Three Rivers Birding Club
Steering Committee Meeting
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Home of Claire Staples and Eric Marchbein

In attendance: Jack Solomon, Jim Valimont, Bob Machesney, Pat and Sherron Lynch, Mike Fialkovich, Wendy Jo Shemansky, Claire Staples, Walt and Dana Shaffer, Fred and Carol McCullough, and Dave Rieger.

The Steering Committee met to discuss the meeting room for future general membership meetings. The January meeting with Steve Hoffman will be held at Botany Hall, Phipps Conservatory on Wednesday, January 15, 2003. Because the price has been increased to $300 per meeting for this site, a different location would better suit the club's budget.

Jack and Bob did much searching for a suitable location prior to the meeting. Inquiries took into consideration site, AV equipment, electric hookups, tables and chairs, housecleaning, restrooms, parking, outside lighting, cost, handicap accessibility, and geographical location.

Jack discussed the First Baptist Church in Oakland at the corner of Bellefield and Bayard Streets. The biggest drawback would be parking in Oakland when an event was scheduled; the church sells the spaces in its lot at an event rate. The Wilkins Community Center in Swissvale at the edge of Regent Square has a very reasonable fee but does not provide AV equipment or set up of tables and chairs; parking could also be a problem. The Garden Center (formerly the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center) is only available on evenings other than the third Wednesday of the month, charges a fee within our budget, and parking is available in metered spaces at one hour for 25 cents (up to 10 hours at a time) or in unmetered spaces on Shady Avenue.

Bob narrowed the list of sites he had looked at to just two viable options; he provided handouts to show how each of these met the clubs needs. The Mayernik Center in Avonworth Community Park is a spacious new facility with a parking lot and a fee within our budget. LaRoche College is available on Wednesdays, has a kitchenette, is willing to accommodate our needs, but does not have easy access from an interstate highway.

The group then looked at a map prepared by Pat and Sherron and based on zipcodes of 3RBC members supplied by Bob. Pins in the map of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area showed the distribution of the current membership, and a concentration of the members of the club reside within the city limits of Pittsburgh.

Bob and Jack agreed that one location needed to be chosen to serve as a home for the remaining meetings from March through November of 2003. Fred voiced the opinion that a central location is necessary to maintain high attendance at meetings. Jim pointed out that the way meetings are conducted and the programs offered must also be of a high quality. Carol consulted a 2003 calendar to supply possible dates if meetings cannot be held on Wednesdays.

Jack called for a non-binding straw poll to see where the group stood. It was decided that the only two options suitable to the group were the Mayernik Center and the Garden Center. The initial poll showed ten of the thirteen members in attendance in favor of the Garden Center based primarily on location. Further discussion and serious consideration for the good of the club have brought about a unanimous agreement that the Garden Center management must be consulted ASAP by Jack to set up dates for all 2003 meetings beginning in March. The information should be put on the website as early as possible. Jack will report to Fred and the Steering Committee about Fred's suggestion to meet at the end of April rather than the beginning of May to avoid a conflict with peak bird migration.

Jack showed the Audubon 12/2002 issue which included an article about IBA's featuring Deuane Hoffman and Steve Hoffman. He also reminded the group that he had volunteered our help to Margaret Higbee for the PSO meeting, but he has not received any specific requests for assistance yet. Jack read the contents of a letter prepared by Pat and Sherron which was sent to sustaining members, and it was decided that a letter should also be sent to contributing members to recognize their support. Bob will provide the necessary membership information for the letters.

Bob discussed an article about the breeding bird atlas for Pennsylvania in the PSO Newsletter of December 2002. He recommended that the club get involved. Jack suggested an article for The Peregrine to inform members and also to encourage individuals to get involved. Jack expressed his concern about having the club take on too many new obligations. Bob proposed that the club's speakers for 2004 focus on audio skills and how to do a census when the time comes for the next atlas project. Dave advocated that novices should be encouraged to tag along and learn from experienced census takers. Carol asked, "If we don't help with the census, who will?"

Bob gave a brief treasurer's report that the account contains $3800. The newsletter costs about $1400 per year; rent also is now a major expense. Bob thinks that a buffer of at least three to four months expenses should be kept in the account. Jack looks forward to the 3RBC being able to bring in big name speakers as a possibility with the additional funds in the account.

Thanks to Claire and Bob for providing cookies at the meeting.

Submitted by Pat and Sherron Lynch