SOUTH MOUNTAIN AUDUBON SOCIETY
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
September 3, 2014

The Board of Directors of the South Mountain Audubon Society (SMAS) met on September 3, 2014 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, Bob Brandt, and Linette Mansberger.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Deb Siefken presented information on the election of officers for January of 2015.  A publicity chairperson and president are needed.  Additional spaces for “at-large” reps could also be filled.

Deb reported that she sent a letter to Eric at Agway requesting the status of proceeds from the 2012 and 2013 birdseed sales and had not yet received a response.  She will attempt a to visit the store in person prior to the next sale.

SECRETARY’S REPORT
Linette Mansberger presented the Secretary’s Report for May 13, 2014.  No additions or changes were suggested to the minutes.

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 the Financial Year 2013-2014.  It was noted that an increase in cash in hand was a result of the fund-raiser associated with the Christmas Bird Count.

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, SECONDED AND CARRIED
  Resolved that: the Treasurer’s Report for the Financial Year 2013-2014 be approved by the board.

In addition, the topic of liability insurance that is required in order to use the Ag Center was discussed.  Upon gaining more information after this meeting, the Board voted unanimously (via email) to purchase a new insurance policy for a cost of $365.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Programs:
Programs Chair, Bob Brandt, reported the following:
          September 8 – Jeri Jones, a naturalist for York County Parks, will present “Your Backyard Geology.”
          October 13 – Andy Wilson, a professor from Gettysburg College, will speak about the 2nd PA Breeding Bird Atlas.
          November 10 – Pending final confirmation, Brandon Black, a wildlife biological aide for the PA Game commission, will present a program about the reintroduction of the Ring-necked Pheasant.
          January 12 – Linette Mansberger will prepare a program with pictures from travels to Central and South America.
          March 9 – Pending room availability, Deb will contact Hershey Zoo America about a presentation.  (This was confirmed via email.)
          May 11 – Mike O’Brien will prepare a program about local birding.

A suggestion for a program about Species at Risk was to contact Doug Gross from the PA Game Commission.

Publicity:
In the absence of Publicity Chair, Elizabeth Weller, Deb reported that Jim Hale is a new contact at the Gettysburg Times and she shared an article about SMAS that was recently published in The Gettysburg Companion.

Field Trips:
Field Trip Chair, Mike O’Brien, announced the following:
          Hawk Watch at The Pulpit – September 26
                   Meet at the Gettysburg CVS at 8:30
          Antietam – Date to be determined for October
          Blackwater NWR – Date to be determined for November

Newsletter:
Newsletter editor, Mike O’Brien, reported the next newsletter would be ready by early October. 
Membership:
Membership chair, Mike O’Brien, estimated membership between 230-250 members.

Education:
No Report

Conservation:
No Report
A suggestion was made that individuals could volunteer to make reports at regular membership meetings.

Hospitality:
Deb gave the following schedule:
October – Linette Mansberger
November – OPEN
December – Jon and Betsy Griffiths

OLD BUSINESS

Hershey Zoo America Program – Deb shared information on a program for Hershey Zoo America to present to our group.  She also explained the procedure for procuring two rooms for the presentation.  Publicity ideas were discussed.  Linette will contact local school districts about publicity for students.  This program costs $380, and, as per the solicitation letter, the proceeds from the CBC fundraiser will be used. 

Other use of education-related funds – Deb and Bob Brandt met with Betsy Griffiths to discuss her involvement with educational outreach activities in another Audubon group.  Betsy will be meeting with the activities director and a teacher from the Gettysburg School District to discuss possible coordination with the Lincoln Elementary After-School Program.

Members’ Favorite Birdwalks – Carole Simon will lead a walk at Sachs Bridge in September.  Linette Mansberger will lead a walk near her home in New Oxford in late October.

Focus group for firing range – Mike Bertram reported on his involvement with a focus group for the firing range to be re-opened near Long Pine Reservoir in Micheaux State Forest.

Audubon PA meeting in Wellsboro on September 19 and 20 – Deb and Linette will attend.

NEW BUSINESS

Deb appointed Carole and Linette to the Nominating Committee for officers for the January 2015 election. 

Mike Bertram will need estimated budget expenditures from board members to prepare the 2015 budget.

The next meeting of the SMAS Board will be at 4:00 on November 3, 2015 at the Adams County Agricultural Center.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Linette Mansberger