February 16, 2002
Held at the University of Georgia's Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, Savannah, GA.

The morning programs were attended by 25 members and guests and started with a presentation on "Bamboo as Houseplants" by Dave Linvill and Frank and Mindy Linton. After a short break Mike Yamakami, filling in for Harry Able who was unable to attend because of illness, gave a demonstration on Bonsai. Both programs were very informative and those present appeared to enjoy both. The meeting recessed for lunch and for touring the grounds of the Bamboo Farm.

The President, Robby Russell, called the business meeting to order at 2:20 PM with a quorum present.

Robby Russell reported that due to the lack of records the best he and Lester could do was provide a general state of the 2000 ABS annual meeting:

Income (Approximate): $13,900.00

Expenses (Approximate): $18,275.00

Profit/Loss (Approximate): -$4,825.00 (Loss)

The current balance in the bank is approximately $4900.00

After a discussion the following resolution was passed:

The Treasurer is hereby directed to maintain complete line item records of all receipts and disbursements on behalf of the Chapter starting with all activities as of January 1, 2002. A consolidated report is to be presented at each business meeting of the Chapter and a proper balance sheet is to be published once a year in the Newsletter.

Mike Hotchkiss reported that there were still S-M-L T-shirts from the 2000 ABS Annual Meeting available for sale.

Robby reported the following meeting schedule:

March 2, 2002 Anderson Cleanup: Mike Turner
May 18-19 Joint northern Virginia/DC meeting with NEC
June 15, 2002 Glen Saint Mary's nursery tour
August 2002 Cumming, GA - meeting date to be set

Mike and Robby reported that the clean up day at the Camellia Gardens went very well.

Bert Silverman reported there were 92 paid and 11 complimentary members of the Chapter.

After a discussion about the reciprocal newsletter complimentary memberships the Chapter passed the following:

The Membership Chairman is directed to contact the chapters not participating in the reciprocal newsletter memberships and to remove any that do not wish to continue.

Mike Turner reported he had not received any reimbursement for the last 3 newsletters and that since we had increased the mailing list trying to get old members back in the chapter the cost has gone up. After discussion the following was passed:

The Treasurer is hereby authorized to pay Mike Turner the sum of $900.00 to cover the last 3 issues and 1 advance payment for the next issue of the newsletter. (4 issues @ $225.00 = $900.00)

Mike also suggested that to keep the cost down the Chapter might want to try sending the newsletter by email. The Chapter directed Bert Silverman to contact the members with email to see if they would be willing to participate.

Mary Ann Silverman, National Director, reported that the ABS has created a new membership class - Lifetime membership for $500.00. This is for the ABS only and no chapter membership is not included. The chapter tabled any action on creating a Chapter Lifetime membership.

After a brief discussion the proposed changes to the bylaws were approved to read as follows:

3.3 ATTACHMENT

"Members are not subject to attachment."

V. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
5.1 REGULAR MEETINGS

"Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held at dates set by the Board of Directors with notice sent to the membership prior to the scheduled meeting date."

5.2 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
The regular meeting to be held annually shall be known as the Annual Business Meeting and shall be for the purpose of installing new officers and other new business that may arise. "This meeting shall be held every February at a specific date, time and place to be announced by the Board of Directors and/or announced in the preceding quarterly newsletter."

The Advisory Board approved the following resolutions by e-mail ballots.

1. The use of the term "Chairman" in any of the material of the Southeast
Chapter of the American Bamboo Society shall be considered to refer to and
be interchangeable with the terms - "Chairwoman", "Chairperson".

2. The Duties and Responsibilities of the Membership Chairman shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:

A. Maintain a complete list of the membership of the Chapter and adequate
records to document the membership list.
B. Provide timely notification of membership additions or changes to the
ABS National Membership Chairman, ABS National Treasurer, ABS National
Newsletter Editor (if required), SEC Treasurer and SEC Newsletter Editor and
any other office or committee designated by the President of the Chapter.
C. Cause the Membership list to be published at least once a year, on the
SEC Website and/or in the SEC newsletter or other method designated by the
Advisory Board or the General Membership of the Chapter.
D. Provide an annual report on the state of the Membership to the General
Membership.
E. The Advisory Board or the President can assign additional duties or
responsibilities from time to time as required.

3. The Treasurer is hereby authorized to reimburse the Membership Chairman
or individuals designated by the Membership Chairman for actual expenses of
the Membership Committee. The request for reimbursement must be accompanied
by a complete expense report showing each item and the actual cost. Items
such as postage, printing, paper, stationery, telephone expenses, etc. are
items that are covered. The Treasurer has the authority to allow or disallow
any item that the Treasurer feels is not an appropriate expense. In the
event an item is disallowed, the Membership Chairman can submit the disputed
item to the Advisory Board for their review and approval or disapproval. If
the Membership Chairman has any doubts he/she should contact the Treasurer
beforehand to seek approval. If the Membership Chairman and the Treasurer
cannot reach agreement, the item should be submitted to the Advisory Board
for determination.

4. The Membership Chairman is authorized to institute such rules for
membership in the Chapter as needed to make the membership process as
efficient as possible. The Advisory Board or the membership can add to,
modify or remove any requirement put forth by the Membership Chairman.

The Advisory Board also authorized Bert Silverman to respond to the ABS
letter concerning the state of the Chapter Treasury.

Without discussion the actions of the Advisory Board for the past 12 months were approved.

Bert Silverman reported that the Chapter Employer Identification Number had been received from the IRS and would be forwarded to Lester Agnew to allow him to establish a new checking account for the Chapter.

After a brief discussion the Chapter approved the Articles of Incorporation and directed that the Secretary file the necessary forms and pay any fees required and to maintain a copy of Articles in the Official Minute Book of the Chapter.

The following authorization resolution was passed.

Be it resolved that the Southeast Chapter American Bamboo Society hereby authorizes and directs the currently elected or appointed Treasurer to establish and maintain a checking account in the name of the Chapter at a bank or financial institution of his/her choice. The Chapter President is hereby authorized to designate those authorized to sign checks on behalf of the Chapter. The currently elected or appointed Treasurer is authorized and directed to secure the signatures required by the bank or financial institution.

This resolution is effective February 16, 2002 and is valid until canceled by a majority vote of the membership and is to serve as any required authorization needed by the bank or financial institution. The Chapter's federal (EIN Number is in the official Minute Book of the Chapter) is to be used whenever an account is opened.

The proposal by Adam Turtle to develop an officers and directors handbook explaining the duties of each was tabled until Adam could be present.

Bert Silverman informed the members that he would not stand for re-election for Recording Secretary or as Membership Chairman in 2003. There was a discussion on the need to recruit candidates for the offices. Bert explained the importance of the Secretary being present for all business meetings and suggested that the Chapter consider a small expense allowance for the Secretary starting with the Secretary's term to begin in 2003. On a recommendation from Dave Linvill it was decided to develop complete details explaining the requirements and reimbursement amount to be paid. Following further discussion the Chapter decided to split the office of Secretary/Treasurer into two positions starting with the 2003 annual meeting.

Bert Silverman reported that the membership software was progressing and by February 2003 it would ready for any member with a computer to handle the membership.

Bert Silverman suggested that the current web page maintained by him be moved to its own domain. Bert explained that he had talked to Gayle Lewis and she has agreed to become web master if Bert is unable to continue maintaining the site. After a discussion the Chapter passed the following motion:

Bert Silverman is hereby authorized and directed to create a web site for the SEC with its own domain name. The cost should not exceed $200.00 setup and $70.00 per year after that without Chapter approval.

On a motion by Bert Silverman with proper second the current slate of officers and board members were re-elected for a one-year term expiring at the February 2003 meeting.

The following resolution honoring Adam and Sue Turtle was approved by unanimous vote:

RESOLUTION

BY THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AND MEMBERSHIP

SOUTHEAST CHAPTER

AMERICAN BAMBOO SOCIETY

A Chapter Resolution Honoring Adam And Sue Turtle

WHEREAS, Adam and Sue Turtle have contributed time, energy, and distinguished service as members of the Southeast Chapter American Bamboo Society; and

WHEREAS, Adam and Sue Turtle were the founders of the Southeast Chapter American Bamboo Society; and

WHEREAS, Adam Turtle and Sue Turtle served as the first President and Secretary/Treasurer, respectively, for the Southeast Chapter American Bamboo Society; and

WHEREAS, Adam Turtle served as Auction Committee Chair & Coordinator for the 1995 annual ABS meeting and Adam and Sue Turtle served as co-chairs for the 2000 ABS annual meeting and the Bamboo exposition and handled the annual ABS bamboo auction; and

WHEREAS, Adam and Sue Turtle served as 1995 Professional Bamboo Growers Conference Organizers, where they organized it, kept the books -- under the sponsorship of the chapter; and

WHEREAS, Sue Turtle is currently serving as Treasurer for the American Bamboo Society and Adam Turtle is serving as an Advisory Board member for the Southeast Chapter; and

WHEREAS, Adam and Sue Turtle have served honorably and have unselfishly given of their time and efforts to further the interests of the Southeast Chapter of the American Bamboo Society and freely provide knowledge and information to the members of the chapter; NOW

THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHEAST CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN BAMBOO SOCIETY, that the Chapter pay tribute to Adam and Sue Turtle for their devoted service to the Southeast Chapter; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Southeast Chapter designate February 16, 2002 as Official Adam and Sue Turtle Day; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an official copy of this Resolution be prepared and presented to Adam and Sue Turtle; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary cause this Resolution to be published in the Southeast Chapter newsletter and the ABS Bamboo Magazine.

Signed this 16th day of February, 2002

Robby Russell, President

Lester Agnew, Secretary

Richard Waldron brought Moso seedlings for any member that wanted them. They were all taken.

Mike Hotchkiss and Robby Russell brought a P. n. Giant Black and a P. a. Koi for door prizes.

Frank Linton got the Black and Mike Turner got the Koi.

The meeting adjourned at 3:52 PM for visiting and viewing the groves at the Bamboo Farm.

Robbie Russell
President