Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association

Meeting Minutes

19 January 2006

Meeting location: Southern Columbia High School, Room 102

Attendees: Mary Wagner, Kristen Vitkauskas, Wayne Petro, Mark Diebler, Barbara Prescott, David Prescott, Art MacMahon, Bob Rush, Cathy Haffner

Minutes: Meeting commenced at 7 pm with an overview of the agenda.  The primary goals of the meeting were to finalize the association bylaws and plan the general membership meeting to occur in February.

The bylaws were thoroughly reviewed and edited where necessary.  We worked off of Mark Diebler’s comments on the draft bylaws because they were the most extensive. It was decided that the group will apply to be a 501(c)3 non-profit. Thank you to Wayne Petro for already obtaining an estimate from a law firm.  The bylaws are set to be voted on and accepted at the February meeting.

Cathy Haffner mentioned that the Growing Greener grant application for start-up monies is due March 3. Please submit your suggestions for deliverables over the next couple years to Cathy so that fund requests can be written into the grant.  Examples of what will be requested include monies for non-profit filing fees, membership fees for POWR (Pennsylvania Watersheds and Rivers) and fees for insurance through that organization, and other finds for educational activities to raise awareness of watershed issues.

The programming for the first general membership meeting was discussed.  It was decided that Comm. Soberick will give opening remarks (5 minutes), followed short presentations by Joan Sattler, Rich Kisner, and a representative from the local TU chapter (15 minutes each). The presentations will surround the theme of “the importance of community-based conservation”. We will then select association officials and vote on the bylaws.  It was suggested that Hon. David Mallard issue closing remarks as he is an avid outdoorsman.  Bob Rush offered to contact Rep. Mallard. Refreshments will be offered after the meeting on the stage of the auditorium. Food is actually not allowed in the auditorium, but Kristen said it should be ok if we constrain it to the stage.  Cathy will email the group to ask for food contributions. Kristen will provide the beverages. 

Preparatory tasks for the general meeting were divvied up. Kristen and Wayne will contact the press, Bob will contact the TU chapter and Rep. Mallard, Cathy and Mary will invite legislators, Cathy will design a flyer, Mary will make a membership form, Cathy and Kristen will work on a program for the meeting.

Community announcements were mentioned just before adjournment. Bob mentioned the Early Bird Sports Expo at the Fairgrounds Jan 26 – 29. Cathy solicited volunteers to help at the Conservation District booth at the Expo. Then, Cathy explained the Master Well Owners Program through Penn State Extension and asked for interested volunteers to sign-up for the workshop March 11 in Lewisburg.   Penn State is seeking 4-5 volunteers from Columbia County.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.