Members Present: Bob Carroll, Dan Schneckenburger, Barbara Snyder, JoAnn Dawson, William Lucas, Jerry Newman, Karen Aspinwall, Holly Hannum, Suzan Doordan, Douglas Hill, Jim Campbell, Dennis Clower.

The meeting of the Board of Directors, Fair Hill Environmental Foundation, Inc. was held at the Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center, Fair Hill, Maryland, March 15, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.

President Dennis Clower called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Minutes: Minutes of the February 16, 2000 minutes were reviewed with corrections as follows: Marsha Lauck’s name was misspelled. Motion #1 to approve the minutes was made by Suzan Doordan and Dan Schneckenberger seconded the motion and it was unanimous to accept the minutes as revised. Dennis requested attendance sheets from 12/8/99 and 1/5/00.

Treasurer’s Report: Larry Klevans, Treasurer submitted a written report (see attached), summarized below:

1. Current assets $17,867.49
2. Will receive from United Way $8,050.00
3. Cash flow chart indicates we have received near our 2000 budget totals.
4. March expenses will be high due to purchase of new computer system and accounting software. ~1,685.00
5. Since we are near our 2000 budget request in received funds, we will have to develop a plan to move those funds to the "program" side of the ledger.

Dennis requested that all committees prepare a budget request for needed funds/item to submit to the budget committee. The need for a new photocopier was discussed. Jim Campbell put motion #2 forward, JoAnn Dawson seconded and all approved the treasurer’s report as submitted.

Reports: 

• Membership: Bob Carroll submitted the Membership report. There are 21 new members, 125 membership renewals (received 17 renewals tonight). Since it is membership renewal time, it was suggested that each board member be requested to bring in 2 new members by June 1, 2000. Board members are also requested to contribute $100.00 each by July 1, 2000.

   

• Building & Grounds: Jerry Newman reported about the Building & Grounds. Jerry replaced a window. He received estimates from contractors ranging from $5,600 to $9,500 for painting work; $1,550 to $3,600 for electrical work; and $3,100 to $6,600 for plumbing work. A grant request for $10,000 will be approved/denied this month that should cover the most of the cost of the above needed maintenance. Some of the painting may have to be done by volunteers in order to stay within the grant parameters. It was discussed that perhaps we should canvass local contractors to see if the needed work can be supplied if we do not receive the grant. Barb Snyder and William Lucas agreed that they would ask some local suppliers. Jerry Newman stated that the decision about the grant should be made by 3/27 and he would apprise us of the situation so that we can then target suppliers. Dennis submitted a new 10-year lease to Department of Natural Resources in 5 renewable 2-year increments.

   

• Community Relations: Doug Hill requested that a comprehensive wish list be prepared by the Nature Center staff in order for community businesses/residents may be made aware of needs. It was discussed that perhaps Building & Grounds should be encompassed in this committee. Karin was to submit a photograph to the Cecil Whig.

   

• Personnel: Suzan Doordan presented for the Personnel Committee. The Executive Director description was handed out. Doug Hill made Motion #3 to accept the job proposal as stands (subject to budgetary recommendations). The motion was seconded by Dan and unanimously approved. Doug also indicated that we need to set goals for new director to meet (performance based objectives) and some benchmarks expected.

   

• Special Appeals: Dan Schneckenburger and Mario Gangemi are working on a Special Appeal to target membership and nature based groups. Want list of 5 names to include in annual appeal by April board meeting. Discussed Nature Center booth at community events. Discussed various ways to get mailing lists, including local PTA’s. (Barb to check whether it’s feasible.)

   

• Special Events/Programs were highlighted by:
  1. Holly Hannum (Programs): Upcoming programs are to be highlighted in a special mailing for spring. Included are Frog Frenzy, Wildflower Walk, Hayride- (JoAnn Dawson), Garden, Mini Easter Egg Hunt. It was suggested that the Easter Egg Hunt be combined with a photo of pet with Easter Bunny for a fundraiser.
  2. Suzan Doordan said that the Foxtrot Ball and Walk for Parks would be held in fall for fundraising purposes.
  3. Barb Snyder reported that a calendar project is being considered for a third major fundraiser -calendars would be given to members, but sold to others as a fundraiser. The need for a sponsor to underwrite (perhaps Konica) was discussed, as well as ways to request photos for the calendar. The endangered Bog Turtle and Regal Royal Fertility Butterfly were suggested as possible photo ops for prizes.

   

• Grants Committee: Karin Aspinwall with Linda Walls submitted a grant request to the Cecil Historical Trust for the repairs mentioned in Building & Grounds. Any grants that you are aware of, please contact Linda Walls. Doug Hill stated that we should be careful in grant requests that we do exactly what we say we are going to do.

Old Business:

Holly, Janet and Karin are working on a paragraph about the curriculum taught at the Nature Center for submission to the Cecil County Public School Board presentation by Marsha Lauck. Holly stated that classes are due to begin on March 20, 2000 for the Cecil County Public School pupils.

Dennis read a resignation letter by Bob Willmann. He also reported that Nancy Simpers reported that Patsy DuPont would be donating $10,000 this year to the Nature Center.

President Dennis Clower adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.

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