The Board of Directors of the New York State Ornithological
Association, Inc. met at Nuthatch Hollow in Vestal on April 5, 2008. The
meeting was called to order at 9:43 a.m.
Present were Bob Adamo, Tim Baird, Brenda Best, Berna
Lincoln, Andy Mason, Bill Ostrander, Carena Pooth, Bill Reeves, and Kathy
Schneider.
SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS:
- Approved minutes from February 2008 and Special March 2008 Board
Meetings. (Item 1)
- Approved re-appointment of Dominic Sherony to NYSARC. (Item 4c)
- Approved establishing a fund specifically for the Young Birders Club
(Item 4g)
- Approved endorsing the ABA Code of Birding Ethics (New Business)
- Elected the Executive Committee (New Business)
1. MINUTES – Motion to accept the minutes
with changes from the February 9, 2008 meeting was made by Bill Reeves
and seconded by Tim Baird. Approved unanimously. Motion
to accept the minutes of the special March 15, 2008 Board meeting with
changes was made by Andy Mason and seconded by Brenda Best. Approved
unanimously.
2. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Bill Ostrander – A
letter was received from Saw Mill River Audubon thanking us for our $250
grant for bluebird boxes. Berna also brought a copy of their newsletter,
which included an article mentioning our grant.
3. TREASURER’S REPORT – Bill Reeves – Treasurer’s
Report dated March 31, 2008 was reviewed. Due to declining interest
rates, Bill reports he will not reinvest in a bond, but leave the funds
in a money market account. The cost of The Kingbird with
color photos at the new printer is less than previous issues.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Membership – Brenda Best – We are
currently at 49 member clubs, and we have 575 individual members
and 54 life members, totaling 629.
b. Nominating – Kathy Schneider – Committee
is searching for a nominee for Recording Secretary. Also
looking for someone to train as treasurer.
c. NYSARC – Bill Ostrander has re-appointed
Dominic Sherony to continue on NYSARC. Andy Mason made a
motion to approve the re-appointment of Dominic Sherony to a 3-year
term ending 12/31/10; Bob Adamo seconded. Approved unanimously.
d. Publications – Tim Baird – Tim advises
the April issue will be sent to the printer next week.
e. Website – Carena Pooth – A
one-way email list to send email to member clubs has been set up. Currently
only Bill Ostrander and Andy Mason can send. Note that not
all clubs have an email contact and Carena will check for bounced
messages.
f. Atlas – Tim Baird – Editors are
currently looking at page proofs.
g. Finance – Berna Lincoln – See attached
handout for recommendations from the committee (Attachment B). Regarding
Recommendation #4, Brenda Best made a motion to establish a new
fund for the Young Birders Club project. Carena Pooth seconded. Approved
unanimously.
h. Archives – No report.
i. Awards – Andy Mason – Meade award
was discussed. Three Certificates of Appreciation will be
given out.
j. Bylaws – Berna Lincoln – Nothing
new to report at this time. Committee needs new members. Carena
Pooth will serve; Bill Ostrander will ask Bob Spahn or Phyllis
Jones.
k. Conservation – Bob Adamo will draft a
letter regarding the grasslands on Long Island and Andy will circulate. Before
we join the coalition, Andy will do further research. Andy
advises Delaware-Otsego Audubon has recouped the cost of the Great
Blue Heron Nest platforms.
5. DEC – John Ozard – No report.
6. OLD BUSINESS
eBird – Need to promote beyond our website. Andy
will write an article for club newsletters and eBird should be mentioned
in New York Birders. Also need fresh articles for the
front page.
Circulation Manager – No one has volunteered. Ad
will be in April New York Birders.
Annual Meeting –There is no host for the 2009 meeting
yet.
New York Young Birders Club – Carena reviewed the structure
between NYSOA and YBC as a project similar to the Atlas. We are
in good shape legally and in regards to liability. No by-laws and
no delegate vote needed. We need to recruit a NYSOA member who
will serve as an adult coordinator and chair a formal permanent committee. A “road
show” has been developed and is available to present to member
clubs; a laptop and projector would be needed. Carena is working
with Hope on a website. A brochure may be developed to send to
science teachers and libraries.
Searchable Kingbirds – Andy will get with Jane to discuss
this issue.
7. NEW BUSINESS
Member Clubs – North Fork Audubon has paid their dues
and been reinstated.
Code of Birding Ethics – The ABA Code of Birding Ethics
will be put on our website. Kathy Schneider made a motion that
NYSOA endorse the ABA Code of Birding Ethics. Seconded by Andy
Mason. Approved unanimously.
Executive Committee – Andy Mason nominated Bill Ostrander
as President, Bill Reeves as Treasurer, Carena Pooth as Vice-president,
and Brenda Best as Recording Secretary to serve as the Executive Committee
as required by our by-laws. The Board elected the slate unanimously.
T-shirts – Is there any interest in obtaining NYSOA t-shirts?
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The next Board meeting will be held at Nuthatch Hollow on July 26, 2008.
Motion to adjourn was made by Bill Reeves and seconded by Carena Pooth. Approved
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 2:27 p.m. |
