Important BOD Business
Arizona Wildlife Federation – Board of Directors Minutes
June 8, 2008 at Bass Pro Shop, Tempe
9:00 AM – STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION - FACILITATED BY ARIZONA WILDLIFE EDUCATION FOUNDATION TRUSTEE, KAREN SCHEDLER, AND PRESENTED BY AWF REGION II DIRECTOR, TOM MACKIN
Notes taken by Karen and Tom will be distributed in a report of the results and assignments from this Strategic Planning session.
11:30 AM – CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE / ROLL CALL by Ryna Rock.
Attending: Board Members – Bob Vahle, Ryna Rock, Tom Mackin, Chris Fonoti, Jerry Thorson, Larry Audsley, Brian Wakeling, Jim Unmacht, John Koleszar, Brad Powell, Ken Alexander, Meg Buchanan, Tony Bossart, John Underwood, Don Hoffman –Guest – AG&F Commissioner Jennifer Martin
Not Attending: Board Members – Mary Jo Miller, Jim Solomon, Fred Fillmore, Mike Underwood, Emily Wunder, Kim Crumbo,
11:35 AM – STATE TRUST LAND INITIATIVE PRESENTATION BY PAT GRAHAM, STATE DIRECTOR, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY – Mr. Graham not in attendance and the remaining agenda items progressed.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES AND GUEST INTRODUCTIONS, (ROCK)/FINANCIAL REPORT (THORSON)
Motion made to approve previous minutes, duly seconded, unanimously approved.
Jerry made motion that: Financial procedures be changed at BOW events so that the AZ Wildlife Foundation retains money from merchandise sales and the BOW account at AWF retains funds raised at the Saturday night fundraiser for scholarships, with the Foundation remaining the screening group for the scholarships. The scholarship fund shall be recorded as a line item so that the total funds available will always be known. The motion was duly seconded, approved after discussion.
Financial Report discussion: Jerry described accounting procedures for the Patti Ho fundraiser and estate assets.
Jerry distributed copies of proposed 2008-2009 budget, which must be approved at our July Annual Meeting board meeting.
Motion made to accept treasurer’s report, duly seconded, approved.
APPROVAL OF DIRECTOR AT LARGE APPOINTMENT/Kate Mackay and Kim Crumbo (ROCK)
Motion: to approve Kate Mackay as Director at Large, duly seconded, unanimously approved.
Motion: to approve Kim Crumbo as Director at Large, duly seconded, unanimously approved.
CURRENT INITIATIVES/ISSUES
OHV/TRAVEL MANAGEMENT (KOLESZAR & POWELL) – OHV bill has yet to be heard and it may not be heard. Jake Flake’s replacement is no more likely to support this bill. It is not very promising that it will pass this year. Brad relayed information on low key ads that are going to be dispersed under AWF’s and TU’s sponsorship that are geared to increase pressure from the public on the legislature regarding this issue.
USFS Travel Management Planning (POWELL) - active on all Forests. North Kaibab NF has current open public comment period. Brad and Bob have now participated at two national hearings in DC, which shows good AWF national involvement. The Board had an open discussion regarding the importance of enforcement after the TMPs are implemented.
PETITION TO COMMISSION ON AZ G & F BUDGET SWEEP (JENNIFER MARTIN, AZ G & F COMMISSIONER) – Sportsmen for Wildlife (SFW) created a petition to be presented to the Commission on taking a formal position on all budget sweeps that would reduce Department budgets. Jennifer indicated that the Commissioner’s are in general agreement that if the commission takes a formal position it would reduce the Commission and Department’s ability to negotiate specific priorities during the budgeting process. The Heritage Funds is an exception to the sweeps as they have an outside advocacy group that monitors the allocations those funds. John Koleszar represented the SFW view that a strong Commission position would help to secure better budgets for the Department. Jim Unmacht indicated that Rep Weiers has indicated that the Commission is conspicuously absent from budget negotiations as compared to other state agencies. John Koleszar indicated that most all of the sportsmen groups have voted to sign the petition and that this particular issue represents a notable show of consensus and unanimity among the sportsmen community. Ryna called the board into Executive Session for final discussion and voting.
Motion: To approve signing the petition with understanding that copies go to all state legislators, Governors office, duly seconded, approved.
KOFA BIG HORN SHEEP MANAGEMENT (UNMACHT & POWELL) - Mt. Lion management on the Kofa WR. AWF has sent in comments supporting the current NEPA compliant process. There was discussion as to whether the NEPA process was necessary and Brad indicated that in order to implement a plan that can withstand legal challenge that the NEPA process must be followed.
TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVE (AUDSLEY) – TIME would raise approximately 30-40 billion dollars over the next 20-30 years. There is concern that this could allow the initiation of the I-10 Bypass project. Larry does not believe that this would adversely impact funds that are currently earmarked for wildlife conservation. The board has decided not to form a position at this time. It would be necessary to articulate the adverse impacts to wildlife in order to form a legitimate position. Bob was concerned that increased funding must acknowledge the wildlife linkages studies that ADGF is working on.
1:30 PM – REGIONAL DIRECTOR REPORTS
REGION 1 (VAHLE) - Forest Planning is on-going, the Black River land exchange (is being done with NEPA process) – Brad will develop a letter supporting the exchange which will be sent to the BOD for approval.
REGION 2 (MACKIN) - Tom reported on the June 8th public candidate forum (successful and may lead to AWF sponsorship of a second forum in eastern Arizona), and reported work has started on the Anderson Mesa wetlands and signing is being installed. A complete video of the forum will available on the AWF website and is being offered to all co-sponsoring groups and the candidates.
REGION 3 (FONOTI) - Nothing reported
REGION 5 (AUDSLEY) - Nothing reported
REGION 6 (ALEXANDER) - Nothing reported
COMMITTEE REPORTS
MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS (J. UNDERWOOD) - Deadline for fall issue is August 18th. Member stories are desired for each issue. John recommended a youth membership at the rate of $15 with ball cap, t-shirt and a newsletter. He would like to add a kid’s article in each newsletter. The AWF must find a way to provide youth participation opportunities. Perhaps we could provide memberships to youth hunter safety graduates. Larry Audsley volunteered to help John with AWF publications in the coming year.
Motion: Develop a youth membership program (17 and under) at $15 per year and provide special benefits and programs to be determined, duly seconded, and approved.
EVENTS (ALEXANDER) - Go to AZ Antelope website for calendar of events. Special tags will be awarded at the June 28th ADGF Commission meeting - Brad will try to attend to represent us. July 19 is the AAF banquet and also another Anderson Mesa project day. A stronger effort need to be made to coordinate our calendar events with that of other organizations, which could lead to stronger cooperative efforts on the part of all.
FINANCE (THORSEN) - No additional report
SPECIAL FUNDRAISER (ROCK) - Event was a great success. Jerry covered financial aspects in the financial report. Mary Jo Miller will provide further report at a later date if the board would desire that.
PUBLIC RELATIONS (SOLOMON) - No report
BOW (ROCK) - John Koleszar indicated that the BOW budget is high and perhaps the costs for participants can be reduced through more rustic camping and cooking during the weekend. Ryna explained other avenues are being checked into as well as other sponsorships. She reported that the BOW Committee is currently working on the AZ BOW Manual and on policy development.
FUND RAISING (BOSSART) Environmental Fund for Arizona – AWF is on the access list for employee donations through direct withdrawal via their paychecks. 25 groups are included. AWF received about $10,000 this FY. EFA wants to hold a biennial event for raising additional money to cover administrative expenses. Tony is the AWF’s current representative and could use a helper. Other areas of the state are as yet uncovered by the EFA program, so future development will be important.
HABITAT PROJECTS (UNMACHT) - Anderson Mesa project was a success, 9 women from BOW participated, Tom Mackin, Ken and Kim’s family participated. 12 miles of fence were rolled up and removed. A total of 60 people showed up!
CONSERVATION (POWELL) - no additional report
LIAISON REPORTS – no reports
STATE AGENCY / COMMISSION (OPEN) - no volunteers to fill position
LEGISLATIVE (HOFFMAN) - Fossil Creek W&S legislation is having trouble reaching the Senate floor based on some procedural barriers and now because of other election year priorities. The Climate Change/ Carbon Reduction Act did not have enough votes in the Senate in a cloture vote so it is dead for this year and this Congress.
NWF AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVE, ANNUAL MTG REPORT (BUCHANAN) - All nine resolutions passed at the NWF annual meeting.
NWF REP (JOHN GALE) – not in attendance
OPEN ITEM – (ANNUAL MEETING, BUDGET PLANNING, BOARD MEMBER ITEMS)
Ryna reported the Annual Meeting is on track.
3:20 PM - ADJOURN
Motion to adjourn, duly seconded and approved.
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