Nature Vancouver

Present: Margaret Coutts (chair), Bill Kinkaid, Dan Overmyer, David Cook, Daphne Nagorsen, Nellie Bacou, Nigel Peck, Dorothy Nelson (recording).

Margaret welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Regrets from Jeremy McCall, Cynthia Crampton, Jude Grass, Viveka Ohman

Moved / sec by David / Daphne that the agenda be approved with the addition of (4.a.) Motion to change signing authority.

Moved / sec by Bill / David that the minutes of May 4, 2010 be approved as corrected. Carried.

Jeremy is absent tonight. Moved / sec by Dan / Nellie that Cynthia Crampton, Margaret Coutts and Jeremy McCall have signing authority. Carried.

A letter was received by Margaret in response to her email to Elizabeth Godley.  Elizabeth requested a refund of her membership dues after learning that she would not have a place at the 2009 Camp.  Margaret e-mailed Elizabeth, indicating that her request was considered and denied by the Board.  In response, Elizabeth stated that she accepted (unhappily) the decision.

Further to the issue of the future of Bloedel Conservatory, Van Dusen Gardens has offered to serve as manager; Jim Brookes is the contact. A letter of support was sent by Margaret on behalf of Nature Vancouver.

Letter received from Kwantlen Polytechnic University re environmental activism; Kelly will be asked to send out info on the website.

A. Strategic Planning

Margaret contacted Pat Wilson to consider changes to the membership application form. Daphne submitted a suggestion that particular interests of new applicants be solicited. Also a survey of current members’ interests was suggested. Jude has expressed interest in canvassing to discern interests not currently covered (e.g. “mammals”). Margaret will outline a sample survey for the August meeting of the Board.

Re Partnerships, David has attended 2 out of 4 Beaty Museum Open Houses to find people for Botany talks. He has been contacted since by Beaty volunteers re his and Terry Taylor’s nature walks. Margaret will ask Beaty to submit specific requests.

Re raising profile with the media; caution required with advertising to non members; this subject needs more discussion due to policies, waivers etc. Nigel suggested we have a media blitz for Lectures for the Fall, not for field trips. Nellie has found access to certain media for advertising and will have a list of contacts for August meeting and will take on the job of notification. Libraries are good for advertising; David said Dick Canning’s sister is a librarian who keeps materials in North Vancouver libraries. She should be contacted for information. Daphne will check Kits branches. Margaret will check Firehall branch. Daphne suggested a list of upcoming events to be distributed 2 weeks ahead to community centres, libraries, MEC, Book Warehouse and others locations as members see fit.

B. Conservation Section’s New Policies

Part 7; primary / secondary issues defined according to geographic area. Specific areas’ needs (Pacific Spirit Park, Lighthouse Park, etc.) determined. Moved / sec by David / Dan to accept changes. Carried.

Daphne: issues should be on the website, not only in The Naturalist because sometimes the Conservation Section has to take action before the Directors can be consulted. Bill suggested rewording to reflect “potential” or “actual” dissent. So moved. Carried

C. Open Door Group - David and Jude were contacted; no contact after the initial one.

D. Vancouver Naturalist - Kelly has not been approached re preparing the Fall issue: Julian will be otherwise engaged during the Summer and told Margaret he will talk to Kelly. Regarding changes to the Naturalist, Bill pointed out that a pdf version will not work with everyone due to its current length – 16-24 pages.

E. Discovery - Margaret has not talked to Jeremy about Discovery magazine.

F. Updating Discovery’s Index and NV’s History – June 30 is deadline for submissions, before the meeting in July. David recommends the membership read the old history which is very interesting.

G. Field Trips – Discussion of sometime problems with individuals who attend field trips and how they can be dealt with. David outlined a specific situation with an individual who was generally unprepared and perhaps unequal to the trip; he maintains that in such a case it is the leader’s prerogative to contact the individual and discourage him/her from attending. It is important that field trip leaders advertise difficulty of each trip and emphasize specific advisories. Cynthia needs to be involved in this discussion (August).

10. Adjournment

     Moved / sec by Daphne / Nigel that the meeting be adjourned. Carried

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:30 PM.