President — Gary Schinske, 10781 Baker Rd., Greenville, MI 48838; phone: 616-225-8680
Vice President — John Caretti, 30803 Iroquois, Warren, MI 48088; phone: 586-573-8553; e-mail: lcaretti0111@wideopenwest.com
Secretary — Becky Widrig, 10819 Oak Ln., Belleville, MI 48111; phone: 734-699-1625
Treasurer — Bill Lyons, 12988 State Rd., Nunica, MI 49448; phone: 616-848-3826.
Membership —Diana Harris, 19245 Frost Rd., Merrill, MI 48637; phone: 989-643-7454; e-mail: dianaharris55@aol.com
NTA Director — Kevin Syperda, 17504 Briggs Rd., Pierson, MI 49339; phone: 616-636-5594; e-mail: syshome@cmedic.net
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $40.50
• Junior membership with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
MTA Membership Secretary
Diana Harris
19245 Frost Rd., Merrill, MI 48637
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Our convention will soon be here followed by hunting and then TRAPPING. Trapping means attending the largest convention in Michigan on Aug. 21 and 22 at the fairgrounds in Evart, Michigan. Time to get an inventory on your gear and make plans to purchase those traps you have wanted and that lure you have never tried.
All indications are that we will again be filled to capacity with dealers with some being forced to tailgate. Save on shipping and handling by purchasing at the convention with many dealers having convention specials. Camping is available on the grounds as well as food and many memories shared around the bonfire encouraged by internal and external “spirits.”
We expect to have the tipi back again and be the center for some special treats by the Rye Gang. Greg Schroeder from NAFA will be back with his informative fur handing techniques Friday and Saturday. Our fur auction lot numbers will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the annual membership meeting at 5 and the special live auction right after the conclusion of the meeting. Where can you get a weekend like this for only $5?
Earlier this year, we surveyed our membership on a couple of different issues with the results being in favor to put a few bylaw changes to the vote of the membership at convention. We had some interest from some “Predator Callers” to represent them in Michigan since they have no official association. Ninety percent of our membership that replied to the survey was in favor of allowing predator callers into our membership and providing representation through our association. From an organization and procedure standpoint, all that would be necessary is to change our name to Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association. This item will be voted upon at the annual membership meeting.
As most of you know, Michigan United Conservation Club has gone through some restructuring. One benefit is that their club dues through Michigan Trappers Association will go from $15 down to $5. That means that the cost of your MTA/MUCC combined membership would be reduced to $20.
In the survey, we asked if the membership wanted to keep the dues at $30 with the extra $10 going into our defense fund; or if they wanted to put the dues at $25 and put the additional $5 into our defense fund; or if they just wanted the dues lowered to the minimum of $20. The majority of those returning the survey wanted the dues to be set at $25 or $30 with the extra going into the defense fund. You will be asked to vote at the membership meeting if you want the bylaws to change reflecting an additional $5 or $10 to be added to your dues and that money to go into our defense fund.
As an additional note that is tied into MUCC, with the lowering of their dues, we must go to a common anniversary date for all members. Therefore, every member of MTA will have their membership due (and or renewed) on Dec. 31 of each year. We will be prorating some of our member’s dues to be fair to all and you will get that information at the annual membership meeting as well.
As normal, we will have officers of the Board of Directors up for election. This year, those officer positions up for election are President, Treasurer and Public Relations. Anyone interested in running for any of these officer positions, please submit your name to me so I can get the ballots ready for the meeting. Bill Lyons has said he would run for re-election as Treasurer. Public Relations Officer is open since Mike Schippa has been filling in along with his responsibility as District #7 Director.
I would encourage members to consider getting involved and submitting their name to me to include on the ballot. I would rather not run for re-election and would encourage anyone interested in the President’s position to contact me. In addition to these officers positions, we have numerous vacancies with the association. We currently have no Directors in Districts 3, 5, 15 and 16.
In addition, some of the other Districts need new blood to revitalize their activity. Along with the open Districts, we need someone to take over the association’s inventory of supplies and take custody of the association’s trailer housing those supplies. Your association is only as effective as the activity of the membership makes it. I encourage more of you to get involved for the future in protecting your privilege to trap. Your future is in your hands and you need to get actively involved.
SEE YOU AT CONVENTION!
— Gary A. Schinske
