MINUTES-FRIENDS OF DONALD PARK, INC. MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 02/16/10

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

The February meeting was held at the home of Merry Ross and called to order by President Roger Parr at 6:45 P.M.

REVIEW AGENDA: Agenda was reviewed and motion by M. Ross/J. Gullixson to approve with additions. Motion carried unanimously.

MINUTES: The January meeting minutes were reviewed. Motion by V. Peterson/M. Ross to approve as submitted. Motion carried unanimously

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: None

APPEARANCES:

Bob Dettwiler – Bob joined the meeting to report on Tuesday volunteer projects and offer his assistance with the Mothers Day event planning.

COMMUNICATIONS: None

REPORTS

SECRETARY REPORT: None

TREASURER’S REPORT: Vickie Peterson presented the Annual Financial Report & Balance Sheet for 2009. After a review of the report, a few changes were made. The board thanked Vickie for the great job and all the work she put into the report.

PRESIDENT: None

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION REPORT: Barb reported that approximately 75 membership renewals have been received and a 2^nd reminder will be mailed the beginning of March. The Annual meeting notice, ballots and volunteer appreciation invitation will be mailed the 2^nd week of March.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

ADMINISTRATION, BUDGET, FINANCE, AND PLANNING – No Report

MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS: Donna Thomas continues to work on details for the annual report.

WEBSITE: Pat Schultz reported that the newsletters have been archived on our website. The next step is linking our upcoming park events. Merry Ross is working on an article for the website.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION:

Bob Dettwiler reported that the tools have now been moved to the new shed. The group will be thinning out the trees north of Pat’s as weather permits. A dumpster will be brought when spring arrives to clean the buildings.

NATURAL AREAS: Jay Gullixson and Bob Dettwiler reported the plan is to work clearing the big spring and little spring areas for a walking/hiking trail.

EQUESTRIAN TRAILS: Roger Parr

None

EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION: Matt Marty

None

EVENTS:

It was decided to add events as a committee.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Action Items:

**Dave Hughes Proposal – It was agreed that according to our by-laws, supporting Dave Hughes’ request of FODP to handle donations from his proposed equestrian friends group and offering donors the tax exempt benefit under the FODP 501©3 non-profit is not a viable option for us.

**Scheidegger Grant Update – Merry reported that the Scheidegger Grant is on hold indefinitely and she will contact Tom Woods to see what his plans are and if he would be interested in continuing to work with us. It was agreed we need to keep the project going with the help of volunteers and research other funding and grants that may be available until the Scheidegger Grant issues are resolved.

**Nominating Committee Report – Nominations for the 2010 FODP Board consist of Mary Feldt, Matt Marty, Roger Parr and Donna Thomas who will continue another year as board members and new nominees, Adrian Barta and Linda Murray.

**Transmission along Hwy 92 – Roger reported that he contacted Alliant Energy with regard to Bob Woodburn’s inquiry regarding the transmission lines being installed along Hwy 92. Alliant Energy indicated their change from the original plan to have transmission lines behind the Donald Farm buildings to along Hwy 92 was to avoid disturbing old oaks and also for easy accessibility and maintenance of the lines.

NEW BUSINESS:

**Action Items

Garden Expo – The Garden Expo went well and we will participate again in 2011. There was a lot of traffic through the booth and a number of potential volunteers signed up. Another exhibitor from the Astronomical Society approached us to see if we would consider cosponsoring a ‘star gazing’ night at the park during the summer.

**MATC Photography Project – Jay Gullixson presented the FODP Photography Acquisition Project to the lead instructor at the MATC Photography Department and with the approval of a $1,000 budget advance to the students for interim work, the project has been approved. Jay Gullixson wrote the project document and will finalize all the details. A motion was made by M. Ross/V.Peterson to move forward with the project. Motion carried unanimously.

**Annual Meeting/Volunteer Dinner – Saturday, March 27, 2010. Blue Plate will be the caterer and Dave Gjestson, as MC has been confirmed. Chloris Lowe has accepted our invitation to be guest speaker and Pat Schultz is making hotel arrangements for him. It was decided we will go with a picnic theme.

**Mother’s Day Event – Vickie Peterson requested to have a planning meeting to begin discussing the details of the Guide Book/Map that will be used by the visitors at the park events. A meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00 PM at Roger and Leslie Parr’s.

**Dane County Environmental Grant – A proposal to apply for a grant for a mower was discussed at the last meeting. Donna Thomas agreed to write the grant but the board will wait until after summer to evaluate the needs of a new mower. The application for $1,000 will be made in the fall.

**Library Project – Donna introduced an educational program offered by the Mt. Horeb Library that can be used to promote the park. The Library will put together a backpack of educational materials that visitors can carry and learn about the park. The cost to fund the project is $150 and the library provides the material. A motion was made by M. Ross/P. Schultz to fund the $150 for the project. Motion carried unanimously.

REVIEW AND APPROVE BILLS:

Bills in the amount of $351.70 were submitted by Vickie Peterson for printing of the event brochures and magnets, and $185.00 to Judy Dvorak for her editing of the brochure. Dane County submitted their bill for $1,609.42 which is FODP’s share of Barb’s salary for 2009. A motion made by M. Feldt/P. Schultz to approve the bills. Motion carried unanimously.

NEXT BOARD MEETING:

Tuesday, March 16, 6:30 PM at the Springdale Town Hall.

ADJOURN:

Motion by P. Schultz/J. Gullixson to adjourn by unanimous consent at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Barb Hartman, Recording Secretary