CRCA/Riverwatch Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

CRCA/Riverwatch Board of Directors Meeting Minutes November 7, 2012 Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, Ft. Myers, Florida at 7:00 pm

A. Call to Order (6 directors required for quorum) Pete Quasius called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Directors present: Pete Quasius, Keith Kibbey, Margaret England, Patrick O’Malley, John Capece, Linda Mattos, Mary Rawl. Directors absent: Marti Daltry, Mary Ruth Prouty, Ron Zimmerly, Geoff Rosenaw, Annette Snapp, Lois James, Scott Cooper. Others present: Nargiza Abduvohidova.

B. Approval of Minutes Linda moved to approve the October 3, 2012 meeting minutes. Mary seconded. Minutes adopted.

C. Treasurer's Report Ron was absent.

D. Old Business

Eco Breakfast The annual Eco-Breakfast sponsored by Audubon of Southwest Florida was on October 25, 2012. Pete said there were about 100 people, 82 actual participants. Carl Veaux and Bill Hammond stepped up and did a good presentation. It was a recognition of the 20/20 Program.

November CRCA Meeting Program The November 7, 2012 program with Dr. Paul Gray, researcher and advocate for Lake Okeechobee ecological issues at RPYC has been cancelled due to a very few people who registered.

E. New Business

River Ride Keith said that everything is coming along just fine. He will send Margaret the maps so she can contact and forward them to the Sherriff’s department. Marti and Margaret will help with the Bob Mason Park rest stop. Mary Rawl said she can help with the registration at Caloosahatchee Regional Park or transport stuff to the rest stops. Pete apologized for not being able to help with the registration. He will be lecturing at the Unitarian Church in Naples that day. Pete asked John if he would be able to get photos at the event. John said Michal Fidler should be able to do that. Keith said on Saturday 4PM we can meet at Lee County Environmental Lab to fold the t-shirts and load the vehicles. So far we have somewhere around 80 registrations. Pete thanked Keith for organizing this event.

River Roots & Ruts RR&R will be the first Sunday in January at the Caloosahatchee Regional Park. Steve is organizing the event. Riverwatch is participating and helping with the event. It helps us to be eligible for a share of the funding that Steve produces. What he is looking to do is rather than give the participants a check he is looking for a way he might be able to fund a project.

Holiday Event Pete said there is no obligation to have a holiday party. He suggested that on an appropriate date we could take a J.P. boat cruise along the Caloosahatchee River. Whoever wants to come will come. You show up and buy your own ticket. The cost should be around $10-15. And we could join one of their organized events. If everyone is interested Pete said he will pursue that. Pete said the other alternative would be to do the Jazz train over the Caloosahatchee. That’s $40. What they do is to stop on the trestle right on our back door watching the sun go down, taking ride from Bonita Springs up to Punta Gorda. But, actually that’s better in the summer or spring when the light is better. January CRCA Meeting Program The next CRCA meeting program has been scheduled for January 2, 2013 at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium at 7:00PM. The guest will be Dr. Paul Gray, researcher and advocate for Lake Okeechobee ecological issues.

CRCA 2013 Events venues The board discussed and considered exploring the following options such as Manatee Park meeting building in Ft. Myers (they would not charge a lot and the parking is free off hours) and Beef 'O' Brady's in LaBelle.

Everglades Coalition Conference, January 10-13 at Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables Pete announced that Margaret England is going to receive the Kaber Award which is the outreach for public service at the Everglades Coalition meeting on Saturday, January 12, 2013. Pete suggested that we pay for Margaret’s registration and meals at the Coalition. Linda moved a motion to pay for Margaret’s registration and meals for the Everglades Coalition conference, Keith seconded. The group also discussed perhaps joining a coalition of other organizations to bring the Everglades Coalition Conference back to the Ft. Myers area in a future year. The group felt that CRCA could not be a primary sponsor but could be part of a team.

Swamp Cabbage Festival Margaret said Ron paid and we have a booth. Margaret requested the corner spot. Mary said the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium can provide an annual family membership as a 3rd prize ($75). So we need to confirm the 1st (canoe) and 2nd (River cruise for 4, $145) prizes with Joe and Estero River Outfitters then we can start printing the raffle tickets.

Big ‘O’ Birding Festival Margaret said the minimum for sponsorship is $100. That comes with a free table space. There will be three boats. People would take a bus to Clewiston, do the boat trip, do a sugar land tour on the festival transportation and eat at Martin’s & Marina and go to the museum. Pete entertained a motion that we support the Big ‘O’ Birding festival as an outreach getting people on the river. Linda moved a motion to support the festival for $100, Keith seconded. Motion adopted.

Fall Fundraiser Mailout John said last year we just broke even on the mailout (5000 letters). It was $4,000 and we brought in about $4,000. So there was a discussion that we may be try it again another year and see if we brought any more money. John asked the board if we want to do it again. Pete suggested that we only send letters to the people who have been Riverwatch members and ask them to continue to support or renew their membership.

Eco-Voice Support Pete asked the board if Riverwatch would like to support Eco-Voice in 2013. Patrick moved a motion to sponsor Eco-Voice for $100, Linda seconded.

F. Next Meeting The next meeting is on January 2, 2013 at 7PM at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium in Ft. Myers. The guest speaker will be Dr. Paul Gray, researcher and advocate for Lake Okeechobee ecological issues.

G. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.