The annual meeting of members and directors of The Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage was held at Coopersville, Michigan on the 27 June, 2002, pursuant to notice mailed to the membership.

1. The meeting was called to order by president, Ed Hanenburg at 7:05 pm.
   
2. Roll call was taken. Six members were present which satisfies the bylaw quorum of five members. Members present: Duane Bowman, Philip Cok, Fred Florshinger, Ed Hanenburg, Carl J. Sinke, and Cindy Timmerman.
   
3. Notice of the meeting was read.
   
4. Upon motion made (Timmerman), seconded (Sinke) and passed, the agenda for the meeting was accepted as presented.
   
5. Upon motion made, seconded and passed, the general meeting was adjourned and the special meeting commenced.
   
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6. Phil Cok and Carl Sinke provided background information regarding the request from the Byles to return funds donated in memory of Ryan Byle. A total of $1534.85 was donated to the society in memory of Ryan to cover the costs of organization of the Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage. The money has been expended as directed with $500 spent for filing fees with the Internal Revenue Service and over $1000.00 incurred in legal expenses associated with the application filed on behalf of the Society by Mr. Larry Lemmen, esq.
   
7. As additional background information Phil Cok reported on the receipt of I.R.S. notification dated June 13, 2002 that the Society has been awarded non-profit status (DLN: 17053143020012). The advance ruling period covers 28 March, 2001 (date of incorporation) to 31 December, 2006.
   
   
8. President Hanenburg opened the floor for discussion.
   Carl Sinke made a motion, seconded by Fred Florshinger to acquiesce to the Byles' request to return the funds donated in memory of Ryan Byle. As proposed by the Byles, they will inform the donors about the redirection of funds. The Byles will be notified that the Society will also provide notification directly to the donors regarding this request as well. The money would be returned, as replacement funds become available.
   
   Phil Cok made a motion, seconded by Timmerman, to amend the motion to repay the funds only to up to three recognized, non-profit entities with the Byles designating the non-profit benefactors. This would be in accordance with Dissolution clause, Article VII, of the Articles of Incorporation and legal recommendation. The amended motion passed unanimously.
   
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9. Upon motion made (Bowman), seconded (Florshinger) and passed, the special meeting was adjourned and the general meeting recommenced.
   
10. The minutes of the annual meeting of 11 July, 2001 were presented and approved.
    
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11. The Treasurers report was presented and is attached as part of these minutes. The treasurer has established a money market account with State Farm Bank through the local office of Ward Verseput as directed at the 11 July, 2001 meeting. Four members have paid dues totaling $80; Ryan Byle memorial contributions total $1534.85. Bills paid include the $500 filing fee to the Internal Revenue Service. Payables due include $1000 invoice from Mr. Lemmen's office dated 06/05/02. Current account balance is $1147.33. The Treasurer's report was accepted as presented.
    
12. Upon motion made (Cok), seconded (Florshinger) and passed, the treasurer was directed to pay Mr. Lemmen's bill and include a letter acknowledging his generous contribution of over $400 of unbilled time.
    
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13. Upon motion made (Sinke), seconded (Timmerman) and passed, the approved use of the Coopersville & Marne Railway stockholder & volunteer mailing list would be used for a membership drive and request for donations to replace the Ryan Byle memorial funds.
    
14. Upon motion made (Timmerman) and seconded (Florshinger) it was proposed to set a lifetime membership rate at $200 per person. Discussion followed. The motion was amended to include a lifetime family membership rate of $300, which would apply to immediate household members only. The amended motion passed unanimously.
    
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15. Upon motion made (Cok), seconded (Timmerman) and passed dues paid in 2001 would be applied to 2002 membership. The secretary/treasurer according to the Bylaws (Article IX, sec. 1), will send out invoices for unpaid 2002 dues.
    
16. The president opened the floor to member comments.
    
17. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of the Society taking over the C&M gift shop and how that would be impacted by the non-profit status. No decision was made.
    
18. Discussion was held regarding initiating the Handicap Car project. Funding sources were discussed. Timmerman, Sinke & Cok to prepare an information package. Fred Florshinger to follow up with Daimler Chrysler rep. regarding handicap conversions source. Sinke to pursue Clock conversions with Tom Chubinski. Fred will continue his search for an appropriate combine car.
    
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19. Timmerman and Cok will proceed with press releases to publicize the Society.
    
20. The next meeting of the directors is scheduled for Thursday, 22 August, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. in the Coopersville Farm Museum.
    
21. Upon motion made (Sinke), seconded (Bowman) and passed, the meeting was adjourned.

Dated this _9th_ day of __August_ , 2002

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Philip J. Cok, Secretary