Board of Directors Meeting Minutes for April 2008

Meeting Called to Order at 5:36

 

Announcements

Introductions

Consent Agenda – no minutes – no consent agenda today.

Motion to move WI Sustainable Business Conference to before Committee Reports – Matt Hudson, Seconded by Tim Kane. Motion carried

Chair Report – Steve

-          Will be a guest on Joy Cardin’s show, April 14th, 8 am.  Topic is sustainable community development efforts in WI.  Will talk up business conference.

-          Nancy was on Mike Simonson’s Show –\

-          Bill Damberg has resigned.  Has too much on his plate and felt Alliance was already well supported by other board members

 

New Business – Steve Sandstrom

-Discussion to replace Bill Damberg with Irene Blakely who will be leaving the Board as her mayoral term is up. Motion to replace Bill Damberg with Irene Blakely – John Teeter.  Seconded by Tim Kane.  Motion carried.

 

Board Composition – Steve would like Board to think about changing its current structure to a Steering Committee that would include all of the government and community reps from the Cheq. Bay area (appointees, mayors, NPS, etc).  The demands fo a growing organization creates some conflict with members that cannot participate in certain activities (example: fundraising).  There is an attendance issue with appointees.  Perhaps we could create a different structure for community input that includes government officials and agencies that functions like a steering community as opposed to having those reps. Participate as board members.  Their input is very important to the organization but their lack of participation indicates an inability to fulfill the time commitment and activity level required of board members.  They still could attend all meetings.

 

Concern by Irene that removing elected officials from the Board might further distance them from the organization.

 

Action Item: Steve urges Board members to put some thought into this issue and we will discuss it at the next meeting.

 

Treasurer Report – Brandon Boys

As can be noted, we are currently in the red but that is not indicative of our current fiscal state as we have not yet requested or match from Mary Rice and have not yet received the second installment on the Bremer Foundation Green Team grant for $20K.

 

Also, Green Team business conference deposit is not yet in budget.

 

Motion to approve the budget by David Eades.  Seconded by Irene Blakely.  Motion carried.

Sustainable Business Conference – Steve Sandstrom

Unfortunately was not able to bring materials as Nancy was brining them but got called out on an EMT call.  However we do know that we received:

-          5K from Walmart

-          1K from Xcel

-          Several $500 sponsorships

Numerous $100 sponsorships

 

·      We currently have around $8,300 in cash sponsors, participant sponsors, $11,000.  Most sign-ups usually occur in the last two weeks. 

·      Have done a lot of marketing through email and the Chambersm WI Dept of Tourism, Mary mailed 214 mayors and village presidents. Municipality magazine, Business North, NPR.

·      Financials not available at meeting.  Steve will email out the financials on the conference.

·      Dave Thomas solicits all board members to attend the conference.

·      Mary has more hand outs if people need them

 

Programs Committee

Mary – Green Team April Event cancelled

May 22 – Mayors Climate Change meeting/Ecomunicipality update.  Discussion regarding name change due to political climate (Ralph B) – some board members feel strongly that we should maintain title and not change it.  If Ralph B. objects let him deal with fall out.  Words are important and we shouldn’t walk away from “sustainability” or “climate change”. 

 

Irene will handle topic in transition meetings with Ralph.  Irene is organizing/taking leadership.  May change title to Mayors Conversation on Climate Change.

 

Pie and Politics – Mary R. – 1st meeting is 3:30, April 8th at Irenes.  Looking for pople to join planning team.  Richard Heinburg from the Post Carbon Institute will be speaking.  Planning meetings are on the 2nd Tuesdays of the month.

 

Local food event in July. Depends upon status of the Grant but no specific event yet.

 

Matt Hudson inquires as to whether we offer to cover speakers mileage?  Response:  It is not budgeted although we occasionally do cover mileage.  We can pay for one but not tow.

 

Nominating Committee – no report

Communications Committee -  David Eades.  Has been a couple of weeks since he put our forum up but no activity yet.  Matt H. is the moderator

 

Strategic Planning – Matt Hudson

Forum was discussed as a way to update the Strategic Plan.  Bruce has developed a concept map for web re: Strategic Plan input.

Fundraising – David E. 

We have another $600 in donations in since our last meeting with $1485 still outstanding in pledges.  Need to determine 2nd round of phone-ahton.

2006-2007 saw a 50% increase in donations and number of people.  Currently have raised $14.5K.  Average amount of donation has gone down from $65 to $59.

 

Study Circles – Brandon

Bill McKibben will be at Northland in the fall.  We will organize a circle around one of his books in each Cheq. Bay community to coincide with his visit.  May have him speak at an event for the study circles.  Latest book is Deep Economy.

 

Coordinator Report – Brandon

Champions with a Cause – Northwoods non-profits workshop on Marketing on April 16th. 

No longer on Ashland City Council.

Campaign Sustain II – submitted $15K proposal to XCEL.  Will expand activities beyond light bulb exchange by identifying neighborhood leaders and including thermostats, low flow shower emitters, etc. with a matching grant program to cover the costs of those devices.  City of Bayfield has a $15K grant program for their door to door green cleaning supplies .

·      Wisconsin Community Foundation grant submitted.  Focused Campaign Sustain activities on reservations. Awarded in July – asked for $11K.

·      WEEB – pending

·      Will advertise for interns over next month

Buy Local Buy Wisconsin -  submitted ~$35K grant proposal to DATCP for Buy Local Buy WI grant program to improve awareness and consumption of locally produced food.  Implemented in partnership with Bayfield Chamber, Ashland/Bayfield/Cornucopia farmers markets, Ashland Chamber, FEAST, UW Extension, Washburn School district. 

 

Safe Routes to School – 25K planning grant received through DOT plus $30K for programs.  Includes black top trails for students to schools (lighted as well).  Districts are involved.

Focus the Nation – panel discussion at UW Superior – Brandon asked to be speaker and will receive a $1K honorarium.

 

Bremer meeting – nonprofit luncheon.  Bremer nonprofit outreach.  Broad representation at meeting.  We transferred our accounts to Bremer.  Brandon gave a short presentation on the Business Conference and the Green Team.

 

Green Teams – Mary submitted year end report and year two funds will be released.  Get many requests from businesses to be on the Green Team.

 

Mary and Irene both received awards for eco-municipality movement in state at the OEI office.  May get potential funding but want matching $ so she may go back to Bremer for match.

 

Old Business

Action Items –

·      Study circle committee was going to meet to determine future circles – did not meet

·      Contact David or Brandon re: using the Icontact database for emailing to our list.

·      Board members send 3-5 items to Jack re: Board Policy/Procedure issues.

·      Matt – Brandon Ashland Conservation Service is looking for a rep for advisory committee to update land use plan.  Matt ais intereseted and willing to be rep. if Board is OK with. John motions that Matt be official rep. Tim seconds and motion carries.

·      Need to remove Bill Danbergs name from AFS materials and replace with Irene Blakely - Ellen