Minutes CAMN Board Meeting

Witt Stephen’s Nature Center

10-8-15, 4:45pm

ATTENDANCE: Diane Brownlee, Sherry Sanchez,Jane Schroeder, Dave Schroeder, Rob King, Faith Morrison

Diane Brownlee, President, called meeting to order

Minutes from August meeting weresubmitted via email by Faith Morrison, corrected, approved by the board then posted by Jane Schroeder on the website.

Treasurer’s Report:Sherry Sanchez

  • Beginning Balance$12,555.77Beginning Balance
  • Expenditures$243.61Supplies, Meetings, Speakers
  • Deposits$1,462.01Dues, Sales, Interest
  • Ending balance$13,774.17Ending Balance

Rob moved to approve treasurer’s report seconded by Jane and approved by board

AMN Update:Dave Schroeder discussed some potential long-range plans being discussed by the AMN board and possible changes in the by-laws.

Training Update:Report filed by Joellen Beard by email.

  • Nancy Deckard and Joellen, as co-chairs of the curriculum committee, have scheduled committee meeting on October 14th at 11:00am at the Clinton Children’s Library.
  • So far there are 6 NiTs registered for the 2016 class. Starting date in January will be announced later.

Old Business:

  • Diane handed out a list of existing projects sanctioned by CAMN. This list needs updating.

New Business:

  • The form to be filled out to request sanction for a proposed project should be sent to CAMN president and then to be approved by board. Rob asked that another question be added to form asking how the project supports the mission of CAMN. Two items that would deny sanction would be if fundraising is part of the project and if the volunteer hours for the proposed project would be counted by any other volunteer agency. The form will be emailed to members upon request.
  • Announcements for individual workdays are sent out by email by Jane and volunteers should respond directly to the person in charge of the particular project.
  • There was discussion on who can access website to input information. New members should be reminded to send information to Jane.
  • RVAMN has been disbanded. Their members will be welcomed as part of CAMN. RVAMN’s projects were Petit Jean State Park, Mt Nebo State Park, Mt. Magazine State Park, Dardanelle Rock Natural Area, and the Illinois Bayou. CAMN will discuss with these new members whether to keep those projects.
  • December 10this CAMN’s Annual General Meeting and Volunteer Recognition. There will be election of officers and certification recognition. There will be a approval of the by-laws which will have the prior approval by the board at their November board meeting and will then be posted on the website.At next meeting we need to decide whom to name as Volunteer of the Year
  • Dave volunteered to develop a handbook on Policies and Procedures.
  • When Holly requests volunteers for the Nature Center, she will be the contact person and her email will be given.

A motion was made by Dave and seconded by Rob to adjourn and approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:55pm to attend “Leave No Trace” reception at the Nature Center.

Recorded by

Faith Morrison, Secretary

On October 19, 2015, Board notification was given via email following a phone conversation between CAMN and AMN presidents. The following points will be reviewed at the next Board meeting and a Memorandum of Understanding will be drafted to send to AMN:

As River Valley Arkansas Master Naturalists closes its chapter,CAMN will take on the four members of RVAMN who want to partner with CAMN. Their dues for 2016 will come to CAMN. CAMN will not be able to take on all RVAMN's projects, and collaborative tasks. Those are suggested to be divided among each of the bordering chapters.