GRAND TRAVERSE AUDUBON CLUB
BOARD MEETING
2.20.2020
APPROVED 8.18.20
Attendance: Leonard Graf, Barb Graf, Kathy Flegel, Ann Kennedy, Carol Towar, Mary MacDowell
Excused Absence: Jerry Freels, Shirley Mesch
- Approval of minutes from Board meeting 1.16.20
• President Graf called for any corrections. Hearing none the minutes were adopted as presented. - 2020 Budget:
President Graf presented a suggested budget. Discussion was held on each line item. After discussion several line items were modified.
MOTION: Moved by Mary MacDowell seconded by Barb Graf that the amended budget be approved as a proposed budget to be presented to the membership on 2.27.2020.
Motion: Motion by Barb Graf that Grand Traverse Regional Conservancy be given a Good Will Donation in the amount of $100 for maintenance of the boardwalk at Arcadia. Seconded by John Mesch
Discussion: The GTRC has recently completed an additional section of the board walk which is very beneficial to birders. GT Audubon members routinely bird this area and the boardwalk. This will be a demonstration of our appreciation for the work of the GTRC.
Motion Approved unanimously
- Finalize 2020 programs and field walks
Kathy Flegel reviewed the programs and field walks currently scheduled for 2020. She has made tremendous progress in a short period of time. 4.2020 membership booklet
The membership booklet will be published this year. Ann Kennedy, as Treasurer, maintains the membership list. This will be printed and distributed to the members. - 2020 Trifold of Club programs and walks
Once the program and field walk list is finalized by Kathy Flegel it will be published and distributed. - Annual Meeting: Discussion was held regarding the catering arrangements for the Annual Meeting. While the board is not unhappy with the services we have had, it was determined we should look at other options.
Barb Graf will contact Dan at Canteen Services for a potential menu, price and his availability. Ann Kennedy will also contact additional caterers to determine if there are other options for menus, price and availability. - Treasurer
Ann Kennedy provided the amount of all funds held by the club as of 2.21.20: $2725.27. This amount is for the savings, checking and includes the amount in the Walter Hastings fund.
Ann Kennedy reported that a memorial donation in the amount of $50 has been made to the Walter Hasting Fund. Mary will draft a thank you note on club letterhead.
We have several 2020 memberships that have not yet been renewed. Reminder emails will be sent out.
8.Website:
Carol Towar will update the website as soon as our program and field walks document is done. Carol also adds new member to the yahoo groups lists: Bird Alert and GT Audubon group. Ann will provide a membership file to Carol for updating. Carol also has the electronic file for the Trifold which she will send to Mary.
- Medalie Park
Grand Traverse County is currently discussing the possibility of allowing two additional businesses, Paddle TC and Paddle for Pints to drop kayaks at the park. The businesses contend that two-year reconstruction of the Fish Pass will negatively impact their businesses as their customers will not be able to enjoy the full trip along the Boardman River. They would like the park commission to allow them to put in at Medalie so that the customer has a longer distance to enjoy on their way to the breweries stops.
Last year, it was observed that kayakers were disrupting the birds and wildlife on Boardman Lake.
The board discussed concerns with the environment and the effect this may have on the birds at the flats and wildlife in the park