The Board of Directors of the South Mountain Audubon (SMAS) met on February 11, 2013 at the Adams County Agricultural Center at 4 pm.

President Deb Siefken called the meeting to order with the following board members present: Nancy Locher, Mike O’Brien, Mike Bertram, Carole Simon, Emily Cost, Elizabeth Weller, Wendy South, and Linette Mansberger.

Copies of the “Constitution and By-Laws of South Mountain Audubon Society” were distributed to those board members who do not have them.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED
  Resolved that: the minutes from the December 5th board meeting be approved by the board.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Mike Bertram presented the Treasurer’s Report for February, 2013 along with the budget figures for the fiscal year, July 2012 to the end of June, 2013.  Some discussion was held about speaker fees.

Carole Simon will check on the birdseed check from Agway.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Programs:
In the absence of Bob Brandt, President Deb Siefken reported on upcoming speakers and programs as follows:
March 11 – Showing the DVD “Saving Pelican 895”
September 9 – Patti Barber with the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Presenting “Bald Eagle Recovery”
Deb also reported that Bob Brandt would be scheduling programs for May, June, October and November.

Publicity:
Publicity Chair, Elizabeth Weller, shared and welcomed new ideas for publicity, including a Facebook page with photographs, utilizing the display case at the Adams County Library, and distributing copies of the SMAS newsletter in local offices.

Field Trips:
Field Trip Chair, Mike O’Brien, reported on the February 6th field trip to Pine Grove Furnace State Park and listed the following upcoming field trips:
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area – March 7
Lily Pons - Date to be determined in April
Spangler Spring SMC – Date to be determined in May

Newsletter:
Newsletter editor, Mike O’Brien, asked that information to be included in the next newsletter be sent to him by the last week of March.  Ideas for additional articles to be included in the newsletter were shared.

Membership:
Membership chair, Mike O’Brien, raised the need to discuss membership fees and explained the membership process as handled by the National Audubon Society and the local chapter.  Ordering new and/or additional brochures for SMAS was suggested.

Education:
Education chair, Emily Cost, shared information about a Girl Scout camp program and the need for hike leaders to lead a bird walk on April 6th.  Deb Siefken, Carole Simon and Linette Mansberger will coordinate a hiking schedule by visiting Happy Valley Camp prior to April 6th.

Linette Mansberger reported that she is presenting a program about backyard birds to the luncheon of the Homemaker’s Group of Adams County at the Pike Restaurant on April 24th.  It was suggested that membership brochures be available for that presentation.

Conservation:
Conservation chair, Emily Cost, reported on the conference she recently attended in State College for the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture.

Linette Mansberger reported briefly on the book Blessed Unrest, which also deals with the topic of conservation.

Hospitality:
Hospitality chair, Wendy South, announced that she is prepared to organize this committee and welcomes suggestions.

OLD BUSINESS

Annual Luncheon:  President Deb Siefken reported on the Annual Luncheon to be held at Hickory Bridge Farm in Orrtanna on April 27th at noon.  The cost of the meal, including tax and tip is $15.95.  Bonnie Portzline will be the speaker and will show photos of local birds.  After discussion, it was decided that: the menu will be roast turkey and baked ham with a vegetable lasagna available as needed, invitations should be sent by April 1st in an email/mailing separate from the newsletter (with a reminder in the newsletter), and items such as nametags, flowers, door prizes and tickets will be provided for the event.
UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED
          Resolved that: The fee to attend the luncheon will be $17.50, with $1.55 being collected to fund operating expenses of SMAS.

Fundraiser Appeal:  Nancy Locher raised the question of whether or not to have a direct appeal to raise funds.  Mike O’Brien reported that there has been no direct fundraiser appeal for three years.  Carole Simon noted that we now have non-profit status to participate in fundraisers.  The appropriate time of year for an appeal was discussed.
UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED
          Resolved that:  A Direct Appeal Fundraiser letter will be e-mailed or mailed to all members in October. 

SMAS Website:  Mike Bertram reported on various aspects of the SMAS Website that he has created, including calendar of events, bird lists and maps.  Mike O’Brien is assisting with local bird lists.

NEW BUSINESS

Local Membership Dues:  Discussion was held about whether or not to change local membership dues.
UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED
          Resolved that: Local membership dues shall remain at $10 per person.

Holding the Hay:  Carole Simon reported on an article about encouraging farmers to cut their hay at times that would be more beneficial for wildlife.  She suggested this article be discussed further in the future as a way to coordinate with other local agencies interested in conservation.

Great Backyard Bird Count:  Nancy Locher reminded everyone of the GBBC being held this year from February 15-18.

The next meeting of the SMAS Board will be at 4:00 on April 1, 2013 at the Adams County Agricultural Center.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Linette Mansberger