Attendees: Bob Carroll, Dennis Clower, JoAnn Dawson, Suzan Doordan, Holly Hannum, Doug Hill, Phyllis Kilby, Larry Klevans, Bill Lucas, Jerry Newman, Dan Schneckenburger, Barbara Snyder, Rick Waterhouse

President Dennis Clower called meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Minutes: stand approved as emailed and mailed. Suzan moved to approve and Larry seconded, all approved.

Financial Report: Larry Klevans reports an additional $500 from Fox Trot. Will talk more at retreat about programming and planning. Rick Lonie submitted last invoice. Last payroll will be run Friday the 14th. Have not received any income.

Dennis thanked all for their work at the Fox Trot.

Nature School Report: Holly Hannum presented at Cecil County Board of Ed tonight, passed out report that she gave at Board Meeting. Hoped that transportation funds will be increased. Mike Gordon seems to be an ally. Soil Conservation grant wants all fourth graders -last year there were not enough funds (4th and 5th graders have to pay for transportation). We were featured prominently in the WaterFowl Festival booklet. There has been a concern about yellow jackets -in one day five children were stung. Is looking for ideas as to what to do about getting rid of bees.

Personnel Committee: Dan Schneckenburger reported that Crystal Waters would not take job. Will keep looking. Will send resume to staff in case they're interested in applying for the job.

Board Retreat: January 21 was decided for the day, Nature Center as the place, meet at Wesley's at 8:00 for breakfast with the Maryland delegation, 9:30 -4:00 for retreat, catered for lunch.

Rental of Bldg and Memorial Garden: Jerry Newman, Ralph, Jerry Hendricks. Youth community organizations would be $60 for cleaning fees. Members who volunteer with 60 hours- $80, Others $150, Corporate donors who have donated at least $400 to the Nature Center in the current calendar year $200, Corporation -non donors $300. Will write a letter to Contacts list offering them the building. Committee moved to get this going, Barb seconded. All approved.

Memorial Garden: Trees, stone, digging hole -weren't sure that costs were quite right - will revisit this topic at next meeting. Was thinking to start an endowment type affair. Dennis wants to offer this as $1000 for non members, $500 for members. Jerry Hendricks will bring a class from U of D to design the garden.

Membership: Bob Carroll report - Pat has worked on membership mailing. Mailing that was done in November will get second notices. As soon as she gets back in the new year, the big drive for all the April memberships (bulk of list) will go out with second notices to follow six weeks later. Scouts (Youth Community Organization) are going to be listed as a separate membership on the new brochure, with rates falling as 1-8 members $30

8-15 members $50. Bumper stickers were discussed as fund raiser perk. Will send out membership brochure with Chamber's newsletter.

Email alphabetized membership list to board members and by category.

Buildings and Grounds: Jerry Newman showed board his award -had write-up in Herald. Jerry and Holly want to do another Blue Bird and maple syrup day. It is scheduled for March 2. Will not cut tree in front of Nature Center until then so that we can tap tree. Bee Hive is on order, Laura Linton will provide bees when we receive it. Woodlawn is doing Owl Prowl on January 3rd at Woodlawn. Cecil County's Most Beautiful received ballpoint pen from John Styer. Holly suggested that we ask John to make some pens out of the tree for retiring board members.

Volunteers: Think of a business (like a Ben and Jerry's stand) that could be a potential money maker staffed by volunteers -no reason that a non-profit can't take advantage of business opportunities.Tabled 'til retreat.

SpringFest: Barb Snyder talked about activities. Will e-mail minutes of SpringFest committee to board members. Planning is moving forward to make things happen -there's a concern with date.

JoAnn Dawson shared an article from New York Times that was written by a writer that came to her stable the day after Thanksgiving.

Doug Hill shared that we are in a book called "Off the Beaten Path", by Judy .? . . Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center is mentioned.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. No regular meeting in January. Will use retreat as meeting on January 21, 2002.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Snyder

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