Lewis and Clark Humane Society

Minutes of Board Meeting

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

CALL TO ORDER: President Jean Ketchel called the monthly meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society Board to order at 6:10 pm at the shelter. Present were board members Jean Ketchel, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Kaye Davis, Annie Murfitt, Lisa Peterson, Kevin St. John, Ed Stipich, and Jen Hornung. Shelter executive director Gina Wiest was also present. Board members absent were Tia Nelson, Jane Benson, and Jolyn Eggart. (Board member Judy Trevor recently submitted her resignation).

TREASURER’S REPORT: Kaye reported that with one month left in the fiscal year, we should stay within the budget, as we are under-budget in most areas.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Motion by Kaye, seconded by Lisa P., to approve minutes from the May 2004 meeting. Motion passed.

MONTANA SHARES REPORT: No report from Kevin.

SHELTER COMMITTEE REPORT: No report.

BUILDING/GROUNDS COMMITTEE: Ed Stipich, new chair of the committee, reported that the improvements to the moldy dog kennel are going to constitute a major renovation and an architect is likely needed. Ed said he could guess some estimates, but the job will be bigger than that. The ventilation system alone was $40,000—this will likely be closer to $100,000. There was some discussion of going to the city/county for financial assistance, as well as exploring grant options. A booklet from the Shelter Planners of America was handed around. Ed reported that the railing on the east end of the kennel had been put up.

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE: At its last meeting, the fundraising committee discussed a capital campaign for renovating the dog kennels. This idea has been put on hold until the extent of the project is known.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Lisa M.J. reported that 10 people responded to the article in the IR and expressed their interest in serving as board members. The committee will begin interviewing the candidates as soon as possible.

WEBSITE COMMITTEE: Lisa P. has sent Ed some files; he is fairly slow to update the page. She is unsure what the shelter e-mail addresses will be.

SPAY/NEUTER TASK FORCE: Lisa P. reported that SNIP now has a publicity plan, although a budget hasn’t been completed yet. Local vets are supportive. Judy Fenton (from the Mikal Kellner Foundation) is conducting a survey regarding help getting in feral cats from colonies for the SNIP event in October.

OTHER BUSINESS: Strutt Your Mutt—This yearly event will be held Saturday, Sept. 11, tentatively at the fairgrounds. Jean and Bev put together a master sheet for organizing the Strutt event. A committee meeting was planned for 6 pm Friday, June 25 to meet at the fairgrounds to check out the grounds. A committee sign-up sheet will be started at that time. EARS Training (EARS=Emergency Animal Rescue group). Jean recently attended a free training in Missoula discussing housing of animals during a people crisis and other things. She said the training was great and everyone should go. We will begin working on our own disaster plan based on information gathered at this session. Brewers game: Jolyn and Lisa P. are working on organizing an outing to a Brewers game for the board and shelter staff. The game will be Sunday, July 25 and they will work out the details. (It was suggested that the board pay for staff to go). Motion by Kaye, second by Jen, to approve posting a fundraising letter (the same letter sent out in Aug. 2002) to go in with the city water bill mailing (at a cost of $50 plus copying charges). The suggested deadline for doing this is June 30, 2004. Lisa P. and Jolyn will be handling this. Status of Chihuahuas: Gina reported the case is pending before a circuit judge. The defendant is attempting a plea bargain. There will be a conference call on this matter on July 20 and likely a trial in August. Gina reported that no other animals are being euthanized because of the presence of the Chihuahuas. “They’re small.”

SHELTER MANAGER’S REPORT: Gina gave May 2004 statistics.

Dogs Cats Other

Impounded 114 108 3

Returned to Owner TOTAL 42

Adopted 39 22 1

Euthanized 4 47 1

Spayed/neutered 46 26

Gina hopes to hold an open house/adopt-a-thon at the shelter July 16-18. With regard to fees for adopting animals, it was reiterated that Gina is authorized to hold “sales” whenever she deems it appropriate.

MISCELLANEOUS: Lisa P. reported that a classified ad for shelter kittens will be running in the IR—they gave it to us for free.

ADJOURNMENT: The board meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm. The next LCHS Board meeting will be at the shelter on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at 6:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson

LCHS Secretary