Fort Collins Audubon Society
Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, September 6, 2000
National Seed Storage Lab
Colorado State University

In attendance: Sue Kenney, Rick Harness, Jackie Boss, Rick Schroeder, Kathleen Tracy, Joel Hurmence, Susan Kirkpatrick, Bob Blinderman, Dave Dubois, Cynthia Melcher, Barb Turnbull

 MEMBERSHIP

Susan Kirkpatrick handed out information and discussed the changes that National is proposing and likely will implement, concerning membership and chapter dues share.  The short version of this rather complicated situation is that chapters will be receiving less per member from NAS, gradually declining over the next 5 years (if we don't add members) from $3,269 to $952 per year. It will be to our advantage to recruit new members, as we will get more from NAS than if they get members for our area.  Susan also mentioned that the State office will begin to put a bit of money into the lobby effort, but costs of this are rising, so it is not clear what our future assessment will be.  Kathleen will assess our current income/expenses, and report back at the next Board meeting.  Possible options include spending less, making more through the birdathon or other fundraisers, or acquiring many new members and keeping them.

CONFERENCE

The Colorado chapter conference is in Denver Oct. 14.  Cynthia, Bill, Rick H., and Sue Kenney will attend.  Susan Kirkpatrick said only 4 others have registered so far, but hopes for more.  FCAS will pay the $15 fee for our 4 attendees.

RESPONSIBLE GROWTH INITIATIVE

Bill had asked that we decide if we would take a position on this issue.  After general discussion, we concluded that we were not well enough informed at this point to make a decision in favor or against.  Rick Harness, will write a general article for the newsletter.

bringing attention to the general issue and asking folks to give it thoughtful consideration.

FCAS positions on issues – 

ESTABLISHING POLICY

Bill had asked that we try to establish a policy on how FCAS will decide on taking a stance on issues that come forward.  We all agreed that a policy is needed, but given the length of the meeting agenda, postponed this discussion until a later date.

ADOPT A WETLAND

Fossil Creek Wetland agreement is up for renewal and we voted to continue our adoption for another year.

STATE PROJECT FUN

Sue Kenney reported that our grant application was accepted, and FCAS purchased 10 bird books and 10 binoculars for the Poudre School district science kit for use by teachers.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Cynthia, Bill, Nick, and Jackie all offered to help with keeping the Fort Collins count going.  Cynthia will lead it this year, and others will assist.  Cynthia noted that there is an incorrect notion going around that if participants don't pay the $5 fee, their results

aren't used. This is not true, but the $5 fee is needed to help publish the results.  The FC count is Sat., Dec. 16.  Cynthia and others will meet soon with Kevin Cook to get the past info.

COUNTY GOCO GRANT

Sue Kenney explained county GOCO application for 530 acres (some  purchase, some easement) of land along foothills SW of Fort Collins.  We voted to send a letter of support.

SW COMMUNITY PARK

Bill asked that we discuss this issue.  Some folks want this to be less of a ballfield type park and more of a nature park.  We agreed we needed more information on all aspects before we could make an informed decision to support any point of view.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Programs - Jackie reported the following scheduled programs:

Sept. - Rick Harness - Raptor Rapture in the Holy Land

Oct. - Scott Gillihan - effects of golf courses on birds.

Nov. - Merrill Kaufman - fire ecology

Dec. - member potluck at Foothills Unitarian church.

NEWSLETTER 

Deadline is 2nd Thursday of each month.  Laurie will check into other printers, both for use of digital format, and possible cost savings.

EDUCATION

Sue talked to Louise.  Out of 12 Audubon Adventure classrooms, none of the teachers were interested or responded to Louise's offer to help in the classrooms.  We voted to not renew any Audubon Adventures and to try other efforts for education.  The board discussed the idea of doing more kid-oriented field trips.  Cynthia will follow up with Louise and Nick about this idea.

TREASURER

Birdathon made $4047 gross and after sending $ to NAS, netted us $2587.  We have $6383 in bank.  Susan Kirkpatrick noted that State office hasn't received the $1350 we donated through NAS for them, from Birdathon. Rick will follow up and check.

Meeting was adjourned.