Present: Wade Biddix, Paul Brant, Theo Dillaha, Barry Kintzer, Ginger Kopp, Kilby Majette, Dawn Shank, Larry Wilkinson, Mary Leigh Wolfe, Gene Yagow

The meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m. by Mary Leigh Wolfe, Chapter President. Participants introduced themselves.

A motion to approve the agenda was made, seconded, and passed.

The minutes were approved with one change; the treasurer’s report was accepted, rather than approved, by the Council.

Larry Wilkinson submitted the attached report covering the time period 3/24/99 to 5/25/99. Larry reported that he rolled over the Certificate of Deposit that matured on 6/15/99. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to accept the treasurer’s report pending the next audit.

Mary Leigh Wolfe reported that the Chapter received a thank-you postcard from the 4-H soil judging team to whom the Chapter contributed $300 for their trip to the national Soil Judging Contest in Oklahoma in May.

Dawn Shank thanked the Chapter for sponsoring the Soil Station at the Sate Envirothon this year. She reported that the team from Harrisonburg High School (Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District) won the state competition and will participate in the national competition in California at the end of July. This report led to the suggestion that the Chapter include presentations by Envirothon participants at one of the Chapter meetings. We could also invite other students that we support, e.g., 4-H Soil Judging Team and Scholarship Recipients, to make presentations at our meetings.

Theo Dillaha agreed to serve as the Chapter’s Delegate to the International meeting in August in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mary Leigh will submit his name to SWCS headquarters.

Wade Biddix reported that this year was Florida’s turn to host the workshop and they chose not to have one. Wade thinks that Georgia is probably the host for next year.

Theo Dillaha, faculty advisor for the Virginia Tech student chapter, reminded us that the new student chapter president, Amy Bowman, gave an excellent report to the council at the April 12 meeting. Theo indicated that Amy is enthusiastic and he expects that the chapter will be as active in the next academic year as it was in the past one.

Gene Yagow reported that he sent information to Melissa Kenney, a student at the University of Virginia, about starting a student chapter there. Dawn Shank knows Melissa through her participation in Envirothon. Dawn will follow-up with Melissa when she sees her.

Mary Leigh Wolfe thanked Ginger Kopp, chair, and committee members Wade Biddix, Theo Dillaha, Barry Kintzer, and Lisa Sizemore for the time and effort they contributed to plan and conduct the Summer Fun Meeting.

Ginger sought approval for expenditures for the meeting, including a donation for the meeting room on the Pamunkey Reservation and food for two lunches and one dinner. The expenditures were approved.

Issues related to future meetings were discussed. The necessity of having a budget for future meetings was emphasized. Mary Leigh charged the Finance Committee with developing a budget. Ginger advised Kilby Majette, Chair of the 2000 Summer Fun Meeting, to start planning early. She suggested planning on participation by ten people for setting registration fees. The meeting should be held in late June to mid-July. Dates such as the last day of school in Richmond and Father’s Day should be avoided. There was discussion about the name of the meeting. The word "Fun" may make it more difficult for NRCS and state employees to obtain approval for participation on government time. On the other hand, the concept of the meeting originally was to provide a fun time in which families could participate as well as chapter members. The issue of increasing participation, for example, by District employees and DCR employees was raised. The Council will continue this discussion at the next council meeting.

Willis Miller sent a report saying that numerous people have declined to serve as Chapter Secretary this year. Willis and the committee will now begin assembling a slate of nominees for the annual election to be completed 30 days prior to the annual chapter meeting.

 Audit Committee

The Audit Committee submitted a written report, which was distributed to Council members and committee chairs prior to the council meeting. Mary Leigh will write letters to the audit committee members, Diane Hoffman, Chair, Anne Burgess, and Leith Campbell, thanking them for conducting the audit and for providing specific recommendations for improvement in chapter operations. One recommendation that Larry Wilkinson will act on right away is adding another officer’s signature to the signature card at the bank. Mary Leigh thanked Larry Wilkinson for the outstanding work he is doing as treasurer, which was commended by the Audit Committee. Mary Leigh charged the Finance Committee with developing specific proposals for addressing the recommendations made by the Audit Committee. The Finance Committee is to report to the council at the next council meeting.

Mary Leigh Wolfe reiterated that the committee, comprised of Don Wells, Larry Wilkinson, and Mary Leigh, will bring proposals to the next council meeting to address the recommendations made by the Audit Committee, including a Chapter budget.

Wade Biddix distributed materials provided by Lisa Sizemore, Chair of the Awards Committee, including a timeline for committee activities, descriptions of chapter awards, nominations solicitations, draft letter to award recipients, and article for the newsletter. Wade also encouraged all council members to submit one or more nominations for awards.

Gene Yagow, committee chair, reported that he has requested information from SWCS headquarters to determine the current number of chapter members and to determine if we have lost any members. Gene is going to specifically invite new chapter members to the annual meeting.

Wade Biddix, committee chair, reported that the annual chapter meeting will be held on October 15, 1999 at the Chancellor Community Building in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Technical program subcommittee members include Theo Dillaha, Mark Landry, Don Wells, and Gene Yagow. Theo distributed a draft program for the meeting, which is tentatively titled "TMDL Planning and Implementation in Virginia". The committee is going to involve state agency (Department of Conservation and Recreation and Department of Environmental Quality) personnel in the meeting, both in the planning phase and as speakers on the program. The committee’s goal is to have speakers committed by August and then to publicize the meeting widely. Wade will identify someone to lead the publicity efforts. Wade and Ron Wisniewski are in charge of local arrangements. Registration fees will be different for members, non-members, and students. The registration form will include information about joining SWCS or a space to indicate interest in joining or learning more about SWCS.

Mary Leigh Wolfe reported on behalf of Don Wells, committee chair, that the chapter has sent letters to the Virginia Congressional delegation concerning the following legislation: 1) proposed budget for conservation programs (NRCS) of USDA for FY 2000 and 2) HR 728 Small Watersheds Dam Rehabilitation Act. Mary Leigh reported that the chapter received responses from several congressmen.

Dawn Shank, editor, has assembled the materials for a bulk mailing permit. Dawn also suggested using email and the world wide web to distribute the newsletter more economically. Those present concurred. The next newsletter will be distributed in early to mid-July. Dawn will include an article in the newsletter asking people if they would prefer to receive the newsletter via email. She will also send the newsletter to Theo Dillaha to post to the chapter’s webpage.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

Minutes prepared by Mary Leigh Wolfe.