HARBOR AREA REGIONAL BOARD OF RESOURCES, INC.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2004; 8:30 A.M.
FAIRVIEW OFFICE CENTER

Welcome/Attendance

Gallagher called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. Executive Director Danna Widmar also was present.

Minutes

Simon made a motion, with a second by Esposito, to approve the minutes from the June 24 and Aug. 5 meetings. Motion Carried.

Financials

Erber reviewed the financial report and noted that donations from the fundraising drive appear on the month’s statement with continued donations received every few days. Breighner moved, with a second by Esposito, to approve the financial report. Motion Carried.

Bike Trail

Danna has been contacted by several parties interested in a beach road route. Discussion took place to switch HARBOR Inc.’s emphasis away from leading the bike trail efforts to supporting the efforts of Top of Michigan so that Danna can move to other endeavors.

Rent

The lease for our Fairview Office space is to be renewed Nov. 1 with a $15 increase. Danna has met with the Historical Society about sharing space with them but their Ford Park location won’t easily accommodate us. Such a move may be 2 years away when the Society relocates to old city hall. Esposito moved, with a second by Simon, to continue the lease at Fairview. Motion Carried.

RSVP

The RSVP has asked for donations for their recognition luncheon. While our policy is to not financially support other non profits, because of the work by RSVP last year on our fund raising letter (folding and stuffing) which saved us several thousand dollars, we will donate $100 this year.

Website

A thermometer will be added to the site to show the status of our fundraising drive. The site has been updated to a new version that will better serve newsletter capability. Michael will continue to work on the site as well as help Danna more efficiently enter email addresses.

Fundraising

Tom spoke with Tom Bailey who stated that the Conservancy mails follow up ‘we miss you’ letters to those who gave one year but didn’t the following year. So far, most donations this year are new money.

Grants

Danna outlined grant projects in the works including easement funds (cooperative effort perhaps with Top of Michigan and Little Traverse Township) to be presented for possible Odawa Tribe revenue sharing funding. The Frey Foundation grant is underway. Discussion took place about a Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation grant application for educational efforts.

Thank you letters to those who have given are underway and will be completed in a few days. Denise asked about personalizing those that board members were connected with and Danna will get those letters to the various parties. Danna has brought in some extra help to complete the project.

Future Endeavors

Discuss took place focused on extra help, Danna’s time allocation, and grant writing. If grant funds allow for in kind dollars then we could add secretarial staff to help with daily efforts allowing Danna to focus on projects. Tom mentioned the build out study as one project that could be brought to fore front so that we use it to help with planning efforts. The recreation plan and the website are two initiatives that we have noted for work in 2004.

PR was discussed. There will be an article on area wide planning by Kate Bassett.

The executive committee moved into a closed session without Widmar to discuss Widmar’s year end evaluation efforts.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. The next meeting will be Oct. 5 at noon.



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Kathie Breighner, Secretary Dated