Friends of Pleasant Bay
Minutes of Annual Meeting
Thursday July 16, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Wequassett Inn
President Margaret Stenberg greeted approximately 150 attendees. She thanked the Wequassett Inn and staff, including hosts Jamie McClennan and Mark Novata for their generous hospitality.
President Stenberg then called the meeting to Order at 7:00 PM.
Minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting: Dolly Howell moved that the minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting be approved. Bill King seconded. The 2008 Annual Meeting minutes as posted on the FOPB website were unanimously approved.
Treasurer's Report : Treasurer Roy Terwilliger reported that the finances of the Friends are still in good shape with almost $90,000 in assets. Due to the recession many of our financial numbers were reduced, but we were still able to donate over $18,000 to worthy causes associated with the Bay. Most of our investments are in bank CD's so we did not experience any significant losses during this difficult year. Alan McClennen moved and Brenda Bolen seconded that the report be accepted as presented. Unanimously approved.
President's Report
President Stenberg thanked the 21 members of the FOPB Board of Directors, then introduced each director to the members and guests in attendance. President Stenberg reviewed accomplishments for the year. In 2008-2009 the Friends of Pleasant Bay received an Environmental Champion Award from APCC, provided funding support to Pleasant Bay Community Boating, to Chatham Waterways for Blue Pages (also had supported Blue Pages for Orleans last year), funded Cape Challenge, Namequoit Sailing Association, public moorings for the Pleasant Bay Cruising Club, provided school grants to schools in the 4 towns bordering Pleasant Bay, created and distributed a newly revised Pleasant Bay Recreation and Resource Guide, provided letters of support for MA State Bill #90 and Pleasant Bay Alliance for their position on making Pleasant Bay a No Discharge boating area.
Reports of Standing Committees
Nominating Committee:
Alan McClennen [for Mary Kelsey] presented the following slate of Directors: David Donnan, Ed Fouhy, Don Zeigler and Allan Thompson. As there were no additional nominations from the floor, Alan moved and Judith Bruce seconded the slate. The slate was unanimously elected. Jennie Avellar, Jim Hardman and Jay Tichenor were appointed during the course of last year to fill unexpired terms. Alan moved that they be elected to each of those 3 year positions. George Cooper seconded. Unanimously approved.
Election of New Nominating Committee:
Alan McClennan presented the following slate for Nominating Committee: Suzanne Leahy, Margaret Stenberg, Rich Houston and Alan McClennan, with Bob Summersgill at large. As there were no nominations from the floor, the slate was unanimously approved by the membership.
Education and Program Committee:
Dolly Howell, Chairman of the School Grants Committee, presented the 2008-2009 reports. The purpose of this committee is to help promote the education, research and public awareness in matters of critical concern to the towns bordering Pleasant Bay, with special emphases on the Pleasant Bay Estuary and Watershed.
The committee disbursed $13,620.00 in grants to schools in Harwich, Chatham, Brewster and Orleans for 2008-9.
Recipients of the grants were: (1) Chatham High School in partnership with Audubon Society (inventory of flora and fauna on Tern Island), (2) Orleans Elementary School (creation of a permanent interactive map of Pleasant Bay on a school wall as well as environmental studies, including human impact on Muddy Creek), (3) Brewster's Eddy Elementary School (creation of Power Point presentation for inter-school presentations as well as creation of books to share, all with themes about the ecology of Pleasant Bay during different seasons, and (4) Harwich Elementary School (continuing from previous years a program to gain skills and knowledge in the field through work with a visiting Naturalist and trips to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History).
For next year, 2009-10, $10,950.00 in grants has been given. Because of the cuts in the school budgets the on going projects were given funds for transportation cost to continue their projects. Sally Andreola Harwich Elementary, Cassandra Kloumann, Chatham Middle School, and Kathy Tringale, Nauset High School. In addition, Orleans Elementary School received $4,450. in Humanities and Science to broaden their studies of Pleasant Bay and enrich their curriculum. Sharon Powell, Chatham Community Center/Youth Services received $2,450.00 for an after school program in humanities," Exploring the nature and beauty of the Pleasant Bay" by establishing a mentoring program including photography, painting, drawing and sculpture.
New Business
Coast Sweep: George Cooper asked for Volunteers for this year's Coast Sweep, which will take place on Sept. 19, 2009 at 9:00 AM (Iow tide). Volunteers will be needed at the 4 locations: Tar Kiln > South Orleans Beach, Jacknife Beach, Strong Island town landing and the Harwich Bay Rd Beach > Round Cove. All interested, please sign up and pass the word to your neighbors.
President Stenberg adjourned the meeting at 7:30 PM.
Next Annual Meeting : Third Thursday July 15, 2010 7:00 p.m.
Introduction to Speaker - Margaret Stenberg
Richard Delaney, Executive Director of Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies presented a fascinating scientific global and historic look at man's influence on our planet, with a hopeful perspective for the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Hogan
Secretary