Lewis and
Minutes of Board Meeting
Call to Order: President Jean Ketchel called the
monthly meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society to order at
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Gerry reported that Robyn
needs a new version of QuickBooks accounting software (the old version is not
performing adequately) for $380. This
would be a special non-profit form of the software. There was some concern that Robyn’s PC might
not be able to handle the new software.
A motion was made by Denise, seconded by Angie, that we buy the
non-profit QuickBooks software. The
motion was amended to add an additional $1,400 for a new computer if
necessary. The motion passed. Gerry also reported that he has the shelter
audits. There were no violations, but
some things to check on. Jan needs a
copy of the audit for Montana Shares.
SECRETARY’ S REPORT: The September 2002 minutes were approved. The November 2002 minutes were approved with corrections (adding the discussion of the animal cruelty bill and Anne chairing the legislative committee. Members of the legislative committee are Jane, Kaye, Gina, Pam, Tia, Angie, and Bev Rankin).
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
Jean reported that the
shelter staff would like to close the shelter at 3 pm on Dec. 24 and Dec.
31. This would affect at least 4
full-time employees. It has been a
tradition to close the shelter at 3 pm on these two days, although this issue
has not been brought to the board before.
After some discussion, a motion was made by Anne, seconded by Tia, to
leave the shelter open as usual on both days, but staff may take annual leave
if it fits into the schedule. This
situation will be monitored for the future.
It was also mentioned that the shelter staff are not getting Christmas
bonuses this year, but they did get recent performance bonuses for the first
time.
OLD BUSINESS:
Santa Paws: Jane reported
that Santa Paws took in $1,030, plus an additional $277.37 in donations. Jane also mentioned that she had talked with
Dave Shors at the IR who said they’ll take AP articles regarding the rescue
collies in Shelby, but probably won’t do anything original.
Cat room: The
remodel of the shelter’s cat room will begin in January. Phase I is getting rid of all the cat cages
and adding doors so cats will be loose (with a bank of kennels for
transitioning cats) and adding cat trees and chairs and Phase II will be
extending the floor.
Shelby collie rescue: There was extended discussion of
Gina and Christine’s involvement with the Shelby collie rescue operation in
Shelby. Both are still traveling to
Shelby to help. One or the other misses
about 11 hours of work per week at the Lewis & Clark shelter. Gina and Christine want to keep doing this
for the next six months—they say operations at our shelter have not
suffered. The soonest there would be any
resolution to this case is June. To the
board’s knowledge there has been no discussion by Shelby of its long-range plan
for the collies. There has been no
written agreement between Toole County and Lewis & Clark County for shelter
staff services. There are several issues
here that are unclear to the board. One
involves pay. Who is paying for Gina and
Christine’s time. Are we? Is Toole County? What about the issue of liability? If Gina and Christine are volunteering their
time, but with the LCHS’ knowledge, can there be an issue of liability if a
problem should arise while they are there?
Two motions were
passed. Motion #1 (Gerry and Denise)—We
ask Gina and Christine to quit going to Shelby after a specified date (Jan.
31). Motion #2 (Gerry and Denise)—We pay
both of them for all hours worked and bill Toole County for the full
amount. The Shelter Committee will look
into the amount Toole County has already been billed (may be $30/day).
Anne will check on
the following question and report back to the board vai e-mail: An employee goes to work and we agree to
pay. Then the employee goes on to
volunteer. Do we have to pay them for
that time? How about travel?
It was decided
that Gina should be be making some sort of regular reports regarding the collie
situation and these reports should be forwarded to the legislative (cruelty)
committee. Jane will follow up on this
with Gina.
NEW BUSINESS: There was discussion of finding a new monthly
meeting place, other than the shelter.
Angie will find out if we can use a room at Capital High. There is a possibility we could use a room at
Companion Animal Hospital. However, we
would have to bring our own tables. The
matter will be discussed (and hopefully decided) over e-mail.
MISCELLANEOUS: No word has been heard from board members Gary Spaeth and Tiffany David as to whether they wish to remain on the board. This situation will be addressed at the January board meeting. Denise reported that Dr. Weber has donated $5,000 to the humane society this year.
ADJOURNMENT:
The board meeting adjourned for goodies and holiday festivities at
approximately 8:00 pm. The next LCHS
Board meeting will be Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 6:30 pm. It is hoped we will have a new meeting
location determined by that time.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa
Mecklenberg Jackson