DRAFT

MINUTES

LONGBOAT KEY TURTLE WATCH, INC.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

February 25, 2010

The board of directors of the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Inc. met on February 25, 2010 at 6:30 PM, at the Shore, 5757 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida. President Tim Thurman called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Those present were Vice President Seamon, Treasurer Wenzel, Secretary Williams and board members Albee, Gilbert, Perrotta, N. Treonis, R. Treonis, and Schindewolf.

President Thurman began discussion of a funding request from Brad Turner for financial assistance to a Manatee County student for the April trip. He stated we had discussed allocating funds for scholarships during the budget discussions. Mary Jean said we had allocated $3500 for scholarships and donations ($1000 for kid’s camp with ½ coming from the regular budget) and that we could deviate from the approved budget. T-shirt sales are going very well. He was concerned about the way the request will be handled but did not want to vote on a change to the budget, but would rather consider such requests at the fall meeting when the budget would be discussed and approved.

Several board members suggested approval of this request could encourage many more requests for funds and there should be in place policies or a procedure to guide consideration of such requests. Following discussion, it was moved by Tim and seconded by Emmy Lou to have the Board adopt a policy consistent with the budget meeting at the fall Board Meeting, which would encourage requests for funding to be considered by the Board. The motion carried unanimously. It is the intent of the board that written requests for funding be submitted to the Treasurer by September 1^st, to be considered for the coming budget.

Vice President Seamon discussed the Lighting Poster for this year. Connie expressed concern over language so as to clarify the need to shield interior lighting from outside visibility. There was also concern over the language “to remove all furniture”. Some were wondering if the poster could be just a little lighter in color tone, because it seemed rather dark. Cyndi said she would see if the changes could be made.

Cyndi reviewed the wine tasting at Harry’s Continental Kitchens. It was another successful event and a thank you would be sent to Harry’s. There were pictures in the paper last week of the event. Our share was $530 and there were T-shirt sales and a raffle that provided $240. The low turn out was attributed to the cold weather. Rosemary said it was a good event. There were 16 raffle items. It was suggested if there were left over items, they could be stored at 6400 to save them for next year. Rosemary we could use fewer but high quality items such as gift certificates. Cyndi suggested a limit of about 15 items would probably be a good number. Photos, jewelry and gift certificates make good raffle items. Overall it was a good event and producer for LBKTW, there has been good feedback and the attendees liked the event.

Page 2, Board of Directors Minutes, February 25, 2010

Tim suggested that we make the raffle a big event at the end. Rosemary said that having some items throughout the event keeps interest up and feels the raffle items should be split up. There was discussion on how to thank Harry, perhaps a photo opportunity would give recognition and thanks.

Cyndi reviewed the Disney Give a Day, Get a Day program for qualified volunteer activities and receive a one day pass to a Disney Park. Mote volunteering is not a recognized activity under the Disney program.

The final report for the 2009 season is complete and we have received a hard copy. There is a particularly large section on the disorientation events during the past season. Cyndi will keep the hard copy and Tim will make copies of the disc for those who want them. Allison will burn 10 copies.

Parking and beach access for the new season will change somewhat according to Mote. Permission will be required for both AM and PM parking. Because Mote is not doing excavations in the evening, they have secured beach access and parking permission only for the AM hours. We will need permission for beach access and/or parking for those locations we have used in the past. At several condos, we park every day for the patrols and permission should be easy to get. Freda reported that the only condo where we have had a problem with access or parking has been Cedars. She will wait till about August to send letters for access permission, we will then know where the nests are located and which locations will need access permission.

Cyndi has met with the contractor concerning the 6400 site. They will fence the entire site. Since the contractor is a neighbor, she feels that we will be able to work out something for the field box and storage for stakes and other supplies. If that is not successful, she will call the Town Public Works Department to see if they can provide space for one year for the storage of stakes and the drop box. It was suggested that the Wedebrock real estate office, now occupied by Resort Quest, might be available for the storage site.

Freda said that there would be a forum by the Town Commissioners to discuss Town Policies. This may be an opportunity to make them aware of the lighting/disorientation issues as well as the need to consider a beach furniture ordinance.

For the 2010 season, there will be changes on the permit. LBK will be a single permit for both Manatee and Sarasota counties. Zone A and B will be combined as one zone, for daily patrols and Greer, the isolated part of A, we will check once each week for nesting activity. The schedule for 2010 will have other changes. There is still concern from Mote over who will be permitted and just what criteria will be used to determine eligibility to be on the permit. Several members who have walked in previous years expressed concern and said they were not interested in just flagging. There will be more from Mote as we get closer to the season and hopefully before the April training date on who will be on the permit and their expectations this year. The preliminary schedule for 2010 was passed out and there was discussion on it.

Page 3, Board of Directors Minutes, February 25, 2010

Mary Jean brought up her concern that we are not following the Bylaws with regard to holding of the check book. The Bylaws state that the Treasurer will hold the check book, and in fact, Freda still holds it. This is convenient for LBKTW but not in accordance with the Bylaws. She proposed an amendment which would allow the Board to designate a person other than the Treasurer to hold the check book if the Treasurer was not going to hold it. After discussion, it was agreed that an amendment would be prepared which would allow the Board to designate a person other than the Treasurer to hold the check book, to provide for electronic approval of expenditures of $300 or more and to designate signers of checks on the checking account. All present were in support of such an amendment being prepared for consideration by the members.

A reminder that, the Spring Meeting will be held, Sunday, April 18^th at the Shore, 6:30 PM, and that annual dues will be due and collected.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 PM, on motion by Tim and seconded by Allison. The motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted, Dick Williams, Secretary

Approved, Tim Thurman, President __________________________________________

Date_____________,_____2010

DRAFT REVISED March 28, 2010