Attendees: Larry Klevans, Ralph Young, Dennis Clower, JoAnn Dawson, Jim Campbell, Bill Lucas, Rick Waterhouse, Bob Carroll, Barb Snyder, Jerry Newman, Chuck Dolor, Rebecca Taccone, Dan Schneckenburger, Doug Hill

Vice President called meeting to order at 6:05

Minutes - There were no minutes from August, there was no quorum in August, only four attendees at the meeting.

Financial Report: Larry Klevans good month, income exceeded expenses in August.

Publicity Committee: Doug Hill showed video from Alex - wants board to email him with comments. 6-10 minutes. Make deadline of Nov 1, wants feedback in two days.

Membership: Bob Carroll all rec'd letter 8/26 about board contributions. Nothing on general membership, will give a full report next board meeting. Need vote on final conclusion of which method to use for membership appeal. Bob motioned that we proceed with month to month renewals. Ralph seconded, all were in favor of month to month.

School Report: Dan Schneckenburger provided report by Holly. (Family Day at the Farm - Rumbleway Farm - Colora).

Personnel Committee: Dan Schneckenburger talked about possibility of hiring an Executive Director. JoAnn motioned that personnel committee get together and make suggestions, Bob seconded, all approved.

Basell Grant - $2000 be given to Kindergarten classes, Ralph motioned, Dan seconded.

Thank you letters with notes from kindergartners to Basell. Check with staff regarding thank yous.

Buildings and Grounds: Jerry Newman. Signs on 273 are in place. Tree - do we want to spend money to cut it down? $450, 800 and 1300 were estimates. Phylis Kilby did not respond to plea for money from county. Bill Preske gave best price. Soil erosion table has seen it's last days - it has been rebuilt. Water has been discolored due to repairs made on system - even in outside faucet. Jerry made recommendation for grant request for new heating system - upgrade radiators or redo whole system. Mowing - needs volunteer. Bees swarmed - took the queen - new queen is coming from Georgia - her name will be Magnolia.

Program Committee: Santa Hayride is set for Dec 8. Program will start at riding stable with hayride to nature center and come down here for crafts and refreshments. Fox Trot Ball - date is set for November 10. Dennis handed out flyers.

Grants: Dan working with local taxidermist. Not fitness. Mike Dixon working with history - Dan will work with history. Work in conjunction with At Risk kids, theatre program - Cecil Arts Council, MD Arts Council. Giveaways always attract people - maybe Wildflower give-aways, give away seedlings. Renting facilities - yoga. Pumpkin patch - put in apple trees - members only pick your own. Make your own scarecrow. Family entertainment - KidStock - like Woodstock - could develop into camping stuff - would take a lot of planning and money to invest - get money from Arts Councils - can make it environmentally interesting by including songs about animals, recycling. Rick would be willing to work on something.

Need to work up (church?) retreat guidelines. Dennis - Jerry - Space, how many accommodate, rules and regs.

Pumpkin carving for this year.

Doug - Need to ask corporations to sponsor activities instead of asking for so many grants. Other people need to support us - we should play two ends against the middle. Seek the grants, but also go talk to companies.

Not unethical to apply for stuff we're already doing, ask Holly about programs already going - without having to put so much energy into something new. Holly is willing to work 1 day a week developing programs. The school activities could be redesigned to fit adult.

Doug wants a short list of activities (grant wise that we should tackle).

Perhaps we need to pinpoint businesses to go with activities.

Ralph - Pew Foundation gives 3-year grants - one to develop a garden - 75,000 per year. Get the grants to get the programs going - get the companies to support us.

Need volunteer coordinator to do more - develop longer lists of volunteers.

Dennis is back on Fair Hill Advisory. Met with Cecil Partnership - community meeting about how people. Contacted Lower Susquehanna Greenway about reciprocal memberships - can we list them as comp member? Board agreed.

Next meeting is to be held October

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Snyder

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