Meeting+2010+Nov+18

Thursday 8:30-10 1214 Jordan Hall, NCSU Campus
 * Wake County Nature Preserves Meeting**

Present: Cienik, Perlmutter, Holcombe, Sullivan, Lobsinger, Steelman (presiding), Hess (notes), Pohlman, Ramsey, Connors
 * Attendance Notes**


 * Annotated Agenda Items**

//Please add items you'd like to see on the agenda by 5PM Tues before the meeting.//

//Please add your pre-meeting discussion of these items under the item right here on the agenda, or on the appropriate linked page.//

Ross Sullivan - new grad student at NCSU College of Natural Resources - also working with County Parks
 * Introductions as needed**


 * Turnipseed** - WNPP still awaiting delivery of revised management plan and responses to the review committee.


 * NOTES**
 * Snow will deliver to Hess today
 * Review committee will look over and (likely) approve
 * Email solicitation of full group - yea or nay


 * Potential Next Projects**

TLC is interested in WakeNature designation for one of their properties as the next WNP, starting the process early in 2011. We've been thinking about Temple Flat Rock, but Cienek wonders if Swift Creek Bluffs might be a better choice.


 * NOTES**
 * Swift Creek Bluffs is a TLC nature preserve that is open to the public; Temple Flat Rock is not open except to guided tours and has parking and access issues.
 * Both have inventory and management plans, including forest management plan; both are Natural Heritage Sites
 * There are other parcels near SCB that are owned by the County (Futrell Tract) and as DOT mitigation sites adjacent
 * Another option would be Lake Raleigh Woods at NCSU
 * TLC will complete an application for Swift Creek Bluffs in January/February 2011
 * Steelman will follow up with Blank re Lake Raleigh Woods
 * Sullivan noted that students in Blank's class are currently developing preliminary management plan for Lake Raleigh Woods - will be ready by end of semester - Sullivan will follow up in Blank's class on Friday


 * WalMart Proposal for SIgns**

Cienek says TLC would be willing to submit this on behalf of WNPP, so long as TLC has nothing else in the pot right now. Hess notes that we could do this through NCSU, but has been advised not to because of all the approvals and paperwork involved.

Meghan- Knightdale Walmart location says that all application requirements are the same, just fill out the grant application that is standard for all Walmart stores. They did mention that some organizations include pamphlets, brochures and/or a letter + letterhead explaining a little more about what their organization is all about.


 * NOTES**
 * Lobsinger has all the information about the process - pretty simple
 * TLC is checking to see if they are again eligible, because they put in some grants not too long ago
 * Wait on submission to see if we get the Fulbright grant (see below)
 * County needs to be real precise about their sign needs and desires (Lobsinger will follow up)
 * Idea of asking WalMart for website design money, if the Fulbright doesn't go through - also might do a website as a service-learning project, perhaps from the design school
 * Suggested that for next year we should develop a budget for WakeNature - put on 16 Dec agenda


 * MOU**

Kaytee and Toddi will present next iteration of MOU. We need lots of feedback on this. See latest iteration here:

Most important issues to discuss: = **Membership** = Membership is obtained by signing the MOU. More than one representative from an organization can participate in meetings. [DO WE WANT A LIMIT ON THIS?? HOW SHOULD WE THINK ABOUT THIS??].


 * NOTES**
 * Pohlman suggested that __organizations__ be members - one vote per organization. More than one person can come from the organization, but only one votes - organization decides what its vote is. Voting committee is the steering committee.
 * Do we want to only allow "active" members to vote? [Probably not]
 * Notion that we should separate steering committee from voting people
 * Possible models discussed included - very lose, anyone can join as an individual with whoever shows up votes; organizations join, one vote per organization;
 * Decided to go with organizations being members, one vote per organization, organization decides how to arrive at their vote internally
 * Steelman will redraft accordingly

= **Steering Committee [do we need this?] ** = The steering committee shall be comprised of five members of the membership at large. Steering committee members will be nominated by self or others and voted on by the entire membership. The steering committee should be balanced with members representing different perspectives of the groups that comprise WakeNature (Local government, state government, non-profits, universities and an at large sear). Each member shall be elected for a two year term. These terms should be staggered.

__Use of Simple Majority for Decisions:__ The WakeNature will operate by simple majority of those members present at meeting and rule on a case-by-case basis. In order to make decisions, each signing participating member organization will hear all opinions and ideas, and then vote on a simple majority basis.

Under a very tight deadline, we submitted a $3,985 grant to Fulbright for a communications campaign, mostly by recycling a grant application from last year. If funded, the money will go to signs, brochures and web page development. We should find out in December if we get it. If so, we might need TLC or someone else to hold the grant for us.
 * Fulbright Ecoleadership Grant Application**


 * NOTES**
 * Steelman was able to do this as a former Fulbright