4/1/04

 

 

The January - March quarter of 2004 was a great one for FCS.  We had six events for this quarter, which was tied for the second most that we have ever had for this quarter.  We also had 86 total participants, which almost doubles last year (45) and was our third best for this quarter ever and our best since 1996!  It also blew away what was our average for this quarter (54).

Year

January - March

April - June

July - September

October - December

Total

Quarter Average
2004 86       86 86
2003 45 16 117 113 291 73
2002 30 30 81 50 191 48
2001 34 13 59 40 146 37
2000 30 27 14 52 123 31
1999 27 48 95 31 201 50
1998 73 29 70 9 181 45
1997 43 53 130 54 280 70
1996 96 111 135 53 395 99
1995 96 59 104 20 279 70
1994 113 62 56 39 270 67
1993 74 45 41 69 229 57
1992 76 59 75 23 233 56
1991 54 21 42 27 144 36
1990 0 9 12 0 21 5
1989 15 5 6 10 36 9
1988 N/A N/A N/A 9 9 9
Total 892 587 1037 599 3115  
Averages 56 39 69 37 201 50

We also had our fourth highest Winter Dove Retreat attendance (our best since 1996 - during the Camel Mills days) our fourth highest Hog Hunt attendance, our first ever Conservation Season Snow Goose Hunt, and our first Chartered Striped Bass Fishing Trip since 1993.  We also had our highest number of active members ever - 56 by the end of March 2004.  In addition we have had six men join the Club to date in 2004.  We also had 18 active and inactive FCS members and 2 guests attend the 3/23/04 Men's Meeting featuring professional angler Glen Chappelear at Great Hills Baptist Church. 

We had nine e-mail and letter votes during the first quarter of 2004. 

On 2/11/04 the members approved by a vote of 11 to 0 to change Section IV. K. of the Bylaws to read: "The Officers shall maintain an Annual Fiscal Year Budget (beginning each September the 1st).  The proposed Annual Fiscal Year Budget must be approved  by a majority vote of the members present at each August Club Meeting.  The Club President can, at his discretion, hold a vote on a proposed Annual Fiscal Year Budget by e-mail, mail, or phone proxy in lieu of holding a vote at a August Club meeting.  Attempts must be made to obtain a vote from all active members of the Club.  Members must be given at a minimum one week to respond to an e-mail, mail, or phone vote to approve a Annual Fiscal Year Budget.  Any Annual Fiscal Year Budget approved by a majority vote of the members surveyed by e-mail, mail, or phone vote shall constitute an official action of the Club.  Unplanned purchases of $50.00 or more must be approved by a majority vote of the members present at any Club official meeting.  The Club President can, at his discretion, attempt to obtain approval for unplanned purchases of $50.00 or more via e-mail, mail, or phone proxy in lieu of holding a vote at a Club meeting.  Attempts must be made to obtain approval from all active members of the Club.  Members must be given at a minimum one week to respond to an e-mail, mail, or phone request to approve unplanned purchases of $50.00 or more.  Unplanned purchase requests of $50.00 or more agreed to by a majority vote of the members surveyed by e-mail, mail, or phone vote shall constitute an official action of the Club."
 
On 2/11/04 the members also approved by a vote of 11 to 0 to change Section IV. L. of the Bylaws to read: "The Officers shall maintain an Annual Club Calendar of Events.  The proposed Annual Calendar of Events must be approved by a majority vote of the members present at each December Club Meeting.  The Club President can, at his discretion, hold a vote on a proposed Annual Calendar by e-mail, mail, or phone proxy in lieu of holding a vote at a December Club meeting.  Attempts must be made to obtain a vote from all active members of the Club.  Members must be given at a minimum one week to respond to an e-mail, mail, or phone vote to approve a Annual Calendar of Events.  An Annual Calendar of Events approved by a majority vote of the members surveyed by e-mail, mail, or phone vote shall constitute an official action of the Club."

On 2/11/04 the members approved by a vote of 7 to 5 to financially support a larger pro-gun/hunting/fishing/ministry/service organization.  On 2/23/04 the members approved that the Club should financially support the NRA (it received 7 votes).  Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry received 1 vote.  Christian Outdoor Fellowship received 1 vote.  U.S. Sportsman's Alliance received 1 vote.  As these three votes together could not defeat the NRA vote there was no need for a "run off."  "We proudly support the NRA" was added to the FCS In Action (what we do) section of the main page.
 
On 2/23 04 the members also approved by a vote of 14 to 0 to change Section VI. B. (Amendment proposals to the Bylaws, Statement of Faith, or Calendar) of the Bylaws to read "Amendment proposals can be in written or oral form and can be made during the "New Business" section of any Club meeting.  Members who will not be able to attend the next scheduled Club meeting can e-mail, mail, or phone their proposal(s) to the President.  The President or his designee will read the absent members amendment proposal(s) at the next scheduled Club meeting during the "New Business" section.  The Club President can, at his discretion, hold a vote on an amendment proposal by e-mail, mail, or phone proxy in lieu of holding a vote at a Club meeting.  Attempts must be made to obtain a vote from all active members of the Club.  Members must be given at a minimum one week to respond to an e-mail, mail, or phone vote.  Any action agreed to by a majority vote of the members surveyed by e-mail, mail, or phone vote shall also constitute an official action of the Club."

On 2/23/04 the members also approved by a vote of 14 to 0 to change Section VI. C. of the Bylaws to read: "Verbal proposals at Club Meetings require a verbal "second" in order to be put to a vote.  Voting for verbal proposals at Club Meetings is accomplished through a show of hands.  A majority vote carries.  E-mail, mail, or phone proxy votes that have been initiated by the Club President do not require a "second."

On 2/10/04, via an e-mail poll, indicated 11 to 0 that they would like to change the number of Sporting Clays/Skeet Shoots from four a year to six a year.  On 3/1/04 three members voted for "February, May, June, July, October, December", three members voted for "February, May, July, October, November, December", and one member voted for "February, June, July, October, November, and December."  A runoff was required.  On 3/17/04 the members approved by a vote of 8 to 2 a February, May, June, July, October, and December schedule.  The two new months (May and June) have been added to the 2004 Calendar.

On 3/30/04 the members approved by a vote of 17 to 0 to purchase a two burner high output cooker with our surplus money.  This cooker will be used on FCS outings, such as the Dove Retreats, and will be available for check out by active members only.  Mr. Charlie Batts donated $50.00 towards this project and Larry Dowden donated $10.00.  Much thanks to both of these gentlemen. 

We grilled dove (that was donated by Ron Denison) and fried striped bass (that was caught on the 3/27/03 Striped Bass Fishing Trip) at the 4/1/04 Club Meeting at Ron Denison's home.  We will try to have another home cooked meal at the 6/3/04 Club Meeting at Larry Dowden's home. 

We are completely out of FCS "What You're Hunting For" caps and only have three 2002 "Logo" camo T-shirts, one 2002 "Logo" khaki T-shirt, and three "Bass" T-shirts left.  We will use the khaki T-shirt and Bass T-shirts as membership benefits until we run out of them.  We will order our 2004 membership benefits when we run out of our current inventory or by August, whichever comes first.  We will order both caps and T-shirts.  Members will have a choice of either for their membership benefit. 

We will soon have a vote on our waterfowl hunt this year.  Options include Blast and Cast (combo Duck Hunt and Redfish/Speckled Trout/Flounder fishing trip near Rockport) or a Goose/Duck hunt in the Eagle Lake/Altair area or our usual Goose/Duck hunt with W.S. Sherrill Waterfowl near Wharton. 

We have used up 48 of our 50 MB's for our Website.  Probably around May I will purchase another 20 MB of space for $1.00/month.  This will cost the Club $4.00 for the remainder of the fiscal year and $12.00/year thereafter.  As you probably have noticed we have added a lot of pictures to the Website, which, unfortunately take up a lot of space.  We will not need to have a vote on this as the purchase is under $50.00.

I hope to see you at an FCS event soon.

Serving the Lord and you,

 

Randy Rowley

FCS President and Webmaster