Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday, March 9th, 2004, 11:00a.m. – 1:00p.m.

Nature Conservancy Office

633 West Main Street, Madison

Board members present:  David Hamel, Tom Boos, Nancy Braker, and Gene Roark

Members joining via conference call: Jim Reinartz, Patrick Goggin, Rolf Utegaard, and Donna Van Buecken

Also present:  Kelly Kearns

Vice President Rolf Utegaard called the meeting to order at 11:11 am.

Minutes of the February 10th, 2004 meeting were approved as submitted.

Treasurer/Membership report for March 9th indicated $18,707.12 currently in the account.  Tom submitted a two page condensed summation of Income and Expenditures for each year, 2001 to present.  Approved as submitted. 

Old Business

Program Assistant:  Donna and Nancy presented the Search and Screen committee report.  One candidate was presented, Angela Ashley.  Angie is presently employed part time in the Baraboo TNC office.  The board voted to authorize President Undersander to draft a hiring agreement with Rebecca Smith of TNC to hire Angie to fill the PA position, to be located in the office in Baraboo.  It was noted that next year, if the job grows to more than 6 hrs per week, a more extensive announcement and search process would be appropriate. 

Newsletter:  Next newsletter should be mailed out in May.  Deadline for submission of articles to Dave Beckman is April 15^th.  The following were suggested in addition to those listed in February minutes:

               David H; Report on Garlic Mustard workshop at Ft. McCoy

               Kelly K; Species on the early detection radar.

Articles from last month’s minutes repeated here:

Nurserymen’s Association meeting report (Susan)

               Mapping workshop report (Heather will take notes & Jim will make sure she has help)

               Education Committee meeting (Rolf)

               Early Detection Project species of concern (David Egan at UW)

               Midwest Invasive Plant Network (Kelly)

               Aquatic plants color insert (Pat)

               Betty Czarapata memorial message (Kelly)

New Directors:  Donna and Gene have agreed to run for reelection.  Jen Baker, Marquette County was also nominated.  Jen has extensive botanical credentials and is employed at Prairie Nursery.  Nominations committee slate was approved with the addition of a forth slot in case a candidate is found to replace Jamie Corbisher to represent Regional Groups.  Dan and Nancy were authorized to write the election ballot and letter for printing and mailing to membership.

North American Prairie Conference (Tom):  In Madison this summer.  Last month the board approved a $100 booth space reservation but the motion to upgrade with an additional $400 “Sponsor” contribution failed at this meeting in a close vote.

New Business and Committee Reports: 

Education Committee (Rolf):  This committee needs to attract more members, a good use of the Yahoo listserve.  The meeting in Stevens Point last month generated ideas and directions.  They plan to emphasize use of the IPAW web site, and also produce a video and PowerPoint presentation. 

Legislation Committee:  Patrick has agreed to serve with Gene on Legislation Committee.

Science Committee:  The mapping workshop was completed successfully in February.

Partner Groups/Relationships:  Three members of the Governor’s Council on Forestry, Forest Invasives subcommittee joined the meeting for the last half hour.  Fred Clark, chair of the sub-committee, Ken Ottman (City of Milwaukee Urban Forester) and on the phone, council member James Heerey.  There followed, a useful discussion of common interests.  The Forestry Council is aware that invasives constitute an important issue.

"IPAW received a copy of the review plan for the Statewide Forestry plan from the WDNR and were asked to provide comment. Pat Goggin agreed to do so. Tom Boos will send it to him."

For next Meeting:  Gene suggested a completion of the chapter affiliation policy. 

Donna announced that Wild Ones will  hold their annual meeting/conference the week end  before the North American Prairie Conference and at the same location.  Good opportunity for an IPAW booth.

NRCS liaison (Dan)

American Seed Trade Association:  (Steve S)

We did not take up the agenda item of participation in the EPA GLNPO grant (Kelly).  But that was approved by vote of the executive committee a few days after the meeting.  Details to be covered at the April meeting.

Meeting adjourned 1:05pm.

Respectfully submitted:

David Hamel, Secretary

Approved 4/13/04