Mid-Atlantic RC&D Association Annual Meeting

San Antonio, TX

July 23, 2003

Meeting called to order by President Sharon Ruggi at 2:00 pm.  A roll call was conducted.  Fifteen (15) delegates were present.  The consensus of the group was that a quorum was present.

 October 2002 Minutes

It was Moved by Jim Horn (WV) and Seconded by Joyce DeLaurentis (MD) to approve October 2002 minutes.  Motion Passed.

Financial Report

The financial report was given by Pat Pinnell (MD).  As of 7/1/03 the balance in the account was $18,807.92.  It was Moved by Jim Horn and Seconded by Sheelagh Baily (NY) to accept the Treasurer’s Report.  Report Accepted.

Pat Pinnell explained the situation with former Treasurer, Lester McNutt.  The Audit will be done as of 12/31/02. This will put the Mid-Atlantic on a year's basis for doing yearly audits.  This will also match the IRS report that must be submitted each year.  A budget for 2003-2004 was presented.  It was Moved by Jim Horn and Seconded by Coney Nellis (NY) to accept the Budget.  Motion Passed.

Election of Officers

President Ruggi asked for a report from the nomination Committee.  Sheelagh Baily reported M. Irvil Kear (PA) and Howard Coffield (WV) for Vice President and for Treasurer, Pat Pinnell.  President Ruggi asked for nominations from the floor for Vice President and Treasurer.  No Floor nominations were made.  President Ruggi asked each nominee to introduce themselves to the Delegates, with a 5 minute time limit for speaking.  President Ruggi appointed Jeff Ottman and Ralph Buccon as Counters for the election.

 Separate elections for Vice President and Treasurer were held.

Election results:

Vice President M. Irvil Kear received 5 votes, Howard Coffield 10 votes. It was Moved by Sheelagh Baily and Seconded by Jim Horn to accept the Election results.  Motion Passed.

 Treasurer Pat Pinnell, 15 votes.  It was Moved by Jim Horn and Seconded by Sheelagh Baily to accept the Election results.  Motion Passed.

 President Ruggi asked for volunteers to serve on the nomination committee for next year’s election, at which time, the President and Secretary positions will up for election.  Jim Horn, Sheelagh Baily, and Kathy Skwara (PA) volunteered to serve.  It was Moved by Sheelagh Baily and Seconded by Cory Nellis to accept those names for the Nominating Committee.  Motion Passed.

 By-Laws

After some discussion of the proposed changes to the By-Laws, it was Moved by Jim Horn and Seconded by Olga Walter (MD) to accept the revised by-laws (March 20, 2003) that had been distributed to the delegates.  Motion Passed.

Reports

Joe Cantu, President, National Association of RC&D Councils spoke on the RC&D Partnership Alliance initiative.  The Partnership Alliance is a new program designed to help bring the National Association of RC&D Council into becoming a self-supporting organization.  Smith Covey National RC&D Program Coordinator and Anne Dubey, Acting Director, Resource Conservation and Community Development spoke on the RC&D Program Evaluation that will be conducted.  Terry D’Addio, National RC&D Program Manager, spoke on the Farm Bill and the Forestry Agreement with the Forest Service.  Roxane Palone with the Forest Service spoke about the partnership between the Forest Service and RC&D.

2004 Mid-Atlantic Annual Meeting

2004 Mid-Atlantic Annual Meeting will be held in West Virginia.  The place and date ate to be announced.

By-Laws

President Ruggi asked for volunteers to work on By-Law revision.  Sheelagh Baily, Jim Horn, and M. Irvil Kear Volunteered to serve on the Committee.

There being no further business, a Motion to Adjourn was made by Jim Horn, Seconded by Olga Walter.  Motion Passed.  President Ruggi adjourned the 2003 meeting.