Carol Tutzauer, President
Clara Miller, Vice President
Communications
Henry Sontag, Vice President
Networking
Roseanne Higgins, Vice
President of Operations
Polla Milligan, Treasurer
Alex Murphy, Secretary
Pam Rose, Board Member
At-Large
7:15 PM, Sterling Tavern, Buffalo, NY
In
attendance: Carol Tutzauer, Clara M. Miller, Henry J. Sontag, Roseanne
Higgins, Kathy Billiteri, Alex Murphy, Pam Rose, Dr. Jim Arnold.
Call
to order: 7:30 PM.
1. Announcements:
2.
Reports:
·
Financial
Report: Our ending balance as of 12/05/05 is
$6,079.03. There are additional funds
to deposit as a result of moneys collected for cookbook, funds given by the AKC
and a special funds donation. We are in
the position financially to start initiatives for new programs.
·
Insurance: Alex researched
coverage and recommended two approaches:
A general liability policy written by a local agent, to be issued
through Lovullo Associates, or using an offering by Kennel Pak – to obtain
General Liability (including Kennel Insurance), Adult Group and Accident, with
the possibility of Director’ and Officers (D&O) coverage. With the Lovullo policy, separate event
coverage riders would probably be needed.
We can expect our policy to cost around 2K per year. Alex recommended the Kennel Pak
product. Carol would like to have more
research done (to consult other organizations, etc.). Kathy and Roseanne voiced concern in getting coverage in place
ASAP, because it will be required for our upcoming chip clinic at the AKC event
in January. The issue was tabled, but
it is likely that the need for a policy might be too great to wait until our
next meeting.
·
Meals on
Wheels: Alex and Pam will be attending a meeting at
the offices of Meals on Wheels on December 20, 2005, at 4PM. Carol has brought two representatives from
Brightstar German Shepherd Rescue into the process, as they will be bringing
along the first donation of food and can help provide resources for bagging it
into the smaller packages needed for distribution. Roseanne has been in contact with the area rep from Eagle Pack,
who is very interested in underwriting a program and providing food. This promises to be an excellent partnership
opportunity. It is likely that once
this is started, assistance might be provided to clients outside of the city
limits of Buffalo. BCAN is excited by
this prospect.
·
Special Fund: We are looking to
set up a special fund for extraordinary needs that might otherwise not be able
to be met. A donation was collected on
the behalf of a dog, named Angus, who recently died. In order to honor Angus, a special needs fund will be
established.
·
Special
Requests: Dr. Persico of Central Park has requested
assistance for a family in need who is having difficulty meeting the needs of
pet ownership due to a recent financial hardship. Board has asked Pam find out specifically how it is possible for
us to help. The board could approve a
food donation, or a small financial gift of funds to be paid directly to Dr.
Persico; but the specific needs must first be identified. It has been determined that regardless of
what is decided by Board or BCAN, Board Members themselves are always free to
make personal donations to causes like this.
A final policy regarding requests for financial assistance must be
formulated for future situations.
·
Microchip/Spay
& Neuter for CBAS residents: The shelter has been provided a scanner, the next step would
be to get animals chipped on their way out – or to provide a voucher for owners
to redeem at upcoming clinics. The best
way to approach S/N has yet to be determined.
·
Task Force: A task force or
committee must be established to pound out specific policies on Owner
Relinquishments, Intake Procedures, Volunteer Coordination, Applications for
Adoptions (as well as procedures for all facets, including home visits,
background checks, approvals and denials), and programs for Special Funds. Roseanne noted that sample Policies and
Procedures material was circulated and only Alex has replied. More board members need to comment. Roseanne, Henry, Kathy and Alex would like
to see BCAN give up fostering and adoption.
More discussion on how, when and if BCAN pulls out of the adoption
“business” needs to take place. No
formal Task Force was formed, as the issues to be addressed engendered too much
discussion and disagreement. This topic
is tabled until our next meeting.
·
Coalition/Alliance
Update: BCAN continues to participate and has been
vocal on recent topics. Our voice seems
to be heard and our views are not being ignored, although there is some
uncertainty as to what the meetings have accomplished so far. The Board is not sure what is coming out of
the meetings, but we are committed to seeing the process through. Carol and Henry continue to attend meetings.
8:30PM