Minutes

VIRGINIA AUDUBON COUNCIL MEETING

April 29, 2000

Virginia Power Plant, Chesterfield County, Virginia

The meeting convened in the Log Cabin on the grounds of the Chesterfield Virginia Power Plant and was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by E.L. Carlyle. The following chapter members and invitees were present:

Cape Henry: Gray Puryear

Richmond: Ann Brooks, Pam Dummitt, Caroline and John Coe, Jeanne Menuet, and Brian Moores

Virginia Beach: E.L. Carlyle

National Audubon: Dave Pardoe

Chesterfield Parks and Recreation: Mike Golden

The minutes were approved as written. The Treasurer's report, with $1,210.58 in the general account and $1,000 in a certificate of deposit, was accepted.

Before proceeding with the planned agenda, president E.L. Carlyle informed the council that Allen Shaeffer, a resident of Norfolk, is offering his collection of Audubon Magazine dating from 1960. It was decided we would ask if he can hold them a little longer and donate them to the new state office.

E.L. and Brian Moores reported on the status of the state office task force. The bylaws are under control, and the articles of incorporation will be drafted by the next meeting. The most urgent matter is energizing the science and education committees due to deadlines identified in the Strategic Plan. Grant money also needs addressing. Although start-up grant money is not available from NAS, Dave Pardoe noted that there is money available for IBA and science projects.

The council then turned its attention to the special season the meeting was being held on the grounds of a Virginia Power plant located at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area. An offer of office space was being made to the Virginia Audubon Council and, ultimately, the Audubon Society of Virginia, the new Audubon state office. E.L. noted that the attendance was disappointing considering the important decisions needed.

John Coe and Mike Golden then made a presentation about the Dutch Gap Conservation Area, including a overview of the conservation and historical acreage, the public and private partnerships at work in the area, the Henricus Historical Park. A suggested proposal called for a three-way agreement between Chesterfield county, the Henricus Foundation, and Audubon, in which Audubon would acquire office space at the expanded Visitor Center. Assistance by Audubon with educational programs at the park may offset some of the costs of the office.

E.L. asked Mike Golden to put together some terms to give to the chapter leadership. Jon Coe and Ann Brooks volunteered to work with Mike on developing some options for consideration.

The council agreed to schedule a called meeting on June 3 at the Virginia Power plant to address the offer of an office. Materials needed to be developed and sent out to chapter leaders, Dave Pardoe, and NAS.

The next regular meeting of the VAC was pushed back from July 22 to July 29 to accommodate an invitation by Longwood College to hold our next meeting at their Farmville campus. The college owns a natural area on the Potomac River and is interested in pursuing its joint use with the VAC as a nature or educational center.

E.L. appointed Julie Simpson, Andy Tate, and Manny Barrera to the Nominating Committee, which is charged with presenting a slate of officers for 2001 by the July 29 meeting.

A motion to hold the annual meeting at Airlie on October 28, with dining room privileges was seconded and approved.

E.L. read his list of chapter representatives to the VAC for confirmation.

At 12:01 p.m. the meeting was adjourned for lunch (provided by Richmond Audubon Society), followed by an interesting and occasionally exciting tour of the Dutch Gap Conservation Area in an "authorized vehicle" driven by John Coe, who drove the 15-passenger van in places it was never intended to go.

Submitted by

G. Gray Puryear