Michigan Charter Boat Association - Monthly Report from the Secretaty of the Association

From The Secretary's Desk:		SECRETARY'S REPORT 06-05-2008
		Section Coordinator: Captain Ron Dubsky
CALL FOR PORT CAPTAINS Your Directors are going to be looking for new port captains in some areas. We need new blood to get this association moving toward the future so volunteer and give your director a call. What are the responsibilities of the port captains? Do you have what it takes?		MEMBERSHIP Total membership for the 2008 season stands at 663 members = 442 Captains & 221 Mates. Plan to attend the Alpena ANNUAL MEETING IS OCTOBER 24-26 Another reminder that our 2008 annual meeting will be held at Holiday Inn Alpena Michigan October 24, 25 and 26. Make reservations early this should prove to be a very informative meeting. With all the rule changes it will be a must to attend. Phone number for reservations (989)356-2151 ACTION ALERTS There are new materials posted under the compliance section that are important to your operations. Jim Fenner has been following the documentation issue and has shared his findings with the Association. WEBSITE DIRECTORY LISTINGS REMINDER The membership voted to discontinue the printing of the directory and print a brochure to pass out at shows and other areas and use the internet as our main choice of advertising. FISHING REPORTS ARE HIGH WEB TRAFFIC The most traffic our website receives during fishing season is the fishing report section. Please email reports to RDUBSKY04@comcast.net - SEND pictures - we will give you FULL credit - See fishing reports
As you may have noticed the MCBA website has a new & more colorful look. Maxine has been working hard to make sure we are in top placement in the search engines. We have added a downloadable PDF option and will enhance it by adding a separate PDF for each lake and specialty section. With the internet now being our main source of advertising it is important that you monitor your site and make sure it is up to date. DO NOT CALL CENTRAL instead follow the instructions below, changes will be updated within a few days as the form goes directly to our webmaster. WEB CORRECTIONS Go to this link DIRECTORY UPDATES and make your corrections there. This goes directly to the office and a copy to our webmaster. Changes for the 2008 season will be completed by January 1, 2008. MCBA LOGOS AND TOOLS Our webmaster has developed some tools to use on your websites as well as the MCBA logo. Michigan Charter Boat Association is advertising to the public to "look for a MCBA logo" when booking your next charter, so you may want to add our logo to your website. Please link back to Michigan Charter Boat Association at . (www.micharterboats.com) IMPORTANT: If you spot any NON MEMBER operators with a MCBA logo on their website or brochure, report to central immediately so we can take action! FORMS I have had a few calls for new stickers from captains that have gotten new boats. We were out for a few weeks but have a new shipment in now. So call me here at central and will get them out to you. Another reminder that we have the renewal forms for your USCG license, Give me a call if any thing is needed (800) 622-2971. YOUR STREET ADDRESS NEEDS TO CHANGE The use of a P.O. Box as your main address will have to be changed if you are in our drug program. The coast Guard requires a home mailing address for all random selected members NOT A P.O. BOX, so please notify central with a new mailing address so we can meet the requirements of the USCG. BOAT U.S. We have over 60 members that belong to BOAT U.S. Half-Price membership to BOATU.S. is offered to our members. Call and give them our group number(GA80493B) for the discount. Have a good season and be careful. Tight Lines, Ron