RRWC Board of Directors Meeting, April 1, 2008

Russian River Watershed Council

Board of Directors

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Healdsburg Library

Draft Minutes

Attendees:

Scot Stegeman, President

Peggy Maddock, Treasurer

Colleen Fernald

Bob Clemens

Bob Rawson

Brock Dolman

Zeno Swijtink

Karen Rippey

4:00             Approve Draft Agenda

            Ayes: 6 Nays: 0

4:05            Approve Minutes from March 12, 2008 RRWC Board of Directors Meeting

Ayes: 6 Nays: 0

4:10            Appointment of Board Members

It was brought to the attention of the Board that the by-laws allow for only 9 Board members. Because Zeno volunteered to be Secretary, a Board member would need to step down or Zeno would need to serve in a different capacity. Bob Clemens volunteered to serve as secretary.

Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1

Bob Clemens made a motion that Zeno be assistant secretary

Ayes: 6 Nays: 0

4:35     RRWC May 17, 2008 Event questions and volunteers

Peggy will not be able to attend the event. The Board members agreed to help out the day of the event, as follows:

Scot will speak with Rue to determine the food provided for the previous event.

Tim will coordinate with Mendocino representatives.

Brock will bring the screen and facilitate the conference.

Karen will bring the speaker system, computer and LCD projector.

Zeno will ensure public outreach efforts are completed and run the computer for the event

Peggy will order the food before the event. She will provide napkins, plates, utensils, coffee maker, etc in advance of the event, hopefully by April 23 Board meeting.

Karen will pick up the food at local market.

Colleen and Bob R. will bring handouts and other event material and help with setup.

Colleen will make signs and place signs for the event.

4:45     RRWC Future Direction, cont’

Scot – A potential first step is recruitment. A number of sub-watershed groups may be willing to participate.

Bob Rawson – As a 501.c.3 we can administer grants to support smaller groups. Focus grants around their problems.

Bob Clemens – Key word is umbrella. The RRWC can be the library to disseminate data. The collection of data is needed before a project can be done. Can this be a way we assist sub-other watershed groups?

Peggy – The watershed directory and RRIIS supports this approach. One problem is the housing of this data.

Colleen – Abby has been looking at how we can work together. Abby can help us move forward. Watershed Stewardship Awareness, Russian River Cleanup, Organizational Development…

Scot – We should focus on 3 to 4 topics that she can look into for grants.

Bob Clemens – I am focusing on the library concept. We need to fund someone to manage the library.

Scot – We should not focus on grants to find a need. We need to determine who we are and what we want to do. Recruitment for outreach events may work. We have been successful at these events.

Bob R – He looks at grants on website. The funnel through is with 10% may help others by managing grants.

Zeno – Important to define core missions. There is a core here to look at events and recruiting by Board. What is happening in the watershed (educate the public). Look at grants for our core mission. Not grants to pass on because it takes a lot of work.

Brock – Our mission/social understanding is important. The vacuum is not at the ground level. The vacuum is at the watershed level to coordinate activities. The RRWC can have a basin approach to be the umbrella organization to bring these different elements together.

Peggy – The RRWC has done events well.

Colleen – Would it be possible for us to get funding for RRIIS and WAMP? Bob suggested going after Prop 84 funds. Karen suggest that the expense of funding and managing a contract for RRIIS and/or WAMP may be too big of a task for the RRWC.

Scot – We should look to areas with coordination takes place. We can be a catalyst for moving programs and projects forward.

Zeno – Russian River Celebration would be a good opportunity for the RRWC to organize and provide information about watershed protection to the community. He suggested that the Coastal Conservancy may be willing to fund this event. Also, we could approach organizations who funded it in the past.

Zeno suggested that the Board coordinate support letters for USACE funding. Karen will provide a draft letter and Zeno will coordinate letter writing.

6:10     New Items

None

6:15     Next Meeting Agenda Items - April 23, 2008 Board Meeting

Klamath River Conference

Letter writing

Funding opportunities

6:15             Adjourn

Russian River Watershed Council	Board of Directors
Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm	Healdsburg Library


Draft Minutes Attendees: Scot Stegeman, President Peggy Maddock, Treasurer Colleen Fernald Bob Clemens Bob Rawson Brock Dolman Zeno Swijtink Karen Rippey 4:00 Approve Draft Agenda Ayes: 6 Nays: 0 4:05 Approve Minutes from March 12, 2008 RRWC Board of Directors Meeting Ayes: 6 Nays: 0 4:10 Appointment of Board Members It was brought to the attention of the Board that the by-laws allow for only 9 Board members. Because Zeno volunteered to be Secretary, a Board member would need to step down or Zeno would need to serve in a different capacity. Bob Clemens volunteered to serve as secretary. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1 Bob Clemens made a motion that Zeno be assistant secretary Ayes: 6 Nays: 0 4:35 RRWC May 17, 2008 Event questions and volunteers Peggy will not be able to attend the event. The Board members agreed to help out the day of the event, as follows: Scot will speak with Rue to determine the food provided for the previous event. Tim will coordinate with Mendocino representatives. Brock will bring the screen and facilitate the conference. Karen will bring the speaker system, computer and LCD projector. Zeno will ensure public outreach efforts are completed and run the computer for the event Peggy will order the food before the event. She will provide napkins, plates, utensils, coffee maker, etc in advance of the event, hopefully by April 23 Board meeting. Karen will pick up the food at local market. Colleen and Bob R. will bring handouts and other event material and help with setup. Colleen will make signs and place signs for the event. 4:45 RRWC Future Direction, cont’ Scot – A potential first step is recruitment. A number of sub-watershed groups may be willing to participate. Bob Rawson – As a 501.c.3 we can administer grants to support smaller groups. Focus grants around their problems. Bob Clemens – Key word is umbrella. The RRWC can be the library to disseminate data. The collection of data is needed before a project can be done. Can this be a way we assist sub-other watershed groups? Peggy – The watershed directory and RRIIS supports this approach. One problem is the housing of this data. Colleen – Abby has been looking at how we can work together. Abby can help us move forward. Watershed Stewardship Awareness, Russian River Cleanup, Organizational Development… Scot – We should focus on 3 to 4 topics that she can look into for grants. Bob Clemens – I am focusing on the library concept. We need to fund someone to manage the library. Scot – We should not focus on grants to find a need. We need to determine who we are and what we want to do. Recruitment for outreach events may work. We have been successful at these events. Bob R – He looks at grants on website. The funnel through is with 10% may help others by managing grants. Zeno – Important to define core missions. There is a core here to look at events and recruiting by Board. What is happening in the watershed (educate the public). Look at grants for our core mission. Not grants to pass on because it takes a lot of work. Brock – Our mission/social understanding is important. The vacuum is not at the ground level. The vacuum is at the watershed level to coordinate activities. The RRWC can have a basin approach to be the umbrella organization to bring these different elements together. Peggy – The RRWC has done events well. Colleen – Would it be possible for us to get funding for RRIIS and WAMP? Bob suggested going after Prop 84 funds. Karen suggest that the expense of funding and managing a contract for RRIIS and/or WAMP may be too big of a task for the RRWC. Scot – We should look to areas with coordination takes place. We can be a catalyst for moving programs and projects forward. Zeno – Russian River Celebration would be a good opportunity for the RRWC to organize and provide information about watershed protection to the community. He suggested that the Coastal Conservancy may be willing to fund this event. Also, we could approach organizations who funded it in the past. Zeno suggested that the Board coordinate support letters for USACE funding. Karen will provide a draft letter and Zeno will coordinate letter writing. 6:10 New Items None 6:15 Next Meeting Agenda Items - April 23, 2008 Board Meeting Klamath River Conference Letter writing Funding opportunities 6:15 Adjourn