Approved Minutes

Virginia Audubon Council Meeting

April 28, 2001

Grace Episcopal Church

Kilmarnock, VA

Present: Ellis Squires, Evie Thorndike and Rick Skelton, Northern Neck; Stephanie Farley, Fairfax; Juliana Simpson, No. Shenandoah Valley; Caroline Coe, Jeanne Menuet, Dick Menuet, Ann Brooks, Eileen Rowan, Richmond; E.L. Carlyle, Sue Carlyle, Virginia Beach; Dave Pardoe, National Audubon; Thomas Urquhart, NAS Field Support.

The meeting was convened at 9:50 a.m. After introductions all around, President Coe reported on her visit with Thomas Urquhart to the offices at Henricus. The building is finished, the offices are equipped, and both Virginia Audubon and Richmond Audubon are there. President Coe asked "where to now?"

Thomas Urquhart told the group about his background in Massachusetts and Maine Audubon, before moving to NAS Field Support, charged with helping in the setting up of state offices. Urquhart explained that the NAS Board's mission is to set up five new state in the next fiscal year. He said that Virginia is on of the top five states. He plans to work with Eileen Rowan to set up a proposal for development of a Virginia Office, and to draft a job description of the State Director.

Dave Pardoe discussed possible NAS financial support. These possibilities will be better known after the upcoming Budget meeting, and the NAS Board meeting which will come later. He mentioned that two potential candidates for Director of the VA Audubon office are known.

Eileen Rowan reported that she and Urquhart would be making a proposal on how VA can develop a permanent State Office. Using the IBA office, she could be working on fund-raising on a part-time basis.

E.L. Carlyle wants a commitment for funds from NAS. (Some money has already been sent to National for use in a State Office. Dave Pardoe explained that that money will be used to help defray the costs of running the State Office). It was agreed that: 1. Pardoe will send a copy of the NAS resolution indicating that VA is one of the priority states for new Audubon state offices in the upcoming fiscal year, and Urquhart will get Glenn Olsen to send an e-mail, both pertaining to financial help from NAS, and 2. Then President Coe will initiate a phone vote on the resolution.

In Eileen Rowan's report on the IBA program, she said that she has applied for a grant from Va. Game and Inland Fisheries dept., and also for a grant from Bierne-Carter Foundation. She indicated that one or both would require matching funds, possibly from a Virginia Foundation. She said that funds were pledged from a VSO team of birders in the "World Series of Birding" to support an IBA program for Virginia. Once funds are received, Eileen will begin the process of soliciting nominations for IBA sites.

Dick Menuet mentioned the recent passing of Fred Scott, and asked if we would consider a tribute to him. Eileen Rowan concurred and spoke on the fitness of a permanent memorial. President Coe asked him to develop ideas for a suitable memorial.

E.L. Carlyle reported that Longwood College, where Council met last year, has established an endowment for the purpose of developing an environmental education program for their recent acquisition of land at Ames Hull Creek.

Ann Brooks asked if there was a way to identify general Audubon members in Virginia who were not affiliated with a chapter. President Coe indicated it has proven difficult to establish new Audubon chapters in Virginia because of the well-established bird clubs in the western part of the state. This unique situation came about because the State of Virginia was part of the Naturalist Society of the Central (Atlantic) States before Audubon organized chapters here.

The Treasurer's Report shows that VAC has $12,728.32 in three CDs and $1292.79 in cash. The CDs can be cashed in eventually to provide funds for the State Office. VCN dues are past due. In the last few years, we have joined at the $1250.00 level, and billed our chapters for $250.00 each. (Although one chapter has not responded.)

E.L. moved that this year, because we have a greater need for the money, that VAC join VCN at the $300.00 level, billing the chapters $50.00 each. The motion passed, and it was noted that the chapters might also join individually.

The next meeting will be Saturday, July 28 at a location to be announced.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne Menuet,

Acting Secretary