PLEASE NOTE: NEW MEETING TIME! Meetings will now begin at 6:00 p.m., third Wednesday of each month.

Members Present: Jo Ann Dawson, Robert Carroll, Jerry Newman, Dennis Clower, Suzan Doordan, Larry Klevans, Holly Hannum, William Lucas, Jerry Hendricks, Doug Hill, Mario Gangemi, Jim Campbell, Angie Barnett

Approval of Minutes: Minutes were reviewed by the membership. Motion #1. Motion was made by Suzan Doordan, seconded by Mario Gangemi and unanimously passed to accept the Minutes of March 15, 2000 as presented.

Financial Report: Larry Klevans presented the Financial report which are filed as part of these minutes. Motion #2. Motion was made by Suzan Doordan, seconded by Jo Ann Dawson and unanimously approved to accept the Financial Report as presented.

Committee Reports:

Education:

• Holly Hannum presented information that there has been one clean-up in partnership with University of Delaware Vista volunteers who are affiliated with the Civil Conservation Corp/AmeriCorp. Dennis Clower will send a thank you note to this group for their assistance. A second clean up is planned for May 25.
• The school program resume March 20^th implementing a revised curriculum developed in partnership with the public school staff. An assessment was distributed for members review to be used by each child participating in the school program. Data collected from the surveys will be used to demonstrate achievement of goals and objectives and will be useful data for grant applications. The group discussed issues around quantifiable data, appropriateness of the survey for grade level and how it will be implemented. The survey will be a "work in progress".
• Holly reported, in partnership with Jerry Newman, that Country Time Garden club wants to donate three scholarships for summer camp on an on-going annual basis. The scholarships will be offered at the $55 membership rate.
• Summer camps are filling up with the exception of the new offerings for older students, ages 10 years and up. FHNC typically operates two (2) camps per week, 24 students per camp session, for four (4) weeks. One week there will be three (3) camp sessions.

Membership:

• Bob Carroll provided an update as follows: year-to-date membership renewals has brought in $5220 with the goal of $7000. Mrs. Allaire duPont contributed $200 to membership. The Board members are encouraged to make their own personal contributions to the Foundation by July 1, 2000.
• Discussion followed regarding the process for achieving the goal for each Board member to recruit two new members in an effort to increase membership. Membership runs from January to January. Issues for further discussion are (1) should we change to an anniversary renewal so those who join later in the calendar year get a full year’s worth of membership, (2) should we offer incentives, reduced rates, or extended period of time if a new member joins in the latter months of the calendar year, and (3) should membership dues to be increased. Other consideration is the impact of United Way’s requirement to temporarily suspend fund-raising efforts during U.W. campaign time on the Fox Trot Ball and membership campaign that typically begins in November.
• Bob will provide each member with two letters that they can use to recruit and verify membership recruitment by Board members.

Building and Grounds:

• Jerry Newman reported that the grant was not approved.
• DNR is requiring FHNC to install additional smoke detectors. It was decided that five (5) smoke detectors which are electrically wired but have battery back up will be installed. Home Depot will be asked to donate the detectors. Motion #3. Mario Gangemi made a motion, seconded by Bob Carroll and unanimously passed to authorize the payment of any costs incurred in purchasing and installing the five smoke detectors over and above what is donated.

By-Laws:

No report.

Nominating Committee:

• Jerry Hendricks reported that the annual meeting will be held on the third (3^rd) Wednesday in June, 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors serve three (3) year terms and are elected at the annual meeting. The terms for Bill Lucas and Bob Carroll expire at this time and they have agreed to serve an additional term.
• Board members are encouraged to give thoughtful consideration for new honorary members that could be recruited to serve on the Board of Directors. Members Doordan, Gangemi, Newman and Simpers will be actively recruiting new members.
• Corporate membership was discussed and it was agreed that this would not be pursued at this time.

Personnel:

Suzan Doordan reported that they have received 31 resumes to date for the Executive Director’s position. Applications are closed on April 30^th and the committee will begin review next week.

FAM Tour:

Jo Ann Dawson reported that representatives from the state-wide tourism industry will be touring Cecil County on May 25t^h and will be coming to FHNC to observe educational activities. This is an effort to increase nature tourism in a joint effort with the local Tourism Department.

Fundraising:

• Jerry Hendricks had no new report for fundraising.
• Jim Campbell agreed to serve on the Civic and Community Organization subcommittee.
• Jerry requested the list of United Way contributors so they can be placed on membership recruitment list.

Old Business:

• The meeting day (the third Wednesday of each month) will remain the same but the time will be moved up to 6:00 p.m.
• Board members met with the new director of the Fair Hill State Park, Mr. Wayne Suydam.
• There was discussion about providing honorary memberships (free) to local and state elected officials, members of state departments such as DNR, MDE, etc., and the Lower Susquehanna Regional Greenways.
• Jerry Hendricks reported that it is time to renew the Adopt-Highway program. The next road clean up is April 22^nd beginning at Wesley’s.
• Jerry Hendricks brought forward for the group to discuss posting minutes on the web-site. It was agreed that this would be done for six to twelve months and then we will determine if this is useful for the general membership and for public relations.

For the Good of the Board:

• Jerry Newman reported that he would be working with other county volunteers to convert the Woodlawn Landfill into a wildlife habitat when it is capped in the near future. Jerry encouraged members and the Foundation to support these endeavors.
• All Committees must get their budget requests to Larry Klevans ASAP as he is preparing a revised budget based upon the new fundraising strategies.
• No progress report from Linda Walls on grant writing efforts.
• Discussion focused on initiating and actively pursuing a partnership with the group who is looking to develop Garrett Island as an environmental habitat and educational program. This would be important to ensure we are not competing for scarce and limited resources. There is the possibility that by sharing teachers and administrative services, both organizations would be able to hire and retain quality staff by offering improved hours and wages, and administrative costs could be shared.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Angie Barnett, Secretary

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