LCSWA board meeting minutes from March 3, 2021 meeting

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 Linn County Small Woodlands Association Board of Directors meeting Wednesday March 3, 2021


Location: Cota-Melcher barn off Berlin Ridge Road


Attendance: Tim Otis, Jim Cota, Katie Kohl, Bonnie Marshall, Lee Peterman, Larry Mauter, Shirley Holmberg, Jonathan Christie (via zoom) Mike Barsotti (3 p.m.)


Meeting called to order at 2:30 p.m. by board President Tim Otis


Minutes of Dec. 2, 2020 — Lee Peterman move, Tim Otis 2nd, approval of minutes from 12-2-2020 with correction of day of meeting to Wednesday, not Thursday; unanimous approval.


Old Business 


Annual meeting results — Tim Otis and board members agreed COVID-driven post card annual meeting was “well organized” and success. About 60 ballot returned with total membership about 110. Shirley Holberg and Jim Cota elected to thee-year terms ending in 2024. 

Discussion followed. Tim Otis said Jim Merzenich has asked to vacate board seat. Motion suggested that board refuse resignation and vote to keep Merzenich on board permanently. Eventually, Lee Peterman moved, Christie second, that board accept Merzenich resignation and add Mike Barsotti to fill Merzenich term. Unanimous approval.


Seedling sale — Chairperson Bonnie Marshall said 26th annual sale a “huge success” with record numbers in pre orders, seedlings sold and net profit. She received at least 1/2 dozen followup e-mails from customers who thought the COVID-restricted sale was operated smoothly.

There were 247 pre-orders and another dozen or so after-sale  orders. Some 1,400 bundles were prepared by volunteers the day before sale — a very long day. Friday was a 13-hour day for some. Net profit this year was $14,745. Among other highlights reported: one customer came over from Bend, one order was $1,500, all conifer orders were filled  and at least five buyers were victims of historic Labor Day fires.

Board discussion followed. Bonnie to prepare for next meeting with budget for 2022 and any recommendations on pricing of seedlings or operations.


ONREF — Tim Otis to represent Linn County on scholarship decisions. Zoom meeting for ONREF decision set for Friday, March 12.


Membership committee — Looking for a replacement for Chairman Jim Merzenich. Membership now sits at about 110.


Robert Mealey pine project — Update from Larry Mauter and Jim Cota. Tree planting set for Thursday March 4. Two-panel sign nearing completion. Three bids received for sign work. Mauter to check with firms on some details. Melcher Logging has prepped site at Sunnyside Park. Documents with the county have been signed by both parties. Trees are in 12-inch containers. Media coverage included stories with art running Sat. Feb. 13 in  Corvallis and Albany dailies. The Capital Press in Salem ran a story a week earlier. Capital Press story triggered e-mail to board from Ken Miller, former Washington Farm Forestry  Association president, noting he has used Mealey’s “Old Man” poem as inspiration through the years. Tim and Lee will work on construction of posts and cover for the signs. Dedication of signs still planned for late spring. 



Bark — Deadline for next issue is March 13. Stories coming from our group are:

Pres Column, Tim; Seedling sale follow, Bonnie; Mealey update, Larry; Scholarship, Katie Kohl


Scholarship — Katie Kohl reported May 14 is deadline to get in applications for Robert Mealey Scholarships. Two of our current scholars are graduating with honors from OSU. Daniel Justice and Gracie Stutzman already have employment at Cascade Timber Consulting. Linn County high school graduates eligible for renewable $2,000 per year scholarships, funded by profits from the seedling sale. We have one continuing scholar on the books. 


Treasurers’ report — Shirley Holmberg delivered quarterly tallies. Details available to members from treasurer. Shirley has been representative for OSWA’s budget seminars, looking for “best practices” for money management and operation. It is wrapping up its work and will make recommendations. Budgeting items discussed included establishing job descriptions for treasurers, sending bank statements to multiple board members and possible bonding the treasurer. Also a brief discussion of chapter by-laws. Mike Barsotti reported that Benton chapter is reviewing its bylaws. Any budget changes we make would require amending our by-laws. Shirley will return to next board meeting with proposed fiscal budget for upcoming year as well as recommendations coming from the OSWA panel.


Activity Report: Lee Peterman and Shirley Jolliff will host a spring tour at Bogwood. Date TBA but should come at wildflower peak. COVID protocols will be in place. Other possible tours involve 70-acre thinning process at Otis property. Directors plan to hold annual picnic TBA at Sunnyside Park at Mealey pine grove. 


4-H report — Noted that 4-H given permission to resume activities with COVID protocols.


New Business — 


Pending Oregon legislation — Mike Barsotti has attended hearings. Among possible legislation, he reported that one proposal would defund OFRI. An audit of the organization will be out this fall, he said, saying decision on funding should be held off at least until then.


New webmaster — No action taken. Site is still being updated in the “news” section by Larry. Need to update site from HTML to WordPress. Some options available. Jonathan and Larry looking at this.


Next meeting location and time — Cota-Melcher property shelter off Berlin Ridge Road. Wednesday June 2 with 4 p.m start. 


Adjourn: Larry move, Tim second adjourn, unanimous.


—tentative minutes submitted by Larry Mauter



 










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