WHITE MOUNTAIN LAND TRUST
Minutes of December 5, 2005 meeting
Board members present: Jim Anderson, Lynn Krigbaum, Norris Dodd, Richard Remington, Sue Sitko, Dottie Baker, and Jim Roeder. Board members absent: Keith Justice, and Ginny Handorf. Also present: Gretchen Forbeck, and John Vuolo
Vice president Jim Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. A quorum was present.
Richard moved and Norris seconded that the minutes be approved. Passed.
Norris reported that the current balance is $609.87. (See checking account log.)
The 501(c)(3) application was filed 11 months ago. Norris called regarding its status 11 times since August and was unable to talk with the person who could give specifics of problems (if any). Finally, a call was returned and message left. The bottom line is that our application is under a microscope. Norris received a letter from Barbara H. Butterfield, IRS Exempt Organization Specialist saying that they need more information. She says our by-laws do not meet the IRS standards even though they are mostly boilerplate from the national land alliance materials and they have already been approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. The deadline for submittal of the requested information is Dec. 6 which is impossible to meet. Norris sent a letter Dec. 5th requesting an extension and describing the actions which will need to occur before Dec. 6 which includes filing an amendment with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Sue moved and Dottie seconded that we approve the amendment to our by-laws which will conform to the requirements of the IRS so that Norris, Stephanie Irwin (“our” CPA) and David Brown (“our” attorney) can file the necessary documents. Motion carried. Sue will assist Norris in getting the materials prepared for sending to the IRS.
Sue gave background on the Senate Tax Reconciliation Bill. It is a political issue on the tax benefits of conservation easements. She reported that Keith had sent an e-mail on behalf of the WMLT to Rick Renzi asking him to support the bill. There is an accreditation process occurring in the Land Trust Alliance which is being done to prevent misuses and abuses of conservation easements. Richard moved and Norris seconded that we take a vote to show our support of Keith’s letter. Motion carried with 1 abstention.
Richard gave the report of the fund raising/membership/outreach committee meeting of Nov. 10. (See attached notes.) Dottie moved and Norris seconded that the classes suggested by the committee be adopted “by consent of the board” as our By-laws state. There is no amendment needed for this. There was one addition to the list, that being a life membership class granted with a $10,000 donation and called a “Vista” membership. Motion carried.
Sue researched getting a “tear off flap” envelop for membership solicitation. It was determined to be too expensive. She will design a slip to be included with the brochure to achieve the same results. Discussion followed regarding the benefits of the levels of membership/support/donation. Gretchen mentioned having a decal for a car window showing support of WMLT. John suggested going to Black Mesa Printing for ideas for “promotion” articles.
Richard enumerated the articles in an “Outreach Kit.” Sue showed a sample kit which she and Keith had put together. Sue will buy 3 containers and make the kits which will be available for members to use when giving presentation. One will be in the Town Offices in John Vuolo” office (Parks and Recreation), one will be in Sue’s Nature Conservancy office and the third will be at the Chamber of Commerce. Keith and Sue will give training on how to do a Power Point presentation after the January meeting.
Richard recommended each board member make a list of the organizations he/she will be responsible for contacting and bring that to the Jan. meeting. Scheduling should be done in the Spring for making presentations in the optimal season, Summer.
There was some discussion of the miscellaneous items for outreach. Norris will contact Laurie Acree and ask her to add membership information to her Outdoors article. Gretchen has contacts at the theaters for having a benefit showing of “Red Barn” film. Sue has a new book on conservation easements and will bring it and others to the Jan. meeting. Richard said Sharon Wallace (Forest Service) is in Tucson for 3 months, but that we are first of the list for “Adopt-a Trail.” He also described the fire department maps which are available on the www.Pinetopfire.com website. These will be useful for open space planning. Lynn and Norris gave an update on the “Adopt-a Highway” situation. St. Mary of the Angels parish is happy to give WMLT “their” mile which is from Navapache Electric to Hansen Lane. Norris will handle the paperwork.
Norris said the Town Committee will bring materials to the next meeting which we can use to help the town planning group get started. He noted that Planning and Zoning and the Development offices are now fully staffed but very busy. He also reported on his liaison position with Blue Ridge School District. He has been working with Mary Ellen Bittorf on establishing a nature center. The school bond issue passed so there will be new elementary and junior high schools built. One site being studied is Forest Service land behind the new recreation complex. School districts can acquire FS land in 80 ac. per year amounts for much less than the appraised value. One possible plan is to build the schools next to Big Springs and the recreation complex so both places could be easily accessed by classes. The nature center could be in this area, too. Currently, the town will not lease any land in or near the recreation complex for more than five years. This severely limits the funding quest for the nature center. Meetings are on-going among the town, school and nature center principals.
Dottie wants to have a newsletter by January and wants to devote the first one to membership. She has also requested our listing of meeting times in the Independent.
She will also contact the paper about doing an article on membership levels and end of the year donating.
The Allen property is still moving ahead. The appraisal should be completed in mid-December. Jan Sell is going to special training to be up to date in appraising.
The next meeting will be Monday, 9 January, in view of the holiday weekend impinging upon the first Monday.
Jim Anderson adjourned the meeting at 9 PM.