MINUTES
LONGBOAT KEY TURTLE WATCH, INC.
October 25, 2009, Fall Meeting
The Fall Meeting of the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Inc. was held on October 25, 2009 at the Shore, 5757 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida. President Tim Thurman called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Present were Vice President Seamon, Treasurer Wenzel, Co-Recording Secretary Treonis, Secretary Williams, members and guests.
President Thurman opened the meeting with a welcome to all those present and encouraged everyone to get involved in LBKTW activities during the non-nesting season.
Minutes of the June 28 and October 4, 2009 meetings were approved as posted on the web site on motion by Freda and seconded by Jim Scherer. Motion carried unanimously.
Tim reported that at the October 4th meeting, Freda resigned as Treasurer and Mary Jean Wenzel had agreed to serve out the balance of Freda’s term as treasurer. She is an accountant and familiar with various government reporting requirements that the corporation is subject to. He added that Freda would continue on the Board of Directors as a member director –at-large.
Mary Jean presented copies of the Treasurer’s Report for the year ending October 31, 2009, a Profit and Loss Statement (Budget for the year vs. Actual), and a Proposed Budget for the year ending October 31, 2010. (Copy attached)
Lucinda Hathaway was asked to review of the selection of children to attend the Mote Summer Camp with the scholarship funds provided by LBKTW. The guidance counselor at the Anna Maria Elementary School selects children who would otherwise not be able to attend and who had exhibited an interest in the environment. She added that she had received thank you cards from the children who went to the camp. The counselor selects two 4th graders and one third grader to attend camp.
Following discussion, it was moved by Rolla and seconded by Connie to accept the Treasurer’s Report and approve the proposed Budget for the year ending October 31, 2010. The motion carried unanimously.
President Thurman Presented a turtle picture to Freda Perrotta in recognition for her many years of service to LBKTW as Treasurer and for her other activities in education and outreach to the public for the benefit of the turtles.
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Lucinda reported she had also received thank you notes from students who went to camp from Sleepy Lagoon and that she would see that they got them as they should have gone there.
Tim discussed items in the 2010 Budget, particularly, the $3500 item of donation to Mote Marine Laboratory. The amount is for four specific proposals which were prepared by Holly West and Dr. Tony Tucker of the Mote Staff. First is $1000 for a LCD display for the Turtle Nesting exhibit. This will replace the old TV monitor, which was taken down with remodeling of the sea turtle exhibit, and have current nesting research footage that can be updated.
There is $1300 for a Beach Monitoring Display which would show how lighting affects nesting beaches and highlights of research that is being done on Florida beaches and the important role of volunteers in helping to protect sea turtles. Jim Sherer questioned whether LBKTW would receive recognition for the sponsorship or donations? Cyndi replied Mote will give credit and thanks to LBKTW for support and donations to their educational efforts. She added that a press release would be prepared by Holly West announcing the donations and crediting LBKTW.
Cyndi explained the $700 item for Flipper and Pit tags. The Pit tags are like microchips inserted into turtles as a means of identification like the Flipper tag which is attached externally to a turtle.
The last item is a $500 contribution towards the summer camp scholarships. Another $500 is included in the Budget so as to keep the total funding for the scholarships at $1000.
Penelope asked about the brochures which were used for part of the educational effort and distributed to attendees at the public excavations and other outreach and educational opportunities. There was not an inventory of the brochures, but there were still many available and is a very good tool for educating the public about sea turtles.
Tim stated that the expenditure items were a one-time expenditure. While the Board of Directors is confident that we have the ability to continue that level of expenditure in the future, the decision will be made annually on the projects or activities to support.
Nathalie reported nesting activity was down from last year. The data from Mote showed 104 nests this year compared to 143 for 2008. There were 97 false crawls this year and 99 last year. Manatee zone “C” had the most activity again. Cyndi stated that Mote will give us the complete report by email or on disc when they have finished with their compilation.
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Connie reviewed the year’s events. There were 8 nests washed out which was fewer than last year. There were clean ups in the fall and spring. During the winter, there were monthly clean ups. Because of the LBKTW efforts, Keep Manatee Beautiful gave an award to LBKTW under the Adopt a Shore program. We are the first recipient of this award. Tim and Freda attended the awards ceremony.
We gave three scholarships to summer camp at Mote. The public education at 32 nest excavations, reached 1099 people present. Display tables were at craft shows and wine tasting. Beach patrols were held for the Girl Scouts and the Sierra Club and some returned for a nest excavation. Paula Clark, Greg, and Connie did nesting patrols from the Hilton.
There were social events, a breakfast recognizing 25 years of service by Connie with 32 members and guests present. We held a mid season breakfast at the Hilton which was well attended. A wine tasting at Harry’s Continental Kitchens was successful as an event and fund raiser for us. We received thanks from Kumar Mahadeva, President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory, for our efforts in the sea turtle nesting program.
Marie reported the name the stake program was presented at the craft fair on the first Saturday and Sunday each month along with other educational materials and the brochures we have. She volunteered to be the Outreach, Membership, and Education Contact for 2010.
Rosemary reported that the Sunshine Committee sent notices to indisposed members and condolences where appropriate. There was good attendance at the wine tasting.
Rolla reviewed the Beach Furniture Ordinance that is complete and is ready to be presented to the Town of Longboat Key. There is a delay in making the presentation because of a change in the Code Enforcement Officer for the Town. The Lighting requirements tie in with the beach furniture proposal and should not require additional personnel for enforcement.
Freda reported on the Name the Stake program. There were 70 named stakes this year. It was suggested that the fee be raised to at least $10.00 next year. One visitor gave $100 towards our work to help the turtles. She said people are grateful and thankful for what she does. Purchasers get a note from Freda with the date, location, hatch and excavation information. People want to help and are appreciative of the work we do.
Shirt sales went well this year and we have about 4 dozen left. They should sell at Christmas
or next year. It is not a concern and we do not need to consider a donation of the remaining shirts at this time.
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Lucinda said they continue the beach walks from Broadway Beach. There has been as many as 40 people show up to walk.
Cyndi discussed the lighting poster for 2010. She suggested staying with the present arrangement where posters are furnished to us. Jim suggested we incorporate the artwork in the thank you notes. It was decided to continue as we have if it is free. Thank you notes will be sent to the UPS Store for the space they provide and shirt sales, the Chamber of Commerce and the Church for providing space for the field box and indoor storage at the Church.
For 2009 we had 19 disorientations compared to 30 in 2008. All we can do is report violations no other action can be taken by LBKTW. Cyndi said we will have beach clean up for the non-turtle season. There is a sign up sheet for that project. We will continue to meet at Covert II and go out from there. She reminded all of dates to remember: the Mote pot luck on November 6th; the Turtle Run on April 3, 2010 and the Mote training, Sarasota, April 10, 2010 or the training at Nokomis on April 17, 2010.
Tim discussed permitting for 2010. He stated we, LBKTW, the not-for-profit corporation, has almost no authority, the authority resides with the permit holder. Paula Clark is giving up the FWC Permit for Longboat Key (Sarasota and Manatee). Kristen Mazzarella will be the Permit Holder for 2010. Scheduling for 2009 was challenging. We have lived successfully without captains in 2009. For 2010 scheduling will be challenging. A permitted person will be on an LBK permit, there may not be a separate Manatee or Sarasota permit. If you are a permitted person, you must be able to do all things required of a permitted person for beach patrol. We will have tell if we want to be permitted or not by the end of the year. To be permitted you must be able to perform all that is required. There will be an intern dedicated to LBK for 2010. A permitted person may have to walk alone or with a trainee. We all need to think about what we are obligated to do as permitted personnel when deciding if we want to be permitted in 2010.
The permitted person will be expected to be able to do all things on the beach. The permitted person will be responsible for that section of beach on the day of the walk. The expectation from Mote is that a permitted person will walk at least 2 days per week. We must be able to commit the time to be able to fulfill all responsibilities of a permitted person.
He continued that we want to encourage volunteers to participate with us. They will be able to flag and assist after they receive the required training. If you want to be on the permit you must make a commitment to the program and be able to perform all those things required of a permitted person
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There being no further business to come before the meeting, it was moved by Lucinda and seconded by Denis Riley to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM. The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted, Dick Williams, Secretary
Approved, Tim Thurman, President __________________________________________
Date _______________________________20____
Revised as of November 9, 2009