Attendees: Barbara Snyder, Nancy Simpers, Chuck Dolor, Bill Lucas, Jo Ann Dawson, Jerry Hendricks, Bob Carroll, Dan Schneckenburger, Jerry Newman, Suzan Doordan, Rebecca Taccone, Rick Waterhouse, Holly Hannum, Ralph Young.

President Dennis Clower called meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.

Minutes -stand approved as emailed and distributed at meeting. Nancy moved to approve minutes, Ralph seconded, all approved.

Old Business: Will amend previously adopted bylaws: fiscal year will reflect calendar year instead of June 30/July 1. Membership year will still begin in April. Can be a board member forever, use established term limits for officers: 2 yrs for president and 2 yrs for vice president, secretary and treasurer can run without limits.

Financial Report: by Larry Klevans. FHNC Actual Year is above budget right now, need to keep donations coming in. If in the event we can't replace Sue quickly, Tom Jones will contract out to do payroll.

Introductions were made of board members to new members, Rebecca Taccone, Chuck Dolor and Rick Waterhouse.

Nature School Report: by Holly Hannum. Dawn Preske has resigned; Holly has five applications to fill her position. Right now the job is still open. Holly has been working with Soil Conservation Service, they have agreed to fund the 4th grade program for $9000 for next school year. This should more than fund the $6.00 fee for the 1200 fourth graders. Caravel Academy grades 1 through 4 will be coming and Holly is giving them their curriculum. Is working with Americorps -there is a person almost lined up for summer work program: soil erosion table, compost bin, mowing, repair work and maintenance on buffer zone between pond and stream. Suzan suggested contacting Longwood Gardens to help with Native Plant Garden. Has an Eagle Scout ready to do a pavilion in the picnic area, (scout has $1500 from Port Deposit VFW for his project). Summer Camp (1st week is full). Has some openings left for preschool. Two scholarships are set for Skipjack Martha Lewis. (Would be a great fundraiser for August for members). Chesapeake Bay Trust is paying for half of pond restoration and half of skipjack trip. Whig is coming April 19 to do a preliminary story on Earth Day and look at school. Teachers need CPR and first aid class update.

Fundraising: Ralph Young -reported about Root Sponsors and Trunk sponsors. Will place banners [made to advertise trunk ($400) sponsors] on new sign out front &endash;we should take pictures and send to sponsors. Also -ask people to report on what signs they see on hike and give a small prize.

Special Appeal: report by Dan Schneckenburger. Will get letter out by next month

Personnel Committee: report by Dan Schneckenburger: Sue Barr is leaving. Job should be posted on website tomorrow. Talked with temp agency and will get someone out next week, Holly, Barb, Dan and Larry will sit in on interviews. 20-30 hours a week, 8.75 per hour.

Buildings and Grounds: report by Jerry Newman. Will mow tomorrow or Friday in preparation for Earth Day. Chimney is fixed. Did not point the other chimney yet. Moved sign closer to building, painted, raised it. Jerry motioned to get money for birdseed. Nancy seconded. All approved to purchase birdseed from budget for feeders.

Membership: report by Bob Carroll. 216 renewals have been sent out, received 190 back, 31 new members (221 paid members). Should consider changing the PO box to closer post office. Next year we will use address here instead of post office box. Cost of mailing was $36.00. Half of these people will probably renew. Need separate category listed on brochure for scouts. Concern was talked about so as not to lose members by giving scouts memberships.

SWAT Road Clean up: report by Jerry Hendricks: Had 10 board members report for road clean up. Had eight bags of trash and two bags of recyclables.

Memorial Grove of trees will be started. On Sunday will dedicate first two trees for Madeline Newman and Fran Young. Will have stones at base of trees with names of dedicated people and list cultivars of trees. Will set up a separate budget line for Memorial Fund. If we can reach $500 to get fund started it will provide payment for trees and stones and start-up for next recipient. Jerry will chair the Memorial Committee.

Program Committee:

Jerry Newman put article in Rising Sun Herald. Jo Ann sent out to 12 different publications. Barb sent notices to all principals, all schools, and all science teachers. Janet Fallen prepared articles for Whig and Journal (both are to do articles).

Buck's Restaurant is set to bring food in for sale during activity. Barb is bringing cake for birthday. Holly will buy sodas to sell in afternoon.

Nancy is donating tents.

Will bring dots for members and non-members to distinguish non from members. Will have sign-up sheets and membership lists ready for use.

JoAnne Dawson has placed letters on marquee. Letters for sign will be ordered as our contribution to DNR.

Suzan has about 50 plants, K-Mart and Walmart; Sanctuary Gardens is donating a tree. Is working a deal with Richardson's about giving us some stock to sell.

Holly will ask about trash barrels and JoAnn will make sure to get them here.

Board members will meet on Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 9:00 to set up for activity.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Snyder

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