Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable

Summer Board Meeting

July 9, 3007

Phone conference

Minutes

Attendance:

Board Members: Craig Hartsock, Keith Pitzer, Mike Steinmaus, Dewey Houck

Staff: Hanna Wheeler

I. Coordinator’s Report

A. Hanna gave an Finance Report and an update on activities

· $2,527 in bank

II. Job descriptions

A. Discussion on the Board member, Coordinator, OSM/VISTA job descriptions created by Board Members and staff.

            B. Dewey moved that the descriptions were accepted as is. Craig seconded.

            C. All in favor. Motion carried.

III. Board member recruitment

A. Discussion on upcoming term completion for board members and the importance of recruiting successors.

B. Mike knows 2 people interested in serving. Suggests that candidates send in their bios.

C. Hanna to solicit board members candidates via Creek Clips.

D. Dewey: everyone should think of a candidate and send that suggestion to Hanna within one month. ECRR needs to particularly target KY and southern WV. Maybe 2 from PA? Also, 1 from northern WV, one from VA, TN, AL, etc. Dewey will ask KY and southern WV contacts about their interest in serving.

            E. Keith: should we have someone with an industry background? Mike: that would give us a better perspective. Dewey and Craig also support the idea.

            F. Dewey: we need to find a temporary board member to serve in Judy’s place.

IV. Mission Statement

A. Discussion on the faults of the old mission statement wording and the benefits of three new proposed versions.

B. Dewey made a motion that ECRR adopts Keith’s version. Mike seconds. All in favor.

New mission statement: “The Eastern Coal Region Roundtable serves mine scarred Appalachian watersheds through training, capacity building and providing a collective voice for underserved communities seeking to restore the well being of their citizens and environment.”

V. Membership Drive

A. Updates from Hanna on new members

B. Discussion on importance of recruiting members.

· Craig: important for all of us to keep working on this.

VI. OSM/VISTA recruiting

A. Hanna: gave description of 3 applicants and paperwork deadlines.

B. Dewey: suggested leaving decision up to Keith and Hanna.

C. Mike: suggested posting resumes online.

VII. Capacity Building Grant

            A. Update from Hanna including changes in work plan.

            B. ECRR needs to eventually fundraise for roundtable summits.

VIII. OSM meeting update

            A. Update on meeting purpose/ outcome

            B. Bruce elected to follow-up

IX. AML education

            A. Discussion on how ECRR should educate watershed groups in difference states about AML issues.

            B. Craig: phone conferences would require an intense agenda. Will be covered in roundtable summits.

X.  Next meeting

A. October 25, Mullens WV.