MINUTES-FRIENDS OF DONALD PARK, INC. MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 01/19/10

IN ATTENDANCE: Board: Mary Feldt, Jay Gullixson, Matt Marty, Roger Parr, Vickie Peterson, Merry Ross, Pat Schultz, Donna Thomas. Recording Secretary B. Hartman

The January meeting was held at the Springdale Town Hall and called to order by President Roger Parr at 6:40 P.M.

REVIEW AGENDA: Agenda was reviewed and motion by M. Ross/V. Peterson to approve. Motion carried unanimously.

MINUTES: The December meeting minutes were reviewed. Motion by M. Ross/P. Schultz to approve with changes. Motion carried unanimously

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: A thank you has been sent to Conrad and Vicki Anderson for hosting our annual Christmas Party and December meeting.

APPEARANCES: Dave Hughes presented his plan to form an equestrian friends group to propose the continuation of equestrian trails with an emphasis on camping encircling Dane County which would include all Dane County Parks. Dave is planning to begin fundraising and asked if FODP would be interested in handling the donations and offering donors of his newly formed group the tax exempt benefit under the FODP 501©3 non-profit. Mary Feldt suggested Dave contact the Madison Community Foundation for advice and assistance with his plans to form the non-profit group. Vickie Peterson added that under the terms of our Articles of Incorporation it would not be in our best interest to offer another non-profit group benefits under our 501©3 non-profit program.

Linda Murray – Linda presented herself as a candidate for nomination to the Board and gave a report on her interests, background and desire to become a board member. Linda will be placed on the ballot for board member voting.

Adrian Barta – Adrian introduced himself and expressed his desire to be considered a candidate for the Board. Adrian has been a volunteer and has a special interest in apple tree research at the park. Adrian will be placed on the ballot for board member voting.

Bob Dettwiler – Bob joined the meeting to report on Tuesday Volunteer projects.

COMMUNICATIONS: None

REPORTS

SECRETARY REPORT: None.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Vickie Peterson reported that the budgets have been set and will provide reports to the board.

PRESIDENT: Roger Parr reported that he received a call from Bob Woodburn regarding a walnut tree on the Woodburn Farms that was going to be removed to put in the new power poles. Bob was seeking someone’s interest in buying the lumber rather than destroy it. Mary Feldt’s husband has expressed interested in the lumber.

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION REPORT: Barb reported that the membership renewal letters have been mailed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

ADMINISTRATION, BUDGET, FINANCE, AND PLANNING – No Report

MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS: Donna Thomas reported she is working with Judy Dvorak on the annual report with an insert featuring Pat Hitchcock. The report will be approximately eight pages.

WEBSITE: Pat Schultz reported that eventually the newsletters will be linked on our website. Pat is still seeking people who will write articles to keep the website fresh. Don Hartman has agreed to do feature interviews.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION:

Tuesday volunteers have been busy cleaning and updating the tool shed next to Pat’s house. All of the tools will be moved to that location. That county has offered woodchips from clearing the roadsides for new power lines to be used for the trails. They are being delivered to the yard at Pat’s. Bob Dettwiler asked if the road to the picnic area could be cleared and some of the chips could be dumped there so they wouldn’t have to be hauled from Pat’s homestead. Clearing around the little springs will be done under the guidance of Wayne Pauly. Adrian Barta and Phil Johnson are planning to mark and catalog the fruit trees for study.

NATURAL AREAS: Jay Gullixson and Bob Dettwiler proposed investment into a tractor and mower for the upcoming year. Donna Thomas offered to put together a grant request and Jay and Bob will get the numbers/needs to Donna.

EQUESTRIAN TRAILS: Roger Parr

None

EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION: Matt Marty

Mike Coffey has resigned his position as committee chair to pursue his Masters Degree. The committee is looking for someone to step forward and take over the chair. Mike will remain on the committee.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Action Items:

**Scheidegger Grant Update – Merry contacted Sara Kwitek at the county and a draft resolution is scheduled to go before the County Board at the February meeting. At that time some tentative dates for our workshops will be announced. Merry suggested we invite Tom Woods to our Annual meeting.

**Events Breakfast – Three events were schedule in 2010 to promote the park. A brochure is being designed by Judy Dvorak and a proof will be ready January 22. Vickie Peterson was going to check with Judy on updating the map to put into the brochure. The brochures will ready for the Garden Expo as well as signage to promote the events. Meetings will be scheduled to plan the events. At the annual meeting we hope to solicit volunteers and partner with events sponsors to promote the park.

**Nominating Committee Report – Mary Feldt, Matt Marty and Donna Thomas will continue another year as board members.

**Annual Budgets – Budgets have been submitted to Vickie Peterson and she will have a report at the February board meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

**Action Items

Garden Expo – Barb reported the needs to set up for the Garden Expo. A volunteer signup has been circulated and parking and exhibitor passes will be mailed to each volunteer for the weekend.

**MATC Students – Mary Feldt suggested we contact MATC students studying photography to put together a presentation about Donald Park as part of their project requirements. Jay Gullixson will work with the Media department head on the details. It was suggested we set aside a budget to assist the students and promote interest. A motion by V.Peterson/M. Marty to set a $1,000 budget for the Media project. Motion carried unanimously.

**Annual Meeting/Volunteer Dinner – Saturday, March 27, 2010. Caterer and MC have been confirmed. A speaker is still needed and suggestions were discussed. Board members will provide desserts and refreshments.

REVIEW AND APPROVE BILLS:

A motion made by M. Ross/P. Schultz to approve bills submitted by Donna Thomas for postage related to the newsletter and Barb Hartman for office supplies and postage were approved. Motion carried unanimously.

NEXT BOARD MEETING:

Tuesday, February 16, 6:30 PM at Merry Ross’ home. Detailed directions will be sent prior to meeting.

ADJOURN:

Motion by M. Ross/M. Marty to adjourn by unanimous consent at 9:21 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Barb Hartman, Recording Secretary