Executive Board Officers Present:

Tom Kunz, President
Lisa Delissio, Vice President
Lelia C. Orrell, Secretary
John Cigliano, Member at Large
David Wiley, Member at Large

Gary Tabor, Treasurer was unable to attend due to a prior engagement and sent Michael Reed in his place.

Executive Board Meeting began at 6:05 pm.

Lisa Delissio presented the agenda:

I. Minutes from our last meeting accepted

II. Progress since winter meeting

A. Our Official Status

Norman Myers - Chapter to write a thank you letter.

B. Items in Progress

1. Where we stand on approval of the proposed charter (Tom)

2. What we understand about the process of achieving nonprofit status (Lelia) - 501(c)3: Federal Publication #557 seems straightforward.

III. Formation ofCommittees (Lisa and Board)

- Tax Committee needed?

Chapter Meetings Committee necessary? Undecided.

John Cigliano and David Wiley expressed interest in co-chairing the Conservation Committee, which according to the bylaws must have an Executive Board Member as the Chair.

Member interested in serving on the Education Committee

Because Lelia C. Orrell manages all the Membership records and the like, it was suggested she be the Chairperson of the Membership Committee (accepted)

Agreed that the Nomination Committee would be an Ad-Hoc committee as necessary during elections.

Suggested that Career Development and Education Committees be combined. Later it was decided to keep them separate.

Suggested that "Media" be added to the title of the Resolutions and Public Advocacy Committee. Will ultimately be determined by the standing committee once formed.

IV. Miscellaneous (Lelia)

A. Pros and Cons of membership database on the web

B. Co-host meeting in Grafton, fall, seminar on Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation? - All agreed that MassSCB meetings and events should be held throughout Massachusetts. Next meeting should be held in Grafton perhaps, at Tufts. Mark Pokras and Lelia C. Orrell are interested in designing a seminar on Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation.

C. Robert Stevenson of UMass Boston expressed interest in involving MassSCB in his Electronic Field Guide Project. He will be contacting Members as the project develops.

Executive Board Meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

I. Welcome and summary of progress to date (Tom) -

A. Official Status - we are an official chapter of the SCB; our original bylaws have not yet been approved

B. Charter Approval Process - Tom and Lisa explained the SCB's charter approval process. Our original bylaws must be approved by the Board of Governors. No word from them yet. Tom Kunz will email Alice Blandin for an update.

C. Interest in gaining non-profit status -Discussed 501(c)3 status and problems associated with that. Requested that anyone with Tax Law background contact the Board to help with tax status and bank issues.

D. Web Site - changes. New Membership Online form being created. Once Committees are formed here tonight, each will have its own web page off the MassSCB page. Lelia Orrell invited people to send in their favorite links, suggestions, and more.

E. Norman Myers Event - CECB and Tufts CCB cosponsors. Great turn-out.

F. Donations -

1) Contribution of $250 from Kamal Bawa's non-profit organization ATREE for start-up expenses such as domain name registration, initial bank fees, etc.

2) Snapple - two cases of Snapple were donated by the company for the evening's refreshment.

II. Description of the various required and proposed committees and their responsibilities (Lisa)

- Lisa read bylaws. see above for additional details

III. Committee Assignments - Les Kaufman wrote all the required committees on the board. After questions, people volunteered to serve on committees. Chairpeople were assigned. See above for more details.

IV. Break for dinner - Pizza and Snapple! During this time, Executive Board was available to answer questions and make suggestions. Newly formed Committees met in groups and discussed initial plan of action, goals, and the following:

A. Exchange Information

B. Discuss Ideas

C. Divide Responsibilities

D. Develop Timelines

V. Re-convene for Committee Reports - reports and outlines will be sent to MassSCB Secretary, and once received, will be made available on the web.

VI. Plan date and location of next meeting (summer?), perhaps in central Massachusetts - decided that October would be a better time to meet because of so many people doing field work during the summer. In addition, later date would provide for more planning time. All agreed that next meeting should be held in western or central part of state.

Meeting adjourned at 10:05 pm