Russian River Watershed Council

Board of Directors

June 6, 2007, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Conference Call

 

 

 

 

Draft Minutes

Attendees:

Scot Stegeman, President
Tim Buckner, Vice-President
Colleen Fernald, Secretary
Peggy Maddock, Treasurer
Curtis Kendall
Bob Rawson
Jerome Dix
Karen Rippey

4:00    Agenda Approved – unanimous with addition of new items: Retreat, Communication, Fund Raising, and Water Discharge

4:10   Minutes Approved, unanimous

4:20   Officer Reports

President –

Secretary of State office has not processed our by-laws.  They should be complete on June 15.  To be an “official” non-profit, we need three things: Corporate number (which RRWC has), Federal non-profit status (not critical at this time because our income is so low) and State non-profit status (what is in the Secretary of States office now).  The Federal tax ID number is good.  After receiving additional funds, within 6 months we need to file for Federal status.

Vice-President –  

Tim has been working with Rue for the July 21 Mendocino Co. Event.  Will report on this item later in the meeting.

Treasury –

The bank has not received 501C3 status paperwork to waive the $4.00 monthly fee.  Scot will take care of it tomorrow.  Insurance is due next month, approximately $2,500.

Secretary –

Colleen met with Randy Poole and explained that non-profit status has delayed the criteria selection process.  Randy suggested that Colleen speak with Sean White and Keenan Foster to review the Coho Recovery Plan.  There are key issues that are not adequately covered in the plan for the RRWC to fill in gaps.  Colleen will send selection criteria to Tim for review.  Tim suggested that Colleen talk with Chuck Conner because Chuck suggested that Gallo Vineyard be involved in the trib watershed selection.  Green Valley Creek, Dutch Bill Creek, Forsite Creek and Porter Creek were suggested watersheds to be considered.  Watershed selection will not happen without input of the Baseline Assessment.  Criteria approval is needed at this time.

4:30   RRWC By-Laws

Low attendance at the May 19 meeting demonstrated the potential problem of a quorum.  Scott will send out an email to notify RRWC members about quorum issues and the September RRWC meeting will have a portion of the meeting dedicated to finalizing by-laws, including quorum issues.  The quorum at general meeting should not be less than number of officers. 

5:00   May 19 Event Review

Attendees really enjoyed the event, program was great and the panel was a good cross section of interests and suggested that we do more.  It needed more publicity, people to support the event, need to have press there, need a media packet.  Peggy enjoyed it but would like to form an outreach committee, as in the past.  Peggy asked for volunteers to discuss outreach ideas and proposals for the future.  Colleen volunteered.

5:10   July 21 Mendocino Co. Event

Tim stated that the location is probably at the Mendocino Wine Company, 2 miles north of Ukiah, holds 200 people.  Rue has contacted a number of people to be presenters.

6:20   Approval of May 19, 2007 RRWC Panel Discussion

Unable to get Cloverdale Hall so Peggy found location at Raven Theater.  Rue suggested Fred Corson as panelist.  3 or 4 questions for speakers.  Peggy will contact League of Women voters for person to monitor.  Peggy will provide title for Santa Rosa Wastewater Discharge. Issue and contact for last speaker.

6:45   New Items

Retreat - Colleen suggested that the Board hold an annual event/planning retreat for Board members to have fun and know each other better.  Tim suggested that  Colleen write up a proposal.  Jerome suggested a long-term strategy planning retreat.  Bob Clemens volunteered to speak with a canoe rental business about providing canoes for the retreat.  The event would be after Labor Day and before October 15.

Communication – Colleen feels that website needs a page for the Sub-Watershed Grant and an general update of the site.  Colleen does not have access to the steward email address any more and she wants it.  Colleen requests that at least two people have the user names and passwords of all accounts, etc.  Karen will email Zeno, copy Colleen, to clarify the steward email account concerns.

Water Discharge – Peggy updated the Board on needs to get the work out on water use/waste water discharge/treatment.  Need to promote and educate.  Board members thought this issue should be a standing issue for update at Board and RRWC meetings.  Karen suggested tat the speaker for September RRWC meeting should be the SCWA North Sonoma County Ag Reuse Plan.  Peggy will contact speakers.  The RRWC should be involved in the promotion and education of the public on wastewater issue.  In February 2008, Russian River Keeper Steelhead Festival in Healdsburg was a good venue to further this process.  This was a suggestion from Congressman Thompson staff.

7:00 Adjourn

Next Board meeting agenda items – June 27

  • Rue will present outline of Mendocino Co. Event
  • Fundraising, review Colleen’s proposal, expand RRWC yahoo listserv.
  • Review criteria for SCWA Watershed Grant
  • Bob Clemen update of fiscal sponsor for river cleanup

September 8, 2007 RRWC Meeting agenda items

  • Presentation: SCWA North Sonoma County Ag Reused Plan panel discussion.
  • Review and finalization of RRWC By-Laws
  • RRWC Outreach and Fundraising