FRIENDS OF LOVERS KEY, INC.
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda-Minutes March 8, 2022 – Board Meeting – 2:00 P.M. WDC Community Room
Welcome and Administrative Business
- Call to Order / Roll call
Attendees: Jim Remis – President Chair
Karen Woodson- VP Operations, Chair Nominations Committee
Megan Allers – Vice President Donor Development & Events Committee
Kathryn Klar – Treasurer, Chair Governance Committee
Christy Hennessey-Secretary
Katie Moses – Park Manager and State Relations
Anna Kellner-Park Services Specialist
Mark Generales- Building Committee
Tim Horvatich-Building Committee
Louise Kowitch- Chair Education Committee, Historian
Sandra Foreman-Events Chair
Frank Cassise-Purchasing/Print/Supplies
Tina Tyler-Donor Development Advisor
Absent: Jason Dolle-Chair Development Subcommittee
Izzy Prieto- Assistant Park Manager
- Approval of February 8, 2022, Board Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes: Jim
Motion seconded: Louise
Discussion: none
Motion approved.
Reports of Board Officers
- President’s Report – Jim Remis
Both Folks and the park service received awards from the FMB Chamber of Commerce. We also have an awards ceremony coming up April 5, 2022. FMB Community Foundation nominated Megan and team for Beach and Brews. They are finalists for an award for “Best Creative Charity Event”.
Filed annual report with the state yesterday. Filed the 990. Documentation on the next phase of TDC shows $48,000 leftover to spend.
- Vice President’s Operations Report – Karen Woodson
The State is possibly coming May 10-12. Possible time frame for the Grand Opening Celebration.
- Vice President’s Donor Development/Events Report including education programs update– Megan Allers and Louise Kowitch
So far this year we have 43 memberships purchased/renewed. Jim said for January and February, we have $9,000 in membership dues.
The Vow Renewal was limited to fifty couples. $5,338 budgeted but came in at a cost of $2,300. The dollar amount after expenses was a profit of $5,336.
Sandy: “Turtle Trot” is scheduled for May 14, 2022. T-shirts need to be purchased one month ahead.
Mark: No final numbers yet for Boat Show.
Received a $500 check from Kiwanis. Lovers Key Eco Arts received approval by FPS District Director and is now accepting registration through Eventbrite. Karen Morreale to update and edit content on the FOLKS website and Eventbrite. School newsletter submissions have to be renewed each month and it is the best way to reach the children. The school system then sends them out to 70 schools. Speaker profit is $500-$1,000 each speaker event. The message going out at each event is very important, just as important as the money raised. “We need to be good stewards
The final speaker for this season is environmentalist and patriot, Jack Davis. He is rolling out his latest book here at the WDC, “The Bald Eagle.” The date is Friday, April 22, 2022. From 6:00-8:00. Doors open at 5:30 and the presentation will start at 6:30.
1.Grants and fundraising:
-Application for CITGO Gulf Region Grants Program for $3,000 was rejected.
-Application for Florida State Parks Foundation grant for $5,000 was submitted. Awards will be
announced in April.
-Kat accepted and deposited a check $4,123 check from Trails for Tails Charity Golf Fundraiser
-Louise accepted a check for $500 from Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club for Eco-Arts Camp
-Applying for FMB Community Foundation Scholarship money for campers
2. Summer Eco-Arts Camp 2022
-Promotion on social, electronic and print media launched (three months earlier than 2021)
-Campers enrolled as of March 8: 38 of 70
-Registration and financial forms created through Google and launched on Eventrbite
-Promoted camp at FMB Library (3.1.22), FMB Kiwanis Club (3.4.22);
upcoming: Hertz Arena – Summer Camp Fair (3.9.22)
-Instructors are in the process of submitting background checks to DEP via Katie;
-$900 paid to Peachjar to advertise for Lee County Schools (required)
-$125 paid to Neapolitan for inclusion in Collier County summer camp edition (required)
- Treasurer’s Report – Kathryn Klar
Once checks are written we are going to be minus $7,000 in our account. Have not yet deposited about $35-$40,000 which does not include the CD.
Report of the Park Manager
- Park Managers Report – Katie Moses
The mid-beach pedestrian bridge safety inspection deems it needs to be replaced so staff has been running trams all day. Engineers will be working on next steps as to whether repairing or replacing.
Still no administrative assistant, the pay is too low. Pays $27,000 a year. Got it bumped up to $30,000 by the state and got twice as many applications. Interviewing next Wednesday so it will be at least a month before hiring. Two part time ranger positions open. Hopefully interview next week.
A good year for revenue is about 1million. The park’s budget received from the State is only $175,000. To off-set the pedestrian bridge being closed, we have had to run two trams from 8:00 am to sunset. Trying to get another Tram Trailer so we have four, for now we only have three. South Beach restroom is going through the permitting process to almost double it. Part of the project is to connect it to sewer. Just got the funding for a $62,000 TDC grant. Just sent in 2 more grants for the upcoming TDC grant cycle, for an ADA Kayak Launch, which is the easy dock floating system. Already been through design and permitting for that and $130,000 just to install it. Another TDC grant request is for $192,000 for new Bobcat with all the implements. The Autism sensory trail has funding and working with Tallahassee moving forward. Katie reported they have had training for it and will be on the first mile of the Black Island Trail. Sensory stations, scavenger hunts. No timeline has been set.
Copier: The basic difference between the HP and the Konica, Konica is meant for heavy duty printing. The service contract is separate and lowered the monthly fee. Included in the $7,000 is the delivery, installation, set up, training. The way the park uses a printer, they need all the bells and whistles.
Internet: Speed is 80 up and 80 down. Linga people say it is the Internet and the Internet people say it is the Linga. Anna has not been having trouble with the Internet connection.
On-going Activities
- Gala Update – Karen Woodson
Almost sold out of the VIP at $500 and many $350 Platinum tickets left to sell. We are working on corporate sponsorships for tables.
Frank suggested a “Paddle Program” at the end of the evening calling out dollar amounts to donate. Start with $500, who can give $250, $100? They raise their paddles and their paddle number is recorded. Perhaps go in $50 increments. People who aren’t going to donate the bigger ticket items may donate these amounts.
Due to so much else scheduled, possibly change the date of the Gala to the end of February.
Local people who are donating items, will be recognized at the event. We are budgeted for $125,000 and currently under $100,000, and possibly coming in at about $92,000 that we have actually spent. We are about $30,000 short for covering the actual event. Need to sell those $30,000 in tickets. The hope was for our tickets to cover the budget and the auction items, the fundraiser part. We need to get the buzz out and not so much that we need to make a lot of money this year, but rather set us up for future Galas, getting the word out.
Megan: Heard back from Nancy Bouchard with the Community Foundation #WeAreFMB. She said they are very aware of FOLKS and there really isn’t any criteria, other than “what are you requesting and why”. Megan asked Louise to put together her educational spiel and Megan will work with Nancy Bouchard to talk about the programs.
- Other Administrative Areas – All
Reports of Committee Chairs and Area Leaders as needed
- Building and Exhibit Update including phase two exhibit installation and manatee sculpture update – Mark Tim Horvatich/Kathryn Klar
Two special effects light fixtures that still need to be installed. Vendor from Split Rock will be out Monday, March 14, 2022 to get that done.
Mangrove roots have some sharp edges Katie is concerned about, so Split Rock is making some stickers/decals to place on the floor to caution.
Talking with Split Rock about a way to appear to bring the kayak down lower. Height is a “safety” requirement, so needs to be up high. They will lay the kayaker back into a more reclined position for a lower perspective.
Bodenhafer sign: Have a 12”x24” bronze plaque mock-up made to show the state.
- Discussion of plan for purchase and installation of remaining items for WDC including the message board to be located outside the Community Room, water fountain for the trailhead, etc. – Mark Generales/Tim Horvatich Dog Watering Station: $15,000+ with the plumbing from OAK and that doesn’t include the concrete pad. Said they have to run one-hundred and sixty feet of trenched waterline to get to it. About $5,000 for the station, and suggested moving the location closer to the water source from the Trail Head to the Butterfly garden which is closer.
Message Board:
- Tim made a motion to purchase a BP extra-large ball joint message center for $1,500 with shipping and tax.
- Motion seconded by Kat.
- No discussion.
- Motion approved.
- Salsa and E-mail Migration – Jason Dolle
Google email set-up for not-for-profits, has to go through certain channels and will take up to two weeks. Existing emails will be moved over to still have the admin email, events email, president’s email and treasurer’s email. Those will be forwarded to the individual’s email, to only have to check one email. We will each get new emails and the business cards will be ordered. Megan will be made an admin for Salsa.
Difficulty finding out who set up the Square as it is a disconnected phone number and we need to switch to our new bank.
- Media and Marketing Update – Karen Woodson
Karen Morreale is doing a great job and designed a new 8’x4’ Banner at no charge.
- Other Areas for discussion
The April meeting will be very information filled with the Gala feedback and other things. It will also be the last meeting until July. The water station needs to be figured out.
Other
- New Business – None
- Adjournment – Motion to adjourn by Mark, Seconded by Karen
Meeting ended at 4:00
Board member training lead by Katie, after the meeting was adjourned Next Board Meeting – WDC Community Room 2:00 pm April 12, 2022