NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY PARK & RECREATION OFFICIALS

MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

October 11, 2000

SUNDANCE ROOM, HYATT HOTEL

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

President Cindy Welsh called the meeting to order at 2:10 PM.

All present at the meeting are Trustees of NACPRO

3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

President Cindy Welsh acknowledged and thank Past President Jon Brady for his outstanding leadership and John deBessonet for his contributions to the Association for establishing and managing the organization’s webpage.

None

Members Present

Members Absent:

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

Upon motion of Ralph Richard, seconded by Ron Benson, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the July 14, 2000 meeting in Charlotte, NC.

Mr. Andal noted that NRPA has invited a NACPRO member to the Fund Donor Reception on Friday, October 13, 2000. He distributed the 1st Quarter Financial Report for the period ending September 30, 2000 that shows the total net worth for the association at $30,631.31 (a copy attached to these minutes). Mr. Andal also noted that he has completed the enrollment for the year. A current membership roster was distributed (a copy attached to these minutes).

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

Chair Dan Gooch reported that the NACo Board endorsed CARA and the next meeting would be held in December of his year in Sun Valley ID.

Bill Beckner questioned Dan Gooch on whether or not NACo would consider that NACPRO act as liaison and expert on all items pertaining to funding of park and recreation activities that may come to NACo. Mr. Gooch indicated that he would investigate that suggestion. Ralph Richard asked if the NACo Board was aware of the NACPRO organization. Mr. Gooch indicated that there is a standing offer for NACPRO to contribute to NACo News on any item pertaining to parks. Cindy Welsh asked if a "flyer" about NACPRO could be added to the NACo conference packet. To all questions Dan Gooch indicated that he would investigate and report back at the next meeting of the NACPRO Board.

Cindy Welsh requested that Committee Chairs provide their reports in writing prior to the meeting for Board Members consideration and for documentation in the minutes. She suggested that the report follow the format in the Board primer provided by Past President Jon Brady.

a. Awards

Appointments to the committee are: Tim Schreiner, Jon Brady, and Ralph Richard. Bob Nickovich reported the committee is considering a new format for award applications and suggesting guidelines be incorporated. Recommendation on format changes will be presented at the mid-year meeting at Washington, D.C.

b. By Laws

Appointments to the committee are: Graham Skea, Don Hoch, and Ron Benson. Ron Benson reported under the proposed by-laws change an "alternate can vote as a proxy". Cindy Welsh suggested the by-laws committee consider additional language that "requires substitutes of Board members have their name submitted in writing 30 days in advance of a Board meeting". Jon Brady stated that according to the by-laws all changes to the by-laws must be made at the annual meeting of the Association.

Cindy Welsh asked for a definition of absenteeism and indicated that in her opinion attendance is required at meetings eventhough an individual has been active between meetings. Welsh stated that she would like language added to the by-laws indicating that authorized absences requires approval by the President and an excused absence must be job related or illness. Further, she suggested that excused absences must be in writing. A committee was named (Dan Gooch, Jon Brady, Ralph Richard and Cindy Welsh) and was charged with defining "excused absences" for future discussion. The committee is to present policy language at the March 2001 meeting.

The by-laws committee report/action was tabled.

c. Finance

The finance committee was named to include Chair Tim Schreiner, Paul Romero, and Gene Andal.

A report on finances was presented by Gene Andal and is attached to these minutes. For the period ending September 30, 2000 the Association has a total net worth of $30,631.31.

d. Legislation

The legislative committee was named to include Chair Bill Scalzo, Bill Mitchell, Paul Frandsen, Annette Wise, and John Weber. Bill Scalzo reported on HR 4578, a revision of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), and copy is attached to these minutes. President Clinton supports this bill and has indicated a willingness to sign it. Funds in HR 4578 are not guaranteed and would require annual appropriation.

Cindy Welsh requested that legislative information be sent to Bill Palmer and John deBessonet for distribution in NACPRO News and our webpage.

e. Membership

The membership committee was appointed and includes Chair Paul Romero, Bill Beckner, and John deBessonet. The current membership list was distributed (attachment E). John deBessonet reported on the corporate membership and a flyer was distributed at the exhibit hall. Mr. deBessonet requested that all Board members distribute the flyers to encourage new corporate memberships.

f. Nominating

The committee members appointed are Chair Jon Brady, Ralph Richard and Don Hoch. Jon Brady reported that all positions are filled and he will soon send a letter seeking interest in office for next year.

g. Professional NRPA/NACo Education

Glenn Trowbridge reported that an educational session had been arranged at the NACo Conference in Charlotte, NC on Sunday afternoon. Sixty-five people attended the session on NACo award winning facilities. Mr. Trowbridge recommended we repeat the program next year at NACo.

Moved by John Weber, seconded by Tim Schreiner to provide an educational session at NACo in July, 2001. Approved unanimously.

a. Accreditation Representative

Chair Bill Mitchell reported that Miami Dade County was reaccredited and Salisbury County, NC was accredited. Ninety applications are pending and 20% are from county departments.

b. Historian

Chair Bill Scalzo had no report.

c. Internet Communications

Chair John deBessonet submitted a written report attached to these minutes. He reported that the web site is now set up to accept Corporate Member links and NACPRO now has a dedicated domain (http://www.nacpro.org). The "exhibit hall" is now active and the membership pavilion now has membership applications posted and accessible. A new section, Members Only, is now working and John suggests that all Board members promote the web site.

d. Newsletter

Volunteers are requested for Editor of the Newsletter. Chair Bill Palmer reported at the last meeting that he would not be able to continue to edit, publish, and mail the NACPRO Newsletter due to reorganization in his agency. Tim Schreiner stated that he will conduct research on how the Association can continue to print the newsletter at a low cost. Bill Palmer has indicated that he will extend his tenure for editing and publishing the new issue but closure must come forth. Cindy Welsh stated that she will be the contact on this issue.

e. Organizational Future

Dan Gooch stated that the Association incorporation papers have been filed in the State of Illinois. He will next file for tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service as the incorporation status is final.

f. NRPA Relations

Formal affiliation with NRPA is pending. The petition has been filed but the 501(3) status is necessary for the petition to be accepted. Chair Gary Haller reported at the last meeting that to become an affiliate of NRPA would cost $240.00 per year.

g. Scholarship

Chair Mary Burns being absent, the report was continued until the next Board meeting.

h. Audit

Chair Paul Romero reported that the audit was complete (a copy attached to these minutes).

i. Benchmarking survey

Mr. Bill Beckner reported that the survey information is being statistically analyzed and a report is pending. He requested that any outstanding survey forms be returned so that they can be tabulated.

No new business was agendized.

Cindy Welsh stated her goals for the year. They are:

• Complete affiliation with NRPA
• Support the Corporate membership program
• Increase individual membership – requested that Board members conduct a regional survey to determine why counties are not becoming part of NACPRO. Members Romero (CA), Welsh (VA), Nickovich (IN) are to conduct brief surveys and report at the next meeting of the Board.
• Resolve the challenge with finding a new Newsletter editor.
• Work to enhance the web page.
• Increase revenue and reduce operating costs.

2001 NACo Mid-year Legislative-Washington, DC

2001 NACo Annual Conference - Philadelphia, PA

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 4:05 P.M.