JANUARY 1999 MEETING MINUTES
By Rick Magnuson

The meeting was called to order by President Ron Gibby during our annual banquet. There were approximately 78 members, family and friends present.

Ron thanked the outgoing officers, Lyle Laughery (Vice President) and Jerry Wallis (Secretary) for their efforts during the past year. Ron then introduced the 1999 officers: Ron Gibby (President), Paul Beebe (Vice President), Clee Childress (Treasurer), and Rick Magnuson (Secretary). President Gibby also gave a special thank you to newsletter editor Bob McDougall and our Webmaster Steve Sterling for all of their hard work in keeping the membership informed.

Ron Gibby gave a summary of the prior year’s activities. These included a problem that caused a lack of water at the ORV field during the hot summer (the grass suffered no permanent damage), an excellent relationship with the City of Richland and the establishment of a 5 year planning committee headed by Bill Bowen. The ORV field got a new lawn tractor, a temporary sun shade (thanks to Larry Mitchell), a new sprinkler head and another sprinkler was modified, the safety fence was moved to allow more pit area and changed to longer lasting material. As part of the 5 year plan, a storage building was purchased with erection scheduled for early Spring 1999. Two club combination locks were lost to vandalism. The club’s two fields were ably maintained by Terry Hane, ORV, and by John Hanson and Bert Andrist at the Finley field. Updates to the Bylaws and Safety rules were made with copies given to new members. The flying events were successful. The Club’s treasury is in good shape. Finally, the Club gave back to the community by hosting an event for the ARC, headed by Bill Greger, and an event for the Girl Scouts, headed by Rob Opgenorth.

For 1999, plans are to combine the separate float fly events into one 2 day event located in the Richland Y area. The pattern meet will shift to July, pending approval of the District Event Coordinator. Another ARC event will be held. The renewal of our ORV

Field agreement with the City of Richland and erection of the storage building at the ORV field. A review of the 5 year plan will be done. President Gibby talked about setting up a special membership class for those who want to be associated with the hobby but can no longer fly. This "emeritus" class will be discussed at a future meeting.

Head Instructor Rob Opgenorth congratulated the new soloed pilots. Solo certificates were presented to the new pilots by their instructors. The new pilots are Dave and Ryan Phipps, Ted Meier, Chet Braswell, John Reck, Larry Peterson, Renton Maxfield and Paul Beebe. The Instructors were Gordon Anderson, Leon Fleming, Bill Greger, Ron McMahan and Rob Opgenorth.

Ron McMahan presented the Bent Prop Award to John Hanson. Ron also provided all the statistics of who and how many for the past year.

Larry Mitchell said that the Club will again have a booth at Puyallup. A Futaba 6XA radio will be the raffle item, thanks in large measure to Sheldon’s Hobby. Larry also said that from last year’s raffle, second prize was a Club shirt won by Dayl Graves of Walla Walla. Dayl gave the shirt back to the Club to be auctioned off, with Jim Reynolds having the winning bid.

Rob Opgenorth recounted the success of Brett Bowen in pattern. Brett was District Champion in his class.

The annual gift exchange was held, then the meeting was adjourned.