2007 Open Meeting

President's Blog
(Coming Soon)

*"Stepping Up!"* Ohio Bass Federation Nation 2007 Open Meeting
When the events are planned and the pieces laid out you never can be sure of the results. You plan for the best event possible, hoping to make an enjoyable day for the membership and sponsors. We knew that, overall, it would be a good event. We did not know that it would be the over all good event! As the meeting progressed through the day it became obvious that the OBFN members, clubs and sponsors are committed to stepping up and making our events the model for angler driven, mutually beneficial partnerships. When each angler entered the building they had the opportunity to visit with sponsors, look over and buy from displays of lures and joke and laugh with old and new friends. Attending OBFN members were treated to the first Ohio show of the Bee Line bass boats. Everyone noticed their innovative “co-angler” rod locker. If you missed the meeting and want to see one of these boats, give Paul’s Marine a call and see if they have one because Mike White of Fish On Bassmasters struck a deal and bought the displayed boat…during the Open Meeting!
	Knox Marine brought three boats also, with a Ranger Z Series as the centerpiece. Rod Pullins made several laps around that boat and now has a motor home for sale. A special thanks goes out to Shawn Wright of Out Cast Bassmasters for purchasing a used Champion boat from Knox in support of their sponsorship with the OBFN.
Gear heads and shade tree mechanics gathered in Jasper Engines and Transmissions booth quizzing Dane about the engine on display. Rumor has it that DJ Plotner was asking about “big engines” and “fast trannies”. Reckon he is planning on adding to his out of state ticket collection on his next trip to a BASS Club World Championship event.
	Jerry Mohler of Champion Baits had a large display of jigs for sale and short-line anglers in the know made sure to stock up. Warrior Lures’ Brandon Osting also had a large display of lures with the unique claws on their soft plastic craw garnering a lot of attention.
In the middle of all that was OBFN charter sponsors Gary and Bryan McNeal of Lighthouse Lending answering mortgage and refinancing questions. As the meeting was the day after the OSU/ Michigan game, Bryan was smiling a lot more than when many saw him on national TV during the Ohio State/ Illinois game! As anglers chose a seat for the meeting they found several sheets of paper and a pamphlet on their tables. The papers were a 2007 Open Meeting Agenda, 2008 Schedule of Events and a detailed 2007 Financial Report. The slick looking pamphlet was a tri-fold produced by the ODNR to highlight our Black Bird Basin Project on Indian Lake. OBFN President Todd Thompson opened the meeting with remarks charting the past, present and future direction of the OBFN. Look for all this info in several upcoming installments in The President’s Address on www.ohiobassfedrerationnation.com Todd also welcomed two clubs to their first OBFN meeting and informed everyone that competition will be more stiff with the addition of Kokosking Valley Bassmasters and Fayette County Bassmasters. Todd reminded everyone that clubs and individuals may join the OBFN up to March 31 and still fish all 2008 events.
	Early in the meeting, OBFN Conservation Director Bob Townsend briefed the crowd on the OBFN’s conservation initiatives and reported that the OBFN wrote and applied for a “no strings attached “ competitive grant for the purchase of fish care equipment from BASS. BASS approved and delivered a $3,200 grant earlier this year. Bob touched on the Black Bird Basin Project and explained how this project is “snowballing” and how the state government, several local governments, private organizations and non-OBFN anglers have contacted us asking for advice, input and leadership from the OBFN.
	ODNR biologist Rich Carter gave a presentation on the voluntary Tournament Reporting Database and its value to biologists and tournament anglers. He informed clubs that he would be available during breaks and lunch to give clubs usernames and passwords. After lunch Rich was packing to leave when Bob asked Rich how many clubs had asked for passwords. At that time it was 5 clubs. Bob stepped up to the mic and informed everyone that Rich was getting ready to leave and to make sure they get their passwords. A long line instantly formed as a representative from every club stepped up to voluntarily participate! Remember, a link to the database is on the “links page” on the OBFN web site.
	Rich delivered an over-the-top presentation on the Black Bird Basin Project. The OBFN should be very proud to be the linchpin in the largest ever Federation conservation project in the state and the Nation! The OBFN won a $57,050 grant in a nationally competitive grant process. There was a total of $500,000 available and 47 national organizations ( Trout Unlimited, etc) applied with 16 projects chosen for funding. Five of the projects chosen were BASS Federation Nation projects with Ohio leading the way! Rich was very obvious in his appreciation of our efforts and told everyone “You are number 1”.
OBFN Treasurer DJ Plotner presented a printed, detailed financial report to all attending . Highlights of the report are as follows: Tournament Payouts - $46,598 Tournament equipment purchased - $6500 State Team funding - Just under $11,000 Divisional hosting - $1,560 Youth tournaments (plaques, prizes, cookouts, travel) - over $9,000 Total Outlay Of Over $74,000 Tournament entry fees and dues -just over $40,000 These figures are proof that the OBFN is maximizing the financial clout of its members by developing their own partnerships with sponsors and advertisers. In less than two years, the “schooling” of our membership on these relationships is paying off. At this point it is obvious that the OBFN membership’s desire to chart their own course two years ago and stay the course this past year was the best decision for our members, by our members. By anglers for anglers works! Chris Lappert reported that the Casting Kids Program is stronger than ever and that Columbus area T.G.I. Fridays held a contest between its bartenders that funded travel for the OBFN Casting Kid contenders to the National championship. Chris remarked that he attended the latest Nationals and was thoroughly impressed by the BASS staff and BASS’ commitment to the youth programs. Jim Bartholomew, Youth Director thanked the numerous volunteer boat captains who allowed the OBFN Youth Program to continue to lead the nation, by providing 3 state level boating events for every youth member. Jim asked that every boat captain that volunteered to stand up and it was impressive to see so many anglers in the crowd stand and it was just as impressive to see every Board Member stand, too. That is BASS CLASS! Southern Zone Director Todd Bunnell stepped up for the first of several times that day to encourage clubs to contact Zone Directors for any questions and concerns. Look for Zone directors to contact your club to seek input on Zone Meeting dates and locations. OBFN President Todd Thompson then went over the new tournament format and accompanying rules. Todd explained that only reasons for the change in the format was due to several issues presented by many OBFN anglers during e-mails, phone calls, board meetings, tournaments and even conversations in ramp and hotel parking lots! Several anglers had questions, concerns and desired clarifications. Straightforward answers were provided by the team of Todd and Todd, when Todd Bunnell stepped up to the mic several more times to provide additional clarity. About then, Todd Thompson’s growling gut reminded him to call a break for lunch!
	Lunch was provided by the pillars of the OBFN , Jerri Thompson, Tracy Bartholomew, Wendy Yost and Julie “Ma Bass” Waters. Everyone agreed it was good food and proved it by piling plates full of pork and chicken sandwiches, green beans, baked beans, potato salad, rolls and deserts. A big OBFN thank you goes out to James Kellough and Pepsi for providing the sodas.
During lunch ballot sheets were placed on a table and anyone could put their own name or someone else’s name down for any expiring term of office. After lunch any member who was running for office and wished to address the membership was given an opportunity to do so and two members did. It was during these remarks that an act of BASS CLASS was displayed by Predator Bassmaster Dave Stevens, who was running for OBFN President, when he lead the OBFN anglers in a standing ovation for current OBFN President Todd Thompson for his dedication and efforts to the OBFN. Attending club Presidents/ representatives and board members were each given one ballot to fill out for elections and they were turned in while the meeting continued.
	After lunch the OBFN had an awards ceremony. Catch-Em Bassmasters entire club received free membership to the OBFN for the upcoming year for their youth project. Gary McNeal stepped up to receive the award for his club and explained what they did and why. Look for all the details on Catch-Em Bassmasters’ project in an upcoming issue of BASSTIMES. Todd Thompson presented Knox Marine with the Dealership of the Year Award and highlighted that Knox Marine and Todd Bunnell were both instrumental in OBFN events being Ranger Cup qualified. BASS Class Sponsor of the Year was awarded to Jasper Engines and Transmissions for their continued substantial commitment to the OBFN and the OBFN Youth Program. Dane has been known to wield a spatula over a grill at the Youth events.
	BASS CLASS Awards were presented to Rod Pullins-Buck Creek Bassmasters; Clyde “Buddy” Yost of Buckeye Nation Bassmasters; and Stan Dodson of Apple City Bass Busters for their unfailing support before, during and after all OBFN and OBFN Youth events. John Long of Outcast Bassmasters was also awarded a BASS CLASS award and made an Honorary Member of the 2007 OBFN State Team when he was presented with a state team jacket for his support at all events. John also spent two weeks at Erie this year volunteering his time and efforts for both the BASS Club World Championship Regionals and the Northern Divisionals.
	Nancy Creaney, the grandmother of OBFN Youth Member Cody Gray made a spectacular quilt and donated it to the Youth Program to be used as a raffle or auction item. It became the Youth Challenge Raffle when Todd Thompson, as president of Buckeye Nation Bassmasters stated that his club would buy the first $100 dollar raffle ticket! In a matter of minutes 24 clubs and sponsors bought a ticket and Apple City Bass Busters were drawn as the winners. This great generosity was a moving moment for all but maybe most for a well known leader and old friend from a “new” club. Bill asked Todd for a moment to address the membership. He stated that they had been watching the OBFN and liked what we had been doing but this showing of support for the youth topped anything he has witnessed in years of federation membership and his club now really knows they made a good decision to join.

home | e-mail