REVISED DRAFT 7-30-09

Minutes

Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Inc., Executive committee

June 28, 2009

The executive committee of the Longboat Turtle Watch, Inc., met at 6:30PM at the Shore, 5757 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida. President Tim Thurman called the meeting to order. The following members were present: Vice President Seamon, Treasurer Perrotta, Secretary Williams, Co-Recording Secretary Allison Albee and Nathalie Treonis, Connie Schindewolf, Emmy Lou Gilbert and Rosemary Treonis.

Minutes of the Spring Meeting were approved on motion by Rosemary Treonis and seconded by Cyndi Seamon. Motion carried unanimously.

President Thurman began a review of nesting activities so for this season. He said it is going well, there have been some errors in completing data forms the way Mote has instructed, but we are getting corrections made. We are about even with nesting activity of last year. Overall it is going very well. Cyndi said the substitute book at the 6400 field box is working well. So far only one person has forgotten to call their report to Mote.

New for this year, no sand samples are required when a nest is excavated or a nest is relocated.

Freda said some people are not putting “FC” or the data sheets for a false crawl. This is needed information for Mote and FWC.

There has been some confusion about labeling stakes for the zone. All on LBKTW stakes should bear the designation of “LBK” and the zone, “A”, “ B”, “C” or “D”. The designation for zone on the data sheets should be “LBMC” and the letter for the zone.

There was discussion about activity of non-permitted persons. There will be more changes. Non-permitted persons are allowed to help with reporting activities, measuring and observing, but are not permitted to dig or to touch sand at a nest site, except at a non-public excavation. We do have some new people and it is important they understand that they may not touch a nest, hatchling or a turtle while on patrol with us. Those are the rules from the FWC and are explicit to permittees under the permit. We don’t want to create a problem for the permit holder or LBKTW. The new people are doing well and are eager to learn about what we do to help the turtles.

Next was a discussion about nest excavations. Public excavations and education are part of our reason for being. Excavations will be as they have been in the past years, with a person providing information about the nesting, time to hatch, numbers of eggs in the clutch, days to hatch and success rate determined by the excavation. Freda will prepare and have handout materials for those in attendance. Notice of public excavations will be posted on the web site. The first nest is due July 10th at the Shore. One person will be designated to speak and others designated to excavate. The person who found the nest should have the opportunity to excavate, if not then Freda will ask the Williams, Dick and Elaine to excavate, as they need to get permitted in Sarasota County.

Page 2,

Executive Committee Minutes, June 28, 2009

We all need to let Freda know when there is a drop or hatch. Call her or email. When reporting the nest location, If the address is of a long building, try to identify north or south and the nest number.

One of the most important items of discussion is how to spend our money. We raise several thousand dollars from shirt sales and have been successful in several other fund raising activities. Freda reports that we have $6400 in the bank and about 100 shirts in inventory, which are paid for, and which will provide additional revenue to LBKTW. President Thurman asked for ideas on how some of the money could be used. Suggestions included sponsoring an additional transponder for a turtle, money for scholarships; Tim said he hoped someday we could sponsor a tank at Mote. The cost of such a tank would likely be several thousands of dollars.

Emmy Lou suggested asking the garden club for applicants for scholarships, or local colleges for students with environmental science field interests. It was suggested that Manatee County College could be asked for current college students in the environmental sciences. It was also suggested that notice of availability could be posted on the web site and that would get several applicants.

Connie suggested that we could get a laminated plastic handout like is used by the Anna Maria turtle group. She felt they would not object if we used a similar handout from the same supplier. Cyndi had a copy of their handout which was passed around for all to see. There was much interest in the laminated card handout idea and Allison will do follow up on it.

Tim suggested that we could reasonably expect to have about $5000 each year for community and educational projects. Sponsor of a grad student, sponsor a tank (at Mote) continue sponsorship of kids to the Mote summer camp and possibly increase the number sent. There was considerable discussion on how and what projects would be considered. He then suggested that a committee member or a LBKTW member head up a charitable giving providing review and recommendations to the executive committee before the spring meeting. Cyndi suggested asking Lucinda Hathaway to head up that effort.

Tim commented that the 25^th year event for Connie was a good meeting and very beneficial for discussion. He suggested a mid-season breakfast or brunch so all could get together and discuss the season and just visit. It was suggested that the Hilton might be able to accommodate. A check with the manager at the Deli at the Whitney Beach Plaza was offered to see if they would be interested in such an event. It would be a Dutch Treat and volunteers and trainees would be invited. This would be a member retention activity not a recruitment.

There being no further business to come before the executive committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM