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The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes

Annual Meeting

 June 24, 2007, 2:00 p.m.

Platte River Picnic Area

I)       Roll Call: 

A)    Board members Jack Schultz, Jerry Powley, John McCombs, Dave Taghon, Kerry Kelly, Tom Van Zoeren

B)    Park representative Tom Ulrich

C)    Members June Powley, Alice Van Zoeren, Dick Kishline, Kathy Kelly, Dian Taghon, Molly McCombs, Lois Veenstra, and Pat & Sharon Oriel

II)     Changes to the agenda:  None.

III)  Minutes of the last meeting:  Approved.

IV)  Treasurer’s Report by John McCombs:  Attached.

A)    We have an unobligated fund balance of $8513.

B)    An anonymous donor gave $600 for initial production of our topical brochures. 

C)    A discussion was held regarding having an audit done of our finances.  This will probably be prudent and necessary.

D)   Report approved.

V)    Committee Reports:

A)    Report of Park rep Tom Ulrich:

1)     Tom thanked the Friends for our past donations, which are being well-used by the Park.

2)     GMP/Wilderness Study process:  The public comments are presently being compiled, preparatory to development of a preferred alternative and following steps in the process.

3)     The Park has a larger seasonal natural resources staff this year than it has in a number of recent years. 

4)     Eradication of baby’s breath, black locust, and other species was explained.

5)     North Unity School is being stabilized.

6)     The Eitzen Farm has had structures stabilized.

7)     The Park is finalizing contracts to pave the Dune Climb parking lot.

8)     Plans are being made to define and harden the parking along the ends of County Roads 669 and 651, and to provide drinking water.

9)     Safety concerns at the entrance to the Scenic Drive are being addressed

10)            Leelanau Enterprise intern Kate McCarty is writing weekly articles about Park topics.

11)            There is hope that next year’s budget will restore funding for staffing, etc., which has been cut in recent years.

12)            There is a possibility of a new program to provide funds for certain projects for which there are matching funds:  Relighting the South Manitou Light, controlling baby’s breath, etc..

13)            The type E botulism phenomenon is being studied, and further studies are planned, in the hope that the problem can be addressed.

14)            A partial wish list for Friends donations was presented.  It will be added to and considered during coming months.

B)    Drifting Sands Newsletter:  Molly provided an update on this beautiful publication. 

1)     5000 copies of the current edition have been printed.

2)     As usual, ideas and articles are welcome.

C)    Adopt-a-Trail: 

1)     We have a number of new adopters. 

2)     It was emphasized that volunteer hours should be reported so the Park can justify its budget.  Copy Molly on your hours, so she can also keep track of our volunteer hours.

3)     Molly will send out an emailed program update to adopters.

D)   The Non-motorized Multi-Use Trail (The Bike Trail):  Kerry reported that Gosling Czubek has the contract to do the engineering work.

1)     Approximately $300 is needed to complete the funding left after Cherry Republic’s grant.  A motion was approved to cover that shortfall.

2)     The plan should be completed in August, followed by public review.

E)    Port Oneida Fair:  Kerry reported that everything is on track.  A sign-up sheet was available. Kerry will contact others to fill the open slots before the fair.

F)     Volunteers are needed to staff the Friends’ booth.

VI)  Old Business:

A)    Bumper stickers:  We now have three models, with the addition of a “Got Sand?” edition. 

1)     They have thus far been funded by an anonymous donation.  They will become self-funding through donations received at the new donation box being constructed.

2)     The Friends will soon have a donation box/sales shelf of its own, created by Dick Kishline.

B)    Visitor Booklets:  Kerry continues to churn them out faster than the rest of us can even review them. 

1)     Comments are being sought on his new ones on geology, lighthouses, the Manitous, the Scenic Drive, and Glen Haven. 

2)     The books can be downloaded from our web site (with color pictures).

C)    South Manitou restoration project:  Thanks to Sherwin Williams for the donated paint!  They and Architectural Gardens are new corporate sponsors.  Please show your appreciation when you shop.

D)   Specialty license plate:  We are waiting for the legislature to produce the needed bill.

E)    Tractor:  One is being sought to help with the open field management program.  It is expected to cost $8 – 10,000 for the tractor and brush hog.  Cherry Republic has committed to providing $2000.  Additional donations will be solicited at the Fair.

F)     August 15, 6:00 – 8:00, we will have a spaghetti dinner (with cherry sauce) with Cherry Republic.  We will receive half the proceeds.  We are selling tickets for $10.

1)     If you can sell tickets, contact Kerry Kelly.

VII)           New Business:

A)    Nomination of Board members:  Special thanks to Eleanor Comings, who must take a term off after years of great service!

B)    The nomination committee proposed Jack and Chuck for another term.  Both were approved.

C)    It was proposed and approved to ask Dick and Molly to rejoin the Board after terms off.  Both were approved.

D)   Pat Oriel was introduced and nominated to join the Board.  The election was approved.

VIII)         The meeting was adjourned at 3:40, followed by great snacks and company.

Note:  In a short meeting following this one, the Board elected officers—the same as last year:  Chairman, Kerry; Vice-Chairman, Jack; Treasurer, John; Secretary, Tom VZ.

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