Attendees: Dennis Clower, Mark Crawford, Mario Gangemi, Holly Hannum, Doug Hill, Joe Janusz, Ilene Milburn, Bill Pannill, Ron Perkins, Dan Schneckenburger, Hinda Smith, Barbara Snyder, Dan Speakman

Dan Schneckenburger called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M.

The minutes from the May Board meeting were approved.

President’s Report: Dan Schneckenburger
Dan introduced and welcomed the new board members.

Program Committee: Barb Snyder
Coming programs:

Barb explained the responsibilities of the program committee. She explained that we have not raised fees in the last few years. Non members are charged $3 and members are free for programs with no material costs.

FOXTROT BALL

• Hinda was volunteered by Mario (she accepted voluntarily)
• Dan Speakman will ask John Fetterolf if he will do the landscaping again this year
• The board agreed that we should attempt to get our main fundraisers (Foxtrot, Springfest) on more social calendars. Tracy Jentzsch volunteered to gather a list of social calendars.
• June 16 7pm Planning meeting @ Walsh’s Dockside (Triton Marina—used to be Casey’s) off of Old Field Point Road.

FALLFEST Saturday, September 18, 2004

• Elkton Jaycees saw our children’s activities at Springfest and have offered us the opportunity to do all the children’s activites at Fallfest for our profit.
• We made $2,000 at Springfest on children’s activities, only spent $350.
• They will be running from 9am to 8pm
• Will require many volunteers. Could be done in shifts. Could ask membership, Boy Scouts, etc.
• Motion made and approved to pursue this opportunity

Treasurer's Report/Finance Committee: Mark Crawford

Financial Report as of May 31, 2004

May was a very good month for the foundation. This was the second month in a row that income exceeded the expenses. Our total revenue for the month was $20,536.03 while our expenses were only $12,909.96, thus giving us a profit for the month of $7,626.07.

Year to date our revenues total $43,045.03, while the expenses for this first five months are $41,657.96. This gives a profit of only $1,387.07!
Next month we will transfer $10,000 from the Springfest account to our main account and record this income.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Crawford, Treasurer

Air Products, Duffield Associates, and Mason Dixon Realty had promised donations for Springfest. Pat to invoice these companies.

Nature School Report: Holly Hannum
Holly prepared a visual report to show new and existing Board members what the Nature School was teaching.
We have 240 Summer Campers this summer.
We teach approximately 8,000 students per year.
We visit 1,100 kindergarteners.

Personnel Committee: Hinda Smith
Hinda explained the functions and makeup of the Nature Center staff.
She explained the search for an executive director. We have advertised the position and secured a line of credit from County Bank to pay the salary.
The committee is currently looking at the application process and interview process.
Hinda noted that our current staff is exceptional. Board agreed.

Community Relations: Doug Hill
Doug explained that he published the “Buzz” newsletter.
Doug wants to see what other organizations are doing with their newsletters and create a network with other similar organizations to help advertise events and programs.
We need to make certain that all of our contributors receive a copy of the Buzz
Doug wants to double the circulation of the Buzz
It was offered that we could insert the Buzz inside the CC Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Membership: Joe Janusz
Joe has a verbal commitment from some newsletters in Fairfield to advertise the Nature Center and its programs.
He is still pursuing his call banks and flyering initiatives.
He wants to get our name out in Newark and New Castle Co.
For the call bank initiative, we need to generate volunteers. Joe will come up with a plan and determine volunteer needs. He does not feel that a one time effort will be successful.
Current membership could also help out as volunteers
Joe is seeking another Board member to join his committee
He will meet with Pat Holleran and examine the demographic of the current membership and look at renewals to determine target areas and weaknesses.
Ilene Milburn offered to allow an information booth to be set up during the busy weekends at Milburn’s Orchards.

Old Business: none

New Business: New software needed for accounting (Quickbooks) New version costs $329. Barb will check with the CC Board of Ed. To see if a license is available for free. Motion made and approved to permit purchase if Barb is unable to obtain licensed software.

Board meetings have been moved to the third Monday of every month

Next Meeting: Monday, July 19, 2004 6:30 P.M., at the Nature Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by Daniel Speakman

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