| The Board of Directors of the New York State Ornithological
Association, Inc. met at Nuthatch Hollow in Vestal on February 9, 2008. The
meeting was called to order at 9:41 a.m.
Present were Bob Adamo, Brenda Best, John Confer, Valerie
Freer, Jane Graves, Phyllis Jones, Gail Kirch, Berna
Lincoln, Bob Mauceli, Bill Ostrander, Carena Pooth, Bill Reeves, and Kathy
Schneider. Andy Mason attended via teleconference. Guests
were Hope and Mary Batcheller.
SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS:
- Approved November 2007 Board Meeting and 2007 Annual Meeting minutes. (Item
1)
- Approved reinvesting our bond for 5 years. (Item 3)
- Approved re-appointment of Angus Wilson to NYSARC. (Item 4c)
- Approved color pictures in each issue of The Kingbird (Item
4d)
- Approved budget for 2008 (Item 4g)
- Approved letters to DEC and Don Heintzelmann regarding windpower
(Item 4k)
1. MINUTES – Motion to accept the
minutes with changes from the November 3, 2007 meeting was made by Bob
Mauceli and seconded by Bill Reeves. Approved unanimously. Motion
to accept the minutes of the 2007 Annual Meeting with changes was made
by Bob Mauceli and seconded by Jane Graves. Approved unanimously.
2. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Bill
Ostrander – Bill will verify with Kevin McGowan that he will continue
as chair of the Research Committee. Matt Medler’s request
for a website about the nightjar research should be referred to Kevin. Bill
also asked the Board to research what other state ornithological organizations
are doing to get an idea of our direction.
3. TREASURER’S REPORT – Bill
Reeves – Treasurer’s Report dated December 31, 2007 was presented. Assets
increased due to reduced Kingbird costs. Kingbird expenses were
down by half since only 2 issues were published. Dues were down
and total income was also down. Jane asked if the Treasurer’s
Report could be emailed prior to the meeting. Our bond has been
called and Bill has reviewed alternatives. Bill Reeves made a motion
to reinvest for 5 years at the best interest rate he can find. Bob
Mauceli seconded. Approved unanimously.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Membership – Brenda Best – We are currently
at 47 member clubs since T. Roosevelt and Lake Erie paid their dues. We
have 572 individual members and 54 life members, totaling 626. Dues
notices have been mailed to January and April expirations. Membership
Committee will meet during the lunch break. Jane asked about
a donation line on the renewal form. A statement indicating
that extra contributions are tax deductible will be sent to Carena
by Bob Mauceli to be placed on the website.
b) Nominating – Kathy Schneider – Brenda has
advised she will not run again for Recording Secretary. Names
need to be given to Tim by June 1 for inclusion in the July New
York Birders.
c) NYSARC – Angus Wilson via teleconference – The
committee has finished the 2004 and 2005 reports for The Kingbird and
has begun 2006. Guidelines have been published. The committee
is working with the Vermont committee regarding shared sightings. Terms
of NYSARC members will be placed on the website. Bill Ostrander
re-appointed Angus Wilson to continue on NYSARC. Brenda Best
made a motion to approve the re-appointment of Angus Wilson to a
3-year term ending 12/31/10; Carena Pooth seconded. Approved
unanimously.
d) Publications – Shai Mitra via teleconference – Issue
57:2 will be mailed next week. He hopes to have 57:3 and 57:4 out
before September. Covers will be printed at Sir Speedy and
Shai is tracking down the original artwork. Berna advised that
Manny Levine purchased this, and Shai will obtain it to re-scan at
high resolution for printing. Shai was advised that the inside
covers for 57:4 will change due to new officers and/or committee
chairs. Jane made a motion to continue color pictures in every
issue of The Kingbird, if they are available. John
Confer seconded. Approved unanimously. Jane (chair),
Andy, and Carena will serve on an ad hoc committee to research the
scanning of old Kingbirds to create a searchable database.
e) Website – Carena Pooth – Items added
include an article about the Young Birders Club, field trips, and
more letters to the Conservation section. In November, Carena
moved the site to a new host that offered more space at a lower price.
f) Atlas –Valerie Freer – Title of the book will
be the same as the first except for the word “Second.” Future
rights will go to NYSOA and DEC. No price or date yet.
g) Finance – Berna Lincoln – Recommendation was
made that the General Operating Fund budget be presented in February
using all of the previous year’s income and expenses for information. After
review of the proposed budget, Bob Mauceli made a motion to approve
the budget, which was seconded by Jane Graves. Approved unanimously. Berna
had been collecting hours from various volunteer positions in the
organization. There are many people who put in many hours,
especially those who prepare our publications (ten Regional editors,
editors, highlights author, proofreaders, etc.), maintain the website,
and circulation. We would not be able to afford to pay these
people and must continue on a volunteer basis.
h) Archives –Phyllis Jones – Ongoing. Working
with Kim on Atlas papers.
i) Awards – Andy Mason – Nothing new.
j) Bylaws – Berna Lincoln – No report.
k) Conservation – John Confer and Gail Kirch – John
has thoroughly reviewed the DEC Guidelines for wind power siting. He
and Andy have written a draft letter to address the items as compared
to our position. Kathy Schneider made a motion to send the
letter addressing our concerns. Jane Graves seconded. Approved
unanimously. We will receive a copy of the letter after it
is finalized. John also presented a request from Don Heintzelman
regarding the federal designation of the Kittatinny-Shawangunk National
Raptor Migration Corridor in Pennsylvania. Motion was made
by Bob Mauceli to authorize John Confer to fill out Mr. Heintzelman’s
form letter and send it. Seconded by Brenda Best. Approved
unanimously. The comment period for the Seneca Army Depot wetlands
map changes ends February 15.
5. DEC – John Ozard – No report.
6. OLD BUSINESS
e-Bird – Need ideas for promotion.
Whip-poor-will Monitoring – Matt Medler – No report.
State Wildlife Grants – No report.
Annual Meeting – Bob Mauceli asked 2 specific questions. Answers
were no one has been hurt at an annual meeting to our knowledge and we
have never been sued. Our insurance does not cover the Rochester
Birding Association. There is no host for the 2009 meeting yet.
New York Young Birders Club – Several board members expressed
concerns regarding the relationship between NYSOA and the Young Birder
Club, insurance, by-laws, and adult leadership. John Confer will
contact two lawyers and ask their opinions. Bob Mauceli will contact
Kim Kaufman of the Ohio Young Birders Club.
7. NEW BUSINESS
Circulation Manager – Brenda has asked to be relieved of
this position by April. Discussion of what the job entails, how
it could be eased, and qualifications of candidates ensued. Brenda
will email the task list she developed so that a job description can
be written.
The next Board meeting will be held at Nuthatch Hollow on April 5, 2008.
Motion to adjourn was made by Bob Mauceli and seconded by John Confer. Approved
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m. |
