In attendance:
Iain Lawrence, Liz Ciocea, Nicki Westarp, Shirley Highfill, Joanna Mackenzie, Liz Steele, Andy Rollerson, Karen Dubois, Vicki McDonald, Eileen Kaarsemaker, Fred Kaarsemaker
Minutes:
1.Minutes of February meeting were read and checked for errors and omissions.Reviewed and accepted.
Special report:
2.Iain Lawrence reported on findings on a suitable net for catching eagles.Checked with BC hydro and net can be supplied by OWL in Delta.Discussion on most suitable material followed.Iain provided some samples.Needs to be strong but not damaging to bird feathers.Iain suggested Kristen will sew us a net and check other possible materials.
Financial report:
3.Nicki Westarp gave the financial report 2014-2015.(see attached).Our finances are in good shape and a deficit of $180 in the running budget was covered by use of our high interest savings account of $5000.
Special report:
4.This year's GROWLS' permits for transportation of migratory birds were issued to Liz C. and Shirley.It was noted that we need permits for taxidermy transportation too.Plan to make our licence number available to transporters.
New directors:
5.GROWLS 'resolutions provided. Liz Steele conducted elections' process for new directors for the coming year.
Current directors are Liz Ciocea, Jane Griffen, Iain Lawrence, Nicki Westarp, and Carol Hemrich. Carol is stepping down but will continue to be a co-signer. Vicki McDonald and Joanna Mackenzie were nominated as new directors. Liz .C moved that they be elected to the board. Shirley H. seconded. 'Thank you' to new directors and those continuing to run. To check with Jane to see if she is willing to remain as a director.
Committee reports:
6.Shirley Highfill gave report on the new cell phone system.It is running smoothly and working well. All calls are returned within 15 minutes and usually within 5 minutes.There is always a number to return the call to as there is now call display.There are no more pagers in use.
7.Shirley H. gave case study report.Deer injuries make up most calls but the wild turkeys have been getting injured too in the vicinity of Madrona, Dirksen. Not easy to catch. A turkey on Bertha seen by the vet and given antibiotics and arnica.Cost $22.
Birds are placed back in the same spot where they are found.Vet also treated a blind finch and it was released.Had discussion on the diseases birds catch through human feeding and unclean feeders.Need to educate public around this, and also that a seal is not injured when its fin is in the air, but is cooling (usually after a feed).
8.Iain L. provided us with a disc of the eagle study.Will check into creating a link on the GROWLS web site so the information is accessible.Plan to print some eagle nest maps and to keep them in our GROWLS shed.Realtors go to the Islands Trust if they want a copy. It is expensive to print the whole disc and so decided to not do this.Iain will check out some reasonable printing costs for the maps.
9.Joanna M. gave a report on our library project which is now running smoothly.Books can be accessed at the library, with titles available on the GROWLS' web site. This site also has a direct link to the library catalogues.Joanna requested $200 for the purchase of more books for our collection. Fred K. proposed the motion and Liz S. seconded. All in agreement.Joanna to contact Nicki for a cheque.
Extra business:
10.We have been informed that the Salt Spring Island seal sanctuary is moving to a different location on SSI. Norm is now keeping his helicopter at Nanaimo airport and is still willing to transport our rescued seals.
11.Discussion on garbage left behind from gooey duck farming especially netting and plastic waste. We also examined the issue of deer culls.Both these issues need urgent addressing as they are affecting our shorelines and wild life.
12.Liz requested a change in “chair” for our meetings.Open for further discussion.
Meeting adjourned at 2.30pm.