Lewis and Clark Humane Society

Minutes of Board Meeting

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

 

CALL TO ORDER: President Jean Ketchel called the monthly meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society Board to order at 6:05 pm at the shelter. Present were board members Jean Ketchel, Tia Nelson, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Jan Sheehan, Jane Benson, Jennifer Green, Judy Trevor, Jolyn Eggart, Lisa Peterson, and Kevin St. John.  Shelter executive director Gina Wiest and shelter bookkeeper Robyn McNellis were also present.  Board members absent were Annie Murfitt and Kaye Davis.  Guests present included Ed Stipich, Jen Hornung, Laura Behenna, Deb Pistoria, and Stephanie Byrket.

 

TREASURER’S  REPORT:  In the absence of Kaye, Robyn pointed out two high points in the budget.  We are at 114% for memorials for the year and 94.4% of recycling (the year ends June 30).  Jolyn asked that board members be educated on where the money goes.  She can find out at the budget meeting in the spring—or visit with Gina and Robyn at the shelter.

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Motion by Tia, seconded by Lisa P., to approve the Feb. 2004 minutes.  Motion passed.

 

MONTANA SHARES REPORT: Jan reported that Eat Your Fair Share, a fundraiser, will be held Monday and Friday, March 26 and 29.  A gift of $100 value is needed by April 1 for the annual raffle.  Montana Shares needs 200 of the next humane society newsletters.   Jan will see if she can get a list of those who give through MT Shares, via a request from Lisa P.

 

SHELTER COMMITTEE REPORT: The Great Falls Humane Society currently has no director and they would like to “rent” Gina on a M-W-F one week, T-Th the next week, schedule—for eight weeks.  Gina’s salary and mileage would be $479/week.  GF is willing to pay $500/week (we pay Gina, they pay us).  This is a good opportunity for Gina and an excellent chance for networking with other shelters.   Gina would help them direct their shelter and could also assist with ideas, marketing, and interviewing new director candidates.  Christine would be in charge at the LCHS when Gina is gone, with Jessie second in command.  Board members felt this would be an OK arrangement as long as the LCHS does not suffer.  Motion by Jane, seconded by Judy, to “rent” Gina to the Great Falls Humane Society for eight weeks.  Motion passed.

 

Pizza Hut has agreed to donate 20% of their proceeds on a given day to the LCHS if people tell them they heard about the event with regard to the LCHS.  The humane society gets posters and advertises. 

 

The shelter needs 4-5 new computers.  Lisa P. suggested hitting up some of the big retailers for donations (Intel, Gateway, etc.).  Jane suggested checking locally as well (The P.C. Store, etc.).  Lisa and Jane will do some checking and report back on this to the shelter committee next month.

 

The shelter committee recommends that the wage for basic cleaning/kennel cleaning be raised from $5.50/hr. to $6.50/hr., effective July 1.  Motion by Lisa P., seconded by Jan.  Motion passed.

 

Broadwater County says they cannot afford to pay $53/animal for LCHS services for animals from that county.  Gina and Jolyn attended a meeting with the county commissioners and they seem willing to work with us.  They have asked to be billed monthly or quarterly for actual usage, to be reviewed annually.  (Gina is already providing them with quarterly statistics).   A motion was made by Lisa P., second by Jolyn, to enter into a new yearly contract with Broadwater County providing periodic billing.

BUILDING/GROUNDS COMMITTEE:  Jane mentioned that dog walkers can’t go out of the east end of the building (to help prevent congestion in the front office area) without a railing on the stairs.  The committee will talk about this at their next meeting.  Spring clean-up day will be Sunday, April 25 from 12-4.  Gina will alert service groups to that day.  Jane also mentioned that a fellow will be contacting Gina with a bid on a three-sided outdoor shelter that people can use when they visit with dogs, or just want to be outside.

 

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE:  At their last meeting, the committee made drop-off boxes for cell phones and a list of businesses who would be getting the boxes (Big R., pet stores, city/county building).  The grant proposal for the spay/neuter room is ready to go.  Laura wrote a good cover letter for it.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:  The nominating committee met with two new potential board members, Ed Stipich, and Jen Hornung.  They asked that these two people be accepted onto the board.  Motion by Tia, second by Jan, to accept Ed and Jen as new board members.  Motion passed.

 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE:  This committee has not yet met.

 

WEBSITE COMMITTEE:  This group met and made a list of what elements should be incorporated into a new Website.  Current Webmaster Ed Benasky was unable to make the meeting.  The committee will be meeting again on April 5 with Ed in attendance.

 

DISASTER PLAN  COMMITTEE:  This committee has not yet met.

 

SPAY/NEUTER TASK FORCE:  This group is still looking for members.  They meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at Perkins at 11:30.  The community spay/neuter event will be held Oct. 21-25 in building #1 at the fairgrounds.  Letters are being sent to Jefferson and Broadwater Counties, asking for their participation.  Letters are also being sent to local vets asking them to participate.  Jane said the Helena Business Council would like to have someone come to their meeting and talk about this—and they would also like to have someone on the spay/neuter committee.

 

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE:  There was some discussion on the role of this proposed committee.  Jean thinks this committee should deal with board volunteers, not shelter volunteers, as it is not board domain to deal with shelter volunteers.  Lisa P. thinks it could serve as a place for shelter volunteers to talk and receive some development and training.  Lisa P. will bring a mission statement for the proposed committee to the board meeting next month.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:  It costs $150 a year to join the Montana Nonprofit Association.  Their health insurance plan takes effect on April 1.  This group also offers training, networking, and lobbyist services.  The decision to join the MNA was tabled until next month when it can be determined how much might be saved in health insurance costs.  Strutt Your Mutt.  We need to start planning now.  A Strutt Your Mutt Committee will be added to the committee sign-up sheet.  Jane stated that she has been doing the LCHS newsletter, Animal Tracks, for five years now and is looking for a new editor, to start with the June issue.  Jane has put together an editor guidebook and would be willing to offer guidance.  Lisa P. volunteered.  Tia said she would like to do a pet advice column and offered that “it’s a really good newsletter.  Jane has done a great job with it.”

 

SHELTER MANAGER’S REPORT:  

Gina gave February 2004 statistics. 

Dogs                      Cats                       Rabbits

Came in                            83                          78                          1

Returned to Owner              35                          5                          

Adopted                            31                          38                          1

Euthanized                        5                           34 (mostly feral)

Came in spayed/neutered     39                          20

 

MISCELLANEOUS:  Gina stated that two new windows were put in the isolation ward last weekend and more will be put in this coming weekend.  Many thanks to Deb P. who talked Anderson Windows into donating all the windows, and Derek Brown and Ed Stipich for putting the windows in.  Jolyn would like to do something fun, like an appreciation day for staff, board, and volunteers.  She will work on putting something together.  Gina would like to have an open house this year as the shelter has been in business 40 years.  The board usually adopts a dog ($120) and cat ($100) kennel each year.  Motion by Tia, second by Lisa MJ, to do this.  Each board member should bring $15 to the next board meeting.  Henry, the shelter dog, recently died.  Gina has his remains in an urn with his collar on it and is having a plaque made with his picture on it. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  The board meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.  The next LCHS Board meeting will be at the shelter on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at 6:00 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson

LCHS Secretary