Minutes 7.20.04

Carol Tutzauer, Chair Pro Tem, presiding

Henry Sontag, Vice President Pro Tem, Networking

Alex Murphy, Secretary Pro Tem

In attendance:

Alex Murphy, Carol Tutzauer, Clara Miller, Danielle Darowz-Pepper, Dennis Gallagher, Frank Tutzauer, Sandy Armatys, Rita Gallagher, Tracy Doldan, Kim Folger, Tracy Endres, Polla Milligan, Denise Ridolfi, Suzanne Laba, Kathy Haergor-Billiteri, Pamela Rose, Ann Binghiem-Serravalli, Mary Jo Russell

Business Attended

Minutes

Reading of the Minutes from 7/13/04 - Secretary
Minutes entered into the Public Record

Discussion of long-term goals in regard to the City Shelter

Limited (timed) discussion of immediate (short-term) organizational goals
relative to the Buffalo animal shelter
Floor opened for comments: Our group is evenly divided as to whether we want to open a physical shelter or operate as a network of foster programs using the Internet and adoption fairs to place dogs. Addressing spay/neuters and devising programs for such is a universal goal. Education and outreach is a high priority, but many feel this is a secondary concern to taking steps to continue with adoptions when the shelter is closed permanently. Local veterinary resources seem to be a very real possibility.

Organizational Name

Our organization shall be named “Buffalo Companion Animal Network” a.k.a. “Buffalo CAN.” This was adopted by a majority vote. The name receiving the next greatest number of votes was “Buffalo Friends for Life,” a.k.a. “BFLO.”

Report by Nomination Committee

Presented by Henry Sontag: Platforms have been received from Carol Tutzauer (for President), Alex Murphy (for Secretary) and Clara Miller (for Board Member At-Large). All nominations have been seconded. Additionally, though no formal platform was submitted, Henry Sontag was nominated to serve as VP of networking and this was seconded as well. Nomination committee had suggested keeping the current pro tempore board in place temporarily until greater interest and more candidates could be identified. This motion was made by Henry Sontag, but did not gain enough votes for passage. It was decided (motioned by Clara Miller, seconded by Dennis Gallagher and voted unanimously) that a greater effort would be made to contact those who might wish to either run for a position or who would want to vote. The master list from our first community gathering will be split between Clara Miller, Danielle Darowz-Pepper, Suzanne Laba, Tracy Doldan and Sandy Armatys. Attention will be given to encouraging candidates for VP of Communications, Treasurer and Executive Director, since there are no current candidates for these positions. Nominations were closed for the remainder of the meeting, but will be re-opened for our next meeting. The vote will take place in another two meetings, tentatively scheduled for 8/3/04. It was decided that no vote by proxy to be taken. The nomination committee respectfully requested that all platforms be submitted in a “bulleted” format.

Report on Letters

Report on Letters of Thanks and Recognition: by Alex Murphy. No reports from HEART or Pound Hounds had been received via email, but Rita Gallagher brought hers to the meeting. Danielle Pepper will send hers in the next week. Letters should be completed by next meeting, and will be signed by the President Pro Tem, using the organization name “Buffalo Companion Animal Network.”
Op-ed piece concerning Legal Beagle: presented by Frank Tutzauer. The piece is long and not yet finalized. Copies were distributed and Frank will be accepting comments via the SOSBuff list. Additionally, Dennis Gallagher presented his findings on the license drive. More dogs were actually licensed than accounted for in the 128 total. Discussion of combining rabies clinics and licensing was discussed, with the next clinic being scheduled in October. A committee should be formed to coordinate efforts in regard to this event.

Report from By-Laws Committee

Status of legal review: presented by Clara Miller. The attorney has reviewed the By-Laws, and a few changes were made. Clara will make the corrections and she will publish the finished product on the SOSBuff list prior to our next meeting. She will also report on the filing process – investigating cost, procedures, etc. at our next meeting.

Additional Business

Shelter status: Ann Bingheimer’s position has been eliminated – even though the adoption program has been designated as continuing. Concerns voiced in regard to personnel overseeing and approving adoption without adequate experience in this area. The position is currently being assigned to a City of Buffalo employee. The issue of experience was not the only concern for alarm. Ann Binghiemer was a part-time employee who was not a union member and did not receive benefits. It is assumed that the position is being filled now at an increased cost (including over-time pay) with a reduction in the quality of service. Welfare of the animals is in question once again.
Organization Identification/Promotion: A concerted effort will be made in the coming weeks to publicize the establishment of our organization and keep the issue alive in the media and community. Sandy Armatys has volunteered her creative resources to help us devise a logo, and the importance of an “organizational identity” was discussed. Our group needs to make a big impact in a short period of time and will have to act aggressively in order to do so.