SWCS-NCC Meeting Notes
March 8, 2007Participants: Chip Ramsey, George Utting, Ross Braun, Larry Holmes, Bill Boyer, and Beth Sauerhaft.
Minutes of the February Meeting were approved and will be posted on the website.
SWCS Silent Auction: Chapters are asked to send items, representative of their area, to auction at the annual national meeting. Proceeds help offset the expenses of the host chapter. Chip will check with Ducks Unlimited and purchase a framed print of ducks. Bill will purchase a hand carved/painted duck decoy. George will visit the DC tourism office and select some items representative of the Capitol area. Ross will serve as chapter delegate.
Scholarship: A motion was made, seconded and approved to create an add hoc committee to develop criteria for a NCC scholarship program. Chip will ask Beth Sauerhaft to head this committee as this has been of interest to her. Dan Durheim, with the Farm Bureau's Foundation Program will serve as an advisor to this activity.
Northeast Regional Conference: (April 24 & 25) Chip looked into logistics of renting a van for us to travel to Lancaster, Pennsylvania together as eleven people have expressed interest. NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster has authorized NRCS employees to attend this technical training and tour on government time only.
Financial Report, 2006: Total assets, in checking and savings, are $13,792.02. Melvin completed an audit of the financial records for 2006 and reported no negative findings. Larry also reported his research about renewing our status as a incorporated non-profit organization in Washington, DC. To do this the DC government would expect NCC to pay $600+ to reinstate. This issue was tabled until the next meeting.
Relationship with Society of American Forester-National Capital Chapter (NCSAF): Chip and Bill have been discussing opportunities with the SAF-NCC President and Program Chair. At a minimum we hope to conduct a Spring and/or Fall tour and work together on a joint scholarship activity. The idea was suggested that we conduct a join work session/tour in Rock Creek Park or at National Colonial Farm. Bill will meet with Eric Norland, Denise Ingram and discuss scholarships, mentoring, and joint program opportunities and report our next meeting.
Mentoring: Chip and Bill met with Dana York, Associate Chief of NRCS, several weeks ago. She suggested NCC mentor new employees in headquarters. The officers agreed with this idea, but we would expand to new employees in other agencies as appropriate. At a minimum we could create welcome packets and orientation conduct tours. Chip and Bill will develop and present an outline for mentoring at the next meeting.
Joint Activities with Society of American Forester-National Capital Chapter: Recorded by Bill Boyer, Chapter Secretary.
Next Meeting April 5th at 11:45 am, at EPA, room TBD
The SWCS-NCC Board meets the first Thursday of each month from 11:45-12:45.
The location will cycle among the organizations represented by Board members and be announced prior to each meeting.