MINNESOTA BALLOONING ASSOCIATION

MONTHLY MEETING

Saturday, May 22, 2004

Gus & Betty’s House

 

 

Members Present:

Gus & Betty, Glen Terry, Don Piccard, Bob Warner, Craig Richardt, Cindy Holton, Becky Pope, Jason Stocker, Dan & Holly Reuter, Jake & Paula Hamlin, Kim Dickey

 

Treasurer’s Report

Cash on hand:  $1,479.44.  There are currently 55 paid MBA members. 

 

Old Business:

 

  • Grand Excursion – Nothing concrete has been set up yet.  Info will be posted on the website as it becomes available.
  • Newsletter – The next edition of the newsletter is almost ready to go to press.  Articles can always be submitted to Sam Blackburn via email at SamWho@hotmail.com. 
  • Landowners/Rain Gauges – The rain gauges are here and look great!!!  Special thanks to Annette Niedere for getting the artwork to the company.  Cost of the gauges is $3.00 each or $2.50 each for orders of 10 or more.  Contact Glen Terry if you would like to purchase some for promoting ballooning and good landowner relationships. 
  • Children’s Hospital – Gus is still working on getting something set up to launch out of a part by the hospital which is by the U.  This would be a corporate sponsored fundraising event for the pediatrics ward.
  • Voice-Chatroom for meetings – Glen is still checking on the possibilities for this.  It would enable people from outstate to ‘attend’ monthly meetings via the internet. 
  • Advertising – Glen will put a notice on the website for advertising opportunities.  Paid ads will go into the newsletter and on the website, with corresponding links.
  • Balloon Photos/Roster – We’d like to create a spot on the website with photos of everyone’s balloons, with bios on the pilots.  Please submit your photo/info to the MBA website at MnBallooning@Hotmail.com
  • Social Committee – We still need a chairman to coordinate social activities for the group.  People are willing to help out with events, we just need someone to spearhead activities. 

 

New Business:

 

  • Launch site Directory – We would like to create a directory of launch sites across MN that people use and like.  If you have a launch site, please email the MBA with details, i.e. where, hours available, phone #’s & contact name at the site, or any other pertinent information.  This info would be good to have to get informal, spur-of-the-moment flights organized. 
  • Thank you!!!  Special thanks to Glen Terry for doing a balloon program at Woodland Elementary school in Brooklyn Center for 80 - 2nd graders. 
  • State Fair – The MBA will again be participating with a display at the State Fair in the Aviation area.  Volunteers are desperately needed to help staff the area as much as possible. 
  • 2005 Safety Seminar – Saturday, April 16th has been reserved for next year’s safety seminar.  It will be held at the same location….Camp St. Croix in Hudson.  We understand that it is not THE MOST ideal place….but, due to lack of funds, it is affordable so we make the best with what we can. 
  • Licenses – There is a link on the MBA website for how to apply for a plastic/laminated pilot’s license if anyone is interested in one.  \

 

 

 

Next meeting will be Monday, June 21st at Gus & Betty’s.  Most meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month….so mark your calendars and join us!!!