SWCS-NCC Meeting Notes
May 29, 2008 - TeleconferenceParticipants: Ross Braun, Jan Surface, Tom Fedewa, Phil Spinelli, Larry Holmes, Michele Laur, George Utting, and Bill Boyer
Berg Fellows Program: Bill will follow-up with Sue Ann Lyons on next steps from Ankeny perspective. Bill will also work with Doug McKalip to continue planning for the National Capital Chapter.
Smithsonian Soils Exhibit: Jan, Bill, Ross, and Maxine worked alongside staff of the NRCS Soil Survey Division and Barbara Stauffer, exhibit developer with the Smithsonian Institution to staff the exhibit, at the Food and Wine Festival at National Harbor, May 17&18. The event was well attended and participants considered the exhibit an excellent marketing opportunity. Ross will send a reminder to NCC members about the opportunity to help at the Soils Exhibit "Dig It" at the National Museum of Natural History, starting July 19. Dana York is interested in assisting as a docent and Phil suggested we also contact retired folks in the DC metropolitan area.
Bio-fuels exhibit at the National Arboritum: The Bio-Fuels exhibit opens June 211 through this fall. Tom Alias, ARS, is coordinating. This exhibit is being considered for part of the NCC fall tour. Ross will contact Eric Norland, president of NCSAF to discuss conducting a joint fall tour. Jan and Phil are interested in visiting the exhibit and help set up the fall tour. Larry checked on seed packets with SWCS logo on them-minimal cost. He'll provide more information for the next meeting.
Brown-bag Forum or Seminar: For the renewable fuels standard Michele suggested Paul Arogopolis and the group agreed a panel presentation with multiple perspectives would be best. Michele will follow-up with Paul and Suzy Friedman. Bob Loney, government relations at Conex would be another panelist.
Annual Plan: Updated to add Jan Sample's name and it was accepted.
Strategic Plan: Bill, Larry and Laur will meet to develop a first draft for the next meeting, June 4, 2-3:00. The Strategic Plan will be a multi-year, long range plan.
Treasury Report and Annual Audit: As of May 29, 2008, the NCC has $1,288.86 in checking and $13,902.65 in savings, a total of $15,191.51. Ross conducted the annual audit and found no problems. Larry filed with IRS the required documents as a nonprofit organization under our parent society.
Next Meeting: TBD
TO DO Items:
Strategic Plan: Michele, Bill, and Larry will meet and draft.
Brown-bag Lunch: "Renewable Fuel Standard" presenters - Michele & Suzie to select date and speakers.
Botanical Gardens activities: Determine feasibility for NCC to distribute seed packets - Larry
Arboretum Tour or other Tour w/NCSAF: Ross is looking into this
Museum Soils Exhibit: All Chapter Members were invited
Smithsonian Exhibit at DC Food & Wine Festival: Jan Surface, Bill Boyer, Ross Braun, others
Soils Exhibit support bibliography: Suzy and family and friendsThe 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.