The meeting began as committee members introduced themselves. Two new members were welcomed onto the steering committee: Ann Gurka, who has been active on the trips committee, and Debora Diggins who ran a very successful warbler workshop in the spring and has volunteered to work on the trips committee as well.

The business portion of the meeting began with a report by club treasurer Janet Crystal. Janet has set up a checking account to hold the club’s balance. She provided members with a printout, detailing cash inflow and outflow during the year. Appreciation was expressed for the strong attendance at all the meetings. It was noted that voluntary collection of money at club meetings did little beyond cover expenses (and at least in one case not even that). The committee urged that we be a bit more open at the meetings about reminding guests to contribute.

Stephen, as chair of the program committee, reported that a strong roster of specialists in the field had been contacted and had committed to speaking at a club meeting during the year. These future speakers and their general topics include:

Mark Lynch – Birding in art museums
David Larson – The where and how of birding Plum Island
Betty Anderson – 10,000 years of avian history in 60 minutes
Peter Alden – Invasive plants and birds of Massachusetts
Karsten Hartel – Birds and Fish
Chris Leahy – Topic to be determined
David Clapp – Nesting birds of the tundra (birds which migrate through Ma)

In addition to this excellent lineup of speakers, whose participation was secured with the help of many steering committee members, the program committee suggested at least one evening of photography. This could take the format of using our own club photographers, who are not professional but take stunning pictures all the same. It was suggested that the evening have a theme to provide unity. 

Another suggestion was to invite a professional photographer. Discussion arose as to whether this could be a problem since a professional would require a fee that the club might not be able to pay. One suggestion was to invite a professional to run a workshop which would allow for the collection of fees to offset the cost. Another thought was to have a banquet with the photographer as speaker. This might also bring in enough money to make the event self-supporting.

Ann Gurka of the trips committee distributed a list of the trips offered by the club from January through June. It contained an impressive total of 35 outings, most of which were well attended, despite some unfavorable weather for some of them. Karsten noted that there was a core group of birders who often describe their abilities as being in the intermediate level who very much enjoy the support of a knowledgeable leader when in the field.

Committee members expressed yet again the need to solicit more leaders for the trips. Marj suggested contacting prospects individually to encourage them. In addition, some more well-known leaders may have to be booked many months in advance and the trips committee agreed to try that approach. Debora volunteered to become a member of the trips committee and her participation was enthusiastically accepted.

A question was raised whether some trips should focus on or involve invertebrates and plants. The main feeling seemed to be that although the general focus was birds (and should remain strongly so in the spring), at other times more inclusive nature walks should be considered, especially if people volunteer to lead them. Janet had an idea of a theme walk of baby birds. Karsten reminded that in announcing trips it was important to describe the purpose and goals of the outing – not just walking around and seeing any birds that happen to be there, but looking for shorebirds or ducks or whatever is appropriate to the season.

There was general enthusiasm about offering a boat trip from Newburyport to see pelagic birds. This would probably need to scheduled during the summer.

The next item on the agenda was whether to pay speakers. This generated considerable discussion. It was noted that any fee which the club could pay would be quite modest. It was decided that for the time being speakers would not be paid, but would be reimbursed for expenses. However, this does not exclude the possibility that in an exceptional circumstance and with approval of the steering committee, a fee could be paid.

A majority of steering committee members felt it would be gracious to offer a gift to speakers, but no consensus was achieved about what was appropriate or how the gifts could be paid for.

As a further financial note, discussion of whether or not to collect dues was tabled until the next meeting.

The final topic of discussion involved whether or not the club should offer trips outside the immediate area. Karsten raised the issue of whether carpooling or offering a leader under the name of the club had any legal ramifications. It was decided that the MBC would not actively solicit trips out of the local area, but if someone volunteered to run a trip and did all of the organization, the club would gratefully accept their offer and post it on the trips list.

The steering committee will try to meet again in late August to pursue any issues not covered in the current meeting, including the question of club dues.

The meeting closed with a feeling of satisfaction for a very successful year with the prospect of an equally rewarding just starting.