Lewis and Clark Humane Society

Minutes of Board Meeting

August 20 , 2003

 

 

Call to Order: President Jean Ketchel called the monthly meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society to order at 6:35 pm at the Ponderosa Room at St. Peter’s Hospital. Present were board members Jane Benson, Jean Ketchel,  Tia Nelson, Jennifer Green, Judy Trevor, Annie Murfitt, Mary Lou Jorns, Jan Sheehan, Kaye Davis, and Pam Joscelyn.  Shelter executive director Gina Wiest was also present. Board members absent were Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Denise Tarr, Shauna Stallings, Angie McDunn, Sara Stanton, and Anne O’Leary.  Special guests were Laura Behenna, Lisa Peterson and Jolyn Eggart.

 

President Jean Ketchel announced that she has just received the resignation of Shauna Stallings, effective immediately.    She also reported that Lisa had had her twin girls - Rane and Anja.  Monies were collected to purchase a gift for Lisa by Jane.  Because Lisa was absent, Jan Sheehan volunteered to take the minutes of this meeting.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  A final budget report was tabled.  Kaye reviewed the various summary reports, explaining that July had not been a good income month.  Gina reviewed the Strutt funds and expenses which resulted in a net profit of $4,433.13.  Membership fees only amount to $325 the past month. 

 

SECRETARY’ S REPORT:   Reading and approval of the July minutes was tabled in Lisa's absence.

 

SHELTER MANAGER’S REPORT:  Gina reported that she met with the Helena pet stores with very positive results.  The pet stores have agreed to work with the Shelter and only sell animals that are spayed/neutered.  No more purebred dogs will be handled at the stores.  Gina asked for permission to test this program.  Jean was concerned over losing control of ownership of pets that are sold at the store as there would be no follow-up.  Gina explained that the store would have the person fill out an application which would be faxed to the Shelter to determine if the applicant is okay and not on the "do not adopt" list.  Discussion followed.  Gina will contact Pet Smart and find out how they run their program and e-mail the Board with what she finds out.  She will also check with Kate at the Missoula Humane Society as they have a similar program.  It was felt we need a written agreement between the Shelter and the pet stores so everyone has the same understanding of what is expected.  Gina will also find out how Sundays and evenings are handled when the Shelter is closed for business but the stores are open.  Jane will not put this in the newsletter that is coming up as this will be tested before fully adopted. 

 

Laura Behenna spoke about grant writing and that she would be willing to work with a committee as a public service benefit to us.  Some of the topics of needed grants might be for beautification, trap and neuter and release.  Laura would like names of members willing to be on the grant committee to work with.  Pet Smart Charities has money available and she will check into this.  The first step will be to call a committee meeting.  Jane has grant writing information and will get this information to Laura. 

 

Annie made a motion that grant writing be added as a function of the fundraising committee .  Tia seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  Kaye will be the chair of the fund raiser committee.

 

Gina reported that Spay Day is tentatively set for February 21st or 28th with the Spaygetti Dinner at the Great Northern on February 24.

 

A proposal for enclosure of the middle building was written up by Mike Maynard and distributed and discussed by Gina and the Board.  The proposal is to close off the end of the middle building to store the food and litter.  It will be walled off from the remainder of the building and kept locked.  Habitat for Humanity is opening a seconds store this month and some of the materials may be able to be purchased there.  The proposal gave three options.  Gina's suggestion was to use the seconds hardboard siding which was the middle option costing $373.53.  Annie made a motion that the second hardboard siding proposal for $373.53 be used.  Tia seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

The 9/10 Shelter Committee Meeting has to be reset as Gina will be gone.

 

Gina then presented the Camp Collie video for the Board to view.  It was a wonderful video.

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:   Jean mentioned that Board members should expect no special treatment by the shelter staff.

 

OLD BUSINESS: 

a.  Investment of Pauline Allen funds (Robyn):  Tabled - Robyn absent.

 

b.  Microchipping (Anne):  Tabled - Anne absent.

 

c.  Euthanasia certification training (Anne) - Tabled - Anne absent

 

d.  Monitoring of extra $14 to adopt a cat:  Gina reported this was going well with no complaints.  This will now be added to the cat adoption protocol.

 

e.  Mortgage on stray pet center (has it been paid?) - Tabled.

 

f.  Strutt Your Mutt (how much did we make?):  Jean reported this year's event did not profit well probably because of the extreme heat.  Next year's proposed date is September as it is cooler weather and fewer community events are taking place.

 

g.  Plaque for Silver Star (Jean/Sara):  Tabled.

 

h.  Rescue the Shelter Day:  Jane reported that the July event was a no show for the most part.  People who stated they would attend didn't show up or notify her they would not be able to come.  Jane is suggesting a fall clean-up date be scheduled.  A signup for this will be done at the September Board Meeting.

 

i.   Dog Days of Summer - July 17 and August 24:  Gina reported the satellite adoption hosted by the radio stations didn't take place but there is hope that there will be something scheduled in the future.

 

j.  Strutt Your Mutt :  Finished.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

 

a.  Budget Presentation of Final Budget:  Tabled until next Shelter Committee Meeting has taken place.

 

b.  October awards:    The awards presentation will take place at the October Annual Meeting.  This will again take place at the Pattern House.  Jennifer volunteered to chair the Awards Committee.

 

c:  Boo Bash:  Pam will chair the Boo Bash this year.  She will check with Big R and see if we can hold it at Big R as opposed to the mall.  It will tentatively be the last Saturday of October.  The Mikal Kellner Foundation would like us to sell the Calendars at Boo Bash.

 

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

a.  Shelter:  Tabled.

 

b.  Building/grounds committee:  Jane distributed a map which showed the proposed changes in Custer Avenue by the City.  Jane reported she has visited with the City regarding safer ingress/egress to the Shelter.  The City's proposal is that Washington Street will be moved west of its current location and a new center lane for turning will be created.  The bids will go out in early Spring, 2004 and they expect the changes to be finished by the end of summer.  Jane also reported that the suggestion made to change the Shelter's entrance to the driveway at the Water Treatment Plant is not possible.  This is secured land and not available.  Angie is working on getting the signs for staff parking in the new parking area.  Some bids have been received for gravel but another is needed before a decision is made.  Gina reported that the weed control proposal in the one gravel bid is not good for animals so this bid will have to be amended.  Jan reported several calls for estimates on a 3-sided shelter for employees have been made but no results yet.

 

c.  Fundraising:  No report.

 

d.  Education/Volunteer:  No report

 

MISCELLANEOUS:  Kaye asked if Gina had made contact with pertinent people regarding giving assistance to anyone in the Lincoln area needing help with their animals during the forest fires.  Gina reported that she had contacted the EMS system and would also call the Red Cross.

 

Lisa and JoLyn were then introduced.  They both volunteer their time and efforts at the Shelter often.  Lisa reported that the website needed updating and that she would be glad to help on this when Gina is ready to do so.    Discussion was held concerning outreach for volunteers to get them trained and aware faster and easier.  Debbe Pistoria is currently working with all the volunteers who do dog walking and Lisa is working with the cat volunteers.  Lisa also volunteered to do a presentation to all Shelter employees regarding improved customer service. 

 

The Board thanked our guests for coming and reiterated that our Board meetings are open to all who wish to attend. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  The board meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.  The next LCHS Board meeting will be Wednesday, September 17, 2003 in the Ponderosa Room at St. Peter’s Hospital.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Jan Sheehan for

Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson