Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists

To Advance The Knowledge And Wise Use Of Our Soil Resources

The MAPSS Executive Board held a meeting Thursday, March 29, 2001 at the Forest Service Offic in Rolla, MO beginning at 10:00 AM. Attengin: Jerry Gott, Dennis Meinert, Mark Osborn, Dave Skaer, Robert Rouse, Tom Dewitt, Mike Chalfant and Bill Pauls.

The minutes/treasurers report as presented inthe "Probauger" newsletter was reviewed. After a discussion by myself of our finances the board approved switching the amounts in the savings account (approx. $1363) and the checking account ($2131) and extending the time frame of the organization's Certificate of Deposit (approx. $5300) from 3 months to six months. All in an effort to maximize interest to the treasury.

Old Business: Certification was discussed. No Certifications currently planned. It was discussed that perhaps on could be planned in conjunction with spring soil judging while pits were open. Also next fall was discussed as an option for a certification to be held.

Committee Updates:
Certification - All of the current certified siol scientists reapplied and all were recertified. Committee Chairman Dave Skaer will serve as the registrar.

Membership - DennisMeinert discussed offering membership through the Department of Health to persons doing onsites. A public awareness campaign was discussed through the membership committee. The board approved a policy of carrying members for 3 years after failure to pay dues, then issue warning and if no response, drop the member. members with back dues pending will be notified through the newsletter.

Education - Leon Thompson Chairperson, not present, no report. A discussion ensued pertaining to offering training for certification perhaps in conjunction with MU Extension.

Constitution - Tom Dewitt Chairperson, not activity.

Finance - John Preston Chairperson, not present. Treasurer discussed issues in paragraph 2 of this document.

Nominations - John Fraga Chairperson, not present. Discussion ensued as to whether ornot John was still an active member. His dues have been paid through 1999. President Gott will inquire. If he is not active Richard Tummons will be asked to serve as Nominations chairperson. We need nominations for President elect and a member-at-large.

The annual Summer Meeting was discussed. Three options were offered: 1. Float trip on the Current River at Van Burren. 2. St Louis Cardinal ball game and tailgate party. 3. Barbecue and family get-together at Table Rock Lake (also Branson, Water activities, local resorts etc) at the relatives of Mike Chalfant (with Mike doing some additional checking into this option). Option 3 was deemed our first choice, with option 2, then option 1, being satisfactory alternatives. Tentative time frame- mid July.

Dennis Meinert suggested we forgo the fall meeting and hold a winter meeting in conjunctin with the natural Resources Conference at Tan Tara in February, 2002. There we would sponsor a booth and hold the regular MAPSS meeting and obtain a speaker. This suggestion was adopted by the board. I will look into obtaining a banner and/or other promotional material (i.e. hats, pins, pens, rulers etc.) for MAPSS. Perhaps also promotional "Menfro" material.

The next Executive Board Meeting will be scheduled for this fall, hopefully here at the Forest Service office in Rolla again.

Meeting adjourned for the traditional lunch at "Johnnys".

Respectfully submitted,
Bill Pauls :-)
MAPSS Secretary/Treasurer

MAPSS Members,

I am wrting to keep you informed about the direction the executive board is taking as regards to the fall meeting. It was decided at the executive board meeting in Rolla on March 29th to hold the fall meeting in winter. Specifically we decided to hold the meeting in conjunction with the Natural Resource Conference at TanTara. This is the Missouri Department of Ceonservation annual meeting. This meeting was formerly the Forest, Fish and Wildlife Conference.

A smoker kicking off the NRC is Wednesday night. Thursday and Friday have breakout sessions on a variety of topics. Many of them will be of interest to the MAPSS members. The NRC will conclude on Friday at noon. The NRC meeting is scheduled for January 30 throu February 1st of 2001.

Our meeting would be held the day prior to the start of this meeting, Wednesday, january 29th. It would begin Wednesday morning and extent through the day. We would have a couple of speakers and our meeting. I have speakers in mind, but could use any names you have if these don't work out. We would be free to attend NRC on Thursday and Friday. I have already talked with Tan-Tara and have a room reserved for the presentations and meeting. What I need to know, as soon as possible, is the number of attendees and more importantly the nights you will be staying at Tan-Tara. I need to know if you will be there Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights, one, two or all of them. This will allow Tan-Tara to reserve additional rooms as part of the block with MDC.

I know that this is well in advance of anyone's schedule, but do your best to make some future plans and let me know as soon as possible. My phone number is (573)860-3700 or my home phone is (573)237-5081. My email addresses are nrmeind@mo.state.us or dennis.meinert@mo.usda.gov or dennismm@fidnet.com. Please let me know as soon as possible even if you are only interested.

Thank you,

Dennis M.