State Parks Foundation Minutes of the 2015 Annual Meeting

March 24, 2015

The meeting was convened at Stonewall Resort market that these funds go to State Park, Roanoke, West Virginia at 10:00AM. projects on the ATM. President Jim Michael welcomed park and  Mr. England added that the prompt for foundation representatives and made donations from those with overnight lodging introductions. has an opportunity to progress future donations. Secretary Report: Bob Hoke announced that the  Mr. England stated that it is vitally important to minutes were distributed to all members prior to share the positive message to the community today’s meeting. Milton Gutman motioned that and political leaders that state parks are an the meeting minutes be accepted, the motion was important part of the future of WV. seconded and approved unanimously.  The challenge of funding is still a reality in the Treasurers Report: Bob Hoke presented the 2014 state for the parks system. $100M in repairs are financial report in written form. Mr. Hoke still needed across the state, prompting creative explained the restricted funds as identified in his research of funding. This could include funds report. He reported that $3000 was spent at Audra generated from royalties and bonus money $20,000 at for trail from mineral rights off oil and gas. construction. Money was also spent at Laurel Lake  Lastly, Mr. England announced that an assistant for tools, and at the Tygart lake playground and chief will be hired. This person will be able to nature center. All of this money was given by assist with grant support for state park various donors specifically to these organizations foundations in WV. and projects. He reported that the WVSPF is in  Jim Michael asked how much the state allocates good financial standing. for maintenance. Clisby Jennelle IV announced that $5M in lottery funds are given to the state State Parks Report: Mr. Sam England made the parks (2/3 toward daily park needs and 1/3 is following comments about the state of the park used for projects and development). system: Marketing: Next Milton Gutman reviewed the  As budgets continue to be stricter, it is opportunities available to ask donors for money: increasingly important for state park foundations to progress in their valuable work.  He addressed that the largest pool of potential  Mr. England also announced that Sissie has donors comes from existing customers. Mr. established a nature program that incurs a cost Gutman stated that it is important to work that would go back into the WVSPF. diligently to make individuals aware of  Mr. England announced that participating ATMs foundations and the opportunities available for in two state parks charge a $3 service fee and funding. Seek out guests that come frequently will donate $1 back into the WV State Park who have a positive feeling about memories at Foundation. Mr. Hoke added that he has begun your park. to see some income from the ATMs currently at  Mr. Gutman announced that brochure Chief Logan and Pipestem. Brennon O’Sullivan templates will be created to help state park mentioned that there was an opportunity to foundations promote giving opportunities. West Virginia State Parks Foundation Minutes of the 2015 Annual Meeting

March 24, 2015

 Small donations, long term giving, and estate  Ken Caplinger suggested that an ad for the planning are also important components of a WVSPF foundation also be placed in the foundations donation campaign. “comprehensive park brochures”  There are also opportunities to look to vendors, corporations booking at your facility, civic Lunch was provided by WVDNR State Parks from organizations, and stakeholders. 11‐12PM. The meeting was reconvened at 12:15PM Creation of an Endowment Fund: Milton addressed the need for an interest earning savings WV State Park Foundation Brochure: Milt account that can create a long‐term fund for Gutman presented the draft of the new WV ongoing income. State Park Foundation brochure. He reiterated that this marketing project was created to instill  This endowment fund would be part of the a sense of emotion and memory. direction for the future of the WVSPF. This fund  would assist with renovations for projects to Ken Caplinger mentioned that it would be sustain park resources for the future. A motion helpful to have a breakdown of what each was made by Mark Abbot to set up the account funding category gets to recognize their and establish this fund for maintenance, donation. Conversation followed that this is seconded by Gwen Jones and approved important for both advertising and to sustain unanimously. donor relations.  Bob Hoke requested that attendees provide Wonderful WV Article: Ken Caplinger distributed feedback on the brochure to Mitt Gutman. the current draft of his article for the publication.  Bob Hoke reported that there is $5,900 in the general fund to go towards this cost for  This document would outline the history of the printing. WV State Park Foundation and its work along

with a “polite nod” to donation opportunities. Foundation Reports:  Mr. Caplinger welcomed feedback along with  Coopers Rock: Dave Hopkins, President photos for the article that coincide with the reported they are planning: to install a new text. Mr. Caplinger requested that comments restroom this year, Winterfest, Summer be submitted by April 15, 2015. Celebration, 5K Running Race, upgraded trail  Milt Gutman suggested that a sidebar be added signage, volunteer trail work weekend, raising in the article that lists projects at various parks money to do picnic shelter repairs and trails, through local foundation work with the dollar maintaining website, Facebook, working with amount raised listed. climbing groups and students at WVU, film  Gwen Jones requested that there be a festival “Real Rock” about rock climbing with permanent ad placed in the magazine. proceeds from ticket sales benefiting Coopers  Brennon O’Sullivan requested that there be a Rock Foundation. surplus of this issue available for the public for  Tomlinson Run James Haroey, President the state parks. reported they are planning: to search for funds with soup fundraiser, host community event West Virginia State Parks Foundation Minutes of the 2015 Annual Meeting

March 24, 2015

with 2000 egg Easter egg hunt, replace by candlelight, donors get a magnet with the playground unit, food wagon will start weekend mansion, middle and high school track meets, before memorial day on Saturdays and scout camping, gutters and painting on the Sundays. Maple Shade house, education program in  Pricketts Fort – Greg Bray reported they are February, archeological studies, technology planning: opening up for the season with new upgrades, weddings are a popular activity, self‐guided tour technology added, increased signage and four corner markers of formal programming gardens with landscaping and trails  Cass – Bob Hoke, reported they are planning: a  North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation – Mark smooth transition to new management, Abbott reported: A total of $410,000 has been Whittaker station upgrades, full color book of collected to repair the Rails to Trails system with Cass photos in gift shop a priority construction list, Smithton Depot in  Stonewall State Park Foundation – Samantha Doddridge county with park and camping facility Norris reported that the Wildlife Conservation with railroad cars, restoration of the Salem Exhibit is now open for tours, restoration of a Depot. cabin from the 1850s. Meeting Attendees:  Holy River – Donna Boggs reported that they Lin Dunham Cacapon State Park are planning to: purchased chair storage Kevin Dials caddies, leaf blowers, corn‐hole, newsletter, Brad Reed WV State Parks roofing project Rose Ann Cougar  Cacapon State Park – Lin Dunham reported Donna Boggs Holly River State Park they are planning : restoration of cabin, plant Brennon O’Sullivan Stonewall Resort Mary Francis Densmore flowering trees thru contributions, Nature Rebecca Willis Tygart Lake State Park Center expansion, sensory feature for youth Nettie Harper Tygart Lake State Park outdoor education, fundraiser Gala, trail Mark/Kathy Abbott cleaning day, homecoming over Labor Day Tom Perdue Blennerhasset Island  Kanawha State Forest ‐ Kevin Dials reported Barbara Phillips Blennerhasset Island that they are planning: memorial walks and Bob Hoke Cass Jim Michael Cacapon Resort hikes, state birthday celebration, car cruise in, Gwen Jones Coopers Rock work party, work on Davis Creek Trail Dave Hopkins Coopers Rock  Tygart Lake State Park – Brennon O’Sullivan James Haroey Tomlinson Run and Rebecca Willis reported they are planning: Sam Moris Tomlinson Run Nature interpretive playground area , nature Milt Gutman WV State Park Foundation center development to open in May 2015, egg Samantha Norris Stonewall Resort hunt, fall fest Greg Bray Pricketts Fort Clisby Jennelle IV WV State Park  Blennerhasset Island – Tom Perdue and Ken Caplinger WV State Park Foundation Barbara Phillips reported that they are planning: Mark Abbott Northbend Rails to Trails free programs about flora and fauna on the island, civil war and period based baseball Election of officers – the following slate of candidates was presented: reenactment, brunch with Margaret, Mansion West Virginia State Parks Foundation Minutes of the 2015 Annual Meeting

March 24, 2015

Secretary ‐ Samantha Norris Vice Chairman ‐ Mark Abbot Treasurer ‐ Bob Hoke President – Jim Michael

There was a motion to accept the candidate slate and elect the candidates into a year term. The motion was seconded and approved.

President Jim Michael encouraged members to support state park foundations and new members to join.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:40PM