Fort Collins Audubon Society
Board of Directors Meeting

Monday July 22, 2002
EDM International, Inc., 4001 Automation Way, Fort Collins, CO
DRAFT

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by President Rick Harness.

Attendees:  Rick Harness (President), Bill Miller (VP/Conservation Chair), John Waddell (Treasurer), Dave Dubois (Director), Beth Dillon (Director), Nick Komar (Field Trips), Rick Schroeder (Publicity), Ann Molison (Membership), Barb Turnbull (Hospitality), Ron Harden (AOC Delegate)

Guests: None

Minutes of Previous Meeting:
Minutes from the meeting of April 4, 2002 were reviewed. Ron Harden commented that the statement made by Judy Scherpelz (last sentence in the next-to-last paragraph on page 2), while valid at one time, is no longer valid. The Greenway Nature Center and associated Raptor Center is now operated by the City of Pueblo and is no longer an Audubon nature center. The minutes were approved as written.

2002 NAS Annual Report:
Rick Harness reported that the FCAS annual report had been sent to AOC in June.

Treasurer's Report:
John Waddell distributed a copy of Treasurer's report showing a balance as of July 22, 2002 of $4,692.66. Expenditures since April 7th appear to be $907.22; receipts since April 7th appear to be $3543.22. In addition, there is a reserve of $485.90 at the post office, and a liability of $194.27 for the Raptor Video Fund, for total assets of $4984.29. (NOTE: Expenditures and receipts were derived from the report distributed by John, and calculated after the Board meeting.)

Considerable discussion was had about addressing the declining revenues from National Audubon Society (NAS) based on the numbers of chapter members. Ann Molison stressed that, under policies recently adopted by NAS, chapter dues-sharing revenues derived from membership would eventually be dependent upon the number of new members that FCAS recruits, and that the chapter would need to generate new revenue streams, other than Birdathon and NAS dues-sharing. John Waddell indicated that he is uncertain as to what the future dues-sharing revenues from NAS will be. Molison gave some examples on a month-by-month basis of members recruited by the chapter, recruited by NAS, members who transferred in or out of FCAS, and members who didn't renew their memberships with NAS. Information provided about a year ago was repeated, indicating that FCAS needs to recruit about 87 to 90 new members each year to maintain a revenue stream equivalent to that prior to NAS' restructuring of the dues-sharing formulas.

An ad hoc Financial Committee consisting of Rick Harness (President), Bill Miller (VP), John Waddell (Treasurer) and Ann Molison (Membership) will meet in September to develop fund-raising strategies.

Rick Schroeder reported that the Birdathon has generated approximately $4,700 this year, with some monies yet to be collected and sent in.

NEW BUSINESS:

AOC Update:

Ron Harden (AOC delegate) gave an extensive update of activities at the State Chapter. There was considerable concern expressed by chapter representatives at the June 8th AOC Board meeting regarding chapter relations. A committee was created to consider how to blend NAS objectives with chapter needs and make recommendations to the whole AOC Board. The task force has had two telephone conference calls to date. Prior to the second conference call on July 10th each member of the task force was to submit a statement to the others and Susan Kirkpatrick. (NOTE: Harden's statement is shown in its entirety at the end of these minutes.) The committee will have a face-to-face meeting in Denver on Aug. 3rd to discuss what will be presented to the AOC Board at its next meeting in September.

Part of the dissatisfaction on the part of chapter representatives stems from the fact that NAS is not honoring the plan submitted by the Colorado Audubon Council (NOTE: C.A.C. consisted of chapter representatives and met three times per year) regarding the establishment of a state office. He also indicated that some chapter representatives have not been showing up for the AOC Board meetings which negates the principal that chapter representatives on the AOC Board were to number one more than the number of non-chapter AOC Board members. Harden expressed the very strong opinion that chapter representatives were to be responsible to their chapters by representing chapter concerns and issues to the AOC Board as well as communicating back to their chapters the business conducted by the AOC Board.

Harden further indicated that he would prefer that the committee (and AOC Board) initially deal directly with Carol Warden, NAS national development director, before any effort is relayed directly to NAS. Harden asked the FCAS Board if he was on the right track in generating his comments about NAS/chapter relations. Other FCAS Board members present indicated that Harden summarized well their own dissatisfaction in NAS/chapter relations.

Miller commented that the chapters are expected to put in a lot of effort to get an Audubon Nature Center established in their area, but then NAS hires a director for the nature center. The nature center's fundraising efforts then end up competing directly with the local chapter for financial resources. About the only thing that the chapter gains from this process is that chapter members now have a place to volunteer their time. Miller further commented that National's past strength was based on its grassroots support from chapters, which are now feeling alienated. Harden indicated that NAS/chapter relationships have turned from a two-way street to a one-way street.
Harden indicated that he would include in his comments for the Aug. 3rd committee meeting the following ideas:

1) NAS didn't provide an appropriate educational effort to chapters regarding the proposed changes in dues-sharing;
2) NAS didn't adequately determine the financial impacts upon chapters by the changes in dues-sharing;
3) There was no chapter input into the Essential Elements;
4) The organization and management of Nature Centers was not adequately explained.

Harden then informed the FCAS Board that Susan Kirkpatrick has tendered her resignation as the Executive Director of Audubon Colorado, effective August 30th. He expressed the opinion that Susan had provided good leadership but was caught in the middle between National's policies and chapter needs. Board members echoed Harden's sentiments.

Harden also advised the Board that Jo Evans is planning on retiring as the Audubon Lobbyist, and that Jo's daughter, Jen Bolton, is being recommended to the AOC Board for consideration as Jo's replacement.

Updated goals for 2002:

The Board reviewed the chapter's goals for 2002. It was agreed that we either are meeting the goals established at the beginning of the year or are working towards accomplishing them. Komar indicated that he would appreciate help with coordinating field trips. Under the discussion of the goals under Science and Conservation Komar gave a brief report on the progress of the Nature Center Committee. Miller updated the Board with the news that George Wallace, Executive Director for the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO), a potential Nature Center partner, has resigned his position with RMBO. However, Miller and Judy Scherpelz, Director of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (RMRP), were going to hold a meeting on Thursday, July 25th, anyway.

Standing Committee Reports:

It was decided to forego the Standing Committee reports in the interest of being able to conclude the meeting at a reasonable hour, and because most of the information was being presented during other parts of the meeting.

OPEN SPACE, YES! endorsement:

Miller briefly explained the OPEN SPACE, YES! Ballot initiative to extend the current 0.25% sales tax for 25 years, and which would be used to acquire lands for natural areas, community separators, to preserve prime agricultural resources and to acquire special places. Without any discussion Schroeder moved that FCAS endorse the OPEN SPACE, YES! ballot initiative. Molison seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously.

Annual Meeting (enhanced):

Miller related that Sue Kenney, during her term as president, raised the idea of that the chapter could do a better job of recognizing the efforts of its members on behalf of the chapter. At various times informal discussion has been had that, in addition to the election of officers, the Annual Meeting in January could be "enhanced" with activities such as a banquet, a special guest speaker, or even a silent auction. Molison indicated that she had talked with author Kenn Kaufman about appearing in January, but that nothing conclusive had been decided.
The Board decided that a program used a fund raiser shouldn't be scheduled for the annual meeting, as there are too many complications involved. It was decided that we should pursue having Kaufman appear in the spring. This would probably be after the publication of his new butterfly guide, and it might also be possible to arrange for him to lead a bird hike in addition to being the feature at a fund-raising program. The effort to recruit Kaufman was turned over to Miller because Molison was leaving town for several weeks.

An Annual Meeting committee was created to explore the options and costs of an "enhanced" Annual Meeting. Committee members are: Molison (chair), Miller, Turnbull and Waddell.

Nominations:

Harness mentioned that we should be thinking about nominations for the Board to be installed in January.

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Miller, acting secretary

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STATEMENT FROM RON HARDEN TO AOC CHAPTER RELATIONS COMMITTEE

From: Ronald Harden
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 9:47 PM
To: BeidlelmanC@aol.com; sbloom@somerville-co.com; Julie Boyle; Johnna Bravoso;
Susan Kirkpatrick
Subject: input to committee

Colorado Audubon Council was an effective Audubon presence for Colorado. The chapters believed that presence could be made even more effective by a state program. There has been disappointment that the establishment of Audubon Colorado has not afforded more opportunity for coordinated actions of the Colorado chapters, but rather less.

AoC must rectify this and continue to be the mechanism by which chapters can coordinate their activities, otherwise there is no reason for chapters to be involved in AoC. An alternative would be for the chapters to re-activate CAC as a separate organization, as is the case in New Mexico.

The need for AoC action could be perceived as more demands on staff time for chapter needs vs. on national directed programs - but this is not the case. Operational changes can let the chapters do the work of their coordinated efforts - as they have always done. Under the regional office system state members and chapters were supported when they did - and regional offices were programs of NAS too. To these ends:

1. Before state board meetings the chapters should be given the opportunity to submit agenda items.
2. State board meetings must be open to any Audubon member to attend and observe - and be advertised as such far enough in advance.
3. The state board must be recognized as policy making - not just advisory. This is consistent with NAS guidelines for establishment of state programs.

A concern among some is that some chapter representatives to the board are not attending meetings. This should not be corrected by any change in the ratio of chapter designated board members. A solution would be to require if a chapter representative misses a certain number of meetings, the chapter would be asked to designate a different representative. Another solution would be for each chapter to designate an alternative representative to attend when the primary cannot. If the specification of board members were to be changed it should be to have a certain number of the non-chapter designated board members elected at large by the chapters. Any of these solutions would preserve the representational aspect of the board, and avoid the lack of adequate chapter perspective that plagues the national board.

Lastly, AoC cannot unilaterally develop tactics to address integrating the Audubon vision with chapter needs. Changes are needed from the national staff and board. 

1. There must come to be an understanding among the chapters, AoC and the national organization if the national organization will honor the proposal for establishment of a state program it asked us to develop.
2. This begs the question of to what extent the national organization respects the concept that Audubon is an organization composed of component chapters.
3. There must be adequate assessment before hand of how decisions and actions by the national staff and board effect chapters. Examples are the dues share change and establishment (not objectives) of nature centers. It doesn't matter that national conducts an educational campaign about changes being made, or solicits input - it must face the reality of the effects on the chapters.

Consequences of not doing the above are:

1. alienation of chapters and chapter activists
2. calls for chapter-only memberships
3. calls for chapters to become independent of NAS
4. anger directed at our executive director who is placed in the middle, and just doing as directed by national.

These potentials for alienation must not by ignored, alienation is increasing. Minimizing them in reports or minutes or trying to make things seem smooth when they are not aggravates the situation. To reduce alienation National Audubon should not work to establish an Audubon nature center in an area where a chapter has established or is establishing its own center.

The previously existing regions, that regional representative on the national board are elected from, are too large. It is too hard for the representative to visit around adequately. The number of regions should be increased with smaller areas in them. There should then be the corresponding increase in regional representatives on the national board.

These tactics for change will help moderate a growing dissatisfaction and help bond the national organization and its component chapters in support of Audubon objectives.

10Jul02 - Ron Harden