FICRA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Oct 10, 2013
Board Attendees: Jim Braden, Lynne Goodwin, Tony Moore, Hal Goodell, Gina Olson and Jeff Goodwin. Mimi Miller, excused.
Jim Braden opened the meeting at 7:30 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendees encouraged to sign in on the volunteer List. Clean up this weekend Oct 12th.
Minutes from the Sept 12, 2013 board meeting were unanimously approved.
President’s Report: Jim Braden
There has been several calls to clearly define what FICRA is, and what our mission is. Jim read the purpose statements in the Articles of Incorporation for each organization: For FICRA, established in 1975: “The purpose of the Association is to promote matters pertaining to the health and safety of Fox Island residents, promote the welfare and development of Fox Island, and to provide recreational and social activities and facilities of a non-profit nature as a public service to the residents of the Island.”
For the FICRA Building Trust which was established in 1996, but Article III of the Articles of Incorporation was amended in 1997: “This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of an future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).”
Jim stated that these purpose statements need to be kept in mind as we decide what FICRA and the Trust undertake. Focus is to remain on Island functions, emergency planning. The Fox Island Bridge meeting was helpful and informative, however we are to remain removed from the perception of being a governing body. A concerned Islander wrote suggesting that FICRA remain out of the newspaper and operate as a non-governing body.
Meeting was held with both organizations’ Boards, Committee Chairs, and volunteers regarding what activities to take on for the remainder of the year. The meeting’s purpose was to prioritize the list and recognize the resource limitations of FICRA and the Trust.
Jim addressed the website as another area that needs to be reviewed and simplified.
Jim proposed that the next meeting is both FICRA and Trust meeting, one after the other.
Consent Calendar:
The FICRA Board agreed meetings will be moved to the 2nd Thurs of the Month.
Agreed to have Hal and Jim attend a Quickbooks training.
Agreed to make more Welcome Packets.
Agreed to secure Wickline family again for the Christmas Tree Lighting Concert.
Agreed to purchase Knox Box for Fire Department non-destructive access to NCC in emergencies.
Treasure’s Report: Mimi Miller, excused. Hal Goodell gave brief summary.
Balances reported below. Further report to be made on Mimi’s return.
B ANK BALANCES:
FICRA Checkbook Balance: $7,882.09 Money Market Balance: $18,570.04
FICRA TRUST Checkbook Balance: $14,843.12 Money Market Balance: $10,836.03
PayPal Balance: $5,560.91
BUDGET COMPARISONS:
FICRA:
2013 BUDGET ESTIMATED YEAR END
Income: $10,030 $15,500 plus any add’l dues rec’d
Expense: $7,080 $12.300 over due to activ. support/clothing
Net Income: $2,950 $3,200
TRUST: (* excludes CrimeWatch)
2013 BUDGET ESTIMATED YEAR END
Income: $22,685* $29,000* plus any add’l donations rec’d
Expense: $17,980* $17,100*
Net Income: $4,705* $11,900*
CrimeWatch:
Income: $6,000 $5,000
Expense: $8,556 $9,000
TRUST TOTAL WITH CRIMEWATCH
Net Income: $2,149 $7,900
GRANT RECEIPTS: A grant for $24,000 was received from the Cheney Foundation for the NCC floors and will be totally expended this calendar year. A grant for $5,000 was received from Braden/Chevron for the garage rehab and will be spent by the first quarter of 2014 .
It was noted that Crime Watch revenues and expenses should all be under Trust (some minor adjustments remain to be made).
Crime Watch revenue is below budget and quite below expenses. Jim, Ray, and Mike Gordon to address that.
Concern from the floor was expressed about the FICRA/Trust Budget report being confusing. Jim mentioned that the presentations will be delivered at future meetings with just the basic information and more detailed report to be made available on request. (See report format above,)
Membership total is 191 for August
Committee Reports:
Crime Watch: Stan Weston
Crime on Fox Island is up though we still have the lowest crime rate of any community our size, or larger, in Pierce County.
Stan reported that at end of August, this year, Fox Island has had 7 burglaries. There is a concern that a burglar is picking the locks.
Nationwide Crime is down. Stan made a comparison to Lake Palmer area (which is 5 times smaller than FI), and they have vandalism and burglaries in similar reported numbers.
Building Committee: Carolyn Braden
Priority List has been established by Building committee:
$2000 dollars needed to finish the floors and the painting. New signs, bathroom floors (working on bids) and replacement of the 2 auditorium doors is being looked at and estimated. No longer planning to paint the kitchen ceiling. The goal is to complete these projects by November this year. We do want to begin grant writing for new windows. Chair purchasing is dependent on donations with a target of 60 chairs (now have 44).
Jean is working on Grant writing. She has been referred to someone at State level (Nicholas Band from archeology and the State). Discussed that County/State Grant money may be limited to restoring windows, rather than replacing. We have yet to see what the County and State preservation people can do to help us acquire funding.
Fall Clean up is scheduled for October 12, 2013 from 9 am to noon. More volunteers needed! Food will be served, so kindly sign up in advance.
Social Activities:
Wine & Cheese Event is set for Nov 25th. Committees and sub committees are working to put this event together. Auction items/donations are being accepted. Next Wind & Cheese meeting Oct 20 at 3 pm.
Nature Center: Phillip Craven.
Nature continues to flourish at no cost. This summer Ernie Karlstrom conducted a Beach Walk which was fantastic. A potluck picnic was held at the Nature Center! Six or 7 native trees planted this summer. Since July FICRA meeting they have logged 65 hrs of volunteer time.
Top concerns: Explore permanent conservation status. They are investigating what this entails. An Education forum is being considered with suggested time for this to be 30 min prior to a scheduled FICRA meeting. The driveway easement from Steiffel property – permit process and property owner consent is still in progress. Candles were found in Nature Center – a reminder to FI residents that burning in there is not allowed.
Publicity: Kalli Ostner and Karen Craven continue to create great signage!
Special Committees
Fundraising/Membership: Jeff Goodwin
Membership drive: Drew Middleton, Dave Harrington, Jim Braden and Jeff Goodwin to work on contacting last dues year’s members that have not yet paid their dues for 2014. There are 282 past members not renewed at this time. Renewal of dues can be by check mailed in and on-line at ficra.org. Crime Watch, and other, donations can be made at the same time, but the focus must be dues and the designation of funds beyond dues must be made clear for determining if the funds go to FICRA or the Trust. Jeff has been working on creating a spread sheet for tracking membership. He is exploring how FICRA Flash Email addresses can be used.
New Business:
The plan is to formally move the FICRA monthly meeting from 1st Thurs of month to 2nd Thurs. This will take an amendment to the Bylaws. So the Bylaw amendment process will be started at the November 14 meeting.
Scholarship program has more issues to be settled.
Budget Chairs need to have their 2014 budget proposal turned in by November 1. This year’s budget seems to have been created reasonably well. The basic expenses and revenues are pretty much on track.
T-shirts from FICRA Fair 2013 were popular, and more have been requested. Nan and Mary have decided to not re-order more from this year. Gina has compiled a photographic log of 19 of the previous years’ FICRA Fair shirts for record keeping purpose. Nan would like the log presented at the Wine & Cheese Night for member feed back. More years of shirt designs are needed.
Dr. Yancey to host a talk November 13 regarding his experience in travels with Doctors Without Borders
Another suggestion is made to have a person to host information about new supplemental insurance plan, programs, medicare A vs B, etc. This will have to be considered at a time when more specific information is made available.
Next meeting is Thurs Nov 14, 2013.
Motion to Adjourn passed at 9:23 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Gina Olson, Secretary