Sorry; it's getting late and I'm not thinking clearly.
These corrections reflect the unanimous approval of two motions mentioned in
the previous publishing. (See purchase of salmon gift for Yohan Fernando,
and new policy for qualification of President.)
I'm playing "catch-up" so don't be confused by the fact that these minutes
are from the March board meeting. Several things have changed since then.
Rick
Greater
Seattle
Aquarium
Society Board Meeting Minutes: March 18, 2004
(at the Commons area of
Weter Hall, SPU)
Board Members Present Absent
Bob Holmes
Susan Welenofsky
Rick Rose
Sandu Simion
Paul Winchester
Membership Observers
(None)
Preliminary Business
* (None)
Executive Committee Reports
* The Minutes of the previous Board meeting (February 19, 2004) were
accepted and approved.
* The Treasurer's Report (emailed prior to meeting by Susan):
1) Current Bank Balance: $3201.76
2) Cash Box: 40.00
3) Outstanding Bills - (Unknown)
Meeting & Program Schedule
Month Topic / Activity
Fish-o-the-Month
SEP 9th Introduce yourself and your fish, solicit ideas, Nominations
($30 Dave-Dwarf/Pygmy Coreys)
OCT 21st Dave Sanford - Intro/Spawning of Killifish, Elections
(Dave & Bob)
NOV 11th Matt Kaufman - Slides of Various 2000 Activities
(Algae-eating Shrimp)
DEC 9th Christmas Party
(None)
JAN 13th Double-feature Movie Night
(Sandy Gibson - $20-40)
FEB 10th Plant Auction
(None)
MAR 9th Yohan Fernando (Bay view Room)
(Wild Bettas - Victorea)
APR 13th General Auction
(None)
MAY 11th Tom Waltzek (loaches)
(Loaches)
JUN 8th Home Show, Erik & Kathy's video, Board Elections
(Cories, Dwf. Cichlids, Tetras)
(2004-2005 Club-Year)
SEP 14th ]___ Oliver Lucanus?
OCT 12th ]
NOV 9th
DEC 14th Christmas Party
JAN 11th
FEB 8th Plant Auction
MAR 8th
APR 12th General Auction
MAY 10th
JUN 14th
(*) Tentative, Special Dates
Bob notified Kelly that we have chosen to keep our regular March meeting
date and will accept the Bay view Room - we will need a screen.
Special Dates (in Red)
List of possible speakers:
* Pam Chin
* Steve Lunblad (African Cichlids) FOTM: Tanganyikan Cichlids
* ____________ (Livebearers, Bob will contact possible speakers
proposed by Frank Tomko.)
* Steev Ward (Freshwater Fish Diseases from a Practical Standpoint)
FOTM: Any nice tetra, barb, catfish, otocinclus
* Wayne Liebel - Cichlids, or History of the Aquarium Hobby
* Paul Louiselle
* Bob will ask Erik to explain how Manufacturer-Sponsored Speakers
work
* Bob will contact GPAS to see if they want to share
* Bob will contact Van Couver to see if they want to share
* Mel O'Meare (sp?) - Large Central American Cichlids (Dave) FOTM:
New World cichlids - NO CONVICTS, Blue Rams would be good.
* South American cichlids (broad selection. could be subdivided into
dwarf,pike etc.)
* Anabantoids (again, subdivide into bettas, gouramis etc.) -Catfish
(Lee Finley?)
* Asian fish (loaches, barbs, rasboras etc.)
* Gold Fish
* Lee Findley - Catfish
* Steve MacDonald - Discus (Paul/Susan will contact - possibly for
January) FOTM: Corey Cats, Tetras
* Yohan Fernando - Wild Bettas - Part II
* David Spector - Show Bettas (possibly for January)
* Tom Waltzek - Loaches (requested by Don Rudee) - FOTM: Loaches
* Oliver Lucanus (www.belowwater.com) - Sandu will get contact info to
Bob FOTM: (Variety)
* Takashi Amano
Meeting Ideas:
o Field trip to African NW (South Park Industrial Area - weekend
activity) (Sam is willing to set up - let him know when ready)
o Videos from Erik's library
o Double-feature Night with popcorn, etc..
* National Geographic video - Jewels of Tanganyika - tape ordered and
on the way
* Collecting on the Rio Negro
o Home Video Night (10 minute presentation by various members)
o Rain Forest Aquarium Presentation by Sandu
o Erik and Kathy's collection trip in the Amazon [FOTM: Dwarf
cichlids, Corey cats, tetras]
o Florida Aqua Farms Presentation
o Anthony Calfo - from Pennsylvania - Saltwater (friend of Sandu)
[Sept, Oct, or Nov?]
o Advanced Killifish Presentation - Dave Sanford/Kate Breimayer
Next Meeting: April 13, 2004
* The April General Meeting is our Annual Auction. (See General
Auction Check-list.)
* Bob will post question on the Board email list: "What about moving
the General Auction to May?"
* Paul will post the auction action-items and a summary of the
check-list.
* Bob will write text of "Auction Rules", board will review, and Rick
will make handouts and signs.
* Paul will advertise in News Groups
* Bob will post ad in the Times, PI, online for 1 week If for $22.00.
Old Business
* Recap of March General Membership Meeting - Yohan Fernando (Wild
Bettas)
* 35 members signed in, plus visitors for a total of 41 in attendance.
* (email feedback...)
o The presentation was very informative and I found it interesting
that there were so many different betta species. The presentation was taped
by Eric so he may be able to get you a tape to view. (Paul)
* Yohan refused to let us pay for his hotel. It was moved, seconded,
and unanimously approved that the club will buy a smoked salmon gift package
($35 - 50.) Rick will make a "Thank You" card and Bob will send it to
Yohan.
* June Olberding (from the membership) requested that the kid's
coloring contest winning entries be displayed on the table near the
entrance. Rick will do this. (Outstanding)
* Susan is considering the BAP Committee Chair. She will research the
BAP requirements on the GSAS website and present a proposal for restarting
this program. - Tabled until the April 2004 meeting.
* Bob will ask Tori and Florian to be the Hospitality Backup when
Trish is not able to attend. (Done - both agreed.)
* Rick will notify Holly of the Board's decision about a Message Board
- Outstanding
* Rent Increase
o Bob still plans to write the text of a letter that will be reviewed
by the board on the email list and printed onto the new letterhead by Rick
for mailing. We will no longer be asking for a reprieve from the rent
increase, but instead, will simply express our appreciation for the good,
working relationship between GSAS and the Seattle Aquarium.
o We will shoot for May at the new location.
o Promising Possibility - Weter Hall on SPU Campus
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gsas-board@thekrib.com
[mailto:owner-gsas-board@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Bob and Judy Holmes
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 8:31 PM
To: gsas-board@thekrib.com
Subject: Hopeful news
Importance: High
Today I visited the SPU campus and met with Judy Bruce, the
person who handles facility rentals. I was very favorably impressed with
what she showed me.
Here's a description of the facility...
It's a large classroom adjacent to an even larger space
that I would describe as a "common area", all contained within one large
building. There are a couple of smaller offices off to the side. Some of
the features include:
-Movable tables and chairs in both the
classroom and the common area. The classroom will hold forty-plus people
easily, and we would be able to use the common area for auctions. Both areas
are brightly lit and cheerful.
-The classroom comes with a pull down
screen, window shades and a built-in computer and projector for Powerpoint
presentations. The computer is connected to the internet.
-Judy [Bruce] has to get a final OK on
storing our cabinet, but she didn't think it would be a problem.
-The building opens onto a circular
courtyard,and the courtyard is accessible via wide outdoor stairways no
worse than the stairway at the aquarium. There is a wheelchair lift that
rides up the stairs, if needed (advance notice required). There's even a
loading area and ramp for bringing in auction stuff.
- We can have food there, and there is a
convenience store located a few yards away that sells food, coffee etc.
-Judy assured me that there is ample free
parking in the evenings. The parking is close to the building.
-The cost for renting is $75.00/month.
This is a really nice modern campus. They have a security force. The campus
is easy to get to from I-5 and 99. There are plenty of signs directing you
to the campus. Judy is extremely friendly and helpful.
I strongly encourage anyone and everyone on this list, especially current
board members, to visit the campus and check this facility out before any
final decisions are made. Judy would be glad to make any necessary
arrangements for a member to view the facility at their convenience either
morning, afternoon or evening. Her telephone number is (206) 281-2058;
email jbruce@spu.edu, her office is in building #29 on the map (the address
is 3220 6th Ave. West).
The name of the building where we would meet is called Weter Hall, #28 on
the map. The parking is the area marked 45 on the map.
See URLs below
http://www.spu.edu/info/maps/directions.html
http://www.spu.edu/info/maps/index.
<http://www.spu.edu/info/maps/index.html> html
<http://www.spu.edu/info/maps/index.html> Any questions/comments?
Just as a personal note....I really really like this place!
Bob...
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gsas-board@thekrib.com [mailto:owner-gsas-board@thekrib.com] On
Behalf Of Bob and Judy Holmes
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 10:41 AM
To: gsas-board@thekrib.com
Subject: SPU update
Talked to Judy Bruce. Got the following answers to Rick's questions.
-Clean up. They provide janitorial service. No problem.
-Occasional change of meeting night. No problem provided reasonable
advanced notice is given.
-Access. The facility will be ready for us and open on meeting nights. I
take this to mean there will be heat. We would probably need to have a key
to get to our cart.
-Insurance. We will need insurance, so this back - burner item will have to
be addressed right away. Judy is going to let me know the cost of our being
added to their insurance as a "rider". Maybe there are members who work in
the insurance industry and could give us a hand here.
We can have our board meeting in the common area of our prospective meeting
place, Weter Hall, and I think it would be a great idea if we do that. I'll
need to know board members' thoughts on this by tomorrow night so that I can
get back to Judy on this. Food and drink are available within a few steps of
Weter Hall at the campus convenience store. Don't know about its quality but
it smelled pretty good yesterday.
Bob
o Bob got a quick insurance quote from one of his agents. The cost
would be $124.00. Bob will get a list of what's covered.
* Home Show (Status) - There are 6 applicants.
* Bob would like to put together a Library Handout. (Outstanding)
* Rick will email a copy of the Articles of Incorporation to Bob.
(Outstanding)
* Board Member Elections for 2004-2005 Club-Year - Rick
o There are (5) board positions; each of which will ultimately become
2-year terms.
o All five stood for election in 2003, so all 5 are treated equally.
o Two need to stand for election this year (2004) in order to stagger
the terms.
o If two naturally open up, those will become positions 4 & 5,
standing for election in 2004 for a 2-ear term (2004-2005, 2005-2006)
o If two do not open up, then we will all draw from a hat to see who
"becomes" position numbers and 5.
o Proposed schedule...
1. March Board Meeting - Give each current board member one month to
decide if they want to remain or retire.
2. April General Meeting - Announce Board Election Process upcoming,
think about if you are interested.
3. April Board Meeting - Declare desire to remain or retire - draw if
necessary. Number positions, confirm desire to run for another term.
4. May General Meeting - Receive Nominations from the membership.
5. May Board Meeting -
6. June General Meeting - Elections
o Paul and Sandu each volunteered to fill board positions 4 and 5 and
to run for re-election this year. Paul is designated as position number 4
and Sandu is designated as position number 5.
o It was moved and seconded that the following policy be established.
When each newly elected board first meets to elect officers, they will
choose from those members of the board that have at least one full year of
GSAS Board experience. This motion passed unanimously.
o In general, returning officers will be offered the opportunity to
retain their office if they so desire - in which case, the board will simply
ratify their retention of their current position.
New Business
1. Rick will produce a pamphlet similar to last month - Content...
* April will be our last regular meeting at the Seattle Aquarium - New
Location to be announced.
* Librarian wanted
* Upcoming Events
* Article Contest
* Sandu - Aqua-Tips - Attaching aquatic ferns to drift wood.
* New Members
* New Members since last meeting - Susan
* Elaine Sperry
* Bob will respond to an offer from Jungle Laboratories to list GSAS
on their "Societies List," free samples, etc.
* Bob would like to solicit a volunteer to take on the Librarian
Position.
Announcements for the next General Meeting
* Paul - We need a new Newsletter Editor
* Sandu - New Article Contest: Fish Yarns - Unusual Stories and
Experiences with your Fish - Deadline April 30, 2004
* Bob - Meeting Location Update
* Jeff - Home Show (Become part of your club's history!)
* Bob - May Meeting - Tom Waltzek (Loaches)
* Bob - Need New Librarian
* Rick - Board Member Elections in June
Low-Priority and On-going Issues
(The following issues which may or may not have been addressed above will
continue to be listed here until they are completely resolved.)
* Official Bylaws - Rick
1. Dave has obtained a copy of GPAS bylaws and passed them on to Rick
2. Erik has obtained a copy of AKA bylaws and passed them on to Rick
3. Erik found a copy of the GSAS bylaws, scanned them, and gave them to
Rick
4. Rick has produced an editable text file from the scanned images - a
copy given to each board member and one to June Olberding.
* Promotional Materials for GSAS - Rick
* Poster Boards (for Fish Stores) and GSAS fliers are still
outstanding.
* Business cards will be produced for all board members plus the
Newsletter Editor. All new board members and June agreed to have their
phone numbers and email addresses included on their card. Paul would like
his cell phone number (206-383-2910) used rather than his home phone.
* GSAS Fliers
* Standard GSAS Thank You cards - Done
* T-Shirts and Caps with GSAS logo
* New Member Application and Informational Brochure in time for
Auction
* A-Frame Sign(s)
* Historian Project(s) - Rick
* History of Philanthropy Projects
* Probe the minds of Clay, Dave, Bob, and Erik
* Look for old article (on the 30-years CD), written by Laurie Hess,
about the "Providence Tank"
* Committee Chair - "Job Descriptions" - Rick has no progress to
report.
* Discussion on a future Philanthropy Project - Clay
* Clay has asked Diane Elliot how Rich (a lawyer) would advise us to
proceed with regard to Liability Insurance - Waiting for an Answer.
* Meeting Activities for younger kids - Dave, Bob, and Rick (Tori
Craig)
1. Dave - coloring book update - gave a folder full of artwork to Rick.
2. Rick - pages for the coloring book that promote GSAS
3. Rick - Aquarium-related word searches, puzzles, mazes
* Sandu - a presentation to introduce his idea for an "Aquascaping
Award Program." Brief discussion highlights from last month's meeting are
as follows: - Moved to "Low Priority" items at Sandu's request. Sandu will
prepare a short "blurb" for the January Newsletter.
o Submissions/entries would be pictures
o Entrants should have the option of being/providing their-own
photographer or requesting that a "club photographer" (one person, to be
determined) take the pictures. This would alleviate the potential problem
of "blaming" a non-winning entry on "which photographer was assigned to take
their picture."
o The contest could accept entries during the entire club-year,
culminating in a slide presentation at the June meeting, at which time the
membership would judge the entries and vote for the winner(s).
o Sandu will asked if there is enough interest in this idea at the
last general meeting.
* The "show of hands" of those interested in receiving an electronic
version of the newsletter was positive at the December 2003 meeting. June
will continue to investigate on a low priority basis.
Next Board Meeting Location
The location of the next meeting will be at Bob Holmes' home. The date will
be Thursday, April 22, 2004, starting promptly at 7:30pm.
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