Fort Collins Audubon Society
Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday May 6, 2004

 ATTENDEES: Kate Bolster, Jackie Boss, Scott Cobble, Carol Fiore, Phil Friedman,
Ron Harden, Joel Hurmence, Diann Johnston, Marcia Maeda, Bill Miller, Sue Miller, and  
John Waddell.

OTHERS PRESENT: Ryan Finchum of Emerald Planet and Paul Hellmund of CSU.

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

INTRODUCTIONS: Ryan and Paul introduced themselves to the board.

MINUTES – April 1, 2004 – Review, revise, and approve – All:

    The Board decided to conduct this process by email.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITEES:

     OFFICERS:

          Treasurer’s Report – John Waddell (No meeting report)

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Achiote, Panama Trip Collaboration Request – Finchum and Hellmund:

     1. The goal of the trip is to work toward improving the economy of Achiote. Finchum and
         Hellmund are requesting a Colorado non-profit to act as a fiscal agent to receive funds   
         raised in support of the trip.

     2. The trip will involve a mix of students and non-students in spending 10 days in Panama.
         Part of the time will be spent constructing an observation deck for tourists with the
         balance spent bird watching.

     3. FCAS would use the trip as an opportunity to raise funds for the Chapter.

     4. Diann Johnston inquired about the Chapter’s 501(c)(3) status. Bill Miller indicated it was
        intact but that he still needs to make sure the Chapter is in the IRS computer system.

     5. John Waddell asked about liability insurance. Ryan indicated that Emerald Planet carries
         liability insurance. He did suggest that individuals get emergency insurance.

     6. Phil Friedman moved that FCAS act as the fiscal agent. The motion was seconded by John
         then was passed unanimously by the Board. 

B. Review Chapter Goals from 2002 (continued) – adopt for 2004 – Miller:

     ( Note: Review results are in parentheses and located in brackets [  ] )

     1. Fundraising

          a) Have a Birdathon that raises 5K

              +  Use some of the proceeds to support the lobbyist and the state office.

                   [Replace “and the state office” with: , public programs, nature center, education,

                     and scholarships]

              +  Involve corporate sponsors with 2-3 volunteers to help identify.

                   [Change to: Seek corporate funders]

          b) Consider an event-based fund-raiser.

               [Change to: Conduct fund raisers to include events and merchandise]

               (Note:  Diann suggested creating a local chapter guide to birds. Scott Cobble offered

                 to help)

          c) Identify ways to build up and maintain reserves of 10K by 2006.

              [Change to: Convene an Ad hoc fiscal committee to make fiscal recommendations]

              (Note: Joel, John, Diann, and Bill have volunteered for the committee)

     2. Education

          a) Goal: Emphasize conservation education.

              [Replace “education” with: and Natural History education (for example: Beginning

               Birding classes)]

          b) Goal: Complete a few education activities

               [Change to: Conduct education activities]

               +  Invite Master Naturalists to bird identification workshop.

                   [Unchanged]

               +  Provide some information about video resources.

                   [Change to: Promote CDOW wildlife/natural history videos]

                    (Note: Jackie Boss to provide a list of titles and a URL when available)

               +  Hold activism workshop

                   [Unchanged]

          c) Goal: Identify Fort Collins Audubon’s niche in lifelong conservation education in

              geographic area.

              [Unchanged]

               +  Avoid duplication of efforts of others (C DOW, City of Fort Collins)

                   [Unchanged]

               +  Fit the Nature Center project into the identification of the niche

                   [Unchanged]

          d) Implementation

             [Leave this section unchanged pending an Education Chair]

             +  Submit descriptions of 3-5 video titles to Ptarmigan for borrowing from CDOW

                 library (Jackie Boss)

             +  Shrink membership application in newsletter to create more room for educational

                articles (Publications)

             +  Do survey of Environmental Education facilities/services in Larimer County to

                 identify niche:

                 *  Recruit additional committee members

                 *  Link with Master Naturalist network

                 *  Take 6 months to do the research and then FCAS board will join in to implement

                     programs within the niche

     3. Membership

         a) Goal: Increase chapter recruited membership by 10% (about 65 people)

             [Replace: “(about 65 people)” with: annually]

         b) Goal: Develop a program for retention - recognize the monthly programs are for the

             members, not primarily for recruitment.

             [Append with: Survey membership to find out why members are members]

         c) Goal: Increase participation of membership on committees

             [Unchanged]

         d) Goal: Keep membership brochure information at community locations, on website and

             with the Newcomers Club

             [Unchanged]

             (Note: Diann will work with Membership Chair Kate Bolster on this goal)

         e) Survey membership to find out why members are members -  may have been done

             before?

             [Crossed out]

         f) Implementation

             +  At monthly meetings the President will provide a welcome message for Members. 

                 Membership Chair will greet visitors in back with membership information

                 [Unchanged]

             +  Investigate having a recognition meeting/banquet/potluck for members with

                 opportunity to highlight successes - Ann will investigate what other chapters do and

                 develop some options

                 [Crossed out]

             +  Distribute membership information to Welcome Wagon, Visitors Center, Newcomers,

                 Jax and other locations around Fort Collins.

                 [Append with: , Loveland, Windsor, and other locations around the front range]

             +  Provide gift memberships to field trip leaders.

                 [Change to: Provide gift memberships to non-member field trip leaders]

OLD BUSINESS

     1.    Bill Miller requested that Board members create a very detailed description of their
         responsibilities that includes, but is not limited to:

          a) Individual tasks

          b) Others who may be involved

          c) Contact information

     2. Mention Canoe field trip at the May Program meeting.

     3. Natural Area Cleanup on May 22, 2004.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

    (Reports not discussed during the meeting should be distributed by email to the full Board)

A. Conservation – Carol Fiore:

     1. Carol indicated that Ed Levering is no longer on the Conservation Committee and that
          Phil Friedman has joined the Conservation Committee.

     2. Members in attendance:

          a) Carol Fiore (Chair), Danelle Okeson, Todd Ringler, Phil Friedman

     3. Carol distributed the Minutes of the Conservation Committee Meeting of May 3, 2004.

     4. Goal Statement:

          a) Main points

              +  Limit to conservation (rather than environmental issues)

              +  Focus on education and activism.

              +  Keep scope small and relevant.

              +  Focus on regional and state issues, if possible.

              +  Focus on issues we have a chance of winning.

          b) Procedure to be used:

              +  Committee looks at issues.

              +  Study problem.

              +  Email findings and recommendations to Board.

              +  Board discusses at Board meeting.

              +  Approval granted or denied.

          c) For timely issues:

              +  Executive committee meets?

              +  Board notified by email and given chance to respond.

              +  Committee takes action if no dissension.

         d) Mission Statement:

             +  The goal of the Conservation Committee of the Ft. Collins Audubon Society is to

                 help educate the membership on conservation issues at the local, regional, and national

                 levels, with an emphasis on topics that directly affect the local community and to take

                 action that as appropriate.

          e) Meeting Schedule and Place:

              +  During the summer as needed.

              +  Starting in September, 5:45 P.M. in the Ludlow Room prior to the Program Meeting.

     5. Grazing Issue:

          a) Committee recommendation: 3324 and

              H.R. 3337.

          b) Committee action: If FCAS Board approves, Dr. Ringler will write letter of support.

          c) FCAS action: Bill Miller to forward Gary Graham’s email address to Carol.

     6. Federal Election Commission Rule Changes

          a) Committee recommendation: The issue is too involved.

          b) Committee action: None.

          c) FCAS Board: action: None

     7. Migratory Bird Treaty Act Amendment

          a) Committee recommendation: Endorsement of U.S. Congress Bill H.R. 4114.

          b) Committee action: After FCAS Board approval, should AoC be contacted?.

          c) FCAS Board action: No action at this time.

     7. Involvement with CFAR (Citizens for the Arapaho-Roosevelt

          a) Committee recommendation: A worthwhile endeavor.

          b) Committee action: Dr. Ringler will volunteer as our voice. Bill Miller should contact

             Lisa Smith with Todd’s name.

          c) FCAS Board action: Bill Miller indicated he would find out who to contact.

     8. Other Business

          a) Work with the Conservation Chair of the local Sierra Club.

          b) The Roan Plateau (near Rifle) is going to be a hot issue.

          c) The Division of Wildlife will be writing there mountain lion management plan around

              June 30 (?) followed by a 30 day comment perio.

AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

     1. AOC Update – Ron Harden:

          a) Ron Harden proposed that the FCAS distribution fro the Legislative Lobby Trust be

              sent to AoC to support the Legislative lobbying efforts. Carol Fiore seconded the

              motion. The motion passed unanimously.

      2. Nature Center Committee – Miller/Komar/Friedman:

         a) No discussion

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Marcia Maeda asked that there be a discussion on email addresses at a future meeting. 

ADJOURN:

    President Miller called the Board meeting to an end at 9:36 P.M.
    Respectfully submitted,
    Scott Cobble
    Secretary