Coulee Region Modelers.Com

COULEE REGION MODELERS

If you are not receiving this newsletter via email, please advise the secretary at 608-783-3125 or by email at Jimartay@aol.com. Thanks.

Jim Taylor, Secretary

New members Brian and Mike Billing, father and son. They have an Electra Star trainer which Mike wants to learn to fly. Dave Suttie agreed to check out the trainer after the meeting adjourned.

2009 Mini-Airfest Report- Attendance was down due to weather this year. The day started out with heavy thunderstorms which lasted until 9:00 AM. The weather then cleared and produced a beautiful day. Official attendance 350

The financial results were reviewed as were theoperations of the Mini-Airfest. It was noted that there was a problem getting members to assist in the set-up and tear down, especially newer members who may not have realized that this is part of the duty of members of Coulee Region Modelers. No action taken.

A letter was received from The Skyhawks Show Team. They thanked CRM for a good time at the Mini-Airfest. It was noted that their leader, Gary Oliver, paid the expenses of the team to come to our event. A discussion as to whether to contribute $100 toward reimbursing Gary Oliver met with no action.

The kids' glider event was a popular success. Bob Harold brought an example of a swing-wing glider that flies well and is much easier to assemble and is sturdier than the glider provided this year. It was recommended for use at next year's Mini-Airfest with athe agreement of AL Bushek, who has so generously provided the gliders in past years.

The mowing schedule for the rest of the season was reviewed, and announced that the field will be fertilized once more before Fall.

It was announced that River City Radio Contol Modelers is having a FUN-FLY on September 26 (Rain Date- Sept. 27). This event is truly a fun-fly and not necessarily a fund raiser. Food is available, toilet facilities are available and events are planned for participation by all AMA licensed pilots. If you have not attended one of the RCRCM Fun Fly events, it is recommended as a truly fun event.

The regular October meeting of CRM will be held on October 8 at ABC Hobbies on Caledonia Street bin La Crosse. The first Thursday, the regular meeting date, is also the Oktoberfest Torch-Light Parade date, and since the paraqde rout includes Caledonia Street, the meeting date has been set one week later, on the SECOND Thursday at 7:00 PM.

There were 12 members present and one guest/prospective member, Brad Goetz, now an AMA member. OLD BUSINESS:

Dave Suttie reported on his presence at the River City Radio Control Modelers’ (RCRCM) FUN-FLY on September 26. He regretfully announced that he did not win the Limbo Contest this year (he did last year), but otherwise had a good time. The RCRCM FUN-FLY is a purely flyer’s event where the emphasis is on commeraderie and flying with a few antics thrown in.

Field Marshall, Paul Haley, reported that he had applied 300 pounds of fall fertilizer to the airfield, and that with recent rains and mild weather the grass had rebounded from the effects of a prolonged dry spell in late summer. He reviewed the mowing schedule for the balance of the season. It was concluded that the small oil leak on the mower was not significant enough to warrant the cost of repair, estimated to be several hundred dollars. Special diligence will be required to be sure that the oil level in the engine is maintained at a safe level. Mowers should check the oil BEFORE starting the mower and add oil if necessary. Check oil again after finishing mowing, and add oil if necessary. The Annual Christmas Party was scheduled for Friday, December 4, provided that date is not already booked at Pogey’s. Al Bushek will make arrangements for the date and menu which was almost unanimously selected as roast beef.

Treasurer, Bill Plzak, reported on the financial condition of the organization which is healthy. Although the turnout for the 13^th Annual Mini-Airfest was smaller than previous years, likely due to the presence of violent thunderstorms early in the day, a small profit was earned from concessions and raffle. Most of the raffle prizes were donated, so there was very little overhead in that event. Jim Guggenbuehl donated the majority of the model aircraft category prizes, and the value was significant. As a result, all of the ticket sales resulted in financial gain for CRM. A brief discussion of income reporting by a 501C-7 corporation concluded that no reporting is necessary if the organization earns less than $25,000.00 in a fiscal or calendar year. However, the State of Wisconsin requires an annual reporting by all corporations within the State regardless of earnings and exacts a small fee for the privilege.

The Treasurer reported that the CRM roster includes 31 Adult Members, two of which are non dues paying and two Junior Members who pay reduced dues.

A question was raised regarding the term limits of officers of CRM, and the By-laws were incorrectly quoted during the discussion. To clarify this point, the following is taken from the By-Laws:

Section 4.04 OFFICERS – TERM. All officers shall serve for one (1) year beginning with the first meeting in January and ending with the meeting in December. The President and Vice President shall not be eligible to hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive years.

“Section 4.02 Directors” defines the number of Directors to be elected or appointed. (No mention of term limits for other officers.)"

“Peewee” Lassig has the trainer in his shop for repair, but he has not been able to complete the work. Jim Taylor volunteered to finish the task if the trainer and all associated materials and parts are dropped off at his home at 303 13^th Ave. S., Onalaska.

Our thanks go to Bill Kleinschmidt for hosting the meeting at ABC HOBBIES, and to his good wife, Linda, for the cookies which sweetened everyone’s disposition. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM .

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by President, Bob Corcoran. There were 12 members present representing a quorum. In addition, there were two guests/visitors/prospective members.

Paul Haley gave the Treasurer’s Report in the absence of Bill Plzak who was out of town on business. The treasury is in good health. A portion of excess operating money was transferred to the Vision Account, a special account established to provide for future capital needs of the club such as a new mower or other operating equipment.

The porta-potty has been winterized. 300 pounds of fertilizer and recent mild weather have caused the grass to green up and grow, and the field needs at least one more mowing mowing.

The date for the annual Christmas Dinner-party is set for December 2, a Wednesday at Porgy’s on Clinton Street in North La Crosse. The menu will include both prime rib of beef and roast chicken. The cost is $20.00 per person, payable in advance or at the time of the dinner. Please call Al Bushek at

608-792-0555 in order to be assured a reservation. Checks for payment should be made payable to Al Bushek and may be mailed to Al at W4190 CTH ‘M-M’, Coon Valley, WI 54623.

Glen Drake proposed a winter shelter to protect cold weather flyers from the elements between flights. The proposed shelter is temporary in nature, can be dismantled and stored or moved around the flying site if needed. Glen will prepare cost estimates.

There was a motion made and seconded to cast a unanimous vote for the slate of proposed officers for 2010 as follows:

There was considerable discussion relative to the filing of the annual fee for corporations to the State of Wisconsin. No one could remember when this was last paid, so any information relative to when and if it has been paid and the consequences of non-payment would be appreciated. The earliest date of payment required would have been in year 2006. Your current Secretary was no longer Treasurer at that time having served the three previous years as both Secretary and Treasurer.

Attention was called to the article in the November issue of Model Aviation under District X News relative to a destructive fire caused by exploding or spontaneously igniting Li-Poly batteries being charged inside a vehicle and adjacent to the club pavilion. The original pictures in color obtained from the District X Vice-President are on the CRM Website under the “PHOTOS” tab.