Lewis and Clark Humane Society
CALL TO ORDER: President Jean Ketchel
called the monthly meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society Board to order
at 6:07 pm at the shelter. Present were board members Jean Ketchel, Lisa
Mecklenberg Jackson, Tia Nelson, Annie Murfitt, Lisa Peterson, Kevin St. John,
Ed Stipich, Jen Hornung, and Debbie Irby.
Shelter executive director, Gina Wiest, and shelter bookkeeper, Robyn
McNellis, were also present. Board
members absent were Jane Benson, Jolyn Eggart, Kaye Davis, and Gail
Beattie. Guests included Esther
Suhr-Stewart, Laura Behenna, and Anita
Varone, L & C County Commissioner.
TREASURER’S REPORT: No report (Kaye absent). Robyn reported that the shelter has been receiving
donations from local businesses. She
suggested that when a large amount of money is received in memorials, something
should be done to recognize that. She
thought perhaps sending something to the family, rather than posting a
recognition at the shelter, which might result in hurt feelings. The shelter committee will look at maybe
doing a certificate for all contributors, with a plaque for higher
amounts.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: Motion by Tia, second by Annie, to approve
minutes from the July 2004 meeting.
Motion passed.
MONTANA SHARES
REPORT: Kevin reported that the 100
raffle tickets have to turned be in by Sept. 11. He handed out the numbered tickets to various
board members in June.
SHELTER COMMITTEE REPORT: Lisa P. went through the policy changes the committee had made to the employee policy manual. The
committee will incorporate suggested changes to the manual before producing a
final version.
BUILDING/GROUNDS
COMMITTEE: Ed reported that the windows have been framed. He thanked the volunteers who have been watering—it
looks good. At the end of September, his
committee would like to hold a cleaning day—to focus particularly on
cleaning out the garage. It was
suggested to put something in the newspaper about this to attract more volunteers. Discussion on the dog kennel: our
construction is feeding the mold. The
kennel should be made of sealed concrete to discourage mold from
developing. There is a possibility we
may be able to just clean the area up rather than rebuilding the entire kennel. Lisa P. will send a list of shelter
consultants to Gina—we would like to have them look at the kennel. Tia will also have Derek look at the area. Lisa P. will also work with Gina to determine
what kind of black mold we’re dealing with.
FUNDRAISING
COMMITTEE: Lisa M.J. reported the committee met last week and spent most of its time
discussing ways to help with Strutt Your Mutt on Sept. 11. It was decided to go ahead with putting a
fundraising flyer in the city water bill (Lisa P. and Jolyn handling). Laura reported that she had applied for a
Bernice Barber grant—she will get the results in Nov. Anita stated that the L & C Community
Foundation (distribute funds from donations) is meeting next week. Laura will look into that. Laura will also talk to local fundraising
guru Tim Baker about the possibility of him attending one of our upcoming board
meetings to discuss solicitation from major donors.
NOMINATING
COMMITTEE: Tia reported the committee had met with two potential board members,
Esther Suhr-Stewart and Joanna Dove. She
recommended that Esther be accepted onto the board (Joanna was not present at
this meeting). Ed seconded. Motion passed. Welcome Esther!
WEBSITE COMMITTEE: Lisa
P. reported that she will try one last time to get ahold of Ed B. next
week. Then we will have to move on
without him.
DISASTER PLAN: No
report.
SPAY/NEUTER TASK
FORCE: Lisa P. reported that several people had gone
to visit other SNIP events. She said 4-H
had agreed to allow us to use their building at the fairgrounds (with the
approval of the fairgrounds comm.). She
stated the group is getting many offers of volunteers. And she reiterated that this is an education
events, not just an spay/neuter event.
OTHER BUSINESS: Strutt Your Mutt, Sept.
11--Jean discussed the details for the event.
Big sponsors ($500-up) are needed by Aug. 20. They get their logo on the back of the
T-shirts. All sponsors are needed by
Sept. 1 (all are listed on the T-shirt).
Esther said she would look for sponsors in Townsend. The committee will be meeting Aug. 26 at
McKenzie River Pizza at 6. Meanwhile,
Lisa P. will be sending out a report to all, so we know where we stand. Legislative session—tabled for Sept.
meeting. Pet’oween—the
fundraising committee will take this on.
Annual meeting/election of officers—will be held Wednesday, Oct.
20 at The Pattern House. A press release
and postcard should be sent out to all members.
Annie will chair the awards committee. A motion by Tia, second by Annie, that each
committee send out written reports to the full board prior to each
month’s board meeting (for greater efficiency).
Motion passed.
SHELTER MANAGER’S REPORT: Gina
reported that a euthanasia inspector is coming tomorrow. The city has agreed to the budget we
asked for. Holly is leaving the
shelter after four years. There will be
a party for her on Aug. 22 at Clark’s Bay at 1.
MISCELLANEOUS: Anita reported that she had been out of the office
sick for three months. During this time,
the L&C
County budget was set without her. She would
never have approved county cuts to the humane society budget. She said the commissioners would like to hold
a meeting to discuss this with the board/shelter staff. Tia will call Mandy to set-up the
meeting. Anyone wishing to participate
should contact Tia. Anita also wanted to
discuss what she views as a serious problem at the shelter—ongoing poor
customer service. She and others have been ignored
while waiting at the counter at the shelter.
“This can’t happen,” she said.
“It is our responsibility to make sure staff get the training they need
in this area.” She also has an issue
with staff animals behind the counter.
“Why are you not showcasing adoptable pets?” she asked. The shelter committee will discuss Anita’s
concerns at their next meeting. Anita
also stated that she thought she was a member of the board. LCHS Bylaws, however, allow only a 15 member
board with each candidate going through an interview process. As a representative of the county, Anita
serves in an advisory capacity, not as a voting board member.
ADJOURNMENT:
The board meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
The next LCHS Board meeting will be at the shelter on Wednesday, Sept.
15, 2004 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa
Mecklenberg Jackson
LCHS
Secretary