Attendees: Dennis Clower, Mark Crawford, Mario Gangemi, Holly Hannum, Tracy Jentzch, Del Levia, Ilene Milburn, Bill Pannill, Ron Perkins, Dan Schneckenburger, Hinda Smith, Barbara Snyder, Dan Speakman

Mario Gangemi called the meeting to order at 6:42 P.M.

The minutes from the July Board meeting were approved.

President’s Report: Mario Gangemi

REPORTS – A reminder (to myself, too) that all reports are to be emailed to all Board members 1 week prior to Board meeting. Action items and/or questions should be highlighted in those reports. It is the goal to streamline the meetings so that we can concentrate on important items and shorten the needed meeting time.

Cynthia (Cindy) Miller was introduced to the Board as our new Executive Director. Prior to taking this position, Cindy worked for the Air Force doing Public Resource work. She has been active in the “Bassett Hound Rescue” organization and has fundraising experience for non-profit organizations.
Each Board member introduced themselves to Cindy.

Program Committee: Barb Snyder
Coming programs:

• Family Campover
  

Fall Fest - September 18, 2004 8am-8pm

• FHNC will provide 8 children’s activities. These will end when our volunteers run out.
• We are still in need of volunteers for this event. The Girl Scouts have been contacted.
• We need to email all regular volunteers.
• Setup will begin at 6am. We need to know how late we can bring vehicles in to the site.
• The site of Fall Fest is in downtown Elkton. It was unclear whether it was being held in the People’s Bank Parking lot or near the Farmer’s Market.
• Holly will be setting up. Janet Fallon will be breaking down and cleaning up.
• The Nature Center will profit from all children’s activities ticket sales.
  

Treasurer's Report/Finance Committee: Mark Crawford:
Financial Report as of August 18, 2004

TREASURER’S REPORT
Our income for the month of July came from three main sources:
1. Cecil County Soil Conversation Commission $4,515.00
2. Cecil County Commissioners $2,500.00
3. United Way donations $1,614.14

The first two are grants and only the Soil Conversation grant comes with any restrictions. The United Fund income comes from a distribution of collected employee's donations county-wide.

This income will not cover the expenses for the month of July let alone meet our financial needs for the immediate future. In August we added a new executive, Ms. Cynthia Miller, for the purpose of fund raising. We need to realize there will be some "lag time" before she will be able to work on the deficit.

Our expenses for the month totaled $14,233.28. However our income, including restricted grants only came to $8,874.89. Obviously we had a deficit for the month of $5,358.39.

With Foxtrot and Cynthia Miller in our near future we can expect a better financial picture in the near future.

Respectfully,

Mark Crawford, Treasurer

• Financial reports were previously emailed to Board Members
• United Way of Maryland Application filed on August 9, 2004 as required.
• $500 Check arrived from Air Products for Springfest.
• Mark transferred Springfest funds into FHNC account

Nature School Report: Holly Hannum
Feedback from Summer Camp Programs:

• 84 Families provided feedback
  • 24 found Camps by newsletter
  • 25 by School flyers
  • 17 from friends
    
• Holly has a Summer Camp report.
• Holly is currently working on School schedules.
• Staff returns August 31.
• Uncle Bob (Black snake) laid eggs. This is a mystery as Holly thought both snakes were male. They are also different species, but the same Genus.
• Holly is currently incubating the eggs and this news has been posted on the website.
  

Personnel Committee: Hinda Smith
We now have an Executive Director. Cynthia A. Miller started on August 16th and is up and running. Initially, she will play large role in getting the Fox Trot Ball ready for September 25th. She will also be taking the time to become familiar with the Nature Center and begin developing more fundraising ideas.

Our next goal for the Personnel Committee is to reward our good educators with good raises (This means effective and fast fundraising)

Cindy wrote a response to the negative opinion article in the Cecil Whig about paving in the Fair Hill Natural Resource Area. This response was reviewed and approved by the Board.

Community Relations: Doug Hill (Not present, no report)

Membership: Joe Janusz (Not present, no report)

Building and Grounds:

• Weather station is programmed and up and running. It is feeding a data stream to UD every 5 minutes.
• Jerry Hendricks is working to incorporate this data stream into the FHNC website.
• The data can be customized for the website.
• Dr. Del Levia is trying to find a grant for a Canopy Tower.
  

FOX TROT BALL
We are off to a decent start for this year’s Fox Trot Ball. Ron has obtained commitment from 3 restaurants to offer entrees and appetizers for 30 people each. He is continuing to seek other restaurants and ideas. He could use your help (and influence) if you have some connections we could utilize. Our goal is to have all food, appetizers and desserts (We need some ideas here) to be 100% donated.

Dan Schneckenburger was successful in obtaining $1500 sponsorship from Conectiv. This will cover the cost of the band.

We still need donations for drinks and landscaping and could use some more sponsorship dollars.

Great work by Dan Schneckenburger and Ron Perkins.

Cynthia will be working on adding to what Dan and Ron have accomplished thus far and will assist with getting the word out. Our goal is to have 200 participants. If most items are donated and we get 200 partiers than we could realize $8000. This is much higher than past years, but is within reach.

Silent Auction – Do we want to do this again? If so, we need a Champion to oversee.

• Have Bucks, Bentleys, Bayard House as providing entrees for 30 and appetizers for 30. Westley’s and Chesapeake Inn are likely to contribute also.
• Ask Lisa Welch if she could do desserts
• Lisa Thome of the Rising Sun Herald will do a “Spotlight” article on the Fox Trot Ball.
• Dinner will be Buffet style, with food separated by donor.
• Some of the remaining issues are : Silverware, Dishes, and Table Cloths
• A Fox Trot Planning meeting shall be Aug 25th at 7pm
• It was decided that only Beer and Wine will be served. Ron Perkins will pursue acquiring the services of a bartender.
• Tickets shall be 10 for $450 or $100 per couple.
  

New Business:
Honorary Board Members:

• Jerry Newman was considered but the conversation was tabled until after close review of bylaws and after the Fox Trot Ball.
• Jerry Newman, Bob Carroll, Jerry Hendricks, Jim Campbell, and Larry Klevans shall be added to the “Board Member Emeritus” designation. The Board agreed that this was a more fitting title.
• The bylaws must be consulted prior to officially offering these titles.
• The Board shall evaluate this subject further after Fox Trot.
  

Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 6:30 P.M., at the Nature Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 P.M

Respectfully submitted by Daniel Speakman

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