NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY PARK & RECREATION OFFICIALS

MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

July 13, 2001

Convention Center, Room 113B

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

President Cindy Welch called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.

Lou Witt, representing NACo, was introduced to the Board of NACPRO.

3. REQUESTS FOR AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

No items were modified or added to the agenda. Motion to accept agenda by Amii, second by Nickovich-passed unanimous.

4. Roll Call

Members Present

Members Absent:

There being a quorum present, the business of the Association proceeded as follows:

The minutes are amended to add Board member Amii to present list and note that past Board meeting was held in Sterling, Virginia. Upon motion of Mike Pasteris, seconded by Bill Scalzo, the Board unanimously approved the corrected Minutes of the July 14, 2000 meeting in Sterling, VA.

Mr. Andal distributed the 3^rd Quarter Financial Reports (attachment A) for review and comment. He noted that there is no significant change from the report of the previous meeting. The 4^th Quarter Financial report (attachment B) was distributed and the net worth for the Association is not available because interest income for the 4^th quarter was not tallied into the final report. The total net worth column of the report will be completed and sent to all Board members. [Report received via telefax on 07-27-01 and is attached to these minutes] Certificate of Deposit #10755, #10835 and # 11900 will be moved to 6 month term accounts to increase interest income.

The Fiscal Year 2001-2002 budget was distributed with corrections authorized at the last Board meeting. Moved by Mike Pasteris, seconded by Bill Palmer to approve preliminary budget and consider budget final with reflected changes. Approved unanimously.

Mr. Andal proposed a dedicated telephone line at his office for NACPRO business. The cost would be $300 per year. Moved by Bob Nickovich, seconded by Bill Palmer to increase budget by $300 for dedicated telephone line at Executive Secretary’s office. Telephone line will be shared cost with Mr. Andal. Approved unanimously.

Mr. de Bessonet requested modification of the budget to provide for printing a "ticket" promoting the Corporate membership at a cost of $150. The ticket (attachment D) would be distributed at trade shows, conference booths, etc. to entice potential corporate members. After discussion it was moved by Bill Scalzo, seconded by Dan Gooch to authorize $80 for the printing of "tickets" to promote corporate memberships. Approved unanimously.

Mr. Andal presented a proposal for payment of membership dues by credit card. He investigated cost, term and annual service fees for credit card utilization and recommends using COSTCO Executive membership services for Visa and MasterCard. Initial cost of the service is $550 and annual cost thereafter is $350. Annual cost is subject to change dependent on the account activity. Mr. Andal recommends a two year trial period for the service and then consider the benefit based on annual evaluation. Moved by Bob Nickovich, seconded by John de Bessonet to authorize budget modification to allocate $550 for credit card service to assist membership payment process. Discussion ensued and Mr. Scalzo questioned the profitability of the proposal. Mr. Brady suggested that the service will provide ease for dues payment and may not be profitable. Mr. Schreiner that the service may not benefit his county but it may assist in collecting fees associated with the annual Banquet. Ms. Welsh indicated that the credit card service would be for collection of fees or dues and would not be used for payment. Mr. Andal stated that two counties informed him that they would pay dues only through the use of credit card. Mr. de Bessonet suggested that the program be considered for one year at the cost of $95 and then reconsider program at the end of the term. Mr. Scalzo asked Mr. Witt if NACo could assist? Mr. Gooch stated that NACo is working on an Affiliate Central Office where all affiliate services could be provided. He could seek information on whether or not they could provide this service. Mr. Richards indicated that this program would cost approximately $1000 for two years. The organization now generates $16,000 in Corporate memberships during the same time period. He questioned whether the organization can afford the $1000 expenditure and if that amount could be recovered by new Corporate memberships. Mr. de Bessonet stated that credit card payment would assist in Corporate member recruitment and he thought the increase could cover expense. The question was called and the vote was 14 yea, 2 nay. The proposal to add credit card service to the organization for payment of dues and other fees was adopted.

A current membership roster was distributed (attachments E, E1,and E2). Currently there are 151 regular members, 1 Honorary member, 4 Complimentary members, and 16 Corporate members for a total membership of 172.

Upon motion of Bill Scalzo, seconded by John deBessonet, the Board unanimously approved the report of the Executive Secretary.

Lou Witt, NACo liaison to NACPRO, was reintroduced. He presented Chairperson Cindy Welsh with the President’s Gavel recognizing her leadership as Chair of NACPRO.

Committee Chair Dan Gooch reported that the NACo Board is evaluating the creation of a full time position to act as an Affiliate Liaison. NACo supports 26 affiliates and the need for a full time position has been justified. NACo income is less than anticipated and the position is currently frozen. The issue will be discussed at the NACo affiliate meeting on Sunday, July 15.

Mr. Gooch stated that he did not attend the NACo meeting in Hawaii and therefore was unable to participate in the Affiliate Roundtable. He will attend the Sunday, July 15 meeting and will also attend the NACo Board meeting being held at this Conference.

a. Awards

Mr. Nickovich indicated that 14 awards will be presented at the Annual Banquet on Saturday, July 14. Seventeen guests will attend the Banquet, hosted by NACPRO. The Awards budget is $3300 and the program this year will cost less that what is now budgeted. Mr. Gary Haller will attend and receive the Distinguished Professional Award.

b. By Laws

No report was presented.

c. Finance

Chair Tim Schreiner stated that the organization received a contribution check for $1153 from Mecklenburg County, NC for half the cost of last years Annual Banquet. The Board recognized the contribution and acknowledged the generosity of Director Wayne Weston.

Mr. Schreiner informed the Board that IRS paperwork is being prepared and will be mailed within the next 60 days from the date of this meeting.

d. Legislation

Chair Bill Scalzo shared that there are now two versions of legislation that consider funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund. NRPA supports the House version (HR 2217) and recommends that NACPRO also support HR 2217. Moved by Mike Pasteris, seconded by Bill Scalzo to support HR 2217 and encourage using the same formula for state side distribution and full funding at the level of $450 million. Approved unanimously.

e. Membership

Chair Paul Romero stated that the second notice for membership renewal was sent by Executive Secretary Andal. The goal for total membership this year is 200 individuals.

f. Nominating

Chair Jon Brady distributed the Nominating Committee report (attachment F). The slate of Officers for the 2001-2002 year and the Directors for the term 2001-2003 was accepted as presented. Mr. Brady also distributed a map showing the distribution of Board leadership across the United States (attachment F).

g. Professional NRPA/NACo Education

Chairperson Welsh stated that Glenn Trowbridge, Committee Chair, has retired from Clark County, NV. The committee had no report. Incoming President Nickovich will need to consider appointing a new Committee Chair.

a. Accreditation Representative

Chair Bill Mitchell reported that two additional agencies were accredited since our winter meeting. Two agencies are being considered for reaccredidation and one new application was received for consideration. Mr. Mitchell stated that he can no longer serve on the NRPA Accreditation Committee since his term will expire in October. Mr. Bill Palmer was suggested as serving as new Chair of the Committee but Mr. Palmer declined. Mr. Mitchell indicated he that will offer his recommendation for a new Accreditation Committee representative to incoming President Nickovich.

b. Historian

Chair Bill Scalzo had no report.

c. Internet Communications

Chair John deBessonet submitted a written report (attachment G) and stated that the internet site is expanding. Three new pages were added to include the newsletter, Corporate members, and general information on using the internet. He encouraged Board members to send information to him for posting.

d. Newsletter

Mr. Bill Palmer submitted his last Committee report (attachment H). The last issue of the newsletter was posted on the internet webpage. A letter was sent to the membership notifying them in the format change. Mr. Palmer’s recommendations are highlighted in the report and he recommends that the December copy of the newsletter continue to be mailed as well as posted on the webpage.

Attachment I reflects the scope of services for the new editor of the NACPRO newsletter. The new editor is Carolyn Andal. Moved by Bill Palmer, seconded by Ralph Richard to authorize the incoming NACPRO President to finalize the scope of services for the NACPRO editor. Approved unanimously.

e. Organizational Future

Dan Gooch reiterated that NACPRO is incorporated in the State of Illinois. The proposed change in by-laws will clarify the incorporation but not change legal standing. NACPRO is a not-for-profit organization and improved by-laws will allow for appropriate IRS filing with greater ease. Mr. Gooch will provide additional information at the next Board meeting on the status of the IRS filing.

f. NRPA Relations

President Cindy Welsh indicated that NRPA affiliation was not approved. The application for affiliation requires signature by 50% of the members of NACPRO. The submitted application was signed by members of the Board of Directors. Consequently, the application was incorrect and not accepted. Ms. Welsh indicated that she will coordinate with incoming President Nickovich to address this issue. The item was tabled until the next meeting of the Board.

g. Scholarship

Chair Mary Burns being absent, the report was continued until the next Board meeting. Mr. Schreiner indicated that two previous scholarships had been authorized but billing for expenses are pending.

h. Audit

Chair Paul Romero reported that the next audit is scheduled for December 2001.

a. Proposal for NACPRO Conference

John de Bessonet presented a proposal (attachment J) for NACPRO to conduct a conference for NACPRO members. Mr. de Bessonet suggested that the conference could be scheduled at a time different from NRPA or NACo conferences and may supplant or be in lieu of the winter legislative meeting. He suggested a format that would include tours, informal discussions and educational presentations. Discussion ensued and President Welsh appointed John de Bessonet, Tim Schreiner and Bill Scalzo to review the proposal and present a recommendation at the next Board meeting in Denver, CO. Mr. de Bessonet indicated that he will conduct an "informal" poll on the internet to determine interest by members on this proposal.

2001 NRPA Annual Congress - Denver, CO (October 3-7, 2001)

2002 NACo Annual Conference - Orleans Parish, LA

2002 NRPA Annual Congress – Tampa, FL (October 16-19, 2002)

2003 NACo Annual Conference - Milwaukee, WI

The meeting was adjourned at 4:14 P.M. on motion of Bill Scalzo, seconded by Ralph Richard and unanimously approved by the Board of Directors.