38 people were in attendance. Joe Spooner presented his annual raffle.
Visitor Lucy & former member Jim Mcallis were recognized.
Treasury Report-See Barbara Moritz

Old Business: We are offering the same FTA T shirt with a different supplier. It is a $9. shirt that we will sell for $15. There are mixed colors. Contact Skip.

White Springs: Annual conference regularly in Jan., volunteers needed for hikes & activities

Christmas Party: Dec. 13 @ Withlacoochee River Park

Activities Chair Tom said a new form was sent out. When you are done with the hike or activity these should be returned to him & he will do post activity report to see which ones were most successful.

Ehiker will be sent 2x month to represent any changes.

PR Bonnie needs someone to take over in Jan.

Membership Chair will be Sher Canton taking over for Hope Michaud.

Newsletter will be done by Rick.

Daniel Allen & family came back for this meeting.

Newsletter will go to Email & everyone will have an opt out notice. Pages will be limited & we will find ways to save money because it costs about $200. a month

Advertising was brought up-we are still working on that.

On behalf of Mitch & Ralph, Ralph presented a plan to us to think about. They don't want us to decide today. We should mull it over. They think the chapter should be split because we might get more attendance. Right now it is divided too lineal & it is too far for some to attend the meetings. We might have more people with a smaller group.

State Rules state that you can live & be a member wherever you want. The tractor is an issue.

Objections were: With two small groups we would double the need for leadership & manpower. The general group decided this needs to be discussed further. It was also voiced that the people who usually attend the meetings now like the camaraderie the way it is.

Ralph & Mitch agreed to stay on as Chairs for one year if we make this change during the year. The proposal will be written up in the footnotes.

Eileen W. asked about the Capital Campaign. Ralph said we are not having a fundraiser. We will have a short program in Jan.

- Lisa Alspaugh, Secretary

The business meeting of the Suncoast Chapter was called to order at 1 p.m. on 3/15/2008 by the Chapter Chair Ralph Hancock at Myakka River State Park.

New members and first time members were introduced with five new members present.

There was a drawing done by Jan and the winner of the 35 dollar gas card was Bill Martin.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved by majority rule.

Treasure report
Total balance $3100
Capital fund $2700

Sandra Kent was the guest speaker/ topic of Fund Raising for the FTA

Old Business
I. Wyland spoke of the mention of the Regional Conference to be held October 2008, that was discussed at the Board of Directors Meeting with the Suncoast Chapter to host the meeting.A response went to all members prior to the meeting for support of the hosting the meeting and one response came in the allotted time frame.I. Wyland mentioned suggestions of topics that would be of interest at the Conference as workshops such as chain saw inservices,CPR,First aide.After much discussion of the possible hosting of the 2008 October conference Skip Young brought to the attention of Chapter Chair Ralph Hancock that there was a motion on the floor which should be voted on.The motion was to move forward with the tentative reservation for Regional conference and that the motion would be voted on at the May Chapter Meeting which is to be held at Trout Creek Park,Tampa.Majority ruled on this motion and a committe list of eleven members was made.Voting on this motion will occcur again as mentioned previously at the May meeting.I.Wyland will tenatively secure the site until the decision is confirmed.

Tom Hammond congraulated John Bangos for his service as acitivites chair.

Bill Martin spoke of the Senior Fair in Sarasota and mentioned the lack of response to FTA booth and that it wasn't in the interest of the Chapter to participate in years to come.Hiking was of little value to the crowd drawn to this type of community function.
Item for the silent auction was brought to the attention of the members with request for new items of value to be auctioned as Fund Raising for the FTA at conference in March at White Springs.

New Business
Skip Young brought to the attention of the need of consideration of finding replacement of Ted Young in future with alternative staff for mowing and storage of tractor

Consideration for future of new officers as tenure of current will term in January of 2009

Several members brought to the floor mention of obtaining workers for the future such as High School contact,Eagle Scout,Community Service,prisoners .

Meeting was adjourned at 2 p.m.

- Lisa Alspaugh, Secretary