SOUTH MOUNTAIN AUDUBON SOCIETY
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
April 1, 2013

The Board of Directors of the South Mountain Audubon Society (SMAS) met on April 1, 2013 at the Adams County Agricultural Center at 4 P.M.

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, Bob Brandt, and Linette Mansberger.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President, Deb Siefken, thanked all members of the board for their work on various projects since the last meeting.

SECRETARY’S REPORT
Linette Mansberger presented the Secretary’s Report for February 11, 2013.  No additions or changes were suggested to the minutes.

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED
  Resolved that: the minutes from the February 11, 2013 board meeting be approved by the board.

Linette reported that donations were made to SMAS in memory of Elizabeth Daniels and that notification messages were being sent to her son, Robert Daniels.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Mike Bertram presented the Treasurer’s Report for March, 2013.  No corrections were suggested.

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED
  Resolved that: the Treasurer’s Report for March, 2013 be approved by the board.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Programs:
Programs Chair, Bob Brandt, outlined the following upcoming programs:
May 13 – Mike Bertram presenting “The eBird System and Why We
          Should Use It”
June 10 – Rusty Ryan presenting “An Introduction to Bird Watching”
September 9 – Patti Barber with the Pennsylvania Game Commission
                   presenting “Bald Eagle Recovery”

Discussion was held about an appropriate mix of topics for novice and experienced birders.  Payment of fees for guest speakers was addressed briefly.  Many ideas were shared and there was a suggestion to survey the membership for ideas, also.

Publicity:
Publicity Chair, Elizabeth Weller, was unable to attend the meeting, but submitted a report outlining her efforts with the recently created Facebook page and with placing articles in the Evening Sun, the Gettysburg Times, and Celebrate Gettysburg.

Carole Simon volunteered to decorate the May display case in the Adams County Public Library and led a discussion on suggested items to be used in the display. 

Field Trips:
Field Trip Chair, Mike O’Brien, reported on the upcoming events:
          Lily Pons - April 17th - meet in Mike’s driveway at 8:00 A.M.
          Gettysburg National Military Park - May 11th for the
                   PA Migration Count -  meet at Spangler Spring at
                   7:00 A.M. or arrive as able to connect with the group
          State Game Lands #249 -  June 5th -  meet at 7:30 A.M. off PA
#234 just past Heidlersburg going toward Biglerville from
the #234 exit off US #15

Newsletter:
Newsletter editor, Mike O’Brien, reported that the next newsletter will be ready and distributed within the week.

Membership:
Membership chair, Mike O’Brien, reported an additional 20-25 members and will check on the status of brochures.

Education:
Education chair, Emily Cost, shared information on the following:

          DEP Educator’s Workshop on April 2nd about the Peregrine Falcon
          Renfrew Institute program on April 4th at 7 P.M. - “World of Crows”
                   by Adrienne Sussman

Deb Siefken, Carole Simon and Linette Mansberger will meet on April 4th to plan a hike for the Girl Scouts at Happy Valley Camp on the morning of April 6th.

Conservation:
Conservation chair, Emily Cost, shared an article about backyard chickens and her questions about how this might impact availability of insects for the wild birds.

Hospitality:
Deb reported that Wendy South was unable to attend the meeting, but has begun a list of volunteers to provide refreshments for upcoming meetings.

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.  It has been determined that approximately 20 people have already signed up or have shown an interest in attending.  Thirty participants are needed for the luncheon to be held.  Deb will investigate the procedures to cancel if necessary, although if the number is close to thirty, the SMAS will cover the cost of the remaining meals.  Deb and Carole will work together to be sure there are flowers for the tables.  Linette and Nancy will check through old materials to look for name tags and/or door prize tickets.  Mike will send an email reminder of the sign-up deadline to members.

NEW BUSINESS

Deb shared information on the York Audubon Society’s dinner to be held at the East Berlin Community Center on April 6th at 5 P.M. 

The next meeting of the SMAS Board is tentatively scheduled for the beginning of August at the Adams County Agricultural Center.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Linette Mansberger