Texas Recreation & Park Society

Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting

Virtual Meeting

Tuesday, May 8, 2014 9:00-11:30 a.m.

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER --- Jim Browne, President call the meeting to order @ 9:10 am.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Browne, President, B. Griggs, Past President; Pam Nelson, President-Elect; G. Aguirre, At-Large Director #1; S. Talbert, At-Large Director #2; Kylie Wilson, At-Large Director #3, R. Kunkel, Central Region; Kelly Dietrich, East Region; T. Kelley, North Region; D. Melaas, South Region; Joel McKnight, West Region

Others/Staff: Mark Lord, Executive Director (TAAF); Scott Swigert, TML Board Representative (TMPRTA), Andy Hesser (POP Branch), Allie Thomas (TR Branch) and Michal Anne Lord, TRAPS Executive Director

A quorum was established.

CONSENT AGENDA—

MOTION / To approve the Consent Agenda as presented
MADE / Brad Griggs
SECOND / Joel McKnight
VOTE / approved unanimously

OFFICERS’ REPORT

Past President Griggs reported that he had gone to Sugar Land on May 6 to present the TRAPS’ 2014 Gold Medal Award before the City Council; and to thank them for their support of TRAPS and President Browne.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT

  1. Progress Report… first meeting of Academy for Leadership Development to be held May 15& 16 and monthly through November (except for June and July); donation of land behind the building e.g., Ms. Ames’ small piece of property will be donated rather than sold to TRAPS; moved from sell to donate … working out process to convey property to TRAPS with title company; wrapping up Institute 2014 and well underway with planning process for 2015; TRAPS did not get the Walmart grant, but the Organwise Guys(OWG) want TRAPS to apply for the July cycle. Fort Worth, Houston and Lubbock received OWGKit funding from the NRPA who received a national Walmart grant.

MOTION / To authorize the Executive Director as agent to coordinate, resolve and complete the donation of land (E. Ames) adjacent to TRAPS property; and the transfer transaction and respective legal documents and recording.
MADE / Kylie Wilson
SECOND / Dave Melaas
VOTE / approved unanimously
  1. Financial Report… first quarter financials reflect revenues at 48.74 % of budgeted and expenses at 38.59% of budgeted. Still processing some bills from Institute, but a terrific start to the FY2014.
  2. Membership Update … membership for first quarter is 2,098; the Membership Committee received a “Non-Renewal List” for the month of March reflecting individuals who did not renew in February or March, with hopes that the committee will follow up with them, noting the date contacted and the reason for not renewing, in an effort to enhance retention rates and develop appropriate strategies.
  3. Communications Update … focus on Institute and the Academy for Leadership Development. Social media efforts have been to foster more activity on LinkedIn; also Facebook “star” rating system has TRAPS with a “5 star” rating with 6 reviewers.

ACTION and/or DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Advocacy and Legislative Efforts

MOTION / To approve the TRAPS Platform for the 84th Texas Legislative Session and to present to the TML Resolution Committee as presented; and to give authority to the Executive Committee to make advocacy decision in lieu of the full board during the 84thnTexas Legislative Session.
MADE / Geronimo Aguirre
SECOND / Trent Kelley
VOTE / approved
  1. TRAPS Annual Partnerships & Sponsorships … Stacie Talbert provided on overview and background as to the impetus and the process followed. Executive Director M.A. Lordpresented the matrix that was the results of the task force discussion in fall of 2013 and subsequent meetings with Tod Spears, Commercial Branch representative.

MOTION / To approve the recommended annual TRAPS’ Partnerships(12 months with state and regional benefits) and Institute Sponsorships program as presented.
MADE / Brad Griggs
SECOND / Pam Nelson
VOTE / Approved/opposed -1
  1. Committee & Task Force Chairs/Vice Chairs Appointments… President Browne and President-Elect Nelson have worked in concert to recruit qualified and committed leadership for 2014-2015.

MOTION / To approve the proposed list of committee and task force chairs and vice chairs for 2014-2015.
MADE / Kylie Wilson
SECOND / Kelly Dietrich
VOTE / Approved unanimously

D. Discussion on TRAPS Business/Strategy Development Plan for 2014-2016…The Executive Director explained the proposed plan--fundamentally the 2012-2014 Plan with updates/revisions and new priorities. Highlights of the process and targeted outcomes include:

  • Re-evaluated plan action steps for FY2014 and assessed needs for 2015 and 2016
  • Recommended different staff focus and time table … potentially strong candidates available
  • Move Endowment & Annual Fund focus to 2015-2016

The Board was supportive of the proposed revisions shared by the Executive Director.

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS … reports were given, those with asterisks provided written reports: Central* (Robin Kunkel), East (Kelly Dietrich), North (Trent Kelley), South (Dave Melaas), West (Joel McKnight), At Large #1* (Geronimo Aguirre), At-Large #2 (Stacie Talbert) and At-Large #3* (Kylie Wilson).

BRANCHES &AFFILIATES’ REPORTS… reports were given, those with asterisks provided written reports: Parks Operations & Planning* (Andy Hesser), Texas Amateur Athletic Federation* (Mark Lord), TMPRTA* (Scott Swigert)

COMMITTEE REPORT … Institute 2015 Planning Committeehas been meeting monthly; has developed conference them, identified event venues and are in high gear for soliciting session proposals etc. Abilene is looking forward to hosting the board, branches and affiliates in August for the 3rd Quarter meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION / To adjourn the meeting.
MADE / Robin Kunkel
SECOND / Dave Melaas
VOTE / approved unanimously

The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 am.

Respectfully submitted by:

Michal Anne Lord, TRAPS Executive Director

Approved 8.8.14