Agenda for Executive Committee Meeting 9/25/2018 Natural Grocers meeting room 1235 NW 10 th, Corvallis

Transcription

1 Agenda for Executive Committee Meeting 9/25/2018 Natural Grocers meeting room 1235 NW 10 th, Corvallis ExCom Present: Julie Arrington (Chair), Mike Neeley-Brown (Vice-Chair), Robert White (Treasurer), Karl McCreary, Dave Eckert (Program Chair), Barry Wulff, Susan Kropp (Membership) Present: Leslie Hogan (Secretary) I. Welcome and announcements The national Sierra Club makes their calendars available for purchase by SC groups for an extremely low price with the caveat that they not be sold but be used as promotional gifts. Robert White and Julie Arrington decided to buy a box of wall calendars. They will be given to all MPG ExCom members, to donors to the Champinefu Lecture series and to the Champinefu speakers. If we have enough, they will also be given to hike leaders, to the speakers at the spring lecture series and to other folks who help MPG. II. Secretary's Report/Minutes (Leslie) Mike Neeley-Brown moved to accept the amended minutes of the June 27, 2018, Marys Peak Group Executive Committee meeting. Robert White seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously on 7/15/18. III. Treasurer's Report (Robert W) On a motion from Mike and a second from Barry, the treasurer s report carried. IV. voting Motion: The MPG ExCom approve the recommendation of the MPG Political Committee to endorse Dan Rayfield for State Representative. Motion made by Barry Wulff, seconded by Robert White. The voting ended on 8/12/18 and was unanimously in favor. Motion: Marys Peak Group of the Sierra Club endorse the candidacy of State Senator Sara Gelser to be re-elected to the State Senate of Oregon. Motion made by Dave Eckert, seconded by Mike Neeley-Brown. Motion carried with six in favor and one not voting. Voting ended 8/12/18 The endorsements ExCom made for Dan Rayfield and Sara Gelser have been included on the Chapter's list of endorsements on their website.

2 IV. Chapter ExCom report (Julie) A. Julie participated in a video conference on the Clean Energy for All (CEFA) program. National gave Chapter $33,000 for staff. It's a program the overall goal of which is for Chapter to be more inclusive in its work. Transparency, collaboration, collective planning and justice outcomes are among component goals. Oregon has been chosen as a pilot program for CEFA. B. Chapter hired a temporary field worker with part of the bequest money they received from the Frenkel Estate. It wants to increase the visibility of the Oregon Chapter, bring in new members and connect to the candidates. This program is new to Oregon. Julie participated in a video conference. Chapter Director Trevor Kaul said Chapter is able to pay half of the cost of a political mailing to endorse candidates. The feedback that Julie has heard so far is that MPG is not interested. She asked if ExCom wants to put its endorsements in the Peak View? If so, those endorsements should include one for Kate Brown and opposition to Ballot Measure 105 which would repeal Oregon's sanctuary laws. These are two key issues for Chapter. C. Julie attended the Sept. Chapter meeting via a shaky video call. Chapter voted to endorse the No on 106 campaign. It also voted to hire Trevor Kaul as Chapter Director. National has been paying his salary. Chapter will now hire him directly. D. There was a phone discussion after the Chapter ExCom meeting. One of the suggestions was to have a phone call to discuss issues in depth before a meeting. This was well received. E. Chapter sends out a monthly of Highlights to members. Julie put one of MPG s hikes in it as well as the first Champinefu lecture and the ARTscend event. VI. Standing Committee/Team Reports A. Outings (Robert V) At present, individuals are registering for First Aid and Wilderness First Aid credentialing on their own. Group FA and WFA credentialing sessions will be arranged once Ken and Robert have a better sense of how many prospective leaders they may have (three at last count) and their likelihood of actually taking the necessary steps to officially become leaders, as well as current leaders still needing recertification. Likewise for OLT 100 certification and recertification. Robert reported that he has not looked recently at the number of active leaders who need recertification. Ken has been excellent about representing hikers at the FRAC (Forest recreation Advisory Committee) meetings and keeping Robert as outings chair abreast of what is being discussed and planned. Robert has been including the currently relevant info received from Ryan Brown, the OSU Forestry Recreation Manager, in the Peak View editions.

3 B. Political (Barry and Julie) Barry Wulff, Dave Eckert and Julie Arrington, constituting the 2018 Political Committee, met at the Old World Deli on 9/19/18 at 3:00 pm. They evaluated the candidates for Benton County Commissioner in the November general election. Four of the five candidates completed the candidate questionnaires. The political action committee performed due diligence on some of the candidates statements that were made in the questionnaires and then unanimously voted to endorse Pat Malone for Benton County Commissioner. It is their belief that Pat Malone has the greatest chance of being successful in accomplishing the mission of the Sierra Club in Benton County. They appreciate the relationships Malone has built to accomplish these goals and believe that Pat has the best personal skill sets to serve Benton County and the goals of the Marys Peak Group of the Sierra Club. This recommendation and the questionnaire responses from all the candidates were forwarded to the Marys Peak Group Executive Committee for their review and consideration prior to the ExCom meeting. The ExCom unanimously approved the endorsement of Pat Malone for Benton County Commissioner on a motion by Robert, seconded by Mike. Julie will the political chair at Chapter to find out all of what MPG can do to back up its endorsement. She will inform the candidates of MPG s decision and will find out if the Group is allowed to run a letter-to-the-editor in the G. T. and place a similar notice in the Peak View. C. Membership (Susan) Susan pointed out that summer is often a slow time for recruiting. In May, she sent 103 letters of welcome to new and transfer members. By June the number was 45, and 22 will go out for July. There will be more sign-ups with the fall lecture series where she and Julie will staff a table. F. Conservation / Programs (Dave) Champinefu Lecture Series update Name Change: The Confederated Tribes of the Siletz and the Grand Ronde commissioned their linguists to research the name of the Kalapuya band that lived in what is now Corvallis. This came as a response to MPG s lecture series and the renaming of an OSU building. Both Confederated Tribes linguists concluded that the most authentic name of this area is Champinefu. The people called themselves Pinefu or Ampinefu. Che means The place of. While the name Chepenefu has been widely used for decades on signs, maps and texts, no one is quite sure who chose that spelling and pronunciation. A Corvallis park even has that name. Therefore, from this point on, our Kalapuya Lecture Series will be named Champinefu Lecture Series.

4 Speaker Change: Our second speaker, Eirik Thorsgard, contacted David to tell him he is unable to present this Fall. Since our contact at the Grand Ronde who selects the speaker is out of the country until October 1 st, we have been unable to announce a new presenter and begin our promotions. Funding: Our total projected expenses for the lecture series is $2,845. This covers theater rental, A-V technicians, speaker payment and promotion. To date, we have $2,150 in donations pledged. Of that, we have received $1,450. Spring Creek Project is for the 2 nd year our co-sponsor and will pay $1,000 of that pledge directly to the Majestic Theater for rental, as they did last year. Once that is paid, we will be up to $2,450. David will follow up on the remaining $390 pledged. That leaves $35 remaining to be raised. Volunteers We need 8 volunteers, other than David, the organizer, for each presentation. Two greeters at the front of the Theater, 4 ushers and two people staffing the MPG table. David requests that all members of the MPG ExCom volunteer when they are available. Volunteers from ExCom signed up as followed: Susan will table for Oct. and Nov. Julie will table for all three. Mike and Robert can usher for all three, and Karl for Oct. and Dec. Leslie can be greeter for Oct. and Dec. Poster Don Hall, former editor of the Corvallis Gazette-Times has designed the promotional poster. Spring 2018 lecture series Bill Sullivan is speaking on March 14 th. Other speakers are not yet slated. Last spring MPG called the talks the Oregon Hiking Series. MPG can continue that theme. If it does, David will need assistance in locating good speakers. Otherwise, MPG can branch out to other subjects that impact hiking, such as forest management for fire management. ExCom wanted to further explore a speaker on fire prevention or fire ecology, possibly to be given by an OSU professor. David will look into finding a speaker to talk about the Greenbelt book, Wild is the Willamette. Barry suggested as a possibility that Margie Powell be asked to talk about hikes in Bend. Native plants for Dunawi and Lamprey Creeks. Plants have been ordered for Dunawi and Lamprey Creeks, as well as the arboretums at Crescent Valley and Waldorf. The MPG is not needed for funding this year as generous donations funneled through partner organizations are paying for the plants. David will be calling for volunteers in November through February. Dates will be announced shortly for weekends. Elderberry project Elderberry Plants have been ordered and will be picked up for distribution during the first week of November.

5 ArtScend Marys Peak Dave noted that the Marys Peak Group co-sponsorship and funding made a significant impact on the success of ARTscend Marys Peak. Thirty-nine artists who were provided an interpreted field trip to Marys Peak summit and waterfalls produced over 60 pieces of artwork. Shown throughout September with a special presentation on September 20 th during the Corvallis Art Walk, the Majestic Theater indicated it had over 3 times the number of visitors they have had on the monthly art walk. Similar information was expressed by The Art Center and Pegasus Gallery. Both the artists and the galleries requested that the program be repeated in future years. If that happens, the next trip up the mountain with artists in tow will be June 21st. VI. Old business A. Nominating committee (Dave and Mike) Mike reported that there are four seats open this year on the ExCom: the seats of treasurer and past ExCom chair, Robert White; Julie Arrington, ExCom chair and past treasurer; Karl McCreary, Chapter rep alternate; and Barry Wulff, past ExCom chair. Robert, Julie and Karl will run for re-election. Mike will announce other nominees soon. B. Election committee (Barry and Mike) Ballots should go out 10/27. Voting closes 12/1. C. The Frenkel Estate bequest for Marys Peak (Dave) On Wednesday, September 26 th, Dr. Phil Hays, Dr. Bob Lillie and Dave are meeting with officers and staff of the Siuslaw National Forest to discuss the conceptual development of interpretation of the ecology, physical features and cultural importance of Marys Peak. Part of those discussions will focus upon on-site displays. Since one of the primary interests in the life of MPG and Oregon Chapter founder, Bob Frenkel, was the promotion of Marys Peak as one of the preeminent natural features in Oregon, David made the following motion: MOTION: The MPG ExCom requests of the Oregon Chapter that up to $10,000 be spent by the Oregon Chapter in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Marys Peak Group on the design and installation of interpretive displays on Marys Peak to promote the unique physical features, ecology and cultural significance of this natural iconic location to honor Dr. Robert Frenkel. This project would be accomplished in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Marys Peak Group. The MPG ExCom further requests that MPG Chair, Julie Arrington, officially present this request to the Oregon Chapter ExCom as an agenda item for discussion during a Chapter

6 ExCom meeting in Dec., Dave made the motion, Robert the second, and the motion passed. D. Corvallis Climate Action Advisory Board update (Dave) The Corvallis Climate Action Advisory Board made its decision to unanimously reject the motion to accept the recommendation of the Oregon Chapter YouCan committee to support a City of Corvallis Climate Change Ordinance.. David recommended the MPG ExCom read the minutes starting on page 2 of the June minutes related to YouCan. See: Then read the minutes starting at the bottom of page 10 of the July minutes in the link below that begins: Banwarth made a motion that the board endorse the Climate Recovery Ordinance. Paul seconded. Discussion included the following: As stated in the minutes, The motion failed unanimously. Dave noted that it is important for the MPG ExCom and the Oregon Chapter ExCom to understand through these minutes starting on page 10 why the motion to pass the Climate Change Ordinance failed. E. Mediation with National SC representative (Julie) Julie reports she did finally hear back from the mediator and will submit an update. F. Beans-for-Bags fundraiser (Julie) Dave Eckert suggested that MPG apply to be a recipient of the Bags-for- Beans program at the First Alternative Co-op. The co-op donates $1000 per quarter which is divided among four groups according to how many beans each gets in its box. (Beans are given to shoppers who bring their own shopping bags.) Julie reports that MPG s application has been accepted. Co-op owners will vote to select the twelve 2019 recipients during the month of October. Julie will put an announcement in the Peak View for MPG members who are also co-op members to vote for us. VII. New business A. Meeting with Senator Merkley's field representative (Dave) On August 31, 2018, Julie Arrington, Mike Neeley-Brown, Barry Wulff, Robert White and Dave Eckert met with Courtney Flathers, Field Representative for Senator Jeff Merkley. Ms Flathers wanted to know what MPG worked on and what concerns she could report to Senator Merkley. Julie, Mike, Barry, Robert and Dave reported and requested:

7 1. Marys Peak - MPG is concerned that the Federal Government (Forest Service) may not uphold the Management Directive for the Scenic Botanical Special Interest Area on Marys Peak when considering approval of the Bonneville Power Administration s request to install a new building and new tower on the summit. The five ExCom members explained how the Forest Service violated the Management Directive in 2011 and claimed then they would not do that again. MPG asked that Senator Merkley look into this issue to insure the Forest Service does not violate the directive again on the BPA proposal. 2. Urban Waterways - The group then discussed MPG s work on regenerating healthy creeks in urban areas and asked the Senator to explore ways that the Federal Government can help urban areas support projects to maintain healthy, clean, fish-bearing waterways (fishable, swimmable) in urban areas. 3. Solar Inclusion Program - They discussed MPG s Solar Inclusion Program to install sustainable solar power on low-income homes so that utility bills do not bankrupt people living on the financial edge. They asked that Senator Merkley look into how the Federal Government can help low-income families attain sustainable energy sources for their homes. 4. Native Sovereignty They discussed MPG s relationship with the Grand Ronde and the Siletz and the mutual programs we have partnered with them in Corvallis. They asked Senator Merkley to continue to protect the sovereignty of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and the Siletz by protecting their most sacred site on Marys Peak. B. December Chapter meeting in Corvallis (Julie) The next Chapter meeting will be held sometime in December in Corvallis. The meeting should last four hours. There will be a chance to promote MPG's achievements. Julie invited all at the ExCom meeting to attend, especially if ExCom finds itself at that point working on the Bob Frenkel interpretive signs for Marys Peak. C. January party (Julie) Julie proposed that ExCom host another winter potluck in January at the Senior Center, open to all MPG members. ExCom members recounted positive feedback from last year s party and concurred with her proposal.

8 VIII. Next meeting TBA in January, 2019 with the old and new board members. IX. Adjourn 8:48 p.m.