Commissioners Present:
Sarah
Wruck, Vice-Chairman Laurie
Black
Carl
Garner Phyllis
Jones
Peggy
Weidman Brenda
Jo Williams
Commissioners Absent:
Linda
Westergard Rev.
Thurston Lamb
Mary
Smith
Staff Present:
Guests Present:
Richard
Davies, AR Dept. of Parks & Tourism
Marynell
Branch, Governor’s Office
Steve
Holcomb, Lisa Plaquet and Rob Bell of Mangan, Holcomb, Rainwater, Culpepper
Angie
Howard,
Call to Order:
Sarah Wruck called the meeting to order, and Brenda Halbert called the roll.
Ms. Wruck welcomed guests including the new coordinator for Keep Faulkner County Beautiful, Angie Howard.
Presentation of Minutes:
Ms. Wruck asked for a motion approving the
Peggy Weidman made a motion, seconded by Brenda Williams, approving
the
Financial Report:
Mr. Phelps presented the Financial Report for the period ending April 30, reflecting expenditures of 59% of the budget. He stated most items are on target for the fiscal year ending with an expected carryover of around $30,000. Final plans are underway for fiscal year 2003 and the biennium of 2003-05. Mr. Phelps stated he expected less revenue next year from sales tax.
KArB Commission Minutes
Ms. Wruck asked for approval of the financial report.
Laurie Black
made a motion, seconded by Phyllis Jones, approving the
KArB Financial
Report as presented for the period ending April 30, 2002.
The motion
passed.
Vice-Chairman’s Report:
Ms. Wruck announced the
appointment of Rev. Thurston Lamb from
Chairman's Report:
In Ms. Westergard's absence, Mr. Phelps reminded Commissioners of the following:
·
Committee members: recruitment of at least two members (other than
Commissioners) to each committee and report at the June meeting.
·
Timelines report on the fiscal year ending of progress of
programs/projects and any changes that need to be made.
·
Website:
1) Revisions that need to be
made, if any; recommendations should be reported at the June meeting;
2) Agency will have the primary
responsibility of updating, including The Keepsake.
Executive Director's Report:
Mr.
Phelps presented an update on KArB activities as follows:
·
KArB Awards 2002: events and activities were very successful with many
positive comments, particularly taking the presentations to the communities.
·
Great
1) Teresa Caveness contracted
as state coordinator;
2) Tyson Foods will not return
as the title sponsor this year with Mr. Phelps asking for suggestions from
Commissioners;
3) Around July 15, depending on
schedule of Coach Houston Nutt - kickoff of GAC.
·
Keep
1) Mid-year conference July
31-August 4 in
2) Great American Cleanup
(spring, 2002): awaiting reports from approximately 18 KAmB and KArB Affiliates
participating;
3)
KArB Commission Minutes
Several
suggestions were made for GAC sponsors, including Wal-Mart and Georgia-Pacific.
Mr.
Phelps said he hoped we would have the continued support from in-kind sponsors
like Glad Manufacturing for bags and Tyson Foods, Arkansas Electric
Cooperatives and Sonic Drive-Ins for monetary donations to acquire t-shirts
plus donation of food for picnics. Mr.
Davies suggested the possibility of partnering with the Arkansas State Highway
& Transportation Department, since the GAC saves them money in their
year-around litter prevention effort.
Advisory Reports:
ADPT:
Mr. Davies reported as follows:
· Budget focus for ADPT:
1) Fiscal Year 2002 ending and 2003 budget.
2) Projections for the biennium budget of 2003-05.
·
No sales tax on food: if this goes on the
ballot, loss would cost KArB approximately $40,000, with Mr. Davies stating
Governor’s Office:
Ms. Branch commented on the following:
· Great Arkansas Cleanup supporters and opportunities:
1) High school students needing service hours could be recruited by county judges;
2) "Bag More Than Your Limit" and partnering with AGFC, stating they are interested as expressed by Steve Smith of the Foundation who will be meeting with our ad agency;
3) Stream Team of AGFC, continuing supporter, as they received KArB 2002 Award presented by Ms. Westergard at their last commission meeting.
Guests Remarks:
Angie Howard reported on KFCB activities:
· Toad Suck Days' success.
· Trash Bash and partnership with Salvation Army.
Ms. Howard stated she looked forward to the KAmB Conference and training in
Committee
Reports:
KArB Affiliate
Network:
Ms. Wruck reported as follows:
KArB Commission Minutes
· New members:
1) University of Arkansas at Fayetteville - physical plant represented by Gary Enzor who attended the Fayetteville KAmB presentation as well as the statewide KArB Affiliate Conference;
2) Siloam Springs;
3)
·
Potential members: Russellville and Bay,
· KArB Affiliate program is in the process of restructure which, hopefully, will be in place with hiring of new volunteer coordinator.
Ms. Black stated she was working on various groups for
KArB Affiliate
Network Conferences 2003:
Ms. Jones presented an update as follows:
· April 29-30 dates confirmed.
·
Contract finalized with the Doubletree in
·
Committee composed of Susan Gele of LR, Phyllis
Mooney of
·
New featured speakers being recruited with
suggestions of representatives from Southern Living,
· Convention material from other states is being reviewed for ideas.
KArB Awards
2002:
Ms. Weidman reported the awards events were most
successful with many positive comments about taking the events to the
communities and involving the local leaders and dignitaries. She stated at least 70 people attended each
presentation in
Ms. Plaquet commented that KArB Awards surveys are being sent to the communities.
Mr. Garner said he still supported a statewide central event, emphasizing the advantage of bringing all the participants and winners together so they can see what everyone else is doing.
Mr. Phelps reported:
· Statistics:
1) 42 awards were presented at 23 different events:
a) 35 presented in April at 17 different events;
b) 3 events in May;
c) 3 presentation events to be scheduled.
· Commissioners participation:
1) 7 participated in 10 events;
2)
KArB Commission Minutes
· KAmB Awards: The KArB Awards of Excellence recipients will be sent information and encouraged to enter in the KAmB competition.
Ms. Black asked about the poster winners and if anything is done with the pictures afterward with suggestions to use them on t-shirts or note cards to sell at the statewide Affiliate Conference. Mr. Phelps stated that picture t-shirts were worn by some at the Cabot presentation.
Wildflowers
Committee:
Brenda Williams reported as follows:
· Wildflowers Forever Handbook has been distributed to AR State Parks' gift shops.
· Press release will be sent to approximately 150 newspapers statewide with a copy of the booklet, advising citizens that individual copies can be obtained by sending a postage paid envelope to the KArB office.
Speakers’ Bureau
Committee:
No report was given in Ms. Smith's absence.
Minority
Participation Committee:
No report.
KArB Foundation:
Mr. Garner and Mr. Phelps reported:
· Articles of Incorporation and revised Bylaws have been filed.
· Contracting with grant writer to determine grant opportunities, particularly in specific areas such as the Great Arkansas Cleanup, wildflower plantings, etc.
· Rockefeller supported Foundation luncheon scheduled for November, 2002.
· Federal tax liability of $2,700 was deleted.
· Original conservation group, KArB Association, founded by Al Pollard, with only one surviving member, turned over $500 plus remaining in that account.
·
Meeting in April to dissolve KArB, Inc. and
reorganize the KArB Foundation, consisting of current members: J. Atchley,
Chairman; R. Phelps, Secretary-Treasurer; L. Westergard, C. Garner and
· Board member potential: 25 members with Mr. Phelps resigning to an advisory capacity in the future.
· Future plans: signature fund raising event so that the Foundation structure will be solidly in place by 2003.
KArB Commission Minutes
Steve
Holcomb presented the Agency strategy for the Foundation as follows:
· Raising $200,000 quickly with commitment or procurement of $50,000 by each Board member.
· Employment of Director and Administrative Assistant.
· Engage fund raiser for a continuous funnel of revenues into the Foundation; Fred Hueston has donated some time in that effort.
· Startup grant of $50,000 to $200,000 - potentials being researched.
· Foundation establishment: Steve Smith of the AGF Foundation has been very helpful in sharing their strategy, i.e., recruitment of members and raising funds.
KArB Month:
Ms. Black stated that 2002 Keep Arkansas Beautiful Month was a great success as reported at the May meeting. Additional activities and support were as follows:
·
· Spring cleanups held in numerous communities.
· Better participation and support of the new litter law by state and local law enforcement.
Ms. Black commented on experiences in her local community and efforts to gain support of KArB and its mission, including challenging the children of the community in litter events. She also interacted with two individuals with similar environmental concerns including: Ben Hussman of The Nature Conservancy and Ken Smith of the Audubon Society.
Mr. Phelps shared KArB Month letters of appreciation, press clippings, video reports and publications.
Grants
Committee:
Mr. Phelps commented that general grants are available to KArB Affiliates as well as KAmB Affiliates, and this reminder will be in the next newsletter. He asked for recommendations of individuals to serve on the Grants Committee.
Mangan, Holcomb, Rainwater,
Culpepper:
Ms.
Plaquet presented the report, highlighting items as follows:
· The Keepsake: need items immediately for the next issue.
· "Take It Back":
1) Ad featured in the April issue of Rural Arkansas;
2) Bumper sticker distributed
to meeting attendees;
3) Stickers will be placed on
downtown trash barrels as well as AHTD rest areas.
KArB Commission Minutes
Mr.
Garner suggested contacting Farm Bureau regarding placement of ads in their
magazine that reaches thousands of farmers statewide. Ms. Black requested that a small KArB logo
sticker be made available.
Old Business:
Ms. Weidman asked about the status of a KArB license plate frame. Ms. Wruck stated this might be included along with other items in a KArB catalog.
Mr. Phelps reported on several issues as follows:
· Volunteer Coordinator position: the recruiting elements and standards have changed, and the position will be advertised after revision of the job description. Hopefully, this position will be filled no later than August.
·
KArB bumper stickers: these were requested
sometime back by an individual in Jasper; they subsequently went forward with
their own program and printed an
New Business:
None.
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned
at
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KEEP