Fort Collins Audubon Society
Board of Directors Meeting

December 5, 2002

DRAFT Board Minutes - December 5, 2002.  EDM International, Inc. 4001 Automation Way, Fort Collins, CO

Members present: Jackie Boss, Beth Dillon, Phil Friedman, Ron Harden, Rick Harness, Nick Komar, Cynthia Melcher, Bill Miller, Ann Molison, Barb Turnbull, and Laurie Zuckerman.

Others present: Scott Cobble, Lynn Hull, Angela Komar, and Marcia Maeda.

The meeting was called to order by President Rick Harness.

Introductions: All present provided a brief statement of introduction for the benefit of the new Directors-elect, Hull and Maeda, and Secretary-elect, Cobble.

Minutes of Previous Meeting: The meeting minutes, which had been sent to all members by email, were approved.

Reports of Officers
A. Treasury Report - John Waddell:
1. Budget credits increased over the past year.
2. Fort Collins Audubon is the 4th largest group in the state.
3. Nick Komar moved to congratulate John Waddell for his budget work. The motion passed.
4. Ron Harden suggested the possibility of emailing the Ptarmigan newsletter. After some consideration by the group, Bill Miller moved to table the discussion. The motion passed.
5. Bill Miller made a motion to increase the Nature Center budget from $100 to $500. The motion passed.
6. A motion was made to remove $100 budgeted for radios. The motion passed.
7. Ann Molison moved to accept the budget as amended. The motion was accepted.

Standing Committee Reports

Nick Komar moved that, due to a scheduling conflict, the Field Trip and Nature Center Committee reports be moved to the head of the queue. The motion passed.

A. Field Trips - Nick Komar:
1. The frequency of field trips is on schedule.
2. Ten or fewer people attend most field trips.
3. There are two new field trip leaders.
4. Ft. Collins Audubon will be doing the Loveland CBC with Nick Komar as coordinator.
5. The Mexico trip will be leaving January 1st. Cynthia Melcher will be leading.
6. Bill Miller offered to lead a trip to Arapaho National Forest next May.
7. Nick Komar proposed another round of bird identification workshops for field trip leaders.
8. Nick Komar was recognized for his work as Field Trip Chairman. He thanked field trip leaders for their work.
9. Ann Molison was recognized for work as Membership Chairwoman.

B. Nature Center - Nick Komar:
1. The Nature Center is at the feasibility assessment stage.
2. Ft. Collins Audubon and the Rocky Mountain Raptor Foundation are organizing a focus group which will probably be held in February.
3. The focus group will be directed at potentially interested community leaders.
4. Ann Molison distributed a list of possible attendees. She asked to be emailed suggestions of others who might be interested in attending the focus group.
5. Nick Komar indicated a PowerPoint presentation is being developed for the meeting.
6. Bill Miller distributed a letter from the Donovan Law Firm concerning pro bono work to create a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation for the Nature Center.

B. Nature Center - Nick Komar (Cont.):
7. Reasons given for establishing a non-profit corporation prior to the focus group meeting:
a. To separate the Nature Center from Ft. Collins Audubon.
b. To show that the Nature Center is a serious endeavor.
c. So that donors can deduct donations.
8. Bill Miller indicated the Nature Center Committee has started the process of developing a mission
statement.
9. Ann Molison indicated the Rocky Mountain Raptor Foundation requested clarification of the
mission of Ft. Collins Audubon. She circulated a form for members to include their input.

C. Conservation - Bill Miller:
1. Bill Miller presented information on the proposed widening of Timberline through the Fossil
Creek Wetlands and Natural Area.
2. It was decided that, because the west side of Timberline has more diversity of habitat, it would
be more desirable to preserve than the east side.
3. Miller indicated that the proposed widening of Timberline to four lanes has now been tabled
but that we would need to keep an eye on future transportation plans.
4. Discussion on the Industrial park development proposal at Cooper Slough (East Hwy 14) was
tabled until additional information was available.
5. Bill Miller was recognized by the group for his efforts concerning the Timberline issue.

D. Education - Cynthia Melcher:
1. Cynthia Melcher indicated that everyone interested in participating in the CBC would receive emails.
2. The CBC education meeting was scheduled for 6:30 P.M. on December 10, 2002, at JAX.
3. Cynthia Melcher discussed efforts to establish a neighborhood nature program for "at risk" youth. She would like to launch pilot core groups in two neighborhoods in order to determine the viability of the program.

E. Birdathon/Publicity - Rick Schroeder:
1. Rick Schroeder was not present and because of the late hour there was no discussion.

F. Programs - Jackie Boss:
1. There was some discussion of developing a program emphasizing some historical aspect of ornithology.

G. Membership - Ann Molison:
1. Ann Molison said she will continue for four more months the practice of writing a one page letter to new
members concerning the efforts of Ft. Collins Audubon.
2. The board discussed where to locate master forms. There was no determination.

H. Publications - Dale Agger:
1. Laurie Zuckerman raised the issue of the change of address area on the back of the Ptarmigan newsletter.  The discussion centered on whether that space should be used for other purposes.
2. The deadline for articles submitted to Laurie Zuckerman is the program meeting of the prior month.
3. Dale Agger and Laurie Zuckerman were recognized for their publication work.

I. Hospitality - Barb Turnbull:
1. Barb Turnbull indicated the CBC dinner would be at her home around 5:30 P.M. on December 14th, 2002.
2. On December 12th 2002, there will be a slide show and potluck dinner at the Unitarian Church in lieu of the December meeting.

AOC Update - Ron Harden

A. Ron Harden presented Task Force recommendations. In summary, they included :
1. Four strategies for the next five years (through 2008). They are:
a. Audubon Colorado will continue to expand state level advocacy.
b. By 2008, Audubon Colorado will have a focused, integrated, mature IBA program.
c. By 2008, Audubon Colorado will be actively involved with GVAS and ASGD Centers.
d. By 2008, Audubon Colorado will have chapters and other groups that reflect Colorado's demographic
and geographic realities.
2. Fifteen tactics for the next 18 months.
3. Six resources needed to achieve Audubon's strategic goals. They are:
a. Board structure
b. Financial
c. Donor Base
d. Staff
e. Volunteers
f. Infrastructure

B. CBC dates will now fall between December 14th and January 5th. AOC board meetings will not be scheduled during that time.

New Business 

A. Bill Miller indicated he would distribute Ft. Collins Audubon's comments regarding Pawnee National Grasslands management issues.

B. Ann Molison presented a history of past presidents, vice-presidents, treasurers, secretaries of Ft. Collins
Audubon.

C. Ann Molison indicated she was assembling an assortment of articles for the silent auction that will be held as part of the January 2003 meeting.

2002 Goals Update

A. The board discussed the status of the 2002 goals:
1. Programs: Achieved
2. Field Trips: Achieved
3. Science and Conservation: Achieved
4. Advocacy: In progress
5. Publicity: Achieved
6. Fundraising: Achieved
7. Education: In progress
8. Implementation: In progress

Announcements
A. Bill Miller announced a hummingbird was frequenting a feeder at a residence in the Horsetooth Mountain Park area.

Adjourn: The meeting adjourned before 11:00 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted by:
Scott Cobble - Acting Secretary