, Bruce Gary and Jake Kempton. They were tasked with presenting their findings to the board by September 30.

As a result of the discussions regarding World Team Selection and a possible Points Series Championship

Area 1 moved to amend by-law section 13.1 to read as follows:

The corporation shall select team members to represent the United States in international competition according to current team selection criteria defined by action of the board of directors.

Motion seconded by Area 2.

Motion carried unanimously.

The board felt that it was cumbersome having the team selection process included in the bylaws, since any change to the process would require a multi-step approach (see the bylaws description below).  This bylaw change, if enacted, will change the bylaws to refer to the current policy as set by the board.

NOTE: Bylaw changes do not take effect immediately.

The bylaws state:

15.1 Amendments:

These by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present, provided

i) that notice of the nature of the proposed amendment shall have been given at the last previous meeting of the Board of Directors, or
ii) that a written copy of the proposed amendment shall have been mailed with notice of meeting.

15.2 Effective Date of Amendments:

Amendments of these by-laws shall become effective immediately upon adoption unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors.  

National Championship Host criteria

Stock Market Investment Fund

Area 8 moved that "The Executive Manager should manage the USPSA Stock Market Investment Funds removing the limits set by the Board in January 2000."

Motion Seconded by Area 1.

Motion carried unanimously.

A motion passed in the meeting of January 22, 2000 required Dave Thomas to liquidate our stocks if the value fell below $150K or above $300K.  The board withdrew this motion, since we felt it would require liquidation at low point.  Our stock investments were, in my opinion, moderately aggressive and resulted in spectacular gains followed by a decline to a value roughly equal to our original purchase price.

Upcoming IPSC General Assembly discussion

• Revolver division rules review
• Disappearing target penalties review

Executive Session

Area 7 moved that the Board proceed to Executive Session.

Motion seconded by Area 8

Motion carried unanimously

Executive session is used exclusively for the discussion of matters the disclosure of which could be detrimental to the welfare of USPSA, would infringe on member privacy, or which deal with personel matters.

Area 8 moved that the Board exit its Executive Session

Motion seconded by Area 2

Motion carried unanimously

Petition from revolver shooters

Area 4 Director, Troy McManus, presented a petition he received from shooter's in his area stating that the Board was in violation of the Bylaw 5.12 by revising the revolver rules. The letter states:

"Enclosed is a copy of a petition to remove the mandatory reload after six shots for revolver division.  Please note that many of these shooters are long-time USPSA members.  As we have talked to people about this, it seems that no one is really in favor the six-shot rule.  Many members have purchased the eight shot revolvers for this class and want to use them to their full capacity.   It just makes sense that in an eight-round neutral sport that an eight-shot gun seems to work better.  Production division, not revolver is going to be the entry level point to this sport.  Please bring this up at your upcoming board meeting.   We will be looking at the minutes to see what happened.

Thank You,

Richard Presutti
President SouthEast Texas Practical Shooters"

The petition states:

"We, the undersigned member of USPSA, hereby request that the rules governing Revolver Division be changed back to no mandatory reload after six shots and allow the full utilization of revolvers that hold more than six rounds.

The Board of Directors is in violation of the Corporation Bylaws Article 5.12 that limits changing of rules affecting personal competition equipment to no more frequently than every two years.  The Revolver Division was created in 2000 with a "no limit on capacity" rule explicitly given.  Many USPSA members purchased or otherwise acquired 7 and 8 shot revolvers to shoot in the new Division as a result of this ruling.  With new rules adopted in 2001 limited Revolver Division shooting to six shots and then reload, these members have lost the full functionality and shooting potential of their personal competition equipment."

Bylaw 5.12 states:

Final changes to U.S. modifications affecting personal competition equipment shall be adopted in final form no more frequently than every two years except as may be required to comply with federal laws.

The preface to the 14^th Edition Rulebook states:

These provisional 14th I.P.S.C. Rules, now provisionally adopted by the US Region, as published on the U.S.P.S.A. website and in printed form, also list a number of proposed alternatives, supplements, and elaboration's that will be used by USPSA for the remainder of 2000.

We are presenting these alternatives, supplements, and elaboration's, along with the adopted Provisional 14th Rules themselves, to the U.S.P.S.A. membership for their evaluation and commentary. We believe this complies with the intent of the I.P.S.C. Executive Council and World Assembly in providing all Regions with a period of trial and evaluation before final ratification later this year.

The Board is not in violation of the bylaws based on the 14^th Edition Rulebook being provisional. The final rulebook is the 14^th Edition 2001.

This was discussed only as a bylaws issue.  If we violated the rules, the change at the January meeting was not valid. If we did not violate the rules, the bylaws prohibit us changing those rules during the two year window.  A review of the provisional rules makes it clear they were represented as "temporary", whereas the bylaws make explicit referents to "in final form."

Membership dues increase

President Voigt presented that the Board should consider an increase in membership dues. Under consideration is a plan to allow members to renew or upgrade their memberships at the current rates for one year, new memberships and subsequent memberships will be at the increased rate.

President Voigt stated that the current focus of the corporation is growth and increasing USPSA services to our current membership. Larger National Championships, NROI services, Front Sight magazine and general costs to run the USPSA headquarters have all increased while membership cost has remained at $30.00 for many years.

With the one year renewal benefit, increased membership cost need only apply to new members that join USPSA. The increased revenue will be mainly used to fund marketing and increased services to USPSA members.

I encourage all members to review the budget (published annually in Front Sight) to see how the money is spent. The dues increase, if it comes, will not go to enrich any individuals but to allow USPSA to become more active in promoting the sport. It is my impression that any increase in dues would be announced in advance, and members given the opportunity to renew for any period of time they choose at the old rates.

Redirect Building Funds

The board discussed that per previous board directive, the building fund was established to erect new headquarters on the lot that USPSA purchased. However, since that lot was now for sale, could they utilize funds better?

Area 1 moved "Redesignate $50,000 of the building fund into establishing a marketing fund."

Motion seconded by Area 2.

Motion carried unanimously.

This is a symbolic motion, and does not authorize the expenditure of any of this money.

Advertising for Shooters.com web hosting services

Area 7 Director, Rob Boudrie presented a letter from Shooters.com outlining a program they are establishing to provide web-hosting services to USPSA clubs. Mr. Boudrie requested that we give Shooters.com a free half page advertisement in Front Sight magazine for a year to sell their web hosting services to our clubs. Executive Manager, Dave Thomas stated that this already in the works.

Shooters will be offering club web sites and a self-service match posting feature which integrates with EzWinScore.  This will be strictly optional for clubs use.  The only "cost" to USPSA is the "free ad" in Front Sight.  I requested this since it is one of the few ways we can provide Shooters with a meaningful "thank you" for donating hosting for our web site.

Manual action shotgun

Area 7 Director, Rob Boudrie reported that a member requested that he present to the board the suggestion that manual action shotgun be considered as a division. There are no plans to include this as a division in the near future.

The board was not taking action to change any rules at this meeting.  Even if they were, it is my opinion that there are not currently a sufficient number of three-gun competitors to justify further divisions at this time.

Area Director Authority

Area 7 Director, Rob Boudrie queried whether an Area Directors authority could overrule section coordinators. The Board determined that the section bylaws are the final say and that the SC reports to and is accountable to the by-laws.

An issue recently occurred with a section where I was asked to intervene in the administration of the slot allocation policy. I did not intervene, since I felt I did not have authority to do so under the bylaws.  I requested this clarification from the board to make sure the proper policy was being followed.  I did not request or suggest any change in policy.

Adjournment

Area 6 moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:30pm.

Motion seconded by Area 3

Motion carried unanimously

 

Date: July 25, 2001

To: USPSA Officers and Directors

From: Dave Thomas, USPSA Executive Manager

Re: Land

The USPSA board of directors authorized the purchase of a lot and construction of a building in Skagit County, Washington, at their January 1999 meeting. To that end, lot number 46, Parker Business Center, Mount Vernon, Washington, was purchased in April 1999. Shortly thereafter the project was put on hold and eventually the decision was made to not build. (See "From The Editor", March/April 2000 Front Sight, page 6, for more information.) In March 2000 the board of directors directed that the property be listed for sale and that was done on March 14, 2000. (BOD minutes March 2, 2000)

The lot has been listed with Coldwell Bankers Real Estate, Burlington, Washington, at $69,000. That listing expired in June 2001 and has not been renewed, although it continues to be shown on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) system. (See attached MLS report showing Parker Business Center listings.) Don Coughlin is the listing agent and is the same person who located the lot and arranged our purchase of it.

The following properties in the Parker Business Center have been purchased by the businesses shown in the recent past.

Other lots in Parker Business Center have assessed values as shown:

According to Mr. Coughlin, all of these lots were "bare ground" similar to that of the lot USPSA owns. The previously mentioned MLS report (see attached) showing Parker Business Center listings tends to support the information he provided.

When asked about a formal appraisal, Mr. Coughlin provided the following reply.

An appraisal would be unlikely to tell us anything we don’t already know and would be expensive.

Robin Ross, broker/owner of Prudential Skagit Realty, has offered the opinion that the lot would sell more quickly if adequate fill could be acquired. Mr. Coughlin feels that the present list price represents good value, but agrees that fill would increase its value.

Neither Ms Ross nor Mr. Coughlin will offer an estimate of the amount of time that will be required to sell the property under any circumstances.

Application for relief from Washington State property taxes is being prepared. If USPSA obtains that relief, the next step will be to apply for refund of taxes paid previously. There is no guarantee that either relief from future taxes or refund of those already paid will be accomplished.

For the past year efforts have been underway to obtain fill of quality and quantity sufficient to meet the requirements of the flood plain designation. As a result of a recent building boom in the area, and having established contacts with excavators sympathetic to the shooting sports, there is a chance that we will have that fill at no cost within the next 30 to 60 days. It may be necessary to hire a cat for a couple of hours to remove the vegetation and another day to distribute the fill over the lot to allow the trucks to place it properly. Those costs should be recoverable if Ms Ross and Mr. Coughlin are correct in their assessment.

In response to questions about how she would handle the listing, Ms Ross has stated that she would aggressively market the property through the use of signs, direct telephone contacts, newspaper advertising, and, of course, the MLS.

If we are able to acquire the fill at little or no cost we should be able to at least recover our investment even after adjusting for the hidden costs of holding the property for a year or two longer.

Ms Ross gives the impression of being aggressive, well informed and "no nonsense in her approach. She has stated that she will market the property and that she believes she can sell it, though she is careful to avoid any promise of a specific time.

I recommend we list the property with Ms Ross for a period of at least six months. During that time we will continue efforts to acquire fill and tax relief. The board of directors should review the situation next January if the lot has not sold by that time.

Respectfully submitted,

Dave Thomas

USPSA Executive Manager