The Board of Directors of the South Mountain Audubon (SMAS) met on April 26, 2012 at the Adams County Agricultural Center at 4 pm.

Vice President Cy Deitz called the meeting to order with the following directors present: Bob Brandt, Carole Simon, and Nancy Locher. Committee Chairs Mike O’Brien and Deb Siefken were present, along with Elizabeth Weller, the new secretary.

Mike Bertram being absent, Mike O’Brien reported a bank balance of $752 (taking into account one outstanding check) along with 3 CDs worth $7830. Mike O’Brien also reports a $9 fee for an extra mailbox key. It was unclear as to whether or not SMAS will reimburse him for this cost.

Mike O’Brien then passed out copies of the SMAS Membership Activity Scorecard, reporting an official membership number of 259. However, Mike pointed out that the actual membership was less than 200 once expired records not yet deleted by NAS, duplicate subs, multiple subs at the same place of residence, and undeliverable mailing addresses were factored in.

Mike O’Brien reported on field trips. 5 showed up for the field trip to Lily Ponds where 52 species were counted. The next field trip is the PA Migration Count (PMC) at 7 am on May 12th at Spangler Spring in the Gettysburg Battlefield. On June 7th, there will be a field trip to State Game Lands 249. See the newsletter for more details.

Program Chair Deb Siefken reported on upcoming speakers and programs. If Art Art Kennell is unable attend the May meeting, there are two back-up options. 1) Lynette Mansburger may agree to offer a 45 minute program on bats 2) The following films could be shown: The Big Year, Winged Migration, or Saving Pelican 895. After some discussion, the latter choice was favored among the board.

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED Resolved that: The purchase of Saving Pelican 895 for viewing in May or some future date be approved by the board.

For the June meeting, Deb introduces Tom Harvey’s (or is it Harry Stokes?) work with Project Gaia, “a global initiative for the development of clean-cooking fuels. It seeks to establish and promote the use of alcohol fuels for household energy for all who have limited access to clean energy, including disadvantaged and marginalized peoples who suffer the added burden of being energy poor” (http://www.projectgaia.com).

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED Resolved that: At the June meeting, 2 stoves be donated to Project Gaia using funds from the program budget.

Deb reported that she was unable to reserve a room at the Ag Center for the October meeting. She agreed to look into whether or not the room would be available on a different day of the week. Additionally, she would determine whether or not the difficulty in reserving a room had anything to do with SMAS being a “nominating member.” Additionally, Deb reported the possibility of the September meeting being at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Cy Deitz recommended looking into beekeepers for future meetings.

Carol Simon was reminded that she is in charge of refreshments for the May meeting.

Mike O’Brien asked for anyone interested in helping with publications to please contact him.

The board then reviewed “old business,” beginning with the September 2012 luncheon.

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED Resolved that: the September luncheon be moved to April 2013.

On “new business,” Deb shared an e-mail from Rusty Ryan in which he shared a request from Fran Kock for someone from SMAS to schedule a field visit to help identify available data sets that may be used to improve the LCAC’s understanding of the ecological value of a 147.26 acre parcel along Marsh Creek on which they are implementing a conservation easement.

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED Resolved that: the SMAS board agreed to assist the Land Conservancy with census trips.

The board then discussed how to raise funds. Nancy Locher suggested donations based on the Christmas bird count. Similar fundraisers have been done by SMAS in the past. Nancy agreed to find and share the letter SMAS used in the past.

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED Resolved that: the SMAS 2012 fundraiser be connected to the Christmas Bird Count.

It was then established that the annual SMAS picnic held at Hershey’s Campground in York Springs would take place the second Monday in August.

Mike O’Brien agreed to do the annual report.

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

Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth O Weller