Friends of Dicken Woods General Assembly
DRAFT Minutes for the Wednesday, January 10, 2007 meeting at Dicken Elementary School
Attending were Jack Eaton, Stephanie Hunter, Tom Ivacko, Robyn
Javornisky, Naela Jenkins, Debbie Johnson, Amanda Koeller, Linda Dills,
Mason Barr, Jim Foulke, Sandy Foulke, Marian Williams, Burt Perry, Nan
Perry, Linda Pickl, Leslie Westbury, Rich Westbury, and Doug Wood
Tom Ivacko chaired the meeting and opened proceedings at 7:00p.m.
Minutes were accepted from the 9/26/06 meeting.
Budget Report
Tom Ivacko reported that the organization currently has $5,021.88 in the
bank. He stated that since the September meeting, there was
approximately $1200.00 in grant payments and miscellaneous expenses paid
out, and we received $2245.00 from our fundraising letter. Last year
at this time, we had approximately $2489.00 in our bank account. Tom
suggested that the group should now think about what the funds should be
targeted towards, including things like Dicken Woods signage, seating,
plants, trees, etc…
Tom summarized the donations, including that 28 households donated,
compared to 29 in fall 2005. The 28 households that donated in fall
2006 included 13 new households that did not donate in the previous
year. Discussion followed as to why some of those who donated
previously did not in 2006. A suggestion was that future fundraising
efforts should include some that are targeted to specific expenses or
activities. Other suggestions included that we should have better
publicity/information created for display during the Midwinter
Candlelight Walk, and that we might consider doing another survey of our
members to learn more.
Fundraising
Naela Jenkins volunteered to coordinate the Max & Ermas fundraiser
again, and said she would look into April dates, for shortly after the
school's Spring Break. She said that she would work on a flyer to
distribute at the Midwinter Walk. There was also discussion about
possibly distributing flyers to doorsteps around the neighborhood.
Grant Activities
Stephanie Hunter reported that all of the Dicken Elementary classrooms
are receiving programs from Leslie Science Center this year. There will
be 12 programs, including Bats, Winter Wonderland, Amphibians,
Reptiles, Raptors, and Trees & Plants. This year the Friends will
adminster the expenses, rather than having the school system do that, in
order to simplify and speed up the payment process. Stephanie reported
that the teachers are very excited about these classroom enhancement
programs, and also that the Leslie Science Center staff are very happy
with the opportunity to come to Dicken Elementary.
Woods and Maintenance
Doug Wood stated that there had been excellent progress in the woods,
and that trails were in good shape for the Midwinter Walk. The trails
were widened a bit after 4 loads of wood chips were delivered; nearly
all of the chips had been spread already. Doug reviewed other goals,
including removing more invasive species, and continue locating specific
existing trees that we want to protect and then to begin work to help
them grow. Doug also noted that FoDW will probably want to plant some
smaller trees, working with the city's National Area Preservation (NAP)
Division, as well as Scout troops. A suggestion was made that we might
want to consider an "adopt a tree" program that might encourage families
or individuals to purchase and/or help care for a specific tree.
Tom Ivacko thanked Ray Hunter and Doug Wood for all of the work that
they've been doing in the woods lately. Tom also stated that a number
of other people have come out and worked really hard, and especially at
the September stewardship day, a ton of buckthorn was removed. Doug
said that he was very grateful to NAP for all of their hard work that
day, as well.
Midwinter Candlelight Walk
Stephanie Hunter reported the walk was scheduled from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
on Tuesday, February 06, 2007, with a snow date of Wednesday, February
7, 2007. Over 400 luminaries have been prepared, over twice as many as
last year, both by Dicken Art Teacher Theresa Erickson's Dicken students
as well as by Ray Hunter. Based on the previous walks, a large turnout
was expected, and so Stephanie was planning for a different exit route
from the woods, to improve the flow of traffic through the woods and
school.
Stephanie said that after the walk, people will return to the school
where we would serve cookies and hot chocolate, and have some of the
recent Friends of Dicken Woods events pictures and publicity information
on display. Jack Eaton made a motion to approve expenditures of
$300.00 for cookies, hot chocolate and miscellaneous items. All
approved unanimously. Tom Ivacko said that he would invite Jo Mathis
and a few people from NAP as well as city council to the event. Numerous
FoDW members volunteered to help in the woods and in the school.
Other Items
Tom announced that he had been in touch recently with Neal Foster, Chair
of the Thurston Nature Committee, stewards for the Thurston Nature
Area, and a subcommittee of the Thurston School PTO. Tom and Neal
discussed possible ways for the two organizations to learn from each
other, and to have more dialogue. FoDW members agreed it would be nice
to have Neal come to a future meeting and present more information about
their group and efforts.
Next Meeting
Tom stated that our next meeting will be held in April 2007.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Minutes by Amanda Koeller and Tom Ivacko