Agenda for Crowley Fish Foundation (CFF) Board of Directors Meeting 

Thursday, June 18, 2026, 6:00PM – 7:00PM 

Via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/ojd-weoa-xbq?hs=224  

 

Please mute your speaker unless you are speaking 

 

6:00PM – Board of Directors general session (open to public) 

 

1. Call to Order, Determination of Quorum and Welcoming Remarks (Contaldi) 

 

1. Consent Agenda  

 

1. Approve minutes (May 21, 2026 meeting) – posted to CFF Drive and emailed on June 11, 2026 (Contaldi) 

 

1. Financial Report 

 

1. Finances – $18,188.55  in account on 6.11.2026 (Hodges/ Salina) 

 

1. Committee Business and Reports 

 

1. Audit Committee (Laski) 

 

• Report 

 

1. Finance Committee (Leonard) 

 

• Report  

 

1. Communications Committee (Leonard) 

 

• Report 

 

1. Nominating and Governance Committee (Tu/ Leonard) 

 

• Report 

 

1. Merchandising Committee (Tu/ Leonard) 

 

• Report 

 

1. Fund Development Committee (Corral) 

 

• Report 

 

1. Events Committee (Nersesian) 

 

• Report 

• July 4th parade 

• Fish Stocking Event 

• Kids Fishing Festival, July 25 

• Access Mammoth fishing event, August 5 

 

1. Fisheries Management Committee (Gulley) 

 

• Report 

• Fish Stocking Event 

 

1. Bishop Paiute Tribe Committee (Coons) 

 

• Report 

• Fly tying clinics update 

 

1. Old Business (Unfinished Business) 

 

1. Update on Kore Mine/ Hot Creek, and the next NHCM zoom meeting is Wednesday, July 10 @ 4PM. Please attend, any who can. Also, upcoming NHCM events are scheduled. (Markstein/ Leonard) 

 

1. New Business 

 

1. DFW Updates (Rosa Cox/ Nick Buckmaster) 

 

1. Jeff Rettig of Hi Desert Fly Fishers, disabled persons fishing access 

 

1. Introduction of other guests attending the meeting and comments from guests (Contaldi) 

 

1. Executive Session (closed to public) 

 

1. Non-board members excused  

 

Next scheduled Board of Directors meeting:  

July 16, 2026 – 6:00PM to 7:00PM via Google Meet 

 Minutes

Twenty-seventh meeting for Crowley Fish Foundation (CFF)

Thursday, May 21, 2026, 600PM – 800PM, held via Google Meet

Participants: Chris Leonard, Joe Contaldi, Carl Laski, Chelsea Montgomery, Chris Meyers, John Carrigan, Nikki Carrigan, Danny Corral, Don Chambers, Emily Martin, Ernie Gulley, Hodges Glass, Jarett Coons, Estevan McDonald, Michael Tu, Philip Nguyen, Seth Cline, Nick Buckmaster, Granite Stanley, Andre Nersesian, Emily Markstein (9 board members present)

 

The meeting was called to order at 600PM. Minutes approved at 6:00 PM (9 – 0) from the meeting on April 16, 2026.

 

Hodges reported finances – $14,266.51 in account on 5.21.2026.

 

Committee Reports –

1. Audit Committee – Carl reported that the AC will have its next meeting on June 10, 2026.

 

2. Finance Committee – Leonard reported from the minutes of the FC meeting. $5,000 will be retained for operational expenses for 2026. $2,000 will be allotted into an investment earning account. The rest will go towards the next Chris Basso Memorial Fish Stocking Event. There has been noticeable fundraising occurring on social media. Michael Tu discussed the idea of putting money into an investment account, as other non-profit organizations do this to let money grow faster than inflation. Philip asked if this happens with other organizations, as Michael answered. Danny suggested looking into money market accounts. Joe invited Danny to the finance meeting. Michael asked Danny if he would be interested in managing this for CFF pro-bono. Leonard also mentioned the discussion of getting business support from businesses this summer. Leonard discussed the importance of capturing donations in the donation log, that cash and checks can be recorded in Google Drive, and Givebutter keeps an ongoing log of all donations made in that account. Leonard said FC is still looking into the raffle and registering CFF with the California AG.

 

3. Communications Committee – Leonard reported that Michael is doing an excellent job maintaining the website. Leonard mentioned all the good work that Philip, Pedro, and Chad did capturing video at the May fish stocking event. Leonard reported that all social media communication is going well. He credited Ernie Cowan of WON with a great article about CFF. Leonard asked all the board members to register with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce website and Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce website. Leonard discussed his interview with Jason Brown and Emily Markstein, and mentioned how Jason Brown posted that Leonard is with CFF. It was discussed that when any board member is speaking about an issue outside of CFF, that the person states it is her/ his opinion and not reflective of the board. This removes CFF from endorsing a side of an issue outside the scope of normal operations, and clarifies that an opinion is of a person and not collectively CFF. CFF will continue to work with NHCM (No Hot Creek Mine) as Michael Tu is in regular communication with Emily Markstein.

 

4. Nominating and Governance Committee – Michael continued the conversation of the discussion of issues outside the general scope of CFF. Michael said it is best to say “these are my views, not the views of the organization” when discussing potentially controversial issues. Michael asked for conflict of interest forms from all board members and advisors. Michael asked everyone to use the virtual CFF backgrounds in the Google Meet meeting. They can be downloaded and instructions are in an email. It looks more professional.

 

5. Merchandise Committee – Michael said he is communicating with “Print Your Cause” – CFF sets up a storefront with branded products w/o dealing with shipping and logistics. More info will come.

 

6. Fund Development Committee – Danny reported on the FDC. They met on May 19, 2026. Danny sent out documents for soliciting funds from corporate sponsors. Danny sent formal letters to Okuma. We can also send those letters. Leonard mentioned how Chris Hortinela gave the advice that we can hit up corporate sponsors outside the fishing industry also, groups that might benefit from giving us money… airline companies, Mammoth Hospital, etc. It’s okay to think outside the box, and hit up companies that might want the exposure, companies not directly involved in the fishing industry but would still benefit from the exposure. Danny mentioned getting interest from people helping in So Cal, that we could have a So Cal golf tourney for example. Leonard mentioned that we should have people help wherever we can find it. Michael said a good place to get people to help is the events committee. Danny mentioned that more partnership tiers on the website is a good idea, and writing letters for support.

 

7. Events Committee – Andre invited John and Nikki Carrigan of Eagle Scout Troop 523 of Corona, California to speak about their request of asking CFF to help with an upcoming fishing event. The Troop will be in the Eastern Sierra the second week of June. John and Nikki mentioned they want to get kids outdoors. They want to introduce fishing to a younger crowd. 10 kids and 4 adult chaperones will be up for the Scouts event. They want to incorporate fishing or fly tying into their event. Andre will see if he can set up an excursion for the kids and chaperones. The July 4th parade was discussed. Leonard proposed the spending of no more than $1,500 on stickers and Swedish Fish for the parade and also for the Kids Fishing Event later in July 2026. Andre seconded the motion. Vote approved 9 – 0 for CFF to spend up to $1,500 on stickers and Swedish Fish for the two events. Leonard will order the stickers and candy. The second fish stocking event will be in July. Fundraising is already occurring for the Chris Basso Memorial Fund Fish Stocking Event. The Owens River Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, October 3. Andre is encouraging all to attend who can. Andre asked for help with a subcommittee for a tournament/ invitational. Joe stated CFF needs to plan on a June 2027 event on Crowley Lake with vendors present. Andre presented the idea of a dinner in fall 2026 or winter 2026/27. Andre stated he has more time then, and can help organize one as an event for promotion and fundraising.

 

8. Fisheries Management Committee – Joe reported for the FMC meeting. Joe has communicated with Ethan of DSTF and the second week of July will most likely be the next stocking event. Tagged fish are being caught. Hodges reported that Mammoth Reservations will offer a two-night stay for a tagged fish. CFF is aiming for at least $10,000 of fish for the July 2026 stocking. We will be getting 1 to 3 pound fish. “Go catch Chris Basso” is discussed for the next tagged fish stocking. Joe reported that he is personally calling anyone who donates more than $500, and everyone who donates is being recognized on the website.

 

9. Bishop Paiute Tribe Committee – Jarett reported that he is not hearing back from the Bishop Paiute Tribe. He suggested hitting up the Bishop Country Club to have fly tying clinics. Fly tying clinics in Mammoth will start up again, and Joe mentioned hoping to have spin/ bait anglers doing something like lure design or knot tying clinics. This would be a good thing for Matt Rodrigues.

 

Other business –

 

Emily Markstein of NHCM reported an update. She stated the SF Gate recently put out an article on NHCM. She said a reporter got in contact with USFS. Public notice from USFS should come out in the next two or three weeks. KORE Mine can’t drill before June 30. Emily and Chris Bubser are having people write USFS expressing protest to proposed drilling. Trout Unlimited with launch information when the FS announces drilling. TU is heavily involved with NHCM, being led by TU staff member Dan Johnson. The next NHCM meeting is scheduled for June 10. Emily wants a fishing event to bring attention to Hot Creek. Leonard needs to get the guides involved. Dan and Emily and working on a business coalition that would ask local businesses to not support the KORE Mine staff when in town, refuse lodging and such.

 

Chelsea Montgomery (guest) from Make A Wish Foundation was present. She came up with her husband Troy Montgomery who volunteered at the May 9 event. She asked for the foundation to make a donation to MAW. She asked for a guided trip to target men who attend the MAW auction fundraising events. It was also discussed that if a MAW kid wants to go fishing, that CFF can help with that request.

 

Don Chambers (guest) is a Bishop local who wants to help CFF in some capacity. He retired from employment three years ago, and he has extensive experience working with non profit organizations. He fishes a little, and was board chair of the Whitebark Institute, and board chair of Sierra Forever. He can help CFF with committees. It was suggested to help the Events Committee with organizing a tournament.

 

 

Executive Meeting – The executive board feels good about how everything is going. CFF has received a lot of positive feedback from people about the fish stocking event. Everything seems to be running effectively and smoothly. CFF is gaining a lot of success. CFF can be proud of the work it has accomplished in two years.

 

Adjourned 8:00PM

 

Next meeting: Thursday, June 18, 600PM – 700PM via Google Workspace Meet