May 21, 2007 meeting minutes

Hello again, everyone!

Here are the minutes and announcements from the May 21, 2007, meeting of the Indiana Master Naturalists group. It's a lot of info, but please take a few moments to read through it.


MEETING MINUTES:

( 1 ) Who Are We?

There was a discussion about what to name the group, but no consensus was reached. It was decided that a vote would be the most fair way to decide on a group name. Names that have been suggested are:


Southwestern Indiana Master Naturalists Association

Southwestern Indiana Master Naturalists Association of Wesselman Nature Society

Wesselman Master Naturalists Association

Master Naturalists Association of Wesselman Nature Society


Please email your vote (or further suggestions) to Jane Magary at jmagary@dpat.com by Wednesday, June 13th .

We will announce the results and formalize the vote at our next meeting.


( 2 ) Business

Susan Haislip would like to ask that anyone who has not yet turned in a volunteer interest survey, please do so ASAP.

Heidi Doss has not only agreed to serve as our charter Vice-President, but she has also already begun putting together programs for future meetings. Dr. Paul Doss has offered to conduct a geology field trip for us in August or September. Heidi has also offered to teach a one-hour program about how children learn, to help us learn methods for introducing young people to the wonders of the natural world.

The position of treasurer remains open at this time.

Dues for membership in the group were set at $25 per year.

Those present agreed that there would be no requirement for additional hours to be a member of the group. Requirements would be to pass the Master Naturalist class and complete service hours.


( 3 ) Guest Speakers

Vic Chamness, President of Wesselman Nature Society's Board of Directors, spoke with the group about the relationship between the Society and the Master Naturalist group. He thanked the group for their volunteer service, and invited Master Naturalists to attend Board of Directors' meetings to provide input and / or to serve on BOD committees.

The BOD has discussed last month's request for reduced Wesselman Nature Society membership fees for Master Naturalists, and the matter has been referred to the Board's Finance and Education Committees for further consideration. A BOD representative will attend the next IMN meeting to anwer any questions from the group.

Vic also talked about the exciting things that were in the works such as working with the city to plan and budget for renovations to the Wesselman Woods Nature Center building and a building at Howell Wetlands.

Group president Jane Magary asked Vic to pass the class members' thanks on to the Board and staff for the terrific instruction provided by staff during the Master Naturalist class.


Amy Brown, Program Manager for Canoe Evansville, gave a presentation about Canoe Evansville and Pigeon Creek. She answered group members' questions and shared a wonderful slide show.

Canoe Evansville's volunteer group meets at the Roca Bar on Kentucky Ave. at 6:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month, and all Master Naturalists are welcome to attend.


( 4 ) Next Meeting:

The next meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 18 at the nature center. We will be finalizing the vote for our group name, and Gena will give a short presentation on how to access and use the features on this website. If you are interested in providing refreshments, please contact Jane Magary at jmagary@dpat.com, (812) 473-6535 (day), or (812) 401-2327.



Click here for current volunteer opportunities.


Click here for upcoming programs and educational opportunities that you can enjoy.