Nature Vancouver

Present: Margaret Coutts (chair), Jude Grass, Bill Kinkaid, Daniel Overmyer, Nigel Peck, David Cook, Adrian Grant Duff, Viveka Ohman, Jeremy McCall, Daphne Hamilton-Nagorsen, and Dorothy Nelson (recording). 

Margaret welcomed everyone to the meeting. Sheila Byers attended as guest.

2. Regrets Cynthia sends regrets.

M / s by Jeremy / David that the agenda be approved.

Moved / sec by Jeremy / Nigel that Daphne Hamilton-Nagorsen be appointed as a Director to the Board. Carried.

Sheila Byers was invited to introduce her proposals for discussion of the distribution plan for the Marine Biology pamphlet, Explore the Rocky Shore at Stanley Park, copies of which were distributed to directors at the November meeting. Agreed that due to the cost of production being covered by grants, the pamphlets will not be sold and will be distributed as an educational tool by trip leaders, and that specified recipients, the Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park Ecology Society, Nature Vancouver will be expected to follow this plan. Moved / sec by Jeremy / David that donated pamphlets be accompanied by a letter to this effect. Carried. Sheila was commended for the fine quality of this publication.

There was some discussion of the possibility of making the pamphlet available on the website; no conclusion was reached; Sheila will consult with Kelly Sekhon.

Moved / sec by Daniel / Bill that the minutes be approved as amended. Carried. 

None

6. Correspondence - none

Jeremy expressed extreme frustration at the failure of the Birding section head to remit financial accounts and monies in a timely manner while he in his role as treasurer attempts to finalize the budget for the year; this including receipts from subscriptions and purchases of the newsletter Wandering Tattler.

Jeremy’s budget statement has been issued and will be presented for approval at the February meeting. Question regarding the anticipated $1500 profit from the Raptor Workshop in January 2010: should it go to Birding Publications or Nature Vancouver Operating Fund? Moved / sec by Daniel / Nigel that the anticipated $1500 profit from the raptor workshop should go 50/50 to the Operating Fund and Birding Publications Fund. Carried.

        Daniel reported that the final report is pending; Daniel’s collected responses from advisors have been forwarded to Jude and June. The final report will be ready for the February meeting.

9. Vancouver Naturalist

Regarding proofreading, up to now Marian has been proof reader; Jeremy took over the task for the current issue. Infigo is the new printer, promising timely issue at a lower cost than the previous printer. Jeremy has prepared a survey for this issue inviting members to respond to 4 options for future Naturalist issues: (1) status quo, (2) status quo with an activity sheet, (3) website only, (4) other.

Roxanne Paul is resigning as copy editor with the current issue. Christine Adkins had to withdraw from layout; Infigo will take over this task for this issue in exchange for getting the printing contract. Jeremy will work with them. Publication expected in January.

Cynthia reported that work has started on the project.  The index online, by Roland Wahlgren, is being worked on by Marian Coope. Batch 1 is printed. Batch 2 is on the website. Marian has taken on preparing Batch 3. Jeremy pointed out that a hard copy is needed for the archival index.

An editor is being sought for the History updating.The History still requires a writer.

[See above]

The contract with Harbour Publishing to initiate its obligations to publish within 2 years needs to be signed and dated. Cathy Aitchison is coordinator. Wayne Weber’s checklist is integral and is not yet finalized. Jude estimates that date of readiness will be 2011, publication within 2 years.

Moved / sec by Jeremy / Daniel that the authorized signer of the contract will be in the Birding Section. Carried.

Ron Long will be away until January 2010; deadline for submissions is February 25/2010.

Final versions of waivers and guidelines for field trips, prepared by Jeremy, have been approved by the Board. Updated information will appear in the December Naturalist and will be published on the Website. Jeremy will send the approved versions to trip leaders. The new waivers will be presented to the next field trip leaders’ workshop.

Jeremy reports that the camp waiver needs considerable editing which he will do before the January meeting, so it can be included with camp applications.

13.a. Venues. Board meetings will be held at Unity Church beginning January 2010. The new projection screen is in a side room for safekeeping; Bob Gault sets it up for meetings.

Margaret Coutts’ report will appear in The Naturalist. All are welcome to the Open House at BC Nature & YNC offices to say goodbye to retiring office manager, Maria Hamann and welcome the new office manager, Betty Davison.

Birding Section – Jude reports that the Iona Island gate number will be changed December 15; Jude has recorded names who have the new #. The change was necessary due to vandalism and theft. Additional fencing will be built. Birders continue to be welcome.

Raptor Workshop promotion is out. Christmas bird count is in preparation; Peter Lepke’s boat is available for this purpose.

Botany Section – David reports an attendance of 50 at Ron Long’s talk. He stepped in when it was discovered the scheduled presentation a-v was incompatible with our equipment.

Geology Section – no report.

Evening Programs and Workshops – Jude reports no changes.

Conservation Section – Next meeting December 9 at Bev Ramey’s home with a potluck dinner at 6 pm. RSVP Juliet by December 5. Surrey Bend meeting December 10.

Camp Committee – Bill reported the committee met November 4. The 2010 summer camp is set for Meadow Mountain; ad will be on the website mid-December, and applications on the website mid-January. Next meeting January 6, 2010.

Marine Biology Section – No report.

Field Trips – No report.

Outreach – No report.

YNC – Open House December 10 at BC Nature offices.

 

Bill reported Laura Parkinson is in palliative care.

David says there are used books in a cupboard at the Museum, left over from book sales. He will contact Bob Holden.

The meeting was adjourned (moved /sec by Bill / Daphne) at approximately 9:35 PM.