MINUTES-FRIENDS OF DONALD PARK, INC. MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 02/15/11

IN ATTENDANCE: Board: Mary Feldt, Matt Marty, Vickie Peterson, Merry Ross, Pat Schultz, Donna Thomas.

Absent: Adrian Barta, Jay Gullixson, Roger Parr Recording Secretary B. Hartman

The February meeting was held at Barb Hartman’s home and called to order by Vice President Merry Ross at 6:42 P.M.

REVIEW AGENDA: Agenda was reviewed and accepted as submitted.

MINUTES: The January meeting minutes were reviewed and motion by M. Marty/V. Peterson to approve with changes. Motion carried unanimously.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: None

APPEARANCES: Bob Dettwiler, representing the Tuesday Volunteers. Jeri Webster, prospective new board member.

COMMUNICATIONS: None

REPORTS

SECRETARY REPORT: None

TREASURER’S REPORT: Vickie Peterson presented the draft Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Statement that will be finalized for the Annual Meeting.

PRESIDENT: None

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION REPORT: Barb reported that she has mailed membership renewal letters and the annual meeting notice. The volunteer dinner invite will be mailed the last week in February. The second notice renewal reminder will be mailed the first week of March. Barb also has been in communication with the Verona C of C and sent them all of our event dates to be put on their calendar for the year.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

ADMINISTRATION, BUDGET, FINANCE, AND PLANNING – None

MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS: Donna Thomas

A membership letter was send as an e-blast through the Mt. Horeb Chamber of Commerce to recruit businesses and members, but so far we haven’t received any response. Donna is working with Judy Dvorak in putting together the Annual Report newsletter and has some requests out to the board for information and would like the information as soon as possible.

WEBSITE: Pat Schultz

Pat Schultz reported that a review of the website will be done to determine how we can enhance it. Ann Watman along with Jeri Webster and Judy Dvorak will join Pat to develop a team to review the website and present suggested updates and additions. Vickie Peterson remarked that she knew a student working with website management that may be a resource if we want to consider an intern. It was suggested that we put together a proposal if we choose to go with a student intern on the project.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION: Bob Dettwiler reported that not a lot has been happening with the Tuesday group, considering the weather lately and once the snow melts they will have more projects. Matt and Bob removed the side door in the bunkhouse and built in the wall and hung overhead lights. The Tuesday group weighed seeds on Tuesday, Feb 15.

NATURAL AREAS: None.

EQUESTRIAN TRAILS: Roger Parr - None

EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION: Matt Marty - None

EVENTS: Vickie Peterson

**The first printing of events brochures were all used during the Garden Expo and Vickie made a request to have more printed. Judy Dvorak will be contacted to print more. The extras printed to get through the weekend weren’t the latest version and need corrections. Judy has the latest corrected version.

**Spring Event – Jeri Webster has taken the lead for the spring event. There will be a Raptor Presentation, a representative from BRAW; Nina Cheney will do a binocular demonstration and possibly a representative from Wild Birds Unlimited. The busy boxes will be used for the bird walk/tour.

**Fall Event – Plans are progressing to have cider pressing, dutch oven cooking and hopefully a representative to talk on the historic apple trees in the park.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Action Items:

**Garden Show – The Garden Show went really well again this year. 26 people volunteered over the three days and we received lots of positive feedback and visitors to the booth. We will have an exhibit at the 2012 expo and Barb will contact Rhea to reserve the space. Vickie remarked that she didn’t see any brochures about Donald Park in the Dane County Parks booth. Other county parks’ brochures were there. Barb will check with Rhea as to why there were none for Donald Park.

**Volunteer Hours – Michelle Campbell is almost finished compiling the volunteer hours and will contact Barb when the report is ready.

**Snow shoeing Event – Final plans are being worked on for the DONALD PARKapalooza winter event on February 20^th. The weather report suggests we may have to cancel and preparations are being made if that needs to be done. Pat Schultz will make a sign to hang on front of the gate announcing the cancellation. Vickie and Roger will make the call and Barb will inform Ann to update the website.

**Grants – Donna Thomas is working on the completing the Community Partner Grant and has some requests out for information that is needed to complete the grant by the due date of February 28, 2011. The grant is to request small items/tools for the volunteer. Get your information back to Donna as soon as possible.

NEW BUSINESS:

**Action Items

**Budgets for 2011 – Be sure to get your budget items in to Vickie if you haven’t done so.

**Annual Meeting Planning – The annual meeting notice will be mailed the last week in February. Merry Ross will get a brief update from Tom Woods on the status of our Interpretive Plan for the meeting. John Rummel with the MAS has agreed to be our guest speaker at the volunteer dinner. Vickie is putting together an agenda and coordinating needs and supplies for the evening. Blue Plate Diner will be catering the dinner and board members will bring desserts. Merry Ross will act as MC and recognize volunteer efforts and give a brief over view of the year. Courtney will have a power point presentation of her pictures and 4 prints have been chosen to have matted and framed for door prizes. Board members will be soliciting local businesses for door prizes. Roger, Matt and Donna will not be at the annual meeting or dinner.

**Board Member Recruiting – Jeri Webster and Judy Dvorak have agreed to enter the nomination for board members.

**Madison Community Foundation Bench Fund – The plans and information has been received from Rhea on the bench plans. Decision was made to table for a later date to discuss.

**Windmill call to Action – Mary Feldt brought to the meeting new County rules and regulations with regard to placement distance of wind turbines. No action was decided on the topic at this time.

REVIEW AND APPROVE BILLS:

The following bills totaling $736.11 were presented for payment: Jeri Webster $153.85, Totes for Busy Boxes; Courtney Lapor, $250.00 – photography contract payment; Barb Hartman $197.01, postage and supplies; Vickie Peterson $66.47, Printing of events brochures; Dave Ward $68.78, printing of brochures and pamphlets. Motion by M. Ross/P. Schultz to approve bills. Motion carried unanimously.

Agenda Items/Dream Projects:

Fundraising Projects – Pictures for sale

NEXT BOARD MEETING:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 6:30 PM at the Springdale Town Hall

ADJOURN: Motion by M. Marty/V. Peterson to adjourn by unanimous consent at 9:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Barb Hartman, Recording Secretary