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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING FAIR HILL NATURE CENTER July 9, 2002 6:00 P.M. |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING FAIR HILL NATURE
CENTER July 9, 2002 6:00 P.M.
Attendees:
Josh Brown, Jim Campbell, Bob Carroll, Dennis Clower, Chuck Dolor, Mario Gangemi, Phyllis Kilby, Larry Klevans, Nancy Simpers, Hinda Smith, Dan Speakman, Rick Waterhouse,
Vice-President Mario Gangemi called the meeting to order at 5:59 P.M.
The minutes from the June Board meeting were approved.
Program Committee: Barb Snyder's report from last month is included, with changes and additional discussion
Cecil County Fair - July 19-27, 2002 (have already submitted $125.00 for fee).
Seafood Appetizer Recipe Swap: July 17, 6:00 p.m. Come for an evening of music and enjoy the summer sounds by the pond. Cost $5.00 per person. Please RSVP.
Fish Walk - July 20, 10:00 Parke John will lead a walk through the Big Elk Creek. See what we can find swimming, growing, flying there.
August 9, 6:00-8:00 Ride the skipjack Martha Lewis from Havre de Grace. Need to submit half the fee to hold date., RSVP-$20, members, $25 non-members.
August 14, 7:00-Bay Talk at Upper Bay Museum, North East. Need RSVP - minimum of 20 people
Fox Hunt Talk - Sept 18, 7:00, Erlene Michner will bring a beagle (bagle) and tell about fox-hunting at Fair Hill.
Fox Trot Crab Feast - Sept 21, 2:00-5:00 - $25-$30 per person.
Leaf Walk Oct 19 - 2:00 p.m. with Holly Hannum, Hayride at 4:00 p.m.
Stargazing, Nov. 13, 7:00 with Linda Tinsman
Wreath Craft -Nov. 16 10:00, Katherine Straughan and Pat Holleran. Make a wreath with purchased and collected materials.
Santa Hayride - Dec. 7 - rain date of Dec. 8. Come ride the wagon to see Santa at Nature Center, make bird feeders, crafts.
Holiday Party - Dec 11 Board of Directors, Staff Holiday party.
Discussion:
Rick Waterhouse will e-mail Barb to request needs for further coverage at the booth at the county fair and directions for those running the booth.
Larry has sent a check for our deposit for the skipjack cruise.
With regard to the "Fox Trot Crab Feast", it was decided that a crab feast would not be a moneymaker. Jim Campbell, Mario Gangemi, Hinda Smith, and Millie Riddle will act as a committee to look at a possible fall beef and beer/ dance as a fund-raiser to be held in October. Hinda spoke to "Pure Pleasure" who would play Motown style dance music for $850. Nancy mentioned that we need to avoid the Fair Hill International, October 24-27.
There is an MBNA Trail Day approaching. The date and arrangements will be left up to Holly Hannum.
Finance Committee: Larry Klevans
Report as of June 30, 2002:
1. In June 2002 expenses exceeded income by $8,051. The majority of income items were $2,055 for summer camp and $430 for Memberships. Income was low because payment from CCPS spring programs was not received until July. Also, summer camp, which had its highest income ever, had already been paid for.
2. Major expenses were $7,708 for staff, $2,416 for payroll taxes, $731 for office supplies, and $340 for summer camp.
3. Year to date Income (YTD) totals $62,711 vs. budget of $55,924 while YTD expenses total $64,577 vs. a budget of $55,924. Thus, our YTD net income stands at $1,836.
4. Our current fund balance is $17,600 (different than what was reported in e-mailed report because an expense was double recorded).
5. All fundraising efforts graciously supported and encouraged.
Discussion:
The CCPS contribution will be $8,000 for transportation fees and $14,214 in program fees, for 2002-2003.
Larry will check into the district's payment for the 01-02 year because the amount seems low so far.
Dennis reported that his organization is planning on a $5,000 fall and a $5,000 spring contribution.
Larry cautioned that we need to look at our fundraising efforts to bring in more money. Nancy Simpers will check into contributions from the service organizations. Mario will talk to Doug Hill, when Doug returns from a trip, about the progress of the use of our promotional video.
Larry will meet with the Budget Committee because he needs to assemble a report for the United Way of Delaware, due by the end of July.
Nature School Report:
Holly was not in attendance. She left a note for the board expressing her apologies. In the note, she stated that camp is going well. All camps are full except the Imagination Camp. The Wilderness Adventure Camp went well except for a brief, severe thunderstorm. Holly says they are willing to try this one again next year.
Personnel Committee: No report
Public Relations: No report.
Mario will e-mail Doug.
Membership: Bob Carroll
Bob left messages for Sandy Taccone, to get a second price on the decal. She has not replied (it has been three weeks). Nancy motioned that we go with Bob's original package and price from Cecil Graphics. This was seconded and passed. Bob is hopeful that we can still get the decal order by the county fair dates.
In light of the timing of the vote on ordering the decal, Nancy suggested we start conducting votes by e-mail, as needed. Dennis said that we may have to change the by-laws to do this. He will look into it.
Buildings and Grounds:
Dan Speakman met this morning, with Eddie Howell to look at the barn roof problems. Eddie believes that a repair to stabilize the roof, for the present time, would cost approximately $5,000. Eddie also said that he believes a heavy snow this winter would bring that back roof down. However, a bigger problem with the building was discovered. The wall facing the nature center building has a bulge in it, indicating possible structural problems. Also a corner on the far side of the building has a crack in it. These need to be investigated before the money is spent to do the roof stabilization.
It was mentioned that there seems to be a stack of unused lumber from other state projects which we might be able to use for the roof repair work. Nancy will talk to Wayne to see if we could use this.
Lease:
Dennis will check on the progress of the signing of our lease. Phyllis Kilby investigated this with an e-mail thirty days ago, with no response. Dennis believes that there will be no problem getting the five consecutive five-year leases signed, and that no action needs to be taken at this time.
New Business:
Ralph Young is hospitalized. In his place, Phyllis presented the Board with an award for being a "Partner in Education" and a Certificate of Appreciation, both from BEPAC. Ralph has volunteered to continue to represent us on BEPAC.
The steps that were built for the wedding and left for the Nature Center's use were checked by Josh and Dan before the meeting. Josh suggested using four 2x4' posts to stabilize them, before adding a railing. Josh will get materials and will get a volunteer group to do the work.
Jerry Hendricks will reschedule the SWAT road cleanup because there were only two volunteers present on the scheduled day.
Next Meetings:
August 13 September 17 (changed due to a conflict with Primary Election Day on September 10)
Meeting was adjourned at 6:50.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Waterhouse