On January 15, 2021 at 4:00 an HPIA Board of Directors Meeting was held on zoom. Peter Houle, Eric Weinert, Toshi Aoki, Koji Okamura, and Ken Ogawa attended.
Eric presented proposed changes to the By-Laws that would decrease the maximum number of Board members and eliminate the requirements for specific geographical location or type of member. It officially adopted the calendar year instead of the fiscal year end. It terminated board membership for any board member missing more than two unexcused meetings. It eliminated the grace period for non-payment of dues. The motion send the proposed changes to the membership and set a February 26th date for a special meeting to vote to adopt or reject the proposed changes was approved unanimously by vote after a brief discussion.
Eric made a motion to adopt a new dues structure for HPIA. New dues would eliminate VPC, and charge an annual fee of $100 for a grower member, $250 for a handler member, and $350 for an associate member. Additionally, anyone who had paid VPC in 2021 would be credited towards the 2021 membership fee. The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion was held on the subject of laying off our paid manager, Chris Wengler, due to lack of financial means. The group decided to lay off our manager as of the end of March, 2021, but keep the office space.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30