Minutes of the Club Board Meeting: June 27, 2026
Meeting Attendees
Nine in attendance:
- Wayne Neckles
- Paul Voight
- Brian Herbert
- Greg Black
- Jane & Fred
- Kenny & Joyce
- Mike Strother
1. Meeting Opening and Logistics:
The meeting was called to order on June 27, @ 7:53pm in the 3rd and Company Lakeside restaurant in Walker Valley, NY. The upcoming meeting schedule and administrative correspondence were recorded as follows:
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.
- Tentative Adjustments: The Board noted that the July 22 meeting may be converted to an in-person event. If this change occurs, the meeting will be rescheduled for the following Saturday, and appropriate notice will be distributed to the membership.
- Postmaster Report: The Board acknowledged receipt of an IRS extension notice and various promotional mailings (Shoprite flyers).
2. Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer submitted a report on the club’s current financial standing and the status of the donation refund initiative.
Financial Status
| Account | Balance |
| Checking Account | $12,659.02 |
| Savings Account | $28,170.92 |
Donation Refund Status
- Completed Refunds: 317 donations have been successfully returned.
- Untraceable Refunds: 26 donations remain outstanding due to the inability to locate recipients despite efforts spanning 24 months.
- Charles Fielder: Identified as the sole remaining individual owed a refund exceeding $100.00. If anyone knows who this person is, please notify the treasurer.
Tax Implications for Donors
The Board discussed the requirement for donors who previously claimed tax deductions for their contributions. Such individuals are required to file amended tax returns for the year the deduction was claimed to reflect the receipt of the refund.
Formal Approval
A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report was moved by Kenny and seconded by Mike. The motion carried.
3. Membership Report:
Membership and Website Functionality
The current membership consists of 24 paid members. This count excludes the Board of Directors, who maintain flying privileges, and “Lifetimer” members, specifically the President, Paul Blood, and Tony.
Website Registration and Access Issues
The Board addressed a lapse in website functionality following a prior directive to simplify the user interface.
- Problem: Login and sign-up functionalities were disabled, preventing prospective members from entering necessary details or establishing recurring memberships.
- Current State: The website is restricted to a PayPal link, which facilitates contributions but fails to capture member data.
The Board issued a directive to Mike and the President to restore the sign-up process. Furthermore, it was mandated that a physical application process be established for members who do not utilize computers.
4. Old Business:
Administrative Updates and Website Maintenance
Tax professional Ross Wisdom has filed an extension for the 2023 federal tax returns; filings for this period remain in progress. New York State filings are currently not required.
Website Content and Appointed Roles
Some items have been dropped from the website and new pages have no content yet. The President is finalizing the “History” section for the website. Additionally, photos are required for the newly appointed directors to update the Board of Directors page.
Appointed Positions
| Role | Appointee | Status |
| Insurance Director | Brian Vant-Hull | Appointed (Non-elected) |
| Safety Officer | Jamie Hall | Appointed (Non-elected) |
Bylaw Revisions and Chapter Insurance
The Board reviewed the finalized bylaw revisions. The procedure for member ratification is established as follows:
- June 28 (Tomorrow): Bylaws will be distributed to all active members via email.
- July 12: Deadline for membership to submit a “Yes” or “No” vote via email.
- July 13: Posting of the ratified bylaws to the official club website.
Structural Governance Changes
The revised bylaws codify a distinction between the Executive Committee (consisting of the elected President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary) and Directors (Webmaster, Insurance Director, and Safety Officer). Under this structure, Directors are appointed by the Executive Committee rather than elected, allowing the club to fill technical roles based on qualifications and administrative necessity.
Insurance Filing Dependency
Final filing for the Risk Retention Group (RRG) and Chapter insurance is conditional upon the posting of the ratified bylaws and the identification of the Insurance and Safety Directors on the website. The Board anticipates securing insurance by mid-August, approximately one month following the filing. It was further noted that Tim Herr has retired from the RRG board.
6. New Business:
Property and Land Updates
Kelly Field
The Open Space Institute (OSI) is reportedly pursuing the purchase of the Kelly field property to facilitate trail connectivity. Conflicting reports exist regarding the scope of the acquisition, specifically whether it encompasses the full farm and barns or only the “pumpkin patch.” Joe, the owner of the venue hosting this meeting, indicated interest in the acquisition of the Kelly barns for development into a commercial wedding venue.
Tony’s Property / Flight Park
Tony has listed his property, which includes the house, the flight park (LZ), and the 10-acre Macintosh property, for $1.4 million through realtor David Marchinek. The Board expressed a counter-interest in the range of $600,000, conditional upon a formal contract agreement. A formal appraisal is required to establish the current market value of these parcels.
8. Open Discussion:
Property Fence
The Board addressed the presence of rotten fence posts along the Kelly field property. A plan was approved to contact the owner’s son to request permission to remove the posts and fill the resulting holes.
Maintenance Expenditure
Authorization was granted for Kenny to procure maintenance parts (blades, belts, and a pulley) for the mower from the dealer in Bloomburg.
- Motion: A motion to approve this expenditure was moved by the President and seconded by Mike. The motion passed unanimously.
8. Adjournment:
A motion to adjourn the formal meeting was moved by the President and seconded by Kenny. Meeting closed at 7:21pm. The Board transitioned to informal discussion at the conclusion of official business.
Respectfully submitted by Brian Herbert acting as Secretary
