Sheltering Hands Board of Directors Meeting Minutes from 4-15-2016
I.
CALL TO ORDER & POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS:
Meeting called to order at 5:40pm
Board members present: Gina Evers, Dr. Kathleen Fleck, Dr. Susie Fromm, Debbie Wabbersen, and
Shelley Chatman
Staff members present: Gail Musolino
Absent: Susan Nastav
Additions: There were no additional agenda items presented.
II.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from March 18, 2016 were presented. Gina Evers made a motion to approve the
minutes, Dr. Susie Fromm seconded the motion. Motion was approved with a vote of 5-0. Gina
Evers will cover the recording of minutes for Shelley Chatman’s absence at the meeting next
month.
III. REPORTS:
1. The Treasurer’s report was delivered by Dr. Kathleen Fleck. Highlights- Our Current Total in
Accounts is $283,444.88, down $3,000 from last month. It is to be noted that not all checks had
been deposited for the month. The Butler medical supplies bill has been paid ahead. Gail Musolino
has surpassed 90-day probation and salary is increasing to $500 a week per original agreement.
Gina Evers made a motion to approve this increase, Dr. Susie Fromm seconded the motion. Motion
was approved with a vote of 5-0.
2. Gail Musolino gave the adoptions report. Highlights- In March we had 12 adoptions, 9 kittens, 2
adults, 1 senior and 1 return. In the first quarter we have adopted out 31 kittens, 6 adults, and 2
seniors. In comparison to our 2015 numbers we are only behind 3 adoptions. We are still trying to
increase our overall numbers. Our staffing of volunteers to support our adoptions is going well.
Gail Musolino has stated that written reports should begin again next month. We have an
upcoming event at PetSmart on May 13-15 and we are thinking of doing flower votes per kitty to
entice people to our cats. The thrift store is coming along and we are looking to set up a page for it
on our website.
3. There was no foster report given. There were no significant updates from last month. Dr. Fleck is
still working on an excel spreadsheet that can be updated easily and will contain vital information
for each cat.
4. There was no education report given. There have been no significant changes since last month.
5. There was no membership report given. We had 1 new member.
6. Dr. Fleck gave the Community Cats report. Highlights – We did 139 TNR surgeries, 38 voucher
surgeries, and 0 foster surgeries. This made for 177 cats total. We raised $910 for two colonies in
need, which is almost enough to pay for all of the needed surgeries.
7. Gina Evers and Gail Musolino gave the volunteer report. Highlights – This report is still a work in
progress. We have had 3 new volunteers since April 1 for adoptions. We are still in need of TNR
volunteers.
VI. VOLUNTEER/MEMBER COMMENTS concerning reports
The floor was opened to the public for comments on reports above. NO COMMENTS TO NOTE.
V. OLD BUSINESS
a) Fundraising Ideas – This item is to remain open each month on our new items list. We are
requesting our Board members keep coming up with new ideas. We have decided to have a
Yard sale in the fall and want to make that event happen twice a year. We are still thinking
about a calendar through a company or volunteers but we worry this will not make sufficient
money for the amount of time and funds invested. Shelley Chatman has stated that she is
currently doing crowdfunding research and hopes to present this as a viable option in the
future. We are thinking of running a photo contest on our social media in which we could
charge for votes.
b) Registered Agent – This item has been pushed to our next meeting.
c) Volunteer Feedback – Gina Evers has been contacting volunteers and is hearing good reviews
from them. This is vital information for our organization and we need to keep it going. Dr.
Kathleen Fleck sent an email out to those that stated they were interested in TNR volunteer
work but she has had no response.
d) Coordination of Cats Online – Gina Evers wants sources for cats online, we need new pictures
and stories. She also wants to keep information coming in on those cats that have been
adopted. Gina received one photo this month and has added to our website.
e) Contact Form – This form could be passed out during adoption and on TNR days in order to
stay in touch with those who have used the services of Shelter Hands. This will also allow
volunteers to stay in touch. This could also build a resource for feedback and possibly for
future donations. We will start using this form now.
f) Florida Animal Friends grant has been submitted and we will know an answer probably
middle of July.
VI. VOLUNTEER/MEMBER COMMENTS concerning old business
The floor was opened to the public for comments on Items a-f above. NO COMMENTS TO NOTE.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
a) Fundraising Ideas – This item is to remain open each month on our new items list. We are
requesting our Board members keep coming up with new ideas. We are thinking that maybe
we could start a campaign to try and collect small monthly donations, we would like it to begin
with a kick off campaign possibly around the holidays this year. We could solicit near
Christmas with the premise of year round support of Sheltering Hands or one of our specific
programs. We will also contemplate a website memorial page for small donations from those
who would like to memorialize their lost pet. We are also still working on the coordination of
our Memorial garden. We would like to bring in a guest speaker for June that could give us
ideas on a donations pamphlet, such as gifting an estate or a portion of money from an estate.
b) Vice President recruitment – We are looking for someone to represent us and who will be
right for our organization.
c) Regions account – The thought had been mentioned at our last meeting that we may want to
move our Regions account to another bank if we could earn more money in interest. Shelley
Chatman brought some information for Ameris Bank but it was relatively the same as far as
interest rates were concerned. At this time, we will leave the account at Regions Bank. The
colony located at the Regions Bank has been moved to a nearby location, so we are not needed
for intervention in this issue.
d) Marion County ordinances – There has been some recent issues in the news regarding the
wording of Section 417 in which it would work against our TNR program. It appears the issue
has been cleared up for the time being but it seems that we will need to monitor this issue very
closely in the future. We need to make sure we protect the colonies in the areas we cover. It
appears some good will come of this as they are looking to create an animal abuse registry in
our county that will hopefully be adopted statewide.
VIII. VOLUNTEER/MEMBER GENERAL COMMENTS concerning new business or general
The floor was opened to the public for comments on Items a-e above. NO COMMENTS TO NOTE.
IX. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
There were no items added at this time.
X. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20pm. Our next meeting will be held on June 17, 2016, starting at
5:30pm in the Tuxe Center.
Attachments:
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Agenda for 4-15-16
Board minutes from 3-18-16
Treasurer’s Report
Adoption Report (verbally)
Community Cats Report (verbally)