July 2004
Minutes

Preserve open space
Davie, Florida

Minutes-July 2004

July 6, 2004

Those in attendance: Susan Starkey, Jerry Starkey, Michelle Byron, Julie Aitken, Fred Segal, Casey Lee, Joe Phillips, Nicholas Maniatus, Michael Bartlett, Laurie V., Karen Stenzel-Nowicki, Linda Greck, Marcie Nolan and Mike Orfanedes.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm. Mike Orfanedes and Marcie Nolan welcomed everyone and introductions were made around the table. A brief recap of the June 29 meeting was conducted and Marcie provided an informative Powerpoint presentation about the land trust initiative. After considerable discussion, the group broke up into two sub-groups each charged with brainstorming an idea list: one pertaining to development and finances, the other membership and fundraising.

After about 25 minutes, the larger group reconvened and shared their idea lists as follows:

 
Development and Finance:

Need:

  • samples of articles of incorporation
  • purpose/mission statement
  • incorporator/reg. agent
  • purpose/mission statement
  • names: Save Our Lands Davie (SOLD), Conservation Land Trust of Davie, Greater Davie Land Trust, Broward Conservation Land Trust, Davie Area Land Trust, Land Trust Conservancy, Davie Conservation and Land Trust and Davie – Save Our Land (SOL)
    •  
Membership and Fundraising:
 
  • “Keep it” Davie
  • Direct mailings/flyers
  • Levels of membership
  • Heavy hitters—incl. celebrities, developers, doctors and attorneys
  • Church bulletins, shopping centers
  • Target HOA’s neighboring vacant parcels
  • Advertising – provide recogn. for members/supporters of Davie Land Trust
  • Schools
  • Rodeo benefit
  • Logo/Mascot competition (horse or tree)—promote through Davie Update
  • Have sponsors at Davie events
  • Arts & Crafts Fair
  • Golf tournament benefit
  • Silent auction
  • Bumper stickers
  • Website – e.g. keepitdavie.com, davielandtrust.com—both available; set up a mail list
  • Buttons
  • Tee shirts
  • Dial for $$
  • Promote through “Florida Fresh” program
  • Check out philanthropist donor websites
  • Partner with Trust for Public Lands, Nature Conservancy, historical groups, farmer lists and landscape contractors

The group reconvened about 8:35 pm and discussed the above-mentioned lists. Michael Bartlett agreed to develop a website and host it through Earthplaza. Future meeting dates and times were discussed. It was agreed that for the foreseeable future, the group would try to meet in the Community Room at Davie Town Hall on Tuesdays over the noon hour for a working lunch. The next meeting date was set for Tuesday, July 13 from 11:45 am until 1:00 pm. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted

Michael Orfanedes

July 13, 2004

Those in attendance: Michelle Byron, Fred Segal, Nicholas Maniatus, Michael Bartlett, Karen Stenzel-Nowicki, Linda Greck, Joyce Steward, Lil Sayre, Michael Crowley, Judy Paul, Two-Step, Erin Degutis and Mike Orfanedes.

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 pm. Following a welcome and introductions, Mike Orfanedes reviewed the agenda for the meeting and a number of handouts which included sample mission statements and bylaws. The agenda item pertaining to a vote for the organization name was discussed. It was decided that the list should be reviewed and prioritized but a final vote on the name should be deferred to July 20, as originally agreed to at the July 6 meeting.

Mike then provided a brief recap of the July 6 meeting which emphasized a brainstorming session regarding development and finance plus membership and publicity. Mike Bartlett briefly discussed the website he has developed for the land trust initiative which can be found at www.davielandtrust.com.

He explained how interested persons can subscribe to the mailing list and mentioned that the site is sponsored for free by “Earthplaza”, the land trust’s first corporate sponsor.

The meeting then transitioned into a discussion about the new organization’s name. Mike Orfanedes shared with the group the short list of names that were proposed at the July 6 meeting as well as one additional name, New River South Conservation Land Trust, that was submitted to him by Dr. Phil Busey. After considerable discussion, the short list was pared down to three names and prioritized as follows:

  • #1. Davie Area Land Trust
  • #2. Davie Land Trust
  • #3. Davie Conservation Land Trust

A final vote will be taken at the July 20th meeting. It was agreed that two of the short-listed names, Save Our Land Davie (SOLD) and Davie – Save Our Land (SOL) could possibly be used as slogans for an advertising campaign, but would not be appropriate for a corporation’s name.

The group then reviewed a number of mission statements from land trust organizations all over the country. It was agreed that the best mission statements were those belonging to the Prickly Pear Land Trust, the Minnesota Land Trust, the Coastal Mountains Land Trust and the Washtenaw County Michigan Land Trust. From these, a short list of pertinent phrases, topics, purposes and slogans were selected and recorded for inclusion into our own mission statement as follows:

  • 1. Location (Davie area);
  • 2. Protect farmland, natural areas and open space in and around Davie;
  • 3. Private, non-profit organization working with landowners;
  • 4. historic values, recreation, scenic and agricultural;
  • 5. community-based;
  • 6. Sonoma Co. – provide permanent protection;
  • 7. N. Florida – provide permanent preservation of natural areas and open space in the Davie area for future generations to enjoy;

For the July 20 meeting, each member of the group agreed to write his or her own version of the mission statement including all or as many of the above parameters as possible. It was also agreed that the mission statement be written broadly enough to allow for preservation of historically significant buildings and properties. It was suggested that such sites could be recognized through the installation of a permanent on-site marker.

The discussion then moved to the subject of preparing articles of incorporation. Fred Segal shared with the group a handout he had prepared. He explained that the major components of filing articles of incorporation included the following:

  • Name of organization
  • Principal address of corporation
  • Purpose of the corporation
  • Titles of Board of Directors and manner in which they are elected or appointed
  • Names and addresses of Board of Directors
  • Name and address of initial registering agent
  • Name and address of incorporator (could be the same as intitial registering agent)

It was also mentioned that a federal tax id would be needed and that the group would need to file for a 501.3C designation.

Composition of the Board of Directors was further discussed and it was agreed that at a minimum, the organization would need a Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary, Treasurer and at least two trustees. It was suggested that the Board should be have an odd number of people on it and that it would be advisable to stagger the terms of their periods of service.

It was agreed that the working lunch format was effective, was a good use of time and would be continued for the foreseeable future. The meeting adjourned at 1:08 pm.

Respectfully submitted by

Mike Orfanedes with assistance from Karen Stenzel-Nowicki

July 20, 2004

The meeting was held at Town of Davie Town Hall and those in attendance included: Michelle Byron, Fred Segal, Nicholas Maniatus, Karen Stenzel-Nowicki, Joyce Steward, Julie Aitken, Judy Paul, Susan Starkey, Chris Kovanes, Erin Degutis, Marcie Nolan and Mike Orfanedes.

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 pm. Mike Orfanedes provided a brief recap of the July 13 meeting including a summary of discussion and action on the main agenda items.

Organization Name Selection: A discussion about the organization’s name followed and a vote was taken. The name “Davie Area Land Trust” was chosen over “Davie Land Trust” in a 7-2 vote. Town of Davie staff abstained from voting. The name “Davie Area Land Trust” was adopted because the steering committee felt that it opened the organization up to a broader geographical range of talent, funding and potential projects.

Fred Segal shared with the group that the Broward County Farm Bureau has offered to pay fees associated with the land trust’s filing for 5013c not-for-profit corporation status.

The steering committee was very pleased and appreciative.

Mission Statement: A lengthy discussion pertaining to the organization’s mission statement ensued. A number of steering committee members including Karen Stenzel-Nowicki, Fred Segal, Nick Maniatius, Joyce Steward, Michelle each read their proposed version of the mission statements (please see attachment). Each of the mission statements were read and compiled onto a single sheet which was photocopied and passed out to all who were present. It was agreed that each steering committee member would take this sheet home and consolidate into one overall mission statement. Each committee member was asked to send their version to Mike Orfanedes at mike_orfanedes@davie-fl.gov who will share them at next week’s meeting where a vote will be taken.

Articles of Incorporation: A discussion regarding the articles of incorporation followed with a number of decisions being made as follows:

  • Organization Name: Davie Area Land Trust
  • Principal Office Address: Davie Area Land Trust, 6591 Orange Drive, Davie, FL 33314
  • Specific Purpose: Fred Segal indicated that the specific purpose need only be a simple statement of the purpose of the organization. The steering committee agreed on the following: “Permanent preservation of land in Broward Co., FL”
  • Board of Directors: It was determined that the process of electing or appointing a Board of Directors could be specified in the by-laws which can be developed at a later time. Very likely, a nominating committee will be needed. In the meantime, it was discussed and agreed that an Interim Board of Directors could be selected which would likely be comprised of those interested individuals who have been coming to meetings. Such a board would be in effect until the by-laws have been established and elections or appointments of the permanent Board has been made. However it was agreed that the establishment of by-laws and selection of the Board of Directors will need to happen soon in order to collect funds and open a bank account. It was mentioned that steering committee members should come to the next meeting with proposals for composition of the Board (e.g. Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, etc.).
  • Registered Agent (point person to which legal documents may be served): Michelle Bryson;
  • Incorporator (person who files the paperwork): Fred Segal;
 

Committee Work: Mike Orfanedes indicated that the agenda for the day’s meeting had included a breakout session for committee work. However due to time constraints, it was decided that this should be postponed until next week. Mike asked for a show of hands to see who would like to be on the Development & Finance Committee and who would like to be on Membership and Fundraising. The results were as follows:

Development & Finance: Karen Stenzel-Nowicki, Fred Segal, Nick Maniatis, Elaine Gennaro, Joyce Steward, Susan & Jerry Starkey and Marcie Nolan;

Membership and Fundraising: Julie Aitken, Michelle Bryson, Judy Paul, Erin Degutis and Mike Orfanedes;

Meeting Summary & Next Meeting: Prior to adjourning, a summary of the meeting was provided, the homework assignment was reviewed (mission statement) and ideas for the next meeting agenda were shared. It was agreed that we would reconvene at 11:45 Am next Tuesday, July 27 in the Pioneer Room at Town of Davie Town Hall and that the agenda should include: review and vote on mission statement, select the interim board, begin to develop list of criteria for projects and break up into committees.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Stenzel-Nowicki and Mike Orfanedes

July 27, 2004

The meeting was held at Town of Davie Town Hall, Pioneer Room and those in attendance included: Julie Aitken, Judy Paul, Two Step, Fred Segal, Joyce Steward, Marcie Nolan, Elaine Gennaro, Erin Degutis, Michael Bartlett, Mike Orfanedes, Nick Maniatis, and Karen Stenzel – Norwicki.

The meeting was called to order at 11:45 pm. Mike Orfanedes provided a brief recap of the July 20 meeting including a summary of discussion and action on the main agenda items.

Mission Statement:

The Davie Area Land Trust, a not for profit membership organization serves to permanently protect the natural diversity, wildlife, their habitat and the rural character of the Davie area through voluntary and mutually cooperative means. The Land Trust is dedicated to perpetuating the agricultural, recreational, scenic and historic values of the land for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

The mission statement was approved on a motion made by Nick M., with a second by Fred S. Motion passed.

Ideas of how we accomplish our missions:(for use in bullets and brochures)

The trust will accomplish this mission through: dedicated individuals working with landowners, communities, governmental agencies and businesses in cooperative endeavors; to acquire lands through donation and/or purchase and establish conservation easements; educate the public for responsible land stewardship;membership.

Important to bullet also:

  • To acquire lands through conservation easements.
  • Acquire lands through donation and/or purchase.
  • Educate and assist property owners to establish conservation easements to PDR (Purchase of Development Rights); discussion of its definition and its uses, alleviate development pressures.

Articles of Incorporation: A discussion regarding the articles of incorporation followed with a number of decisions being made as follows:

  • Board of Directors:
  • Incorporator (person who files the paperwork): Fred Segal;
  • Interim Board:
  • List of group who attend regularly
  • Defacto Use

What positions are needed for:

  • Tax ID Number:
  • Needs designee name listed

Bank Account:

  • Requires Tax ID # and Officers
  • 501C3:
  • Requires all officers listed on application

Use of Interim Board usually is those who are the start-up, dedicated volunteers.

Application for 501C3 needs:

  • Financial plan for next 2 years
  • Tax ID #
  • Enclose financial statements
  • Where start-up money came from (Town of Davie)

Meeting Summary & Next Meeting: Prior to adjourning, a summary of the meeting was provided, Joyce S. agreed to provide the group copies of the 501 filing papers for the next meeting. It was agreed that we would reconvene at 11:45 AM next Tuesday, August 3, 2004 in the Pioneer Room at Town of Davie Town Hall and that the agenda should include: review necessary steps for filing of 501 (c) (3) paperwork, and develop a marketing plan for the upcoming year.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Stenzel-Nowicki and Marcie Nolan

gotland@davielandtrust.com