Minutes from CWA Board Meeting
June 23, 2019
Recorded by Wil Iturrino
Attendees:  Greg Chasko, Wil Iturrino, Rick Boucher, Jackie Alix, Joe Alix, Tom Lewoc, Pete Revicki, Rich Chmiel, Thomas Entwistle, Michael Gregonis, Clint Herdman
Committees:
  • Conservation
  • Long Range Planning
  • JR Duck Stamp
  • Education
  • Membership
  • Fund Raising
  • Marketing
  • Scholarship
  • By-laws update
Greg Chasko & Rick Boucher will put together what the duties and responsibilities of the committees will be.
 Sporting Clays Shoot  
Joe and Jackie gave updates on the upcoming sporting clays event.
  • Will need 2-3 ticket sellers
  • Jackie -MC
  • Club President Safety meeting
  • Team pictures
  • Setup time 12pm-3pm
  • Tent rental $606
  • Presented member sponsor tally
  • $1,159 total sponsor (cash/merchandise)
  • Turkey shoot
  • Need volunteer photographers during shoots
  • Ticket sales 11:30am-1:30pm
  • Wil Iturrino will donate Long Tailed duck decoy
  • Lewis System of scoring, Greg + 1 other
  • 2 counters
  • Early registrations
  • Turkey shoot awards
  • Bucket prizes
  • List high end items on site to attract shooters
  • Silent auctions  
JR Duck Stamp
  • Winner will be CT State stamp
  • Committee - Tom Lewoc (appointed by Greg)
Outdoor Discovery Day
  • Hammonasset State Park, September 15
  • Jackie + other volunteers
Mower purchase
  • Primarily for wildlife (waterfowl) management areas
  • Status pending
Newsletter
  • Coming up soon
Conservation
  • Pomfret wetland with beaver dam
  • Possibility of using funds from previously sold property towards Pomfret property
Mentoring Program
  • 2 applicants
Training Day
  • Wallingford, September 8
  • 2 sessions
Treasurers Report
  • Balance of $24,351
  • Will cancel Wordpay account, not being used and will save money
Annual Fundrasing Banquet
  • May 3, 2020
Annual all members meeting
  • Has been proposed to the Board
Correspondence
  • Received a thank you letter from Hamilton Gray of Wallingford, CT. Read as follows: “I would like to thank everyone at CT Waterfowlers Assoc for giving me the opportunity to continue my studies in conservation. Thank you, Hamilton Gray”
 
 
 
Minutes from CWA Board Meeting
January 9, 2019
Recorded by Wil Iturrino
Attendees:  Greg Chasko, Rich Chmiel, Chis Samor, Wil Iturrino, Joe Alix, Rick Boucher, Pete Revicki
Discuss all member meeting
·         Min from DEEP will do presentation
·         At least 20 members needed to RSVP to hold meeting at 3/2/19
Sportsman Show 3/29 – 3/31
·         Dates 3/29 – 3/31
·         Friday 12pm-8pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 1pm -5pm
·         Rich Boucher will take lead
·         10 x 10 booth
·         Wil Iturrino volunteered to do carving demo
·         Need at least 2 people to man the CWA both
·         Free parking for exhibitors
·         Bring membership packages
·         Possible incentive:  free raffle tickets for new members
New CWA Decal
·         Discussed and tabled until next meeting
 Annual Banquet
·         Westbrook Elks
·         Limit to 244 people
·         $55 per ticket, includes membership
·         $40 for youth
CWA Properties
·         Contacted adjacent land owners in Pomfret, no response
·         Possible land trust donation
·         Will continue to pursue the sale/donation of all CWA properties
 Website Update
·         By Joe Alix
·         Sporting Clays Shoot
·         Need to get date on website
Mentor Program (2018)
·         Slow season
·         Two mentees taken out
·         Need more mentors
Other
·         Greg Chasko provided some committee ideas
·         Rich Boucher spoke on CAEA (CT Art Education Association)
Waterfowl Hunting Seminar training day-Wallingford (Sept 8, 2019)
·         Need manpower for training day
·         Wallingford, Ct
Minutes from CWA Board Meeting
October 24, 2018
Recorded by Wil Iturrino
 Attendees:  Greg Chasko, Rich Chmiel, Chis Samor, Wil Iturrino, Joe Alix,
Sporting Clays
  • 41 participants
  • Event was well received by all that attended
  • Discussed the possibility of free T-shirts to be given to members that can get a sponsor
  • Recommended to start planning for next year’s event now
  • Try to have better prizes for the next event
  • Need 6 people to staff event
Hartford Sportsman’s Show
  • Last weekend of March
  • Carving exhibit
  • Taxidermy exhibit
  • Art exhibit
  • Video display
  • List of dinner banquet items
 
*Need to concentrate on member participation for CWA events
General Membership Meeting
  • Discussed holding a meeting in January
CWA Properties
  • Cannot determine right of way
  • Possibly able to sell to adjacent landowners
Other
  • 8 mentee applicants
  • Need new CWA window decals
  • Rick Boucher to attend an art seminar to promote the  JR Duck Stamp Contest

 
Minutes from CWA Board Meeting
September 5, 2018

Attendees:  President Greg Chasko, Vice President Rich Chmiel, Joe Alix,  Treasurer Chis Samor, Acting Secretary Rick Boucher
The meeting was called to order by President Chasko at 6:15PM
​
Old Business
Jr Duck Stamp:  discussed & will be in place for 2020. Rick B will meet with CT Art & Science Associations to promote interest.
Training Day:  10/9 Wallingford Gun Club: will be manned by Greg C & Joe Alix.
 Additional support is needed.
Discover Outdoor CT (formerly NHFD): 10/22 Franklin Swamp WMA:  Manned by Rich C. possibly Joe A, & Bill Embacker.  Additional support is needed.  Joe A. to send email requesting help at the event.
Sporting Clays Shoot: 10/7 Guilford sportsman Association:  Joe A & Rick B will man the event.
Rick B to MC & score.  Joe A to manage registration.  Rick B will draft 2 email blasts for Mid Sept & late Sept for Joe A to send out.  Additional support is needed.
Wood Duck Box Making: 10/21 Flaherty Field Trial Area:  Coffee & doughnuts provided.
More to follow.
Newsletter: Joe A is crafting approximately 9 pages.
CWA Apparel:  New hats are in Greg C to send info to all.
 
New Business
Hartford Sportsman Show: March 29-31 Show Convention Center:  It was agreed that CWA would exhibit & try to participate in a demo alone or with Delta.  Approximately booth cost $250.00.  Support team to be made.
Habitat Projects: Nehantic Forest & Pomponum.  It was agreed that CWA will support DEEPs efforts & have signage at both sites.  This could happen in 2018, but most likely it would be 2019.
 
Membership: Greg C will request HIP email list from Waterfowl Division & do an email to all listed.
Q River Issue:  HELP!! Greg, please write this….short & to the point. Mention Hunt Smart.
Whale Bone Cove Issue:  Greg C has been very active in this topic.  This very tight shooting area was discussed.  Possible illegal shooting is happening. CWA will support DEEPs efforts to control illegal hunting.  Friends of Whale Bone Cove will educate neighboring home owners.
Brochure: It was agreed that CWA needs at least one piece of literature.  To start, Joe A will send Rick B the template for 8.5x11 trifold.  Rick B will draft copy.
CWA Stickers:  Rick B will source exterior water-resistant labels & report at next meeting.
 
Minutes from CWA Board Meeting
July 25, 2018
 
Attendees:  Greg Chasko, Rich Chmiel, Pete Revicki, Chis Samor, Wil Iturrino, Joe Alix,
CWA Sponsors
  • Looking for sponsors to advertise on CWA website
  • With member benefits in return
  • Looking for person to take the lead
* Action Item: follow up on sponsorship; Joe has intro email for sponsorship
Discussions
Closure of Quinnipiac River
  • Closure is justified due to a newly created children’s park, safety concerns
  • CWA Board & Officers to support closure of lower Quinnipiac River
  • Motion was made by Joe Alix, seconded by Rich Chmiel, all voted to support closure of lower Quinnipiac River, area of concern.
JR Duck Stamp
  • Discussed using winner for the CT State duck stamp
  • CWA will submit letter to CT DEP (Min) addressing benefits to schools and students
  • Greg Chasko to send letter, CWA Board will review letter prior to submission
Waterfowl Novice Training Day
  • September 9
  • Instructors and cooks needed
Shotgun Shooting Skills Seminar
  • Greg Chasko attended
  • Discussed having evening session, open to the public
  • CWA to consider being a sponsor for this event
  • Discussed having similar events for CWA members
Sporting Clays
  • Need names of participants
  • Prizes to include, gift cards, prints, cooler discounts, decoy
  • Will use Lewis System to determine winners
National Hunting & Fishing Day
  • September 22, Franklin Wildlife, 10AM-4PM
  • Bill Embacher to provide silhouettes for kids to paint
Hartford Sportsman’s Show
  • CWA to have a presence
CWA Decals
  • Pete Revicki will look into pricing for new decals
CWA Newsletter
  • Will try to get one out in August
Nehantic State Forest Wetland Project
  • Will possibly be flooded by October
CWA owned properties
  • Still pursuing information
CWA Mentor Program
  • Greg Chasko will contact mentors
New Business
  • Greg Chasko will look into getting new hats
  • Will attempt/look into getting emails of HIP purchasers for CWA mailout
Wood duck Box Building Day
  • Possible day in October, 14th or 21st
 
Minutes from CWA Board Meeting
May 29, 2018
 
Attendees:  Greg Chasko, Rick Boucher, Rich Chmiel, Pete Revicki, Chis Samorajczyk, Wil Iturrino, Joe Alix, Jackie Alix, Clint Herdman
Summary of this year’s banquet: (Chris Samorajczyk)
  • About $10k was made at the dinner
  • 120 people attended
  • Ladies table brought in $260
Suggestions for next year:
  • Hand out cards with numbers to help with the live auction
  • Keep track of what raffle items were popular to monitor interests
  • Life Membership raffle
  • Search for additional Wildlife artists for donations
Discussed need to focus on increasing CWA membership, including establishing member benefits:
  • Look into Duck Stamp purchasers for membership targeting
  • Sponsor Membership with page on CWA website
Open discussions/suggestions:
  • T-shirts for new members
  • Free Junior membership
  • New CWA window decal, Pete Revicki will look into this
  • Member survey with entry in raffle for submitting
  • Greg Chasko made suggestion that Board members take lead on Projects
Hartford Sportsman’s Show: (April)
  • Possibility of sharing a booth with Delta
Shotgun Clinic:
CWA will work with CT DEEP in the upcoming Shotgun Clinic on July 14 for instructors, and Aug/Sept (open to public) with focus on waterfowling
Sporting Clays Shoot – October 7 in Guilford, gift cards have been purchased
CWA owned properties:
  • 11 acres in Pomfret, will need to find where the “right of way” is located
  •  2 properties in Western CT, Rick Boucher to look into the status/conditions of properties
  Scholarship Fund:
  • Board made recommendation that the Junior Duck Stamp winner be used as the CT State Duck Stamp
  • Possible donation to school where the winning student attends
Wildlife Conservation:
  • CWA will team up with Delta to create a dam for waterfowl hunting/habitat in the north end (Keeney Rd area) of the Nehantic State Forest
Awards:
  • CWA will present a plaque of appreciation to Chet Reneson for his support
 
Minutes from CWA Board Meeting
January 24, 2018

CWA had 5 Board Members and 8 guests present, our best attendance ever. Thanks to all who attended!
 
Banquet: Chris Samor with the help of other Board Members have things well underway. We are looking good!
 
Newsletter: We should have a draft ready by mid-February.
 
Website: Because of the great efforts of Web Master Joe Alix, the Website is looking great! We have gone from 30 unique visits per day during 8/17 to 54 visits per day during 1/18! We rock!
 
Reneson original painting raffle: We have sold 30 tickets already and we still have not tapped all our sources of advertisement. Folks need to purchase their tickets soon or they will be gone!
 
CWA Properties: VP Rick Boucher and President Greg Chasko will visit the three sites in early summer when aquatic vegetation is up. From there, we will decide how to proceed.
 
Scholarship Fund: No applicants yet, but attendee Jackie Alix provided a website that we can use to spread the word. Stay tuned.
 
Membership: The Board decided to maintain April 15, as the annual renewal date. CWA should do a group email to members in February to remind folks that Membership dues are due.
 
Treasurer’s Report: CWA funds are in the black. We are committed to spending $2,500.00 on the DEEP’s Wildlife Division’s Papineau Marsh restoration which will not be a problem.
 
Future Events: Wood Duck Box building Day had to be cancelled as wood is not available. However, last year’s building day was so successful that the Wildlife Division has all the boxes they need for this year. We’ll get back at it, next year. Planning for the Jr. Duck Stamp Contest, Training Day and fall Sporting Clay shoot is in order.
 
July Elections: President Chasko will be stepping down 6/30/18 after a two year term. He will remain very actively involved in CWA.  Three Board Members were designated as a Nomination Committee to develop a slate of candidates for officers and Board Members. Any member who is interested in getting involved needs to let CWA know their interest. You can do this on our Website.
 
Mentor Program: We got a few Mentees out this year. The Board agreed to recognize all Mentors who have participated at the banquet this year.
Minutes from CWA Board Meeting
November 8, 2017
 
Attendees: Chris Samor, Rich Chmiel, Rick Boucher, Greg Chasko, Clint Herdman, Dakota Flis (guest)
 
Banquet Pricing: Board decided to price tickets at $55/adult; $80/couple. Early purchasers at $50/adult; $75/couple. Tickets will be available online at the CWA website.
 
Sporting Clays Shoot: Set for Sunday October 7, 2018 at Guilford Sportsmen’s Association. We need to get 50 shooters!
 
Membership: Board decided to maintain April 15 as the renewal date as this date is close to when we hold the Banquet. If someone joins late in the cycle (after November 1, their membership will run until the following April). Our Web Master is looking into Programs that will facilitate tracking Membership and renewals.
 
Reneson original painting raffle: Board decided to limit ticket sales to 100 at $50.00/apiece Next steps are to have tickets printed and advertise the raffle. Winner to be drawn at the April 15, 2018 Banquet.
 
Mentor Program: No new applicants this year, but we have several holdovers from previous years that Mentors will try to get out.
 
CT Carver’s page: All carvers who are CWA members were contacted to submit some photos of their decoys and a short resume. To date, Rich Chmiel has responded and his info is up on the Website.
 
Cabela’s Program for donations/discounts to non-profit conservation organizations: Necessary paper work has been submitted. Waiting to hear back from Cabela’s.
 
List of Sponsors: Need to get our list of Sponsors logos up on our Website. Current sponsors include: Mossberg, Final Approach, Primos, Sitka, Tangle Free, Wild Edge, Baron, Harris Outdoors, Conquer the Call, Carl’s Custom Calls. Let’s be sure that we have not omitted anyone.
 
Waterfowl Mounts for the Barn for Artistic Youth (BAY): CWA obtained several mounts through a personal connection and delivered them to the BAY. The BAY submits many painting to the Jr. Duck Stamp contest. Check out our Website in the “News” section for a photo and details.
 
Handicapped Waterfowl Hunting Blind:  CWA will work with the DEEP’s Wildlife Division to repair the existing handicapped blind at Babcock Pond WMA in East Haddam. Also, to find a better location for another handicapped accessible blind.
 
Winter Newsletter: We should get another Newsletter out January or February.
 
List of Events:
 
  • Wood Duck box building day: 3/3/18
  • Jr. Duck Stamp Art Judging: 3/21/18
  • Banquet: 4/15/18
  • Training Day: 9/9/18
  • Sporting Clays: 10/7/18
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