Friends of Dicken Woods General Assembly
DRAFT Minutes for the Wednesday, September 26, 2006 meeting at Dicken Elementary School
Attending were Jim Boyd, Jack Eaton, Inge Ferguson, Jim and Sandy
Foulke, Marcia Higgins, Stephanie Hunter, Tom Ivacko, Naela Jenkins,
John Krienke (Lions Club representative), Amanda Koeller, Jayne Miller
(City of Ann Arbor), Bob Palmer, John Siv (Lions Club representative),
Sally Steward, Marian Williams, and Doug Wood.
Tom Ivacko chaired the meeting and opened proceedings at 7:00p.m.
Minutes were accepted from the 5/17/06 meeting.
City Millages
Jayne Miller, Community Services City Administrator for Ann Arbor,
discussed the details of the Open Space and Parkland Preservation
Millages, on the fall 2006 ballot in Ann Arbor. Both Jayne and Marcia
Higgins, City Council Member from the 4th Ward, responded to questions
from the members.
Presentation by the Lions Club
Tom Ivacko then introduced John Krienke and John Siv, members of the Ann
Arbor Lions Club. Mr. Krienke explained that they were attending the
meeting because the Lions Club is trying to increase exposure and
exchange services with other non-profit organizations. He encouraged
everyone to attend their meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of the
month, over lunch at Webers.
Mr. Krienke suggested that the Lions could possibly help in the woods on
workdays and FoDW members may be able to attend their annual
fundraising golf outing. He stated that the Lions would like to work
with FoDW because both groups focus on children. The Lions hold an
annual Peace Poster contest, in which elementary kids win bonds. Sally
Steward, FoDW member and Kindergarten teacher at Dicken, discussed
possible connections between the Lions Club and Dicken Elementary
School.
Budget Report
Tom reported that the organization currently has $3976.88 in the bank.
He stated that since the last FoDW meeting in May, there were new
expenses of $215.91 for flowers and plants, nonprofit organization
registration fees, and DW Stewardship Day expenses, as well as $100 of
new revenue from donations. Jack Eaton made a motion to approve all
expenses incurred, and it was unanimously approved on a voice vote.
Fundraising
Tom described the success of last year's fall fundraising letter, and
suggested that the organization do another letter before the end of this
year. All agreed. Based on Naela's letter from fall 2005, Tom said
that he would draft a letter for review by the Steering Committee. He
also stated that the Max & Erma's Fundraiser was a success, and that
FoDW could do that again in the spring, which also received general
approval from the members in attendance.
Bird Surveys
In May and June, Stephanie and a bird expert did two surveys of the bird
species in Dicken Woods. They were pleasantly surprised at the variety
found. The information compiled was then sent to the City
Ornithologist, and it will be compared with other city parks and woods.
Grant Activities
Stephanie Hunter, Jack Eaton, Sally Steward and Carol Dekeyzer (Dicken
2nd grade teacher) are working on grant activities for this year,
including a list of possible activities that the teachers may be
interested in for this year, such as a bat exhibit, a beekeeper
presentation, and a birds of Dicken Woods tour.
From last year's grants, Stephanie reported that the second grade
planted their seed garden at the end of Carol Street, and also made a
wonderful quilt showcasing DW leaves, which is now on display in the
school. Also, with $170.00 that was still available after other grant
activities, books on environmental topics were purchased for the Dicken
Elementary library.
Interpretive Signage
Tom Ivacko recently recontacted the NAP staff to discuss possible
interpretive signage for Dicken Woods, based on information from the
city last spring. Unfortunately, the city will not have sufficient
funds available anytime soon, other than for the most critical signage
at the most used parks. Bob Palmer suggested that a sign could be a
potential Eagle Scout project. Jack Eaton thought that FoDW should
still pursue it through the city in hopes that they reestablish funds.
Woods and Maintenance
Doug Wood stated that the annual Fall cleanup day is scheduled for
Saturday, September 30th. Removal of buckthorn will be a priority.
Natural Area Preservation (NAP) staff will later remove the buckthorn
and chip them off-site. Doug suggested that everyone attending wear
long sleeves and long pants. NAP will provide (non-power) tools and
gloves, but people can bring their own as well. Jim Boyd said that he
will bring coffee, tea and juice for workers.
Stephanie Hunter said that SOLAR and Project Volunteer are sending
approximately 20 people to help out with the Fall cleanup day.
Doug Wood also stated that NAP provided FoDW with great accolades in their most recent newsletter.
New Business
Sally Steward, informed the group that Dicken Elementary is celebrating
their 50th anniversary in May 2008. She said that she would appreciate
any input from FoDW in regard to celebrating this upcoming event.
Inge Ferguson stated that she was approached by Dicken Principal Mary
Ann Jaeger in regard to toxic berries along the school perimeter next to
Dicken Woods. The group discussed possible actions related to this
problem.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Minutes by Amanda Koeller and Tom Ivacko