Meeting, held at the Anahuac Library, 202 Cummings, Anahuac TX, was called to order by President Travis Lovelace at 6:40 p.m. on November 17, 2009.

In attendance:  Travis Lovelace, Kay Lovelace, Tommy Harris, Carolyn Harris, Toni Marchetti, Ruth Millsaps, John Stevenson, Stephanie Martinez, Matt Jackson

Minutes from the October meeting were approved with corrections (two names misspelled and amount of donation to NWRA amended from $1,000 to $2,000).  Tommy Harris made the motion to approve; Kay Lovelace seconded; motion passed.

Treasurer’s report was approved as corrected (one account was renamed and one item was moved to a different category).  Kay Lovelace made the motion to approve; Carolyn Harris seconded; motion passed.

Nature Store report was presented by Kay Lovelace.  The possibility of selling items online was discussed.  Carolyn Harris is willing to work on this with David Sarkozi’s guidance.  The Nature Store committee is researching POS systems that might be used when we have two locations. 

The refuge report was presented by John Stevenson.

• There is continued improvement on the refuge.
• Salinity levels are lower.
• Equipment continues to arrive.
• Staff are working on contracts for upcoming projects.
• Phone lines have been added to the volunteer community building and check station.
• Christmas party for refuge staff will be December 1; parade in Anahuac will be on December 3; volunteer banquet in Winnie December 4.
• A hurricane team is on the premises.
• VIS design is 70% finished.

New business:

• The environmental impact statement is available for the new administration building (Travis has a copy).
• There will be no December board meeting unless something comes up that we need to discuss.
• The annual budget review and recommendations were presented by Treasurer Tommy Harris.  Items listed on a handout were discussed.  He will present a proposed budget at the next meeting based on the discussion.
• The theme and decoration of the float for the Christmas Parade were discussed.  Kay invited suggestions for wording on the banner.  We will use the same float for the Winnie parade on December 5.
• A reciprocal agreement with other refuges for display of web banners was discussed.  This would involve placement of ads for festivals at other refuges.

Old business:

• Annual meeting will be held January 23, 2010.  After discussion of location, it was decided to try to book Legion Hall at Fort Anahuac Park for 1 p.m.  The meal will be pot-luck, with entertainment and a business meeting, followed by a field trip to the volunteer community building.  Invitations will be mailed out, hoping for a better response than last year when phone calls were made.
• VCB update: two doors and gutters are still needed; locks are in progressRV internet service – post is up for mounting antenna.  A repeater will be added later if needed.
• Newsletter deadline is December 1, but photos from early December events can be added.  Proposed date for mail-out is mid-December.
• Website listing of annual events and dates – Tammy and Kay are working on this.
• Thank you letter and phone call were received from Evan Hirsche for the $2000 donation to the National Friends group.
• Chili Day will be held on December 12, with David making the chili and others providing desserts
• GIS map – Matt Jackson is gathering data.  He showed samples.  The map can be embedded on our website.
• Magnets will be given to new members and those who renew memberships.  Kay showed the design.  The idea of selling them in the Nature Store was discussed, possibly with a slightly different design.

Announcements:  A $5,000 donation was received from the Madlin Stevenson Foundation (Cynthia and Donald Steward Stevenson).  There are no restrictions on how it may be used.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.   Tommy Harris made the motion; Toni Marchetti seconded; motion passed.