Executive Director’s Report:

(Items in italics were added by the Secretary)

1. Membership – 21 renewal letters sent out for March, four new memberships in February
2. SpringFest  -Next meeting date to be March 2 @ 5pm at the Nature Center.
   1. Banner Signs – Price Quotes
      1. Signs by Tomorrow -- $483 w/D-rings or $398 w/grommets
      2. TCB Signs -- $475 ea w/grommets every 5 feet
      3. Advanced Signs -- $812 w/grommets
      4. Fast Signs -- $900 ea
      5. All quotes are for banners 5’ x  25’
         
         Board agreed that Cindy should use her best judgment when choosing the sign company.  Mario asked that local businesses be shown preference.  Board reminded Cindy that the sign must be reusable and the dates must be easily changed.  We will purchase two signs to replace the old signs.
   2. Sponsor packets available
   3. All other brochures available
   4. 5K entry forms available
      Last year, Springfest meetings were held once a month until March, then every two weeks.  Subcommittees met as necessary in between these meetings.
3. Goals   All Board members shall review this list and comment this week.
   1. Increase membership
   2. Increase and improve programs
   3. Increase staff salaries
   4. New membership brochure
   5. 12 or more new grant opportunities
   6. Financial solvency
   7. Uniform computing
   8. Integration of meteorological database into curriculum instruction
   9. Ability to take credit card gifts
   10. Stabilize financial situation
   11. Support educational programs 1-5 by partnering with CC BoE to meet the real cost of providing them
   12. Utilize the nature center in additional beneficial ways
   13. Break even (financially) for 2005
   14. Pay down loan to zero balance by end of year
   15. Put together a formalized, prioritized list of renovations and upgrades, then develop and implement a timeline and funding source for these renovations and upgrades.
   16. Increase amount of corporate contributions donated to support our educational (teaching and administrative) objectives by 15 percent
   17. Increase the FHNEC paid family, individual and corporate memberships by 10 percent over 2003 or 2004 – whichever was higher
   18. Identify DuPont family members related directly to Willie DuPont who may be solicited for gifts to FHNEC.
4. Wine and Cheese Tasting  Date changed to April 1.
   1. Ad ready for Chamber Matters Newsletter  -Board to review
   2. Cindy met with Robert Murray of State Line Liquors.  He said that he and his suppliers may be able to provide a full sponsorship.  Cindy will follow up.
   3. Price of event was discussed.  Board agreed that $50/couple, $30/individual was too expensive and not competitive with other wine tastings in Cecil County.  Price was reduced to $15 per person.
   4. The event will be held at the Nature Center.
   5. An advertisement in the Whig must be submitted by February 20th.
   6. Cindy will design and issue tickets.
   7. Some Board members are unable to attend.  The date will be scheduled around the convenience of State Line Liquors.
5. Foxtrot Ball reminder  -October 22, 2005.  Ed Walls Center has been reserved.  Cindy has ads prepared.
6. Habitats – Draft newsletter available for review
   1. This issue can be used as prototype for advertisers
   2. Ad policy
   3. Ad prices
   4. Need a vision for final product based on realistic printing costs
      1. Size, weight of paper
      2. Color v black and white
      
      Cost – how much are we willing to spend?
   • The first issue will be out by the end of the month.  Input and review by the Board is requested.  Cindy showed a prototype with articles.
   • All Board members are requested to bring good examples of Newsletters to the March Board meeting.
   •  Cindy will send the final draft out in .pdf format.  Board members should review the draft and provide comments.  Cindy requests input from the Board.
   • Barb mentioned that some of our membership would prefer this newsletter via email.  Sending the newsletter by email will reduce the cost of mailing and producing the newsletter.
   • Concern was raised about the folded size of the newsletter with regards to mailing dimensions.  Some folds cause mail distribution problems.  8.5” x 11” is the most successful newsletter size.
   • Newsletter needs to be sent out prior to the start of Spring programming to announce these programs.  The last Buzz was sent out in December.
   • The Board will help with the layout, but the designer will have “artistic license.”
   • The Board needs to decide how much to charge for sponsorship advertising.  Cindy and other Board members will research the market value of newsletter advertising.