Fort Collins Audubon Society
Board of Directors Meeting

Monday April 8, 2002
DRAFT

Attendees:  Bill Miller (VP/Conservation Chair), John Waddell (Treasurer), Dave Dubois (Director), Beth Dillon (Director), Phil Friedman (Director), Nick Komar (Field Trips), Dale Agger (Ptarmigan), Lauri Zuckerman (Ptarmigan), Ron Harden (AOC Delegate), Jackie Boss (Programs), Barb Turnbull (Hospitality), Ann Molison (Membership)

Guests:  Scott Gillihan (Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory RMBO);
Judy Scherpelz (Rocky Mountain Raptor Program - RMRP)

Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes from the meeting of March 11, 2002 were approved after the removal of Cynthia Melcher's name from the list of attendees.

Reports of Officers
a. Treasury Report - John Waddell
John distributed a copy of Treasurer's report showing a balance as of April 7, 2000 of $2,340.73; expenditures for the past month included $195 for new checklists (about 20 cents per checklist and $48 for nametags.

New Business:

Nature Center update:
Bill Miller introduced Judy Scherpelz and Scott Gillihan. Bill indicated that we have to be careful when we develop partnership relationships with other non-profit organizations. The National Audubon Society (hereafter NAS) has strict guidelines which we have to follow to become a NAS Nature Center. Currently, the State Executive Director, Suzanne Kirkpatrick, is not available to work with us and won't be for one and one-half years or more. This doesn't mean we can't proceed.

Judy Scherpelz gave a summary of events that have transpired at CSU over the past few months. They have never received direct funding from CSU, have an annual budget of $220,000 that comes from donations; they built their own building; they work with the zoological students in their senior year to provide medical care and surgery. The college is reexamining all their programs and locations of programs. Their building is located where they expect to have a parking lot. The program provides enormous positive public relations for the Vet Med college. One alternative to remaining physically at CSU would be to build a site off campus. Other options they are considering are to partner with another college at CSU. She stated that Audubon would be a natural fit with our goals and our local bird focus.

Nick Komar indicated the Nature Center Committee has been meeting and there is much to be done, including a market analysis. We met a week ago with Judy to discuss the possibility of partnering with the Raptor Center and agreed in principal to bring the concept to both Boards. We have many steps to go through and the development of an acceptable vision statement before we could partner with them or any other organization.

Scott Gillihan (RMBO) gave us a short history of their program. It has grown tremendously, first in the Denver area and now with locations in Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado - including 8 employees here in Fort Collins. Their funding is provided by private foundations, and the Division of Wildlife. They have a budget of approximately $1,000,000. In the summer they have more than 30 employees. They are looking for a permanent location in the Fort Collins / Larimer County area.

Ron Harden explained AOC/NAS's position specifically as they relate to the pitfalls of partnering with other organizations. Partnerships would have to be approved by NAS. There are certain standards, controls put on by NAS.

Phil Friedman asked Ron if this would preclude partnerships of other like-minded organizations for a Nature Center to be blessed by NAS. Ron indicated that is tricky to blend relationships of three distinct organizations. There is a stock memorandum of understanding which would have to be signed by us.

Dale asked if NAS or AOC provides money for employees, etc. Ron replied it is up to the local director to do their fundraising. There is help provided by NAS. Ron indicated they would provide organizational assistance in raising funds, building a building, etc.

Jackie asked what would happen if we went off on our own. Ron responded it wouldn't be a National Audubon Society Nature Center. We would have to be careful how it dovetails with the local FCAS.

Nick indicated the nature center would have to have a specific focus - such as migrating birds / raptors and compatibility with humans.

Ron indicated we have a lot of homework to do.

John Waddell asked why CSU wants to give this up. Judy indicated there are few students who are benefit and are involved in the program. Wherever she goes she will need a diagnostic and treatment center, more space, and she commented, "… this needs to start now."

Judy commented there are very good examples where NAS has Nature Centers which have very viable partnerships within the area. These include Raptor Rehabilitation Center in Florida and Pueblo Raptor Center that is connected to the Greenway Nature Center and is part of Pueblos Audubon Nature Center.

Nick read Cynthia's e-mail. And, followed with comments about our need to have a vision, do market analysis, and plug in the information to the needs and wants of potential partners if appropriate. He also commented we can call upon the staff of RMRP and RMBO to help us with some of the "foot" work in developing focus groups and market analysis.

Beth commented that all three organizations are non-profit and would have to contribute rent and other monies in support of such a raptor center through fees.

Nick - what we need is a $10,000,000 donor.

Bill commented that a partnership with RMRP and RMBO would enhance a FCAS Nature Center program, and that such partnership(s) would be positive to our current mission.

Judy she would be calling on outside vets and retired vets to provide the medical services.

Dave Dubois asked what kind of financing would be possible.

Nick responded that there are no details that can be responded to. Judy indicated that she came to Audubon not because we had deep pockets but because we have a great reputation.

Bill asked how can we be helpful? And, Judy responded:

* We can approach corporations (which she can't now)
* Fund raising opportunities (which doesn't have - under CSU's roof)
* Name recognition
* And, Scott has similar reasons.

Ann commented that the Nature Center could be a FCAS nature center and then, upon approval, become a NAS Nature Center if we met all the criteria.

Ann thanked Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory for the support for the "Newcomer" programs i.e - going to Hawkwatch ridge on Friday, April 12, 2000.

Nick proposed the following motion, with modifications by Phil: We pursue a partnership towards the development of a Nature Center project. The members of the Board approved unanimously the continuation of the Nature Center committee.

OLD BUSINESS:
a. By-laws. Changes were discussed. Beth thanked Bill for the thorough and complete effort in reworking the By-Laws. We voted unanimously they be brought before the membership as a whole.
b. Ptarmigan articles. Scott will have one side of a two-sided insert for RMBO. Others will submit articles early in the week in order to make the time deadlines set by Dale and Lauri.

We adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Molison, acting secretary