Good Water Chapter Texas Master Naturalist
General Membership Meeting April 26, 2012
The monthly General Membership Meeting of the Good Water Chapter Master Naturalists was held on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., in the Texas AgriLife Extension Service building Training Room, the President, Diane Goodwin, being in the chair and the Secretary, Geri Tease, being present. In addition to the speaker, seventeen additional members, eight 2012 Class members, and three guests were present. The meeting was preceded at 6:30 by a supper provided by Board members Sterlin Barton, Susan Blackledge, and Gail McAdoo and 2012 Class member Angelika Fuller with refreshments provided by Host Committee members Betty Jackson and Bonnie Sladek.
CALL TO ORDER: Diane called the meeting to order at 7:00 and turned it over to Gail McAdoo.
GUEST SPEAKER: Gail McAdoo introduced our guest speaker, Dr. Benjamin A. Pierce, PhD, Department of Biology, Southwestern University, who spoke on the natural history of the Georgetown salamander, Eurycea naufragia, and the evolutionary aspects of amphibians.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Three guests introduced themselves. They were Marilyn Barton, Ruth Brown, and Eli Woods.
INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS OF 2012 CLASS: Eight members of the 2012 Class introduced themselves. They were David Baylor, Judith Currier, Angelika Fuller, Judy Grimes, Robert Hoehn, Dianna Howard, Cindy Stone, and Larry Swift.
MINUTES OF MARCH 22, 2012 MEETING: On a motion by Wayne Rhoden, the minutes of the March 22, 2012, meeting as posted on the website were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Dee Smith, Treasurer, reported that the balance today is $2,866.81.
CHAPTER AWARDS: Diane and Ben Marrou presented Chapter awards to the following members:
250 Hour Milestone Bronze Dragonfly Award Pin – Valerie Clark
2012 Annual Recertification Bat Award Pin – Sterlin Barton
POLLINATOR GARDEN (Williamson County Landfill): Diane reported that together with NPSOT, we have submitted a preliminary proposal to the Williamson County Landfill and are awaiting their reply.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE BAT PROJECT: In the absence of Mary Ann Melton, Chair, Sterlin reported that The Bat Project at McNeil Road resumed three weeks ago. Several 2012 Class members have been trained as volunteers, and some served alone last Friday. The number of visitors has ranged from 7 to 54.
VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE REPORT – Sterlin brought us up-to-date on the current volunteer opportunities which include Taylor Middle School May 1, Berry Springs April 28, and Dinosaur Day May 12. Wayne mentioned an opportunity to assist at a fishing camp for military children June 21. Betty Jackson is following up on the Taylor Middle School project; Susan Blackledge should be contacted regarding Berry Springs; Geri Tease will contact Marilyn Perz, NPSOT, regarding Dinosaur Day.
NEW BUSINESS: Events of interest were mentioned by several members.
Carole Minnix: 5th Annual Workshop: How to Know & Grow Austin Butterflies, Saturday, May 5, 10-4.
Cynthia Stone: Central Texas Roots & Fruits Faire, Leander, Hill Country Natives nursery, Saturday, May 5, 10-6.
Diane Goodwin: Spring Bloom 2012 Garden Railroad Tour, Saturday, May 5. Her garden railroad is on the tour.
Gail McAdoo: Georgetown Poppy Festival, Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29.
ADJOURN: Diane adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Geri Tease, Secretary
Approved: 1 hour advanced training, 1hour volunteer service (no travel time).
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General Membership Meeting March 22, 2012
The monthly General Membership Meeting of the Good Water Chapter Master Naturalists was held on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., in the Texas AgriLife Extension Service building Training Room, the President, Diane Goodwin, being in the chair and the Secretary, Geri Tease, being present. Nineteen additional members and two guests were present.
CALL TO ORDER: Diane called the meeting to order at 1:05 and turned it over to Gail McAdoo.
GUEST SPEAKER: Gail McAdoo introduced our guest speakers, Dustin Coufal, AgriLife Extension Agent, and Derrick Wolter, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. They spoke of their backgrounds, the Master Naturalist program, and their roles as advisers to the Good Water Chapter.
POLLINATOR GARDEN (Williamson County Landfill): Wayne Rhoden reported that the Master Gardeners are accepting this project with the condition that they are in charge. They anticipate planting mostly herbs. Sterlin Barton described the proposed area for the garden at the entrance to the landfill. He said that we could create our own garden. After questions from the floor, Diane tabled the issue until we can obtain more information.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Two guests were present: Marilyn Barton and Bob Kamper, Capitol Area Master Naturalist.
INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS OF 2012 CLASS: Four members of the 2012 class were welcomed: Judith Carrier, Angelika Fuller, Diana Howard, and Cynthia Stone. We also welcomed Carol Minnix who has transferred to our Chapter from Lost Pines.
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 23, 2012 MEETING: On a motion by Dave McAdoo, the minutes of the February 23, 2012, meeting as posted on the website were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Dee Smith, Treasurer, reported that the balance today is $3,538. Wayne purchased a tent for $199. Sides will be purchased at approximately $35 each.
CHAPTER AWARDS: Diane and Ben Marrou presented Chapter awards to the following members:
500 Hour Silver Dragonfly Pin – Winnie Bowen,
2012 Annual Recertification Bat Award Pin – Diane Goodwin, Pam Goolsby
Last month the following awards were presented:
Completion of Certification Requirements – Hank Belopavlovich, Susan Blackledge, Pam Goolsby, Betty Jackson, Pat Shirk, Bonnie Sladek, Geri Tease
250 Hour Milestone Award Pin – Sterlin Barton, Jim Hailey, Wayne Rhoden
500 Hour Milestone Award Pin – Dave McAdoo, Wayne Rhoden
2011 Annual Recertification Horned Toad Award Pin – Pam Goolsby, Jim Hailey, Betty Jackson, Ben Marrou, Pat Shirk, Bonnie Sladek, Geri Tease
2012 Annual Recertification Bat Award Pin – Winnie Bowen, Gail McAdoo, Mary Ann Melton, Geri Tease
NEEDED: SPEAKERS BUREAU CHAIR: Jim Hailey, as Outreach Committee Chairperson, assumed this responsibility. The Speakers Bureau list will contain names of members who wish to speak at outside events and their topic(s) of expertise.
NEEDED: BOOTH COORDINATOR: A coordinator is needed to maintain the supplies necessary whenever the Chapter establishes a booth at an activity. No one volunteered.
NEWSLETTER (NOW COMMUNICATIONS) COMMITTEE REPORT: Diane stated that at the last Board meeting, the Board voted to change the name of the Newsletter Committee to Communications Committee because communications today include more methods than newsletters.
Hank Belopavlovich, Committee Chairperson, asked the question: “How do we want to communicate?” To begin his research into the answer to that question, he passed a questionnaire.
SPOTLIGHT ON YOUTH ACTIVITIES: Mary Ann Melton reported that the Youth Education Committee completed their first educational activity on hawks and owls with children 1st through 3rd grades and 4th through 6th grades during spring break camp at Georgetown Recreation Center. Similar youth programming will continue every other week during the summer on bats, worms, snakes, butterflies, birds and wildflower seed balls.
This fall a nine-month Junior Naturalist program will begin at the Georgetown Recreation Center for children in 4th through 6th grades. It is anticipated we will have 10 – 20 children meeting approximately twice monthly.
Committee members to date are Mary Ann Melton, Chair, Sterlin Barton, Winnie Brown, Pam Goolsby, Jim Hailey, Carole Minnix, and Jo Williams. A signup sheet was passed for additional volunteers.
VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE REPORT – Sterlin brought us up-to-date on the current volunteer opportunities which include the Red Poppy Festival, Dino Days, Archeology Day, Rivery Park Pond Project, and Bat Watching.
NEW BUSINESS: Cindy Stone mentioned that volunteer opportunities could be available at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery.
ADJOURN: Diane adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
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General Membership Meeting February 23, 2012
The monthly General Membership Meeting of the Good Water Chapter Master Naturalists was held on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., in the Texas AgriLife Extension Service building Training Room, the President, Diane Goodwin, being in the chair and the Secretary, Geri Tease, being present. Nineteen additional members and six guests were present. The meeting was preceded at 6:30 by a supper provided by Board members Pam Goolsby, Mary Ann Melton, and Hank Belopavlovich with refreshments provided by the Host Committee Betty Jackson, Pat Shirk and Bonnie Sladek.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by Diane Goodwin.
GUEST SPEAKER: Gail McAdoo introduced our guest speaker, Sandi Phillips, geophysicist, whose topic was “Quarries: From Eyesore to Elegant”.
MINUTES OF JANUARY 2012 MEETING: On a motion by Dave McAdoo, the minutes of the January 26, 2012, meeting as posted on the website were approved as amended.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Dee Smith, Treasurer, reported that the balance as of February 23, 2012 is $3,642.
UPDATE ON 2012 CLASS: Diane reported that sixteen individuals have registered for the 2012 class. She requested volunteers for the Mentor’s Program. Mary Ann Melton requested assistance to assemble and bind Chapter documents and journals for the new class.
CHAPTER AWARDS: Diane and Ben Marrou presented Chapter awards to fifteen members who qualified to become certified master naturalists, recertified for 2011 and 2012, or achieved a milestone.
SPOTLIGHT ON RIVERY PARK POND PROJECT: Jim Hailey is monitoring the bird species and number and reporting this information to Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department. Geri Tease reported that Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring (AIM) occurs every second Tuesday of the month from 9 – 11:30 a.m. Weekly Removal of Invasive Plants (RIP) is now occurring on an “as needed” basis. The RIP consists of Pam Goolsby, Gail McAdoo, Dave McAdoo and Geri Tease. The AIM team is the same with the addition of Mary Ann Melton. Sheets were passed for volunteer signup.
FEEDBACK ON EVENING MEETING: Various positive opinions were offered. A signup sheet was passed for volunteering to provide the supper at future evening meetings.
ADJOURN: Diane adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
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General Membership Meeting January 26, 2012
The monthly General Membership Meeting of the Good Water Chapter Master Naturalists was held on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 1 p.m., in the Texas AgriLife Extension Service building Training Room, the President, Diane Goodwin, being in the chair and the Secretary, Geri Tease, being present. Fourteen additional members were present, two guests, and Derrick Wolter, Advisor.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 1:06 p.m. by Gail McAdoo, Vice President, who introduced the speaker, Mickie Ross, Director, The Williamson Museum, who spoke about the history and development of Williamson County. She concluded at 1:40.
At 2:00 p.m., Diane opened the business meeting. She stated that everyone should review their year-end hours on the spreadsheet in Yahoo for accuracy because these hours are used to apply for matching Federal grants.
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 2011 MEETING: On a motion by Dave McAdoo, the minutes of the December 13, 2011, meeting as posted on the website were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Dee Smith, Treasurer, reported that the balance as of January 26, 2012 is $2,582.30. One reimbursement for $472.02 has not yet been paid because amounts over $250 need Board approval. The item will be presented to the Board February 14. Other small amounts are also outstanding. For timely reimbursement, it is recommended that all requests for reimbursement be submitted before they exceed $250. Anyone requesting a reimbursement should attach receipts to an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper specifying the date of each purchase, item purchased, and the amount. The sheet should then be signed, dated, and submitted to Dee.
All required bank documentation changing signatories on the checking account have been signed.
At future meetings, Dee will pass a blue envelope for collection of $10 dues. Membership is on a calendar basis. Recent class members owe dues January 1 each year.
FEBRUARY 23, 6:30 P.M. MEETING: It was decided to have a potluck supper at each evening meeting. Three volunteer members will provide the supper at each meeting and the Social Committee will provide the drinks. The volunteers for February 23 are Hank Belopavlovich, Mary Ann Melton, and Pam Goolsby.
PROJECT REPORTS:
Rivery Park Pond: Geri reported that one circle of the pond removing invasive plants has been completed. Removal will resume in the spring. More volunteers were requested for invertebrate monitoring. The next monitoring will be February 14 at 9 a.m. at the pond. Jim Hailey reported that the bird species monitoring is occurring unless it is windy or raining. The schedule is irregular so if interested, email Jim. Eighteen species were recorded in, over, or around the pond last week.
Berry Springs Park and Preserve: Wayne Rhoden reported that seven Master Naturalists worked for three hours January 16 at the park creating a new nature trail. He estimates another month of effort is required to complete the project.
Youth Programs: Mary Ann reported that Georgetown Parks and Recreation has given us a two-hour period during spring break and the same every other week during summer camp to present nature programs to children. In summer camp, there will be two age groups: early elementary and upper elementary/middle school. If volunteering to present a program, participants must complete a City of Georgetown Consent and Release form which she distributed.
A Junior Naturalist program will be inaugurated September 2012.
Other Projects:
Joss Growers Wholesale Nursery: Hank reported volunteers will learn how to propagate and identify native and adapted plants. Dates rotate Wednesday or Saturday. A schedule will be forwarded to the membership.
Advanced Training Opportunities: Winnie reported that there are advanced training opportunities through Senior University and Georgetown Parks and Recreation Nature Talks.
Spring Class: Wayne reported that ten individuals have registered for the spring class which begins March 6. We are seeking thirty. February 27 is the deadline for registration. He prepared advertising material and requested that members distribute them in stores throughout Williamson County.
FIELD TRIPS: Gail proposed that we consider field trips and made suggestions. No consensus was reached.
OTHER: Jim mentioned that state parks are in need of financial aid and suggested that members consider making personal donations to them.
Bonnie Sladek will submit project information regarding creation and maintenance of a bed at Taylor Regional Park to Sterlin for his review and opinion whether this would qualify for volunteer hours.
ADJOURN: Diane adjourned the meeting at 2:58 p.m.
Geri Tease, Secretary
