Fort Collins Audubon Society
Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday February 12, 2002

Minutes of Previous Meeting - approved

Members present:  Bill Miller, John Waddell, Lori Nielsen, Dave Dubois, Cynthia Melcher, Laurie Zuckerman, Phil Friedman, Beth Dillon, Barb Turnbull, Dale Agger, Ron Harden, Jackie Boss, Nick Komar. 

Guests:  Janine Clifford, National Audubon Society; Scott Gillihan, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory; and Lynn Hull, Poudre River Fest.

Janine Clifford, Regional Grassroots Coordinator of the Public Policy Division for National Audubon Society visited our board meeting.  Janine is one of 6 Grassroots Coordinators working out of Washington, DC and part of her territory includes Colorado.  She works to coordinate the efforts of the chapters and the national staff on issues of importance to us as Audubon members.  Janine reviewed a number of issues of interest (including Arctic drilling, loss of financial support due in Bush budget, issues regarding Ocean fishing,) and how we can coordinate efforts.  An example of an issue that we can significantly impact is the reauthorization of the marine fisheries act.  Although Colorado is an inland state, the votes of our U.S. legislators are particularly targeted as important for this reauthorization.

Scott Gillihan of the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) requested that an insert containing an RMBO appeal letter be included in a future issue of the Ptarmigan.  After some discussion it was agreed that there would be an insert (one side for RMBO and the other side for FCAS) and costs would be shared.  In addition, Scott agreed to work cooperatively and arrange for RMBO to lead two field trips with Audubon this coming year.

Lynne Hull explained the Procession of the River Species and it was agreed Audubon would participate this June 1st.   Over 200 individuals participated last year.  We will provide field trips prior to the Poudre Riverfest on June 1^st, and also during the day of the Poudre Riverfest.

Earth Day: It was agreed that we would participate in Earth Day activities, as long as it is not held on the CSU campus.   It was furthermore agreed that Lynne Hull and the Procession of the River Species could share our booth.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the December 1, 2001 Strategic Planning Session that had previously been sent out to all Board members were approved without change.

Reports of Officers

a.     Treasury Report – John Waddell – reviewed the expenses and income.  Motion to send $1456 for lobbyist annual salary contribution to the State Chapter of Audubon Society was made and seconded, and approved unanimously.  Bill Miller agreed to follow up with the State Office as to what monies FCAS is actually supposed to send to AOC and/or NAS.

Standing Committee Reports

a.       CONSERVATION - Bill Miller

1.      Legislative provided a brief update on the Legislative workshop held in Denver the previous Saturday, using information received from member Nate Donovan, who had attended.  Bill reminded us that we could receive Legislative Updates and Legislative Alerts on “CO-GENERAL.” 

2.      Bill gave us a follow up report on the on-going discussions in which representatives of the Colorado Hawking Club and conservation organizations are developing the regulations under which four Peregrine Falcons will be taken from the wild, following the Wildlife Commission’s ruling that such “take” will be permitted.  He believes this is the best compromise possible.

3.      Ron Harden shared his concerns about Bill SB156 and urged us to contact our state legislators.

4.       Ron reminded us our percentage of dues money from NAS will drop, so the importance of recruiting more members by the chapter is even greater now.

b.      EDUCATION – Cynthia Melcher – working on some plans including a “Cats Indoors” campaign poster contest with awards.  During a discussion of this a member of the board bought to our attention the supportive nature of EMS and REI with their outreach programs.

c.       NATURE CENTER COMMITTEE - Nick Komar/Bill Miller.  There are several “nature center” sites already on the drawing board:  (1) Big Red Barn in Windsor, (2) Poudre School District, (3) High Plains Environmental Center, and (4) CSU’s Environmental Learning Center.  It was suggested, by Cynthia, that Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory be included in these plans as a potential partner and that, perhaps, the future Nature Center site could also serve as the site of their Northern Colorado operations.  The committee is: investigating the four centers mentioned above, planning focus groups, developing a list of who our partners might be and, most importantly, is active again.  Questions being raised include: (1) Who will be our customers (niche, county, schools, city, what are our demographics,) and (2) who wants a nature center?  It was moved and seconded we provide a National Geographic Field Guide to Birds to the Loveland High Plains Environmental Center.

d.   FIELD TRIPS – Nick Komar – reviewed the upcoming field trips and some of the problems with Newcomers (too many participants; not enough car-pooling.)   Ann Molison recommended we purchase a pair (to start with) of walkie-talkies having a 5 mile distance.  After discussion, a motion was made, seconded and approved to spend up to $99 (not including tax) on a pair to be used on field trips.  Nick would like to have a spring field trip I.D. workshop for all those wishing to attend.  Nick passed out a sheet for March, April, May and June Newcomer field trip leaders.   

e.       BIRDATHON/PUBLICITY – Rick Schroeder – no report. There was some discussion about providing Birdathon information to the local magazine, STYLE.

f.        PROGRAMS – Jackie Boss reported the March program will be on March 21 (the 3^rd Thursday – due to Spring break) and the topic will be the decline of the Boreal Toad.  The speaker will be Lauren Livo, who has been doing boreal toad research for the CDOW and University of Colorado.

g.       MEMBERSHIP – Ann Molison – thanked all that helped out at Avian Days and indicated that we had 8 new members and two transfers from outside of our chapter.  We are able to offer $15 members as long as the “free” backpacks last and the applications are mailed in to NAS by Ann.           

h.       PUBLICATIONS – Dale Agger and Laurie Zuckerman want to have everything ready to go in a timely manner.

i.         HOSPITALITY – Barb Turnbull – cookies will be provided at the February 14^th meeting.

j.    AOC Update:

Ron Harden reported that the emphasis of the January AOC board meeting was on long-term planning.

As a separate report he said there had been a gathering, in Fort Collins, of the Colorado Conservation Voters Action Fund, an organization that supports candidates for the state legislature who, in turn, support conservation. 

New Business

v     Ann Molison – Audubon name badges – it is r3ecommended that we have name badges, to be used when we are in public.  It was moved, seconded, and agreed that we name badges would be ordered for those Board members who don’t have one.

v     Cynthia Melcher - FCAS brochures at Larimer County Courthouse?  It was agreed she would provide the local FCAS brochures to the Larimer County Courthouse.

v      Condolence statement for Evelyn Clark.  Bill Miller agreed to send a sympathy card to Francis Clark on behalf of the FCAS Board.

ADJOURNMENT:  Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. without reviewing the Updated Goals for 2002.