Attending: Bob Gray, Chris Hoess, Anna Hull, Tracy Raymond, David Ross, Bill Whittaker, Henry Whitesel in person; no one via phone 2:00pm at Lincoln University.

A) Key Dates

1. Our next board meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 10, time TBD (after Deloitte) at Henry Whitesel’s house
Conference Dial-in number: (716) 748-0224 (potential toll call) Host Access Code: 445962* Participant Access Code: 445962#

2. Hikes, Talks, Work Days and Other Commitments

Saturday, May 28, New Texas, 9am – Chris leads
June 1, Oxford First Friday – we will attend if NCP does
Friday, June 03, GH Work Day, 9 am – Anna and Henry lead
Friday, June 10, Deloitte Work Day at GH – Molly leads
Saturday, June 11, Photography Hike – TBD
Saturday, June 25, Lower Chrome Work Day, 9am – Bob leads
July 1, Oxford First Friday
July 9 or 16, Fame Flower Hike at GH -- Chris
July 23, Strategic Planning Retreat – Henry’s house, 10-2
August 5, Oxford First Friday
August 13 (tentative), Moths and Birds at Dusk

B) Action Items Going Forward

Agenda Items Tabled to June

Dissemination of Workday Reports
NCP Shed Project.
Update on March 22 TNC stream restoration visit to Lower Chrome.
Finding Eagle Scout partners.

Molly Anderson

Update on Lower Chrome Mowing
Lower Chrome TNC stream restoration project
To schedule prep conference call for Friday, June 10, Deloitte Work Day at GHme.
Schedule Lower Chrome mowing.

Mike Bertram

Point person for our history initiatives

Bob Gray

Point person for strategic planning initiatives.

Chris Hoess

Will work with Tracy to maintain contact database (add mailing address and phone numbers).
Will lead May 28 work day at New Texas
Will obtain two chains (3 yards each); two locks; and plywood for shed for May 28.
Will lead July 2016 fame flower walk at Goat Hill; needs to pin down date
Will pursue moth contacts for August event.

Anna Hull

Contact Molly about status of Lower Chrome mowing
Contact Joe to see if special permission is needed for an evening event at GH.
Co-leads June 3 work day at Goat Hill (coordinate planning with Henry)
Ask Marci to include her on email list about monthly Friends group conference calls.
Will will ask PPFF about possible strategic planning supports (e.g., finding a moderator?)
Point person for science and education initiatives.

Liz Johnson

Will provide mowing BMP guidelines/talking point handout we can use with mowing
volunteers.

Tracy Raymond

Will circulate Chrome brochure text for Board review and obtain Elk Township taxexempt number.
Will meet Henry on May 19 to check out New Texas worksites.
Will work with photo walk leader for June 11 walk: potential fee, location and time.
Will post to Dropbox an updatable list of likely tabling/network opportunities for next year.
Will work with Chris to maintain contact database (add mailing address and phone numbers).
Point person for membership and outreach initiatives.

David Ross

Meet Henry on May 17 to deliver Billy Goat to Bill Kent.
Responsible for getting May 28 work day supplies to New Texas and returning same to TNC shed.
Follow up with Gary Coutu about GIS progress.
Point person for administrative initiatives.

Kent Wagner

Point person for recreational uses and trail planning initiatives.

Henry Whitesel

Will call Hannums to confirm May 28 workday.
Work with David on May 17 to deliver Billy Goat to Bill Kent.
Will meet Tracy and Bill to check out New Texas May 28 sites on May 19.
Co-leads June 3 work day at Goat Hill (coordinate planning with Henry).
Call Pal about Upper Chrome mowing. If completed, email Board so we can remove orange flags. If it can be done in next week, email Board with time so we can help and remove orange flags.
Point person for conservation/maintenance planning

C) Agenda Items Considered

Welcome, Meeting Minutes and Agenda

Next Meeting Date

Friday, June 10, time TBD (after Deloitte) at Henry Whitesel’s house

Events and Stewardship Days – past and future

• Mowing update
Anna to check with Molly on Lower Chrome
Henry check with Pal; let Board know if mowing has been completed or will be completed within the next week. Orange flags intended to identify stumps and make more visible Rachel’s green flags. Ideally we will remove orange flags as Chris Fowler completes his mowing; otherwise we need to find a time to stop by and remove them.

• Reports from walk and First Friday
May 6: Many folks came out, despite rain and cold; shared NCP tent.
May 14 Bird Walk at Goat Hill – 11 people signed up; Marian Quinn, from Tri-State Bird
Rescue & Research. Hope to interest Marian in leading October Fall Migration bird walk.

• PPFF banquet
Tracy, Chris and Anna attended PPFF banquet at Camp Hill. Useful to catch up on what other Friends groups are doing.
Henry and Bob recalled that PPFF has had a monthly conference call that allows Friends chairs to exchange information. Anna will follow up with Marci.

• Upcoming outreach events
June 11 – photo walk; time and park TBD; would photographers want to be paid? Tracy to let us know.
July – Fame Flower Hike – Chris to choose date
August – Moths and Birds – August 13
Chris to pursue moth contacts
Anna to contact Joe to see if special permission is needed for an evening event at GH.

Tracy and Bill have been keeping their eyes out for potentially rich tabling opportunities.
Lancaster Native Plant and Wildlife Festival and Tri-States Bird Rescue & Research seem promising. Tracy will post to Dropbox an updatable list of likely tabling/network opportunities for next year.

• New Texas 5/28 (Chris leads)
Henry will call to confirm the date with the Hannums.
Henry, Tracy and Bill will check out potential sites (likely KK and Y) on May 19.
Need bush hog, bush whacker, sawyer, weed wrenches. Need to make sure that we have enough PPE – especially because new helmets purchased with McLean funds may not arrive by this date.

• NCP – make up? (who leads?)
Both dates rained out; wait until Fall

• TNC Shed, rocks and lock
Chris will obtain two chains (3 yards each); two locks; and plywood for shed.

• June 3, GH workday – Anna and Henry to consult about proposed work

• June 10, Deloitte workday – Molly to schedule planning conference call.

Education and Outreach

• West Chester (David)
David to email Gary

• Volunteer recruitment and follow-up
Chris and Tracy will update contact list to include available phone numbers and addresses.

• Newsletter
Tracy has researched using Microsoft Publisher to create newsletter. Will consider after Strategic Planning retreat.

Grant Update and Fundraising (Anna)

• McLean grant
Successfully spent. Remaining PPE equipment is on order.

• Fundraising
Tabled.
Strategic Planning

• Process
Anna will ask PPFF about possible supports (e.g., finding a moderator?)

• Date and Venue for Strategic Planning Meeting/Retreat
Saturday, July 23 from 10-2 at Henry Whitesel’s house.

• Major Goals brainstorming
Devoted the last 10 minutes to sharing our sense of what we hope the retreat will accomplish

Adjourned at 4:12 pm with thanks to Anna for hosting