Central Missouri Humane Society

Board of Directors Open Meeting

March 20, 2006

Minutes

1.         Call to order by Zim at 6:07

2.         Board members present: Laura Reiss, Zim Schwartze, John Lane, Chris Bouchard, Darren Hellwege, John Howe, and Denny O'Brien

3.         Board members absent: Tiffany McBee, Connie Sullivan,

4.         Staff Present: Patty Forister, Teal Alt, Julie Aber, Amy, Shannon deLeon, Lauren Kintz, Alicia Davis, Leslie Thurmon and Kim Livengood.

5.         Approval of 2/27/06 meeting minutes moved by John Howe second Darren approved

6.         Approval of  agenda; Moved by Darren, second by Chris, approved

7.         Committee reports

a.         Nominating - John Howe no report

b.         Membership & Financial Development - Laura; committee met and developed a mission statement and goals for the year. 

c.         Staff Liaison - Denny introduced Teal Alt.  She recounted her past experience and current activities.     

d.         Publicity & PR - Darren working on Dining Out

e.         Budget - Zim reported on some changes in the budget.  Julie has worked with accountants to get categories the same with the budget and the accounting.  Microchipping numbers have been corrected.  John Lane asked about the Missouri charitable campaign whether we’ve had an increase in funds.  Zim thought we’d seen an increase though not as much as projected.  Chris asked what our plug number was for this year and it came out to $61,199 plus $50,000 grant income.  Zim recounted some of the bequest donations we are receiving.  There was discussion about where the money should be invested.  Zim complimented the staff on keeping errors down on credit cards.  Chris asked what we were paying in cost and we’re at lowest.  John Lane asked if we were at Cost Plus and Zim replied we were not since we don’t qualify.  John Lane said he could get a bid from another processor. 

f.          Building & equipment - Chris .  Patty reported on the building issues.  She will contact the insurance company and get window replaced by Koonz glass.  Electric: fans are being replaced.  Plugs installed in offices.  Plumbing is put on the back burner.  Copier continues to be an issue though working now.  There was discussion about when we could renegotiate the contract and what our other options would be.  Roof leaks are being investigated.  Chris asked what the role of the building committee should be.

g.         Education & Programs - Denny will try to get meeting together regarding spay neuter clinic before next meeting. 

8.         Questions on staff reports.  Patty hasn’t been able to sort out how to pull statistics off the adoption program yet.  John Lane asked about the annual renewal fee.  John Lane moved to subscribe to the yearly fee for the Adopt a Friend, Chris seconded.  Approved.  John Lane asked if we could do a trailer on the ads.  Shanon will contact to see if we can get that done.  There was discussion of the animal inside stickers. 

9.         Old business

a.         Connie- phones Patty negotiated a new line and an improved price on the DSL line.  Extra line will at least get them to a menu.  Patty will look at decreasing the menu items and recording.  The phone can be busy but there isn’t enough staff to answer more phones.

i.          Different numbers in phone book and web

ii.          White pages listing under “Humane Society, Central Missouri”

iii.         Patty will check whether the phone numbers are rolling over properly.

b.         Zim - City of Columbia contract

i.          Zim recounted the history of our contract and the budget cycle.  We need to propose a budget by May. 

ii.          Office space we had an 18.9% increase in utilities frm the city.  About 64 square feet plus the garage.  Contract says 200 square feet plus parking. 

iii.         Contract gives city first priority to 30 cages and care.  John Lane asked: can we build into the contract that we can charge the number of animals over the 30.                                                                         

iv.         There was discussion why we are keeping animals for so long in impoundment cases and whether we can provide better socialization to the long term residents.  Chris suggested that we need to be indemnified for liability to provide the level of humane care needed.   Zim will talk with AC about whether we can get them to cover our liabilities in the cases where we are providing what we consider an adequate level of care (e.g. opportunities to exercise). 

v.         John Lane asked if we should increase number cages.

vi.         Vet services has not changed.  There are questions about whether we are keeping up on bordetella prevention.  Julie will discuss with AC keeping up on the vaccines. 

vii.        Zim will negotiate for the 8.4% increase in budget.  Gerry Worley may attend the next meeting.  

viii.       County contract needs to be submitted by September, then it will be time to work out our budget.

c.         Zim - Bylaws - She wants to include timelines for the budgets.  She asked that everyone look at the bylaws and see what needs to be updated.  John Lane suggested some of these things should be in a policies and procedures.  Chris suggested staff also generate guidelines for the new positions.  Patty is working on a procedures manual. 

d.         Denny - website Tim Nieuwenhousen volunteered to do design website. 

10.       New business

a.         Patty- Server upgrade.  John Howe moved that we accept the bid from Automated System LLC.  Darren second approved. 

11.       Public comment: none

12.       John Lane will be providing space at taste of midmo April 5 4-7 Holiday inn expo

13.       John Howe moved to adjourn, Darren seconded; adjourned 7:53.