| The Board of Directors of the New York State Ornithological
Association, Inc. met at Nuthatch Hollow in Vestal on November 3, 2007. The
meeting was called to order at 9:37 a.m.
Present were Bob Adamo, Tim Baird, Brenda
Best, John Confer, Valerie Freer, Jane Graves, Phyllis
Jones, Gail Kirch, Bob Mauceli, Bill Ostrander, Carena Pooth,
Bill Reeves, and Kathy Schneider. Guests
were Hope and Mary Batcheller.
SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS:
- Approved August 4, 2007 Meeting minutes. (Item 1)
- Added budget item of $500 for NYS Young Birders Club. (New Business)
1. MINUTES – Motion to accept the
minutes with changes from the August 4, 2007 meeting was made by Bill
Reeves and seconded by John Confer. Approved unanimously.
2. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Bill
Ostrander – Committee assignments have been reviewed. Andy
Mason will serve as chair of the Awards Committee.
3. TREASURER’S REPORT – Bill
Reeves – Assets have increased due to low Kingbird expense. $100,000
bond interest is now at 5% with payments in February and July.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Membership – Brenda Best – We are still
showing a declining trend in membership, with both member clubs and
individuals. Ideas put forth included re-establishment of field
trips, the need to advertise what we do, sending press releases to
member clubs for their newsletters, giving premiums, setting up our
display at other events. We need to find out why past members
have not renewed, although phone numbers are not readily available. A
membership/publicity committee was established consisting of Bob
Mauceli (chair), Kathy Schneider, and Jane Graves.
b) Nominating – Kathy Schneider – no activity
yet.
c) NYSARC – No report. It was noted we are
to receive a report for each meeting and one actual attendance.
d) Publications – Tim advises New York Birders is
in good shape. There has been no news from Shai. The
problems with The Kingbird have become critical. Bill
will ask Shai for a detailed report with deadlines. This should
be our #1 priority. Brenda reminded the board that the 2007
Annual Meeting minutes must be printed in an issue of The Kingbird that
will be published prior to the 2008 Annual Meeting.
e) Website – Carena Pooth – Conservation
section has some gaps. Send old items to Carena for inclusion.
f) Atlas –Valerie Freer – The book may not
be available for the September Annual Meeting. This has caused
Rochester Birding Association to reduce their attendance estimate
by 25% and they are re-thinking their advertising and promotion. It
was felt we should request more frequent and detailed reports on
the status.
g) Finance – No report. No budget was presented;
Bill Reeves will prepare one for next meeting.
h) Archives –Phyllis Jones – Ongoing.
i) Awards – Andy Mason – Nothing new.
j) Bylaws – Berna Lincoln – No report.
k) Conservation – John Confer and Gail Kirch – Articles
should be placed in New York Birders on various topics. Andy
will be asked to write an article on NYSOA’s philosophy. We
should also follow-up on letters we’ve written.
5. DEC – John Ozard – No report.
6. OLD BUSINESS
e-Bird – Bob Spahn – Ongoing.
Whip-poor-will Monitoring – Matt Medler – No report.
State Wildlife Grants – No response yet.
Annual Meeting – Bob Mauceli advises there will be a tight
schedule on Saturday and speakers must be brief. We will be using
the same room for the dinner.
7. NEW BUSINESS
New York Young Birders Club – Hope Batcheller proposed
a youth birding club and asks NYSOA for assistance. She presented
a letter from Kim Kaufmann and the Ohio Young Birders Club. We
can put something on our website and provide an article for club newsletters. Members
of NYSOA will be asked to mentor and assist in field trip logistics. There
was strong consensus to give support, including financially. It
was suggested we add the Young Birders Club as a line item in the budget
in the amount of $500, similar to NYSARC. Next step will be to
find an adult coordinator and develop a job description. We will
also need to check youth safety laws. Bill Ostrander will check
with an attorney on this.
Montezuma Muckrace – Jane advises the muckrace made over
$10,000.
Scheduled Board meetings, all at Nuthatch Hollow for now:
February 2, 2008
April 5, 2008
July 26, 2008
November 1, 2008
Motion to adjourn was made by Gail Kirch and seconded by Jane Graves. Approved
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 1:58 p.m.
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