Meeting Attendees
Tom Vanderputten Ted Larrison Jim Mauck Mike Beachy Mark Holcomb
Meeting Minutes
- The meeting minutes for November 11, 2024 were approved.
Fishing Reports
- Conditions continue to be clear and low
- Nymphing: small pheasant tails, scuds, and sow bugs under an indicator
- Streamers: small leech patterns moving slow or twitch swing
- Dry: tiny midges on bright sunny days
Treasurer’s Report
- The account balances at end of November were $ 25,842.88
- Mike spoke with Keith to discuss the Chapter status and the possible Chapter dissolution.
- Jim Mauck has agreed to accept the Treasurer Position and will work will Keith to transition
- The Raffle check has not yet cleared the Indiana State
Middlebury Old Mill Park
- No new report (see below)
- Mike spoke with Tom Enright (Middlebury Parks) about putting this project on hold until the status of the LECTU Chapter is resolved.
Reel Recovery 2025
- The Reel Recovery Retreat is scheduled for June 2,3,4 2025 (Monday-Wednesday).
- The Budget will be approximately $8,500 – $9,000
- The grant request to Elkhart County was denied (not enough county residents)
- Ted will draft a Sponsorship Proposal for Donations to Reel Recovery
- LECTU will also donate and assist in additional fund raising.
- Mike Beachy will be unavailable, but he spoke to Andy Kitson to lead the Buddy Guides
The following three sections will continue to be Reprinted so Members Stay Aware of LECTU Status
LECTU (IRS Filing Status) (reprinted from August)
- LECTU received an email from Quentin Collins at National Trout Unlimited.
- Due to a bookkeeping error LECTU was inadvertently reclassified from a Public Charity to a Private Foundation. This caused a major issue with the IRS and TU National.
- REVISED: Keith and his nephew an accountant have filed the necessary paperwork required for a Private Foundation 501 (c) (3) in order to prevent our loosing Not for Profit status. The next steps are to remedy the situation altogether by getting back to a Public Charity 501.
Quentin Collins TU National (reprinted from August)
- Mike spoke with Quentin and LECTU is still a nonprofit, however a “private foundation”.
- To return to a Public Charity we need to shut down the chapter and restart with a new Chapter Number.
- Since LECTU lacks the necessary volunteers to staff all positions (Officers, Board Members, Etc.), the possibility is the dissolution of the LECTU Chapter.
- Quentin counseled Mike that this situation is not unusual and offered TU assistance.
- When a chapter is dissolved all assets are transferred to TU National as well as liabilities. Therefore all obligated funds or future event funds would be utilized for those earmarked obligated projects. LECTU needs to start fundraising (Raffle Season) soon, and can legally do so (filing as 990PF).
- OPTIONS: New and Old guys step up and fill recovered positions and actually participate in volunteer activities or the Chapter shuts down and use our funds for Reel Recovery.
Quentin Collins TU Update(reprinted from September)
- Mike sent email to Quentin to implement the Chapter Leadership revitalization process.
- LECTU needs to fill (3) Board Members and (4) Officers. In addition more volunteers are needed to handle various annual activities.
- The next TU Financial Report is due Spring 2025.
- There will be a new LECTU Chapter number, and new Tax ID number.
Mark Sedotti (Reprinted from November 2024 Minutes) No New Information
- Eric Graham has asked if LECTU is interested in participating in sponsoring a day with Mark Sedotti.
- This would be in partnership with SJRVFF and KVTU.
- The program would be fly casting, fly tying, and various presentations. Lunch would be included.
- The cost would be $ 500 per club, and open to membership.
- Possibly October 2025 at the Elkhart Conversation Club
- Attendees will have a charge to cover rental and lunch
3RFF
- The Fly Show is going to be Saturday Feb. 8, 2025 (9:00am to 4:30pm)
- LECTU will need 3 people, 2 at the booth and 1 fly tier
- Mark, Ted , Mike will attend the booth. Mike will tie flies. Chase Spaw may also attend.
Winter Fly Tying
- The winter fly tying will be held at The Middlebury Library
- The sessions will be the first Saturday of January, February, March, and April
- Kris Williams and Mark Holcomb will lead the sessions
Fundraising / Outing
- Outing Date will be Saturday May 3, 2025 at Riverbend Park.
- Mike has started the process of getting a signed reservation agreement. This is required to obtain a Raffle License from the State of Indiana.
- The Grand Prize an Orvis H-4 9ft 5wt Rod with a Mirage Reel. The expense will be $733.74 + tax and LECTU will hopefully sell $ 3,000 of tickets.
- In addition LECTU will have a Silent Auction and a Garage Sale Table.
- Chase will solicit the Indianapolis area for donations, Mike will solicit the Chicago area
- The Guest speaker will be announced at a later date
H.A.M. Project
- The Habitat Access Management ham distribution for December.
- Mike will order (6) five pound hams for distribution.
- Mike and Tom will distribute the hams the week of Dec.16th to 20th
Chapter Status Update
- Mike is still in touch with Quentin Collins for the TU chapter revitalization efforts.
- Mike sent an email asking for volunteer leaders to step up.
- Mike received several responses. Unfortunately many were too far to be effective
New Business
- LECTU has agreed to send a letter of support to the Middlebury Library.
- The letter is to commend the library and staff for outstanding work.
Library Key Pickup
Wayne, and Mike have been listed by the Library being able to secure a building key for our monthly LECTU meetings. One of them will pick up the key prior to Wednesday of the meeting.
LECTU Meeting Place and Date
- Middlebury Library in downtown Middlebury IN.
Next Meeting – Wednesday – January 8, 2024
Tom Vanderputten – LECTU Secretary