Lewis and
Minutes of Board Meeting
Call to Order: President Jean Ketchel called the
monthly meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society Board to order at
TREASURER’S REPORT:
In lieu of a treasurer’s
report, Robyn talked about several things.
She has received the Montana Shares raffle tickets. They will be inserted in the next LCHS
newsletter and board members are encouraged to sell them. Tickets sold have to go back to Robyn. The drawing will be held Sept. 6. Anne, Jean, Angie, and Robyn will meet with
Mark Blesinger from D.A. Davidson to discuss options with regard to the Pauline
Allen money. Robyn also clarified a
budget matter: money for spays and neuters goes directly to the vets and should
not be reflected on the humane society account (we serve as a holding
reservoir). However, if people donate
money specifically for spays and neuters, this must be reflected as income on
the LCHS budget. When the vet is paid,
it shows up as an expense. (These changes
to the budget will be reflected after June 30).
SECRETARY’S REPORT: Motion made by Anne, seconded by Kaye, to approve the April 2003 minutes
after fixing one typo. Motion passed.
SHELTER MANAGER’S
REPORT: Gina reported that we did the right thing for Monty
(a.k.a. Nibbles) the dog, who was taken out of an abusive situation and put
in a new home. He is doing well. Gina read a copy of a letter she is
sending to local vets, listing their fees and policies; the letter is
provided to all adopters. She has asked
vets to respond with any changes by June 2.
Gina also read a budget letter she had prepared, describing what
the shelter budget is and what we’re asking for. Gina reported that she had been approached by
the city again regarding the painting of the shelter building to match
city-owned buildings in the area. Our
buildings are maintenance free and do not require painting, so we are not
interested. After receiving a bid of
$44,000 for adding a ventilation system to the shelter building, Gina has asked
for another bid on a ventilation system for only the main part of the
building. Only one bid has been
received. Gina will keep us posted. There will be an adopt-a-thon and open
house at the shelter on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 13-15. 11-7 on Friday and Saturday and 11-5 on
Sunday. Saturday there will be an
official dedication of the new cat room (which is done except for painting and
testing for feline leukemia—necessary for open cat rooms). Gina said inside painting at the shelter
needs to be done before the adopt-a-thon.
Painting is planned for June 1 and June 8 at noon. Gina has received the commercial sprayer
and tag maker approved at last month’s board meeting. She has also received 10 dog kennel
panels. She has also been contacted by
Eric Griffen, public works for the county, who has offered to donate all the
equipment and gravel to fix up the shelter driveway (all we would have
to pay is overtime). This would be a
much cheaper than the $6,600 approved for the driveway at the last
meeting. Gina also reported that all
kennels in the main building have beds now, thanks to the efforts of
volunteer Debbe Pistoria. This has cut
down on laundry by 99%. Gina reported on
Camp Collie, which has been moved from Shelby to Great Falls. Gina goes up on Mondays (her day off) and
Christine goes up on Sundays (her day off).
The second trial is scheduled for May 27 in Anaconda. Jean asked Gina about hantavirus—Gina
replied that it’s not really a concern at the shelter. Finally, Gina reported that the Bozeman
facility for rabies testing is going to start charging $25/head for
testing. Our shelter has a policy that
any animal which bites someone is euthanized and sent to Bozeman for
testing. If it’s a shelter customer or
employee that’s been bitten, this policy will continue (a line item is needed
in the budget for this). Otherwise, the
person bitten will have to pay for testing (about $35 with shipping and
handling charges).
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
Microchipping: Robyn had price figures on microchips from Sharing Plow. For 400/time they’re $5.95 each; for 200/time, they are $7.15 each. After some discussion, Tia motioned that the shelter implement the microchip system and that all animals adopted from the shelter get microchipped before leaving. Anne seconded this motion. Motion passed. (This is subject to Anne checking with the board of veterinary medicine to see if this is accepted practice for vets). It was also suggested that the shelter hold a “chip-a-thon” as a fundraiser, where people would bring in their animals to be microchipped. Kaye suggested having a microchip booth at Strutt Your Mutt. The minimum amount charged should be $15. Tia said that she and Stephanie could hold a microchipping and vaccine clinic next fall on behalf of the humane society.
Land lease: Lease has been signed for 99 years.
Spay & neuter room: Tabled for now.
Retz envelopes: Jan reported that Retz has a large supply of old humane society donation envelopes. She will get new envelopes and bring them to Retz as they have been very supportive of us.
Cell dogs: Angie discussed this program where prison inmates take dogs with problems and train them. She thinks this is a great program and maybe something we can get into down the road, by working with the state prison.
Anne made a motion, Tia seconded, to approve Jessie’s raise, Karen’s promotion, the proposed shelter budget, and the moving of board meetings to Wednesday nights. Motion approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Strutt Your Mutt is planned for July 19, 2003.
Jean sent around a sign-up sheet for duties. Registration will be from 8-10, 9-12 is the
pet fair, and 10 is the walk. Send ideas
for contests to Angie. Sarah will
solicit prizes from Big R.
Distribution of Animal
Tracks: Jane is looking for
someone to help distribute Animal Tracks,
the LCHS newsletter. Interested parties
should contact Jane.
New treasurer and member(s) of shelter committee: Kaye volunteered to serve as treasurer, and
Annie and Kaye volunteered to join Gina, Jean, Tia, and Denise on the shelter
committee. These positions are open
following the resignation of Gerry Daumiller in March.
Discussion of committees: This is a good time to get going on committees such as fundraising,
volunteers, and education, as we have some “new blood” on the board. Ideas for fundraising included an insert into
a mailing, much like the water bill mailing.
Gina and Mike are part of the Parks program this summer, going around
and talking about animal safety to children.
Annie suggested that each committee of 2-3 people should do work outside
of the main meeting and just bring action items to the board. There will be a serious discussion of
committee work at the July board meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS: Anne is legal counsel to the board of veterinary medicine. She broached the subject of LCHS becoming the training center for euthanasia tech training. Right now, the closest training center is in Idaho. Anne said things would have to be in place by January. The board was agreeable to looking into the idea. Jean will write thank yous to the key people who helped pass HB 553, the cruelty bill from the 2003 session. These individuals include Dave Pauli, Dave Gallik, Mark Noenning, Bruce Malcolm, Joe Tropila, John Parker, Linda Hughes, and Jean Atthowe
ADJOURNMENT:
The board meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
The next LCHS Board meeting will be Wednesday, June 18, 2003 at 6:30 pm
in the Ponderosa Room at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson