Hilltop Conservancy
January 26,2005
Minutes

Attendance was very light, perhaps as a result of the weather.  It was one of the coldest days of the winter with temperatures in the low teens and breezy.  A total of 7 members attended.  David Freschi, the former president informed the group that the Boat House has been reserved by for the group and approved by the Essex County Parks Dept. for the rest of the year’s meetings.

2005 Monthly Meeting Schedule
4th Wednesday of the Month
January 26 July 27
February 23 August 24
March 23 September 28
April 27 October 26
May 25 November 23 ?
June 22 December 28 ?

Boat House reserved, but group may want to meet on a different day as previously discussed.

AGENDA:

  • Review 2004 Accomplishments
  • Identify Priority Objectives for 2005
  • Discuss Dues for 2005

    MINUTES:

  • Review 2004 Accomplishments:

    2004, the first year of existence was a year of significant achievements for the Conservancy.
    Membership, multiple events sponsored, registration as a non-profit, mission statement, website, trails development, public relations, education and aerial photos

  • Priority 2005 Objectives

    • Complete the agreement with the County of Essex and establishment of relationship with the county
    • Schedule events for coming year
      • 4 seasonal events: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
      • Cleanup Day 2005: Arrange for county to provide for removal of refuse, especially larger items. 
      • Birding Event(s)
      • Friday, April 22nd Sponsored school hike: Select conservancy chaperones.
      • Bike Ride 2005
      • Others tbd.
      • Dates tbd.

    • Hilltop Conservancy Logo
      Ken Bogert, president, presented a 2-color black and white relief designed by John Lyon, member.  No one in attendance had heard whether any school had embarked on this project as previously discussed.  Dennis German agreed to scan the Lyon logo and distribute it to selected members of the group, who would, in turn see whether there was still an interest in having different logos created by other persons.  Some members had ideas about enhancing the Lyon logo—add Caldwell, >1 tree, add flying bird(s).  Consideration should be made to how well the logo appears on letterhead, signs, website and T-shirts. 

      Group agreed that this will become an agenda item (new business) for April 2005, when sample logos will be displayed and distributed to group members and a vote to select the Conservancy logo will be held during the May 2005 meeting.

    • Continued education of the Hilltop Conservancy:
      • Recruit or present expertise at events
      • Educate members at monthly meetings
      • Recruit a guest speaker from another well-established conservancy to speak about “Managing a Conservancy” as we enter our 2nd year of existence.  Ken Bogert will pursue this.

    • Access to Hilltop: Keep issue in front of towns
      • Continued vigil on development plans as they impact Access
      • Encourage County to establish signage at different access points.
    • Publicity and PR: Being more proactive and thorough in our communications to members, volunteers, friends, media, organizations and government
      • Methods to include: email, press releases to local papers, town cable TV, mass mailing?
      • Communicate What?-->Meeting Notices, Events, Human Interest Stories about Hilltop.
      • Steve Wysmuller to find out cost of mailing to nearby residents for special events/news.
      • Anne Stires to create an address list for local papers and TV outlets.
      • Virginia agreed to reach out to a local middle school contact.
      • Organizing a Publicity and PR committee should be done with backup to primary participants.

    • Re-establishment of Committees and Committee members
      • Government liaisons
      • Trails
      • Education – Outreach
      • Public Relations and PR
      • Others?

  • Dues, for 2005 now being accepted ($20 individual, $35 family)
    Steve Wysmuller, Treasurer, announced he would lead a communication program to remind members about 2005 dues and to request any delinquent 2004 fees. Most members in attendance paid their 2005 membership dues (thank you!).

    Meeting adjourned at 9:10pm.

    Minutes prepared by President: Ken Bogert

    • Please note: These minutes have not been approved, They are provided here in an effort to make them available in a timely manner. If you have any corrections, please send them to the Secretary as soon as possible.

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