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Virginia Audubon Council October 28, 2000 Airlie Center,
Warrenton, Virginia
The meeting was called to order at 9:50 a.m. The following VAC representatives, Chapter members and guests attended:
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| E.L. Carlyle
started the meeting with a few announcements: Lunch will be in the Jefferson
Room; Dr. and Mrs. Sladen will join us for lunch.
The Minutes of the July 29 meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer reported a total of $13,391.95. The VAC bank account had been switched from the First Union to the Bank of Clarke County, which offered better terms. Brian Moores reported on the State Office, noting that we had to take another look at the provision in the Strategic Plan which called for morphing the VAC into a State Office. There was a good argument for keeping the VAC active in parallel to the State Office. Dave Pardoe expanded on the topic, noting the experience with the Maryland State Office. At large directors may not be interested in individual Chapter matters, so for that and other reasons it makes sense to keep a parallel Council going. E.L. added that all we were doing was amending the the Strategic Plan to allow the VAC to remain. That gives us an option to have the two organizations simultaneously if we think that is necessary. After further discussion, it was agreed to defer action. Chapter representatives would get a copy of the Strategic Plan as it is now and with the proposed changes. Eileen Rowan, VAC Conservation Chair, reported that the dust had settled on the Horseshoe Crab issue, with the State of Virginia finally agreeing to set a quota of 152,000 crabs after resisting efforts to join the moratorium on the Horseshoe Crab fishery. Dave Pardoe opined that the pressure on Virginia to comply was a great example of National Audubon/State cooperation and coordination. Eileen also reported on the Virginia Conservation Assembly, the non-tidal wetlands legislation, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act regulations. On the latter issue, Eileen said that comments were requested, and it was moved, seconded and agreed that VAC would submit comments on the proposed regulations. As part of the conservation discussion, Brian Moores said that he would be attending a meeting of the Virginia Naturally environmental education advisory committee, and would report results to the January VAC meeting. In response to a question from E.L., Eileen reported the status of the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN), under the leadership of Kay Slaughter, its new President. There was general agreement around the table that the VCN was "back on track." Next, John Coe reported on the Henricus site for a possible Virginia State Office location. John had met with the Chairman of the Henricus Foundation, and the offer still stands, including a possible Audubon Center at Henricus. The Audubon "name" is no problem. In reaction to E.L.'s comment that the National had taken a "long-term" view toward Audubon Centers and State offices, Dave Pardoe noted that the VAC has to use the Strategic Plan it has developed for fund seeking, with the educational component being the most appealing. Both E.L. and Brian Moores mentioned other properties that offered partnership opportunities and Ellis Squires from the Northern Neck Audubon said that "Nature Camp" offered a possible model. The focus changed to Audubon membership, and Dave Pardoe attempted to clear some misconceptions regarding the latest developments in the membership program. For one, the Audubon magazine must change to become more mission-based and concentrate on communicating with members, rather than try to appeal to a general audience. Dave added that the image of Audubon is very much in the air, and that birds must be the image that sticks to mind when the Audubon name is mentioned. Chapters needed help, and one way to provide that help was to let Chapter Board Members decide what is doable in their current circumstances. The emphasis could be on education, or conservation, or birds, but the Chapters themselves must be able to determine their own goals and objectives. The December NAS Board would determine the new Chapter requirements. Eileen Rowan suggested a state-wide Audubon brochure to encourage membership. The meeting took a lunch break. Dr. and Mrs. Sladen joined the group for lunch in the Main Dining Room. After lunch, E.L. directed the discussion to Chapter "share". Cape Henry Audubon reported on the Bird Seed sales and on the joint meeting with Virginia Beach Audubon. FAS noted the education program, LEAPP, and the recent Conservation Awards. Northern Neck Audubon updated the group on the Hickory Hollow project. Northern Shenandoah Audubon reported on Bird Seed sales and a Boy Scout merit badge program. Richmond Audubon mentioned the annual Pot Luck supper and auction, and the new produced Bird Guide to Richmond. Virginia Beach said their Birder's Breakfast was a big success as a fund raiser. Not having heard from Rappahanock Audubon in quite some time, the Chapter charged Brian Moores to contact someone from the Chapter. The final agenda item was the election of officers for the next year, and the slate presented by the Nominating Committee, augmented by the nomination from the floor of Judy Kyle from Virginia Beach Audubon as Second Vice President was approved by acclamation. The new VAC Officers until the next election in the Fall of 2001 are: President, Caroline Coe
The date for the next meeting was set at January 27, 2001, tentatively at the Virginia Power facility at Henricus, starting at 10 AM, with coffee at 9:30. The meeting adjourned at 2:30 PM. A number of members joined E.L. in visiting Dr. Sladen's Clifton Farm to check on the condition of our swan. Respectfully submitted,
Manny Barrera
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