Meeting Minutes - June 21, 2000
Pauquette Park Shelter

Attendees: Jim Burnett, Nancy Braker, Steve Braker, Roxann Brue, Tom Kemp, Steve Mueller, Jill Nooyen, Allison Russell, Gary Sorenson, Megan Yost, Telle Zoller.

Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm by Nancy Braker, President.

A sample of a potential logo for The Friends of Rowan Creek, designed by Steve Braker, was passed around to the members present for examination and comment. Concerns were expressed toward the end of the meeting by several members, and were taken under consideration by Braker.

Nancy Braker announced that incorporation papers had been filed with the State of Wisconsin and that she had received acknowledgement that The Friends of Rowan Creek has been officially incorporated. She further indicated that she had filed an application with the IRS for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) but, has not yet received a response. Braker further indicated to the group that she and Sorenson were in the process of investigating and pursuing the application for tax-exempt, nonprofit status with the IRS. Braker indicated that that she had received a packet of information from a group called Gathering Waters, Inc. that explained the process and gave examples of how to proceed with the process of starting a tax-exempt nonprofit conservation organization.She indicated that she would be investigating the matter as time allowed. Sorenson mentioned that he had acquired several books from the library system regarding the same subject.

The subject of applying for grant moneys was brought up by Mueller. Nancy Braker indicated that she had obtained printed samples of descriptions of grants successfully obtained by other similar groups from Pat Shehan of the Wisconsin DNR. The samples were then passed around amoung the members present for examination.

Bernett informed the group that he and Russell Bellman had recently removed the logjam created just below the remains of the lower dam by the recent flooding. He further indicated that the logs that had been removed were now piled up along side of the former logjam and that they would need to be burned at some time in the future.

Bernett also brought up the matter of the failed White Oak transplants, planted along with the other trees along the west end of Pauquette Park as a part of the recent tree planting project. He said that he had been in communication with the particular vendor of those trees and that he expected that the provider would be willing to replace the dead trees.

Bernett also provided an update on several other projects that the DNR was working on involving Rowan Creek. He mentioned that there were two years left for the logging company to satisfy their contractual agreement to thin out the pine trees on Pine Island. The recent warm winter did not provide suitable conditions for removal of the thinned trees. He indicated that if the trees could not be removed by the last year of the contract, that the DNR would construct the necessary temporary bridgework to allow the contractor to cross the unfrozen marsh with their heavy equipment. Bernett also mentioned; the need to remove a stand of young black locust near the creek; the possibility that he would be involved in a prescribed burn near the creek; and that Russell Bellman and his crew was currently involved in preventing a potential change in the path of the creek caused by the recent heavy rains.

Credit was given to Dr. Ira Kastenberg, for donating packets of greeting cards made from photos he had taken of Rowan Creek. A suggestion was put forth by Nancy Braker that we give Dr. Kastenberg a free membership in gratitude for the donation. A sample of the packet of cards was passed around the group. Braker indicated that the cards were being used as a premium gift to members joining at the Lifetime Membership level.

Nancy Braker then asked the members of the group to present their ideas for projects and activities for the group to sponsor or to become involved with in the future.

Mueller brought up the possibility that The Friends of Rowan Creek might be able to earn money for the group by purchasing or renting a frozen custard machine to set up at the County Fair or other similar events next year. Mueller further indicated that he might be able to facilitate this, and that he knew of at least one other group that had found the effort to be very profitable.

Nancy Braker mentioned that Dave Egan had been investigating the possibility of organizing a bike ride for the members, and possibly others, that would provide a tour of the Rowan Creek Watershed. Braker also exhibited a copy of a video tape that had been commissioned by a chapter of the group Trout Unlimited. She suggested that we might want to have a similar tape made for The Friends of Rowan Creek at some time in the future, and that the Trout Unlimited tape was available for viewing by the membership. The possibility of having the tape duplicated and given to the local library for viewing by the general public was also discussed.

Kemp brought up the need to do a more effective job of promoting the group's activities and attracting new membership.

Braker mentioned the need to put together a brochure for the group and the possibility of sending out personalized Thank You Notes to people who joined the group.

Sorenson brought up the possibility of having business cards printed for distribution by members.

Bernett suggested that we consider erecting small educational signs along the paths along Rowan Creek.

Kemp brought up the possibility of organizing hikes along the marsh between the Rowan Creek Trail and Jameison Park.

Yost suggested that winter hikes would be preferable. A suggestion was made that a campfire gathering at the end of the hike would be a good idea. Yost brought up the need to talk to teachers and administrators about the need to get the subject of Rowan Creek into the curriculum at the local schools.

Sorenson mentioned that he had been working on designs for building nest boxes to be placed along the creek and that the group might want to get involved in trying to generate proceeds from the sale of nest boxes at some time in the future.

Nancy Braker reminded the group that our next scheduled meeting would feature a talk given by DNR representative Pat Shehan on the topic of starting a nonprofit organization.

The Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Next Meeting
July 19, 2000. No other non-meeting events are planned as of this time.