Washington Native Plant Society, Central Puget Sound Chapter
Regular Board MeetingMinutes
WNPS Office Building, Sand Point – Downstairs Meeting Room
January 18th, 2010
· Ted will make corrections to the December minutes and email the final version to the board.
· Rob will post pie chart of the 2010 budget, and submit for March newsletter
· Paula will discuss future workshops with Maria
· Rita will set up a Google calendar for WNPS CPS Dates and Board Dates
· Rob and Jim will continue with Growing Wild effectiveness survey.
· Brianne will obtain clarification from Rick on his new role with the nursery.
· Howard will try to confirm Roger del Moral as a speaker for NPAW 2010.
· Brianne will contact Sarah Bergman with Board’s decision thus far regarding admin of Pollinator Pathway.
· Gary will contact Ann Stevens regarding liability and contractual issues surrounding the Pollinator Pathway.
· Virginia will cut a $1000 check for WNPS State Grant Programs
Meeting was called to order at 6:46 pm
Board Members present were: Brianne Cohen : Chair, Ted Couillard : Secretary, Rita Moore : Vice-Chair, Virginia Arnon : Treasurer, Jim Branson : Education Chair, Gary Smith : Stewardship Chair, Rob Smith : Fundraising Chair, Marcia Rivers-Smith : At-Large Member, and Howard Coleman : Program Chair.
Also present were: Linda Ellis, Maria Yousoufian, Nelson Salisbury, Louise Kulzer, Marilee Henry, Paula Mohadjer and Margaret Thouless.
Minutes:Ted sent out the 1st draft of the December minutes as well as a 2nd draft of the November minutes by email. For the November minutes, Rita made a motion that the minutes be approved. Jim seconded. Motion passed. For the December minutes, Linda had a few minor corrections. Rita made a motion that the December minutes be approved with corrections. Jim seconded. Motion passed. Ted will make corrections to the December minutes and email the final version to the board. Marilee was interested in the December minutes. Linda pointed out that they will be posted on-line.
Chair Report: [see also attached report]
Brianne had nothing to add to her written report.
Treasurer's Report:
Virginia has been integrating budget figures with Rob.
Rob will post pie chart of the 2010 budget, and submit for March newsletter.
Immediate Past Chair: Chrys Bertolotto was not present.
Prospective Board Positions:
Brianne introduces the prospective board members present at the meeting. They are:
Nelson Salisbury : Chapter Botanist
Louise Kulzer : Field Trip Chair
Paula Mohadjer : Conservation Co-Chair
Margaret Thouless : Conservation Co-Chair
Nelson Salisbury describes his background, which recently included years working for Seattle Urban Nature which has recently been absorbed into Earthcorps. In addition to his field experience in botany and ecology, Nelson has conducted many training sessions in GIS and Plant ID.
Margaret and Paula briefly discuss their backgrounds.
Board members discuss past roles of the conservation chair, including interaction with WNPS State Board agendas. Rita stated that it is important for the Chair position to report back to the CPS Board what the State Board is doing in this area.
Brianne pointed out that it is up to the Chair(s) as to what direction for which to take the committee.
Paula mentioned interest in conducting workshops. As Maria is currently organizing workshops, she asked Paula to speak with her later.
It was noted that as Co-chairs, Paula and Margaret would share a vote.
Louise gives background on herself. She is assisting with field trips for Study Weekend this year.
Rita mentioned that in the past we have had most field trip leaders trained in first aid.
StaffReport: [see attached report]
Regarding workshops, there is a concern with certain park systems regarding park fees if WNPS is holding a workshop in a public park. We should be able to avoid this. Collecting all workshops fees before hand will help to avoid this.
Linda may be looking into keeping a credit card machine around all year.
End-of-year housekeeping is coming up. Records and receipts from the past will be purged, keeping with the guidelines for a non-profit organization, however. Be mindful of this if leaving paperwork in the office.
Study Weekend and Outreach:
There was a Winter Twig workshop led by Rita in January. 15 people attended. There was a net income of $73 for the chapter. 3 non-members attended.
Maria has scheduled some upcoming workshops:
· There will be a propagation workshop in February.
· There will be a lichen workshop in March (flyers have been prepared).
Maria has contacted the WA Teachers Association regarding “clockhours” being assigned to our workshops.
Vice Chair Report: [see also attached report]
Rita will set up a Google calendar for WNPS CPS Dates and Board Dates
Education Committee:[see also attached report]
Growing Wild: Chrys has submitted final report and will not continue as coordinator if program continues.
Effectiveness of the Growing Wild program is discussed with the Board. Major points:
· Growing Wild was originally designed (at State level) to be a fund-raising program.
· The reason that our Growing Wild program has not raised funds is that there have not been enough consultations.
· The program has served as an outreach program, thus the Board has decided to create a survey of participants to measure the overall effectiveness of the program.
· The annual Flower and Garden Show has been an important promotion tool in the past.
· Other groups, such as the National Wildlife Federation do backyard habitat assessments.
· The question was raised if Jim could coordinate consultations in the interim.
Rita makes a motion that Jim serve as interim coordinator (at no cost) for Growing Wild. Ted seconds. Motion passed.
Rob and Jim will continue with Growing Wild effectiveness survey. Results of the survey should be available by April.
Funding Chair: [see also attached report]
Rob had nothing to add.
Stewardship: [see attached report]
Redmond has joined Eastside Stewardship for this year.
This year’s program will be from April 16 – June 25. Deb Gurney will be coordinating.
SERNW conference will be held February 16-19 at Tulalip Conference Center.
Conservation Committee:
Chair is currently vacant.
Nursery Program: [see attached report]
Rick has requested that he be removed as a voting member, but remain as nursery manager. This would require a change to the standing rules.
The Board discusses the role of the Nursery Manager and Plant Sale Committee. Highlights:
· The Plant Sale Committee would like a vote on the Board
· The Plant Sale Committee Chair is one of the only chair positions that the Board does not vote on. The “torch has been handed off” from person to person each year.
· Future arrangement should be such as to bring all concerned parties closer.
· The roles of these chair positions need to be clarified.
· There is no immediate need to make a change here.
· There is no immediate intent of filling the Nursery Program Chair position.
· There is no immediate intent of changing the standing rules.
Brianne will obtain clarification from Rick on his new role with the nursery.
At Large Report: [see also attached report]
Marcia had nothing to add.
Field Trips:
Chair is currently vacant.
Program Chair:
Howard will try to confirm Roger del Moral as a speaker for NPAW 2010.
Last month’s program on restoration efforts at Sand Point was a big success (large attendance). Members enjoyed learning the many details and back-stories regarding the restoration effort. Maria’s promotional efforts helped a lot.
Added Business:
Pollinator Pathway:
The Board continues its discussion of a future teaming arrangement and grant management for the Pollinator Pathway. Highlights:
· Potential financial liabilities are a concern. Will it be possible to reasonably limit these with contracts and insurance/bonding.
· WNPS CPS will need to make arrangements with the State Board to fully manage the grant.
· The majority of Board members are in favor of teaming if the liabilities can be worked out.
Rob makes a motion that the Board conveys to Sarah Bergman that WNPS CPS wants to support the Pollinator Pathway. WNPS CPS support is conditional on working out our liabilities with the project and legal review. Gary seconds.
Brianne will contact Sarah Bergman with Board’s decision thus far regarding admin of Pollinator Pathway.
Gary will contact Ann Stevens regarding liability and contractual issues surrounding the Pollinator Pathway.
Ad Hoc Committees:
The Annual Awards Ad Hoc Committee will consist of Gary, Linda and Rob; Brianne may join.
The Board Vacancy Committee will consist of Marilee, Brianne and Virginia.
The Fundraising Committee will consist of Rob, Maria and Marilee.
WNPS State Grants Programs:
Gary proposes that CPS make a one-time $1000 donation to the State Grants Program. This would take the surplus down to approximately $39K. Board discusses.
Gary makes a motion for the donation. Rita seconds. Motion passed.
Virginia will cut a $1000 check for WNPS State Grant Programs.
Meeting adjourned at 9:33 pm.
______Chair Report (Brianne Cohen) ______
Chair Report
In quick summary:
• Maria has been coordinating Study Weekend meetings and workshop details. They are
both on track.
• Volunteers have stepped forward to fill vacant board positions and they will be present at
tonight’s board meeting. I have attached their letters of interest with this email.
• An interim meeting was held at the end of December to determine how to resolve the
expiring contract for Growing Wild. The board decided to not sign the contract until
volunteers have determined that the Growing Wild program is an effective educational
program.
• We have a lot to complete this year and I think that a discussion of the “path forward” is
very important so that we may move our programs forward confidently for the rest of
2010.
______Vice Chair Report (Rita Moore) ______
______Education Chair Report (Jim Branson) ______
Education Report 20100118
Chrys B’s final report, $600 invoice. Should the Board decide to
continue Growing Wild, we will need to find a new coordinator. I will
serve as interim coordinator until we find one.
Growing Wild questionnaire has been completed by Rob Smith, and Board
members should make any final suggestions or edits tonight before we
begin calling. We have discussed where the cut-off point should be on
calling the GW program successful. If we don’t decide tonight, we can
just do the survey and decide after we have the results. Linda has
provided lists of all the growing wild applicants, so the consultants
and I can begin calling this week.
I still have about seven openings for the Flower and Garden Show. I’d
rather not have to fill all those shifts myself. I will start calling
Stewards if people don’t volunteer soon.
I am finalizing the Calendar of Events for education for 2010, trying
to decide if we can go to every event that has requested our presence.
______Stewardship Report (Gary Smith) ______
Stewardship Report – January 2010
East King County Stewardship Program-City of Redmond to be 6th Partner
The first meeting of the East King County Stewardship Committee will be held on January 20th to initiate the 2010 training program. I met with Teresa Kluver, Redmond Parks Operations Manager to discuss our program and she agreed to join our program as the 6th partner along with Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, King County, and Sammamish. Deborah Gurney, Program Coordinator for our 2008 program supported by the Green Seattle Partnership/Seattle Foundation, will be the 2010 Program Coordinator for the East King County Program. Current plans are to complete the trainee recruitment by the end of February and begin training on April 16th. Classes will continue to be held at the new Lewis Creek Park facilities donated the City of Bellevue.
Identification of Stewardship Intellectual Property
Under the new WNPS Stewardship Policy adopted by the WNPS State Board on October 17, 2009 (see attached), Catherine and I will be working with Alan Yen to identify stewardship intellectual property that is to be as part of the WNPS in order to protect the uniqueness of Society’s Program.
2010 Stewardship Grants
An announcement opening solicitations for stewardship grants in 2010 has been sent to Chapter newsletter. Grants will be awarded within the limit of $1250 approved in the Chapters 2010 budget.
______At Large Report (Marcia Rivers Smith) ______
Nothing to report.
______Fundraising Chair Report (Robert Smith) ______
Spreadsheets were sent to Board members.
______At Large Chair Vacancies ______
______Conservation Chair Report (vacant) ______
______Nursery Program Report (Rick Thompson) ______
______Staff Report (Linda Ellis) ______
CPS Staff Report 1-15-09
Volunteer Coordination: The electronic Volunteer Opportunities newsletter went out 1-15-2010.
Study Weekend: The Committee met on 1-7-2010. We will be investigating the potential for on-line payment of registration fees. Jack Nisbet, author of a biography of David Douglas, will speak on Saturday night, and Maria is looking for a speaker for Friday night. A contest for Study Weekend T-shirt designs was announced at the Chapter meeting; deadline is March 1 for submittals.
Education: The Skagit Eagle Festival was not held this year due to economic hard times. We will be preparing materials to get printed for the Flower & Garden Show, which takes place Feb. 3-7. I expect to have a poster from the Plant Sale Committee.
Field Trips: Louise Kulzer led a field trip to Scriber Lake on Jan. 2, 2010. Rita Moore will lead a winter twig walk Jan. 16th. No other field trips are scheduled.
Plant Sale Committee: The Committee met on Jan. 13th and had a good turnout. They don’t anticipate meeting again until April, but they will have Nursery work parties in January (24th), February and March.
Workshops: Maria is coordinating the second Native Plant Propagation Workshop on Feb. 6, which is full, with a waiting list.
Dangelei Fox, the 2009 East King County Stewardship Program coordinator, is coordinating a free workshop on Creating Habitat on the east side, also on Feb. 6th. There has been quite a lot of interest in it.
Maria has arranged a 3-day lichen workshop in March.
We have discussed with Seattle Parks & Recreation the need to get a permit for giving workshops in Seattle Parks. This came to our attention because Rita Moore was charged a fee for her Winter Twig Walk in a Mercer Island Park. According to Dan Iverson, here at Magnuson, “There is no way that taking a group of 20 people into a park to look at vegetation requires a permit.” The problem is that sometimes Park neighbors pay such close attention to activities in “their park,” that they may object to activities they don’t like. Dan Iverson recommended that WNPS not charge money while at a Park, but do it ahead during the registration. We can also apply for a fee waiver, if we can explain how our workshop or event meets the Parks Department’s waiver requirements.