FORT COLLINS AUDUBON SOCIETY BOARD MEETING
Minutes For December 2, 1999

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sue Kenney, Bill Miller, Ron Harden, Kathleen Tracy, John Waddel, Jon Burch, Jackie Boss, Barb Turnbull, Cynthia Melcher, Bob Blinderman, Joel Hurmence

Kathleen Killkelly discussed the Citizens Against Regional Supercenters (CARS) effort, which is still actively opposing the Walmart store to be built in NE Fort Collins. City voters passed the initiative to build the store in November. A law firm retained by CARS found the initiative violated Colorado State law because it is 'quasi-judicial' in nature. CARS maintains this would be inappropriate development for the area, adding an estimated 19,000 cars per day. Gary Carnes is a local liaison to the law firm, and Kathleen can be contacted for questions or donations.

October minutes were approved as written. Kathleen Tracy noted that FortNet was paid $100, clearing our account balance with them.

Planning Meeting:  see Kenney's minutes in the email she sent to board members 11/30/99.
Ron Harden pointed out that the chapter nature centers being encouraged by the National organization should be in addition to the Audubon Adventures program.
Baily will attempt to make beginning birders more welcome at field trips, and try to pair those who need some extra help with those willing and able to provide it. Melcher offered to help plan a trip specifically tailored to beginning birders.
Melcher suggested that in our mission statement we acknowledge concern for global environmental issues, as wildlife does not recognize jurisdictional boundaries.
Baily suggested that sponsoring one or two area nursing homes would be a means of achieving some of our educational goals. Kenney thought that Wild Birds Unlimited may be willing to help by supplying feeders or seed. Melcher pointed out that regular cleaning and maintenance may be a problem.

By-laws
As per authority granted her in the by-laws, Kenney appointed Joel Hurmence as Publicity Chair.
A nomination for vice-president will be required, as Bill Miller is not interested in becoming president-elect. If someone is willing to be president-elect while letting Miller retain the vice-president title, he is fine with that.
Linda McNamara, Dave Dubois and Rick Schroeder were recommended to serve on the nominating committee.

Project Fund Grants
Kenney offered to write a proposal for banding supplies for educational and/or field trip purposes. Harden cautioned that the proposal should be a complete, well thought out plan.
Baily suggested we try for some grant money to print up local check-list cards. This turned into discussion about making a 25-cent donation box to place by the cards at meetings. We will give this a try, and will print up many (2,000?) more cards.

Committee Reports
Publicity: Joel Hurmence received many offers to bring him up to speed on past and current efforts.
Newsletter: The nominating committee may need to find a chair for this soon ñ someone with new energy and hopefully the talent and creativity to keep it fresh and interesting.
Web:  A recommendation was made to ask the membership for their favorite links and add them to our page. Jon is posting minutes when he receives them.
Education ñ Miller recommends that Cooper Slough get FCAS endorsement as an important bird area and to follow Division of Wildlife recommendations regarding future development around it. This motion was passed by the board. Miller also discussed efforts by Keefer to sell property known as the Ox Bow site, across Linden from the Gus Swanson natural area, to the City. Too little is known at this point for the board to develop a stance on this issue.
Field Trips: Baily requested funds for more gift certificates for trip leaders. Tracy will mail him a check. Also, the Denver Zoo is organizing a trip to Nebraska to view the spring Crane migration. We will publicize this event in the newsletter.
Programs:  Several recommendations for future meetings were made by the board. Ron Harden recommended that we request a lapel microphone from the Lincoln Center, and that we insist the speaker uses it.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM