President Graves called the board meeting to order at 1503. Todd Graves, Greg Bailey, Jacob Burkhart, Reed Gracie, Tim Logozzo, Danielle Sims present, Will Judkins is working and will try to call in. Dave was calling in but late. Pete Day sat in as a guest. Minutes from last meeting were reviewed. President Graves asked for a motion to approve minutes as read, Greg Bailey motioned to approve, Jacob Burkhart seconded, motion passed.
President Graves asked Danielle Sims to share the Treasurers Report January 1 – April 30, 2025. Account Balances are STCU Checking: $13,776.68, STCU Savings: $127,181.27, Wells Fargo Checking: $346.75, QB Checking: $7240.56, PayPal: $15,742.12. Total in all accounts $164,287.38. Danielle shared that Wells Fargo account would be closed soon. Money was left in that account until all checks were cleared. PayPal balance is transferred to STCU Checking on a monthly basis. $700 is outstanding in account receivable at the time of this report. $100 in undeposited funds. Final balance is $165,087.38. Jacob Burkhart commented that our funds are 136% above our annual budget. Some discussion of why we have so much money. Greg Bailey brought up that our annual 990 filing only showed a slight profit overall compared to our annual expenses. Danielle explained that we look good at this time of year because all the funds for most of training season are collected now. Once all the expenses for training are paid out it won’t be so much. President Graves asked about a budget. Some discussion on why we don’t have a budget and if we are required to have a budget followed. Danielle shared that when she started in 2009, they worked up a budget to approve annually. It was scrapped because it was more or less a waste of time because the funds were disbursed as needed regardless. Danielle shared that the 990 Annual IRS filing was a great tool to reconcile the accounts year to year and keep all funds accounted for with no room for error. Discussion came to a close with all agreeing that we are doing fine the way things are now. Danielle then shared the Profit and Loss January 1 – April 30, 2025: Total Income – $87,226.38, Total Expenses – $32,780.61, Net Profit of $54,445.77. President Graves asked for a motion to approve the Treasurers Report, Greg Bailey, seconded Reed Gracie, motion passed.
Discussion to pay President Graves for the past years work as president. It is approved as long as we have the funds to do so. Dave Rains made a motion that we increase the salary from $6000 to $8000. Greg Bailey seconded, all approved. Danielle will send President Graves a check for $8000 after the meeting. Danielle let the board know that the 990 Filing will be completed before the due date in May.
Training Committee Topics: Danielle shared the minutes of the TC meeting that we had in January. The TC wanted to review the Refresher before it was finalized so we had a zoom of just the TC and then a week later invited the instructors to a zoom so they would know the layout and offer any suggestions. Kevin Curfman and Charlie Curtis contributed units and shared their thoughts to make it easier for other instructors to teach them. Jacob Burkhart added context to a unit in the refresher to enhance the learning. The class has been well received. The IRPG’s release date was delayed so we are using the old ones until they come. They were released for classes after April 21st. Danielle plans to send IRPG’s to all the students who took classes prior to that date. Jacob Burkhart announced that he is not teaching for 2026. He offered to be a fill in or back up if needed. Reed Gracie had expressed interest in teaching but has decided he will not be able to. He is returning the training materials to Danielle.
Old Business: Database Updates were discussed earlier while discussing the treasures report. Danielle shared that $6000 is the approximate amount that Dan Curfman needs to continue updating the database. President Graves shared a letter he wrote to the Fire Defense Committee regarding a slandering of private contractors by a PR person in the WA State Government. The result of the letter was positive with an apology coming from the leadership. The article that was published stated that private contractors only care about how much money they could make. Everyone was please with President Graves initiative to make this right. Todd also shared about our DNR relationships and the State Fire Marshall’s office.
No other Old Business.
New Business: President Graves asked Jacob Burkhart if he wanted to remain a board member and he replied, yes. He asked him if he also wanted to remain a member, he replied, yes. Jacob shared that he wanted to have an Executive Meeting with only the board members to discuss what he described as a conflict of interest or a “Gate Keeper” issue. Danielle asked if he intended to have a meeting without her, Jacob replied yes. Danielle shared that according to the WCFA By-Laws the Secretary/Treasurer are board members, they are just non-voting. Some discussion followed and it was decided that he could not request an “Executive” meeting with the intention of excluding the Secretary/Treasurer.
Officers whose terms are expiring:
o Greg Bailey / Vice President – 2023-2025
o Will Judkins / Executive Board #2 – 2022-2025
o Dave Rains / Executive Board #5 – 2022-2025 Discussion about officers, Greg Bailey and Dave Rains will accept a nomination. Will Judkins is not able to commit to further service. President Graves thanked Will for his service to the WCFA. President Graves will announce the need for a new board member at the General Meeting.
Danielle shared applicants for Membership that will be voted on at the General meeting and 3 name updates:
8 New Members
▪ Dutchman Logging – Thom Marici
▪ East Canyon General Contracting LLC – Misty Stephens
▪ Artemis Northwest LLC – Dean Page
▪ Ironwood Wildfire LLC – Jason Zabreznik
▪ Silver Nickel Logging – Casey Silverthorn
▪ Kintner Timber Company LLC – Cory Kintner
▪ Sterling Wildfire – Madison Haas
▪ Action Resources – Chris Munoz
3 Name Updates
▪ Brothers Fire Inc – Formerly Wildland Warriors dba Liberty Wildfire – Buck Smith
▪ Chilton Logging – Jacob Oberlander update to Joe Barry
▪ S.F. Ready formally Backcountry – Ambrose Bessette
President Graves asked if there was any other New Business. Reed Gracie said to watch for changes in Executive Orders from the Feds and keep the membership informed.
Fall Meeting TBD
Motion to adjourn Greg Bailey, seconded Jacob Burkhart, Meeting Adjourned @ 1630