Minutes

1. The meeting was called to order by Bob Andrus @ 1.10 pm

2. Members Present: Bob Andrus, Patrick Ertel, Tom Buhr, Roger Fechner, Mark Hendricks and Tom Dale. Absent, a representative from Anglers.

3. Opening discussion centered on the functions and responsibilities of the Executive Board. The Partnership Agreement was consulted and the following ideas and questions were considered:

• Role of Partnership: Partners to this agreement pledge to provide leadership, engineering, technical planning, manpower, equipment, and coordination, to the best of their abilities, necessary to implement the Au Sable River Watershed Management Plan. Partners will be responsible for promoting ARWRC projects and activities, and helping to obtain general committee funds from their affiliate groups.
• Role of the Executive Board was discussed: The Executive Committee will be composed of the four elected officers, a representative of Huron Pines and two At Large Members that are elected at the full membership meeting in October. The Executive Committee will develop and propose yearly projects for membership approval and oversee details of implementing watershed restoration activities The Executive Committee will provide timely progress reports to members and act as the forum for handling public information and input.
• The Executive committee is the "glue" for watershed projects. It is the "umbrella" or "United Way" for AuSable River conservation efforts. The partner organizations each need to promote the fact of their membership in the Committee to their constituents and the public.
• We need to develop a logo for our letter head and web page. A sticker that identifies and promotes the Committee would also be useful. We need to publish exciting pictures that demonstrate the role and activities of the Committee and to attract attention in public forums.
• Roles of Executive Board officers was discussed.

Chairman: The Chairman will be responsible for establishing a meeting schedule, sending out meeting notices and agendas, and conducting Executive Committee planning sessions and membership committee meetings. Other Chairman duties include, but are not limited to, signing grant applications as approved by the Executive Committee.

Vice-Chairman: The Vice-Chairman will be responsible for communication between volunteer resource advocacy groups and the Committee. The Vice Chairman will promote and coordinate volunteer work projects. The Vice Chairman will represent the Chairman in the Chairman¹s absence.

Secretary: The Secretary will be responsible for recording and publishing minutes of Executive and Full Committee meetings. The Secretary will also maintain and distribute an updated roster of Committee members and their voting representatives. The Secretary will also ensure that Committee gives proper recognition to funding sources.
*Note: Stationary with letterhead, envelopes, and postage are required.
*Note: A tape recorder will be used to insure that accurate meeting content and actions taken will be recorded in the minutes.

Treasurer: The Treasurer will work with Huron Pines staff and provide review of ARWRC financial records and present timely statements to the Committee members.

The following slate of candidates was developed:
Chairman: Bob Andrus
Vice-Chairman: Roger Fechner
Secretary: Tom Dale
Treasurer: Tom Buhr

* Motion by Tom Dale, Seconded by Roger Fechner to elect the slate of candidates. Motion carried.

4. Committee Support of 2008 Partner Projects & Initiatives. The committee discussed ways to help support current projects. The committee can help with PR and identifying volunteers. The MiCorps Upper AuSable River Watershed Monitoring project grant proposal is currently pending.

5. Prioritizing Committee Initiated Projects. A River Keepers program similar to one that is active and successful on the Manistee was discussed. * Motion by Tom Dale, Seconded by Roger Fechner to establish a River Keepers program for the entire AuSable River watershed. The program will require volunteers to monitor segments of the river. Bob Andrus will serve as the volunteer coordinator. Patrick Ertel will be the contact person to be called when problems with the resource are discovered and reported. He will investigate the problem and recommend potential solutions. The committee will prioritize problems for remediation and provide resources or interventions to help solve problems. The committee will contact stakeholders to seek funding/pilot money to support the program- funds to be used for time and expenses for Patrick and costs of remediation efforts. Motion Carried.

6. General Membership Meeting. The January 2008 General Membership meeting is scheduled for 1:00 pm on Januray 25, 2008 at the Huron Pines Office 510 Norway Street in Graying. Partner organizations will be asked to prepare no more than 5 minute summaries of on going activities and provide written reports for distribution. . The January meeting will focus primarily on approving work plans developed by the Executive Committee.

7. Other items that were briefly discussed:

• The Mio hexavalent chromium groundwater contamination problem.
• A possible macroinvertebrate survey above and below the contamination site.
• A creel census study.
• The pending legislation regarding water withdrawals from Michigan Streams.
• Huron Pines is seeking nominations for 2007 O.B. Eustis Environmental Awards. Deadline is December 31, 2007. More information available at www.huronpines.org

8. The meeting adjourned at 4:10.

Respectfully submitted 12/9/2007
Tom Dale
Secretary