The Board of Directors of the New York State Ornithological
Association, Inc. met at Nuthatch Hollow in Vestal on July 26, 2008. The
meeting was called to order by President Bill Ostrander at 9:35 a.m.
Present were Bob Adamo, Tim Baird, Jane Graves,
Andy Mason, Bill Ostrander, Carena Pooth, Bill Reeves, and Kathy
Schneider. Berna Lincoln and Bob
Mauceli attended via teleconference.
SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS:
- Approved April 5, 2008 Board Meeting minutes. (Item 1)
- Approved contribution to Montezuma Muckrace. (Item 4f)
- Agreed to change NYSOA membership to a calendar year basis.
(Item 6)
- Approved nominees for Audit Committee (Item 7)
- Approved use of NYSOA mailing list by Barataria-Terrebone National
Estuary Program (Item 7)
1. MINUTES –Motion to accept the minutes
with changes from the April 5, 2008 meeting was made by Bill Reeves
and seconded by Carena Pooth. Approved unanimously.
2. PRESIDENT’S REPORT –Bill Ostrander
Bill received an email via NYSOA website asking for information on
birding activities for disabled persons. Berna Lincoln reported that Saw
Mill River Audubon Soc., has a handicapped accessible trail. Carena
Pooth reported that the Waterman Bird Club also has walks at handicapped
accessible locales. Bob Adamo mentioned the Quogue Wildlife Refuge
as having a handicapped accessible boardwalk.
The possibility was raised of listing handicapped accessible birding
sites on the website.
The Cornell Lab. of Ornithology trail has informational signs in Braille. A
handicapped accessible trail is planned for the Audubon Center at the
Northern Montezuma Complex.
Bill Ostrander will write up an item on this topic for NY Birders.
3. TREASURER’S REPORT –Bill Reeves
Treasurer’s
Report dated June 30, 2008 was presented. Assets had increased
from January to June, 2008. There was a small expenditure for the
NY State Young Birders Club. The main expenses were for two issues
of The Kingbird.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Membership –Brenda Best – A written
report from Brenda Best was read. A discussion was held regarding
member organizations with outstanding dues. Bill Ostrander
will check with Brenda Best on her contacts with these clubs, and
follow up with a reminder that they cannot send delegates to the
Annual Meeting if the club is not in good standing.
b. Nominating –Kathy Schneider – Joan
Collins has accepted nomination for Recording Secretary. A
discussion was held regarding John Confer’s resignation as
Director. His name will appear on the nominating committee
report at the Annual Meeting, since the committee was not aware
of his resignation until after the report had been published, and
will be put forth to the delegates at the meeting. Options
for dealing with this situation include nominating a replacement
from the floor at the meeting, or electing the nominated slate,
with John resigning again, and the Board of Directors appointing
a replacement. It was agreed that the Nominating Committee
will seek a replacement candidate to put in nomination at the Annual
Meeting.
c. NYSARC – No report.
d. Publications –
NY Birders—Noted
that there was good publicity for the Annual Meeting.
Atlas Book—A written report was received from Valerie
Freer. It is hoped that a written announcement of publication
of the book will be available for the Annual Meeting.
The Kingbird—Minutes of the 2007 Annual Meeting
will appear in the issue presently in the mail (Vol. 57 No.4). The
next issue will be out shortly according to Shai Mitra via Berna
Lincoln.
e. Website –Carena Pooth – The
American Birding Assoc. Code of Ethics has been added. The
NY State Young Birders Club website (www.nysyoungbirders.org) is
now live.
f. Finance –Berna Lincoln – A discussion
was held on the request by organizers for a $500 contribution to
the Montezuma Muckrace. Berna suggested NYSOA needed a discussion
and policy on donations to other organizations and causes. A
motion was made by Bill Reeves and seconded by Kathy Schneider
to contribute $500 to the Montezuma Muckrace, with the provision
that no further donations of this type be made until a policy is
in place governing the same. Approved unanimously.
g. Archives – No report.
h. Awards – Andy Mason
Review of recommendations
for Certificates of Appreciation, including: John Haas
for publicizing gull and winter finches in Sullivan Co; Curt
McDermott for hosting a Hoary Redpoll in Montgomery, Orange Co.;
American Printing of Cortland for services to NYSOA; Deep Hollow
Ranch for hosting a Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose in Montauk;
Larry Wilson for hosting a Rufous Hummingbird in Houghton, Wayne
Co.
Lillian Stoner Award—solicitation mailing will go to colleges
with ornithology courses, and to member organizations.
A discussion of possible Meade Award recipients was held.
i. Bylaws –Berna Lincoln – Discussions
were held by the committee of term limits for some officers, and
the issue of resignations during a term of office. Berna
asked the board to review the bylaws and let the committee know
of any needed changes. She recommended consideration of eliminating
the life membership category.
j. Conservation – Andy Mason – Mention
made of NYSOA’s membership
in the EPCAL coalition to protect the former Grumman property
in Suffolk Co. A discussion was held regarding possible
NYSOA involvement in the issue of a zoning variance request
in the Town of Vestal that would allow development near Nuthatch
Hollow. No action taken.
NY State Young Birders Club (YBC) – Carena Pooth – The
NYSYBC website is now online. A number of volunteers have
offered to present the YBC road show in their regions. The
possibility was raised of publicizing YBC at the Annual Meeting. Bob
Mauceli suggested a presentation at the poster session on Friday
night, and also asked for a YBC presentation at the Council of
Delegates meeting on Saturday. The suggestion was made
to contact non-NYSOA Audubon Chapters and nature centers to consider
becoming partner organizations in YBC.
Carena asked for approval of the fee schedule, which was granted. It
was agreed to put a cap of $100 annually for YBC partner organizations.
A discussion was held regarding the YBC adult coordinator position. A
description of the position has been sent to several interested
persons. Kathy Schneider and Bob Mauceli offered to assist
Carena with interviews and inquiries regarding candidates. A
discussion was held on vetting applicant(s). The YBC's first
field trip will be held August 16, 2008 at Jamaica Bay with Carena
and Shai Mitra as leaders. Efforts to vet and place an adult coordinator
will continue following the field trip, with the goal of filling
the position as soon as possible.
5. DEC – John Ozard –A written report
was distributed
6. OLD BUSINESS
Circulation Manager -- Kathy Schneider suggested the description
for this job is too intimidating, with many duties involved. A
discussion was held regarding separation of job duties. A discussion
was held regarding creation of a secure online membership database, available
to a few key individuals. Suggestion was made to separate circulation
and membership duties. Bob Mauceli agreed to write job descriptions
for separate circulation and membership positions. A suggestion
was made to return to a single renewal date. The possibility of
assigning a portion of the job to the Corresponding Secretary was made. A
suggestion was made to include a renewal form in NYSOA publications. It
was agreed to change NYSOA membership to a calendar year basis starting
in 2009, with notice and explanation of this change to appear in the
Oct. NY Birders.
Scanning The Kingbird – Andy Mason – Andy has
contacted the firm that scanned the NYSARC records regarding doing
the same for The
Kingbird, and requested an estimate for this work. The figure
will be circulated to the board by email when available. The
possibility of applying for grants to partially fund this project was
discussed.
Policies concerning requests for advocacy support for conservation
issues – The Conservation Committee will propose a policy
for consideration by the board.
7. NEW BUSINESS
Save the Pine Bush/Standing for environmental standing in court – Member
organization Audubon Society of the Capital Region has asked NYSOA for
a resolution supporting the effort of Save the Pine Bush to broaden the
definition of standing in environmental law suits in NY State. Andy
Mason will advise ASOCR of the process for bringing a resolution to
the Annual Meeting, stressing the need for clarity and for educating
delegates on the issue.
Nominating Committee II – Berna Lincoln, Kathy Schneider
and Bill Ostrander will seek a committee member from the western part
of the state.
Auditing Committee – Andy Mason made a motion to nominate
Irving Cantor, Peter Capainolo and Isaac Grant to the Auditing Committee,
seconded by Carena Pooth, approved unanimously.
A request was received from the Barataria-Terrebone National Estuary
Program for use of the NYSOA mailing list to send a calendar to members. Motion
made by Andy Mason and seconded by Bill Reeves to do so, approved unanimously.
Annual Meetings – Bob Mauceli suggested a change in Annual
Meeting organization to involve NYSOA more in planning and financial
responsibility for the event. He argued that member organizations
are limited in financial and personnel resources and will be unable to
host meetings in the future. It was suggested that this matter
be placed on the agenda for discussion at the Council of Delegates at
this year’s meeting. Bob Adamo will bring a request for consideration
of hosting the 2009 meeting to the Eastern Long Island Audubon Soc. Bob
asked for additional information on the responsibilities of hosting the
Annual Meeting. Bob Mauceli and Andy Mason will provide Bob with
materials.
Bob Mauceli reported on the 2008 Annual Meeting in Rochester: three
workshops are planned, including sessions on digiscoping and taking
field notes; the papers session has seven or eight presentations at
present; spuds will be provided to participants; there are 67 registrants
at present.
***********************************************************************
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 1, 2008, possibly in Albany.
Motion to adjourn was made by Bill Reeves and seconded by Andy Mason. Approved
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m. |
