The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes

Board Meeting Agenda

Wednesday April 18, 2007  9:00a.m.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore HQ Library

Roll Call:  Board members Jack Schultz, Roland Drayson, John McCombs, Christine Armbrecht, Eleanor Comings, Kerry Kelly, Tom Van Zoeren.  Mike Duwe Represented the Park; member Dick Kishline sat in.

Changes to the agenda:  None.

Reading of the minutes of the last meeting of October 11, 2006:  Approved.

Treasurer’s Report:  John presented this year’s budget, along with last year’s figures.  He also presented a general financial summary, a detailed accounting of the past half year, and a financial statement for the Port Oneida Fair.  The very thorough report was approved.

Kerry expressed a desire to place more emphasis on obtaining grants.

Committee Reports
 

Report from Park Representative: Mike Duwe

Mike presented an informative update on the GMP/Wilderness Study process.  He encouraged our active participation as individuals.

Lake Michigan Overlook:  A contractor is preparing alternative concepts, with the hope of finding a way to preserve the dunes.  The alternatives will be available for public comment.
 

Drifting Sands Newsletter:  John presented the beautiful new edition.

It was noted that we ran short last year when we had 4000 printed, so it was decided to have 5000 printed this year.

Non-Motorized Multi-Use Trail Project – Kerry Kelly:  A $12,500 grant from the Americana Foundation and a $10,000 from Cherry Republic have been obtained.  Proposals have been received, and Gosling Czubak (a Traverse City engineering firm) has been selected. Environmental Assessment and the initial design and engineering work has begun. This phase of the project is expected to be completed this summer.
 

Port Oneida Fair – Kerry Kelly:  Our state grant has been frozen $3000 short of the initial amount.  Kerry will look for alternate funding sources.

Planning for the fair is proceeding. All donations received at the fair will be directed to the fair. 15% of moneys raised at fair events will go to the fair budget.

Update of Friends web site – Kerry Kelly:  Status quo.
 

Adopt a Trail – John McCombs:  Trail problems should be directed to Lee Jameson.

Old Business
 

Bumper Stickers – Kerry Kelly:  The cooperating association (ENPMA) has a source for a slightly different sticker.  They can purchase them to sell directly. 
 

Our Tour Booklets – Kerry Kelly:  Kerry has completed informative booklets on the Scenic Drive and Glen Haven, as well as Port Oneida.  Additional booklets are being considered for ghost towns, birds, and Park farms.  We could sell them to ENPMA for sale to the public.  Alternatively we could set up a rack with a donation box for money to go directly to us.  It was decided to have Kerry talk to Lisa about pursuing the second option.
 

Oleson Foundation Grant for Port Oneida History – Tom Van Zoeren:  A $500 Oleson Foundation grant to support oral history efforts has been awarded to us.  This was almost double what was requested!  Thanks to John for executing this.

New Business:

New Island Maintenance Foreman David Chew was introduced.  Potential volunteers for island projects should see him or Kim Mann.
 

There will be a pruning workshop May 4, 1:00 – 4:00.  The group will meet at Port Oneida School, then proceed to the Charles Miller Orchard.
 

SMI Maintenance Project: Kerry has procured a donation from Sherwin Williams for paint for the fuel storage building and some decking on South Manitou Island.  We approved up to $250 additional funding for the project.  It was decided to issue Sherwin-Williams a free corporate membership for this year.
 

Nominating Committee for the Board:  The terms of Chuck Schaeffer, Jack Schultz, and Eleanor Comings are expiring.  Unfortunately, Eleanor is ineligible to continue her faithful service due to term limits.  Christine and Roland will serve as the committee.
 

Glen Haven Store Display:  Kerry and Dave Taghon are working with Bill Herd on this.
 

Specialty license plates:  Kerry contacted Representative Palsrok regarding the possibility of authorizing one for SLBE, or SLBE and other National Park areas in Michigan.  It was decided to pursue this.
 

Tractor and Mower Purchase: Kerry is looking into possibilities for a tractor that could be donated to the Park for mowing historic farm fields.
 

Cherry Republic Fund-Raising Event: We received a letter from Cherry Republic regarding a series of spaghetti dinners they will host, where non-profit organizations would help recruit customers, and would in turn receive some proceeds.  It was decided to apply to host the week after the fair, so we can sell tickets at the fair. The date is tentatively set for Wednesday, August 15, 2007.
 

Misc. Items:

It was moved and approved to reimburse Kerry for the tuition for his recent class in grant-writing.
 

Our very own Prez Kerry has won the regional award for the NPS volunteer of the year!!!  Congratulations, Kerry!
 

It was decided to issue a $210 check for the grant application for the Port Oneida Fair.
 

The next meeting will be the annual picnic at Platte River on 6/24 at 2:00 PM. Bring a desert to share. 

This is a Membership Meeting. All Friends Members and the Public are encouraged to attend.