Fort Collins Audubon Society
Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, August 5 2004

ATTENDEES: Kate Bolster, Jackie Boss, Scott Cobble, Beth Dillon, Carol Fiore, Phil Friedman, Ron Harden, Nick Komar, Gary Lefko, Joe Martin, Bill Miller, Sue Miller, and John Waddell.

OTHERS PRESENT: None

The meeting was called to order by President Bill Miller at 7:05 P.M.

INTRODUCTIONS: Members briefly introduced themselves.

MINUTES – Review, revise, and approve – All:

April 1, 2004
Beth Dillon moved to approve the minutes. Phil Friedman seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
May 6, 2004
Ron Harden moved to approve the minutes. Sue Miller seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

Update of 2004 Birdathon:
1. Fewer business pledges this year contributed to a reduction in funds raised.
2. Perhaps next year board members might query businesses.

Update on Achiote:
1. Phil presented a brief overview of the Achiote trip. Further information can be found at www.emeraldplanet.com. There, click on Trip Schedule, scroll down to the Achiote section, and click on Read More.
2 Ryan Finchum will compile an itinerary of the trip for the September Ptarmigan.
3. A link to the Emerald Planet website will be added to the FCAS website.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITEES:
OFFICERS:
Treasurer’s Report – John Waddell
Treasurer Waddell, prior to the meeting, electronically distributed the most recent 2004
Financial Statement. The report indicated a $14,652.46 balance.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Review Tickler List – Prioritize and assign responsibilities – Miller:
1. The Tickler List was discussed briefly.

B. Natural Area Cleanup – set date – Miller:
1. October 16 was set as the date for the cleanup.
2. Bill Miller will coordinate with Sue Kenney.
3. Gary Lefko indicated that in Colorado Springs Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts volunteer for
such events, perhaps for badges.

C. Nomination Committee –create – Miller:
1. Phil Friedman volunteered to be on the nomination committee.
2. The nomination committee will be listed in the October Ptarmigan.
3. Jackie Boss indicated she would probably remain as Program Chair.

D. Annual Meeting – Miller:
1. Jackie Boss mentioned that Roy Halpin would be willing to give a presentation at the
annual meeting.
2. Bill Miller indicated that rather than an annual meeting some organizations hold a banquet.
3. Sue Miller offered to research food service.
4. Phil suggested that the expectation bar would be set higher for a banquet and that it would
be very important to reach it.
5. Beth voiced her support for the annual meeting.
6. Kate Bolster is the chair for the Annual Meeting Committee. She is joined on that
committee by Sue and Bill Miller.
7. Board members are encouraged to keep alert for possible auction items.

E. High School Field Trips – Lefko, Friedman, Miller:
1. If a trip is sponsored by a school then its insurance would probably cover the trip.
2. Bill has been accumulating information about insurance via the Audubon listserv. He
indicated he would pass it on to Beth.
3. Beth suggested the board set aside time to consider the pressing insurance issue.

OLD BUSINESS
President Miller reminded members to compose a job description.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
(Reports not discussed during the meeting should be distributed by email to the full Board)
A. Conservation – Carol Fiore:
1. The Conservation Committee is planning on having its meetings at 5:45 P.M., prior to the
FCAS Program Meeting.
B. Membership – Kate Bolster:
1. Bill, Kate and Diann Johnston would get together on membership issues.
2. Kate presented a rough draft of a new FCAS brochure she has been working on.
3. Kate is now getting membership information electronically from National.
4. National Audubon will now send renewal correspondence every other month with the
magazine.

C. Programs – Jackie Boss:
1. Stephen Jones will be the featured speaker at the September meeting. Jackie indicated that
he and FCAS will split any profit above the wholesale price of his book.
2. Ram Papish will be the feature at the October program meeting.
3. The November meeting will feature a man who does work on bird motion activity patterns.
4. Chuck Bell will be the feature at the February 2005 program meeting.

D. Field Trips – Gary Lefko:
1. Gary requested suggestions for possible field trip leaders.
2. Nick Komar suggested RMBO personnel.
3. Ron Harden was suggested.

E. Publications – Joe Martin:
1. The cost for adding an insert to the Ptarmigan is approximately $75.00.
2. John queried whether FCAS should give a complimentary Ptarmigan subscription to those
who give a substantial contribution to the Birdathon.
3. Bill called attention to the back of the Tickler List which contained a copy of an email Joel
Hurmence had previously distributed pertaining to Ptarmigan Policies.

Hospitality – Sue Miller:
1. Sue indicated she is conducting a cookie experiment.
2. Carol volunteered to bring cookies.

AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. AOC Update – Ron Harden:
a) A draft of the proposed bylaws for Audubon Colorado was presented. A modified draft
will be on the agenda of the October meeting. Ron submitted a chapter relations section.
b) The AoC sponsored trip to Machu Picchu was a great success. This might be an idea for
a future FCAS program meeting
c) The NAS board met in Utah in the spring. Representations from state boards were
invited and AoC was represented. The problems created by decisions of the national
board and staff were well emphasized.
d) The existing dues share arrangement is supposed to remain for the new operating year.  The year after is a question. NAS is working on a new dues share arrangement.
e) Our representatives reported National is working on reversing the top down organizational structure to get back to citizen science and be supportive of the state and local organizations.
f) There was a suggestion of a Wyoming/Colorado/New Mexico regional meeting.
g) The Science and Conservation Committee is working on publishing an "Audubon At Home" guide to gardening for wildlife. It has solicited suggestions for gardens of note.
h) The committee will study the FCAS letter on the grazing issue and make a recommendation for an AoC position at the October meeting.
i) In answer to a question from Ron, Gary Graham advised that only contributors to AoC,  who check the box that they want a chapter affiliation, are assigned to a chapter which
then gets the regular dues share.
j) There was discussion of the proposed bylaws article requiring donation from at-large board members of a larger amount, and of $100 from chapter representatives. Two smaller chapter representatives expressed much concern that would keep their members from serving. A change was proposed to allow the chapter representative requirement to be waived upon request to the Executive Committee.
k) There was an expression of need for chapters to provide room and board for visiting AoC board members (this from a chapter representative) to save costs.
l) Ron suggested a procedure be established, to regularly solicit suggestions for AoC board agenda items, from the chapters. It was favorably received.
m) A state "Rendezvous" will be held October 1 - 3 at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort.  There will be workshops, discussions, field trips, prominent speakers and programs, and the hot springs to soak in. It is an excellent chance for state and chapter members to get to know each other. Ron hopes FCAS can send a good sized delegation.
n) Ron recommends a subscription to the Audubon Action email newsletter, for those not already subscribed: audubonaction@audubon.org
o) Ron’s "state of the state" comments: We have a very good Audubon Colorado staff and board. We have as good an Executive Director in Gary Graham as we could hope for. Ron thinks Gary and President Bryan Morgan have come to understand chapters can disagree with national and still partner with our state organization. And they now appreciate more fully the problems the national board and staff have put the chapters in.  Now the state organization is able to "stick up" for the chapters. State staff and board are trying hard for good chapter relations. We have a good new board chair in Carol Browner. President Flicker and some national staff still pursue making NAS a
donor-based organization rather than a tri-level membership organization. Ron encourages you to look at the report titled "Observations on East Coast Staff Chapters meeting held Mar 20th, 2004" under the section titled: "Various Reports on the Meeting between staffed chapters and NAS during February and March 2004" on the "Take Back Audubon - Site Map" web site.

2. Nature Center Committee – Miller/Komar/Friedman:
a) Bill indicated that the Nature Center Committee will be meeting on August 19th and that the information will be presented at the next FCAS board meeting

ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Gary indicated the Forest Service was going through a Competitive Sourcing of his area and approximately 1/3 of those employees will have to look elsewhere in the government for a job or will be out of job.
2. Bill presented a thank you letter from the Legacy Land Trust.
3. Bill presented a thank you letter from Gary Graham for the funds FCAS turned over to AoC as part of the Factual Data donation.
4. Nick indicated FCAS received a $350 check as part of the Birdathon from Centennial Canoe Outfitter.
5. Gary asked if FCAS would be willing to do something for the October opening of Fossil Creek if the city asked. Bill indicated yes.

ADJOURN:
President Miller called the Board meeting to an end at 9:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott Cobble
Secretary