Three Rivers Birding Club
Steering Committee Meeting
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
7:00 pm - 9:15 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, Becky Byerly, Eric Marchbein and Claire Staples, Randi and Sarah Gerrish, and Walt and Dana Shaffer.

The Steering Committee met to discuss the following topics:

1. Interim meeting place

2. Frick Fund Raiser
3. Budget and dues
4. IBA
5. Logo, T-shirts, hats, etc.
6. E-mail and online newsletter
7. Membership renewal
8. Special events
9. Cookout
10. Leaderless outings.

In preliminary business Jack appointed Randi and Sarah Gerrish to fold, stuff, and distribute the newsletter. Pat and Sherron Lynch were nominated as co-secretaries pending the approval of the membership at the September meeting. A Pittsburgh group approached Jack about leading nature outings for the blind. At this time Jack, Chuck, Walt, and perhaps Suzanne will lead outings. Leaders are still needed for October 10 and October 31. Most, but not all, bills have been paid from the May birding festival; payment will be worked out with Dr. Jett.

Since the environmental center at Frick was destroyed by fire, the 3RBC is looking for a new meeting room. Suggestions included: Schenley Park Skating Rink, Chatham College, The Aviary, Arts and Crafts at 5th and Shady, Botany Hall at Phipps, Woodland Hills Senior Center, Avonworth (Mayernik) Community Center, Northland Public Library, Ross Township Community Center, Beechwood Farms. After discussion of cost, parking, availability, capacity, equipment, lighting, and food, a centralized location was emphasized.

Because of a commitment to the speaker for the September 18 meeting, the group voted to hold this meeting at the Botany Hall at Phipps. The Aviary will also be considered for future meetings. Other possible options may still be investigated. Eric suggested that one meeting per year might be held in a suburban location. Jack, Eric and Claire will finalize the plans for the September 18 meeting and get the news to the membership via a postcard, the website, and E-mail.

The Fundraiser for Frick at Schenley on Thursday, August 15 was discussed. Checks should be marked FEC (Frick Environmental Center) and made out to City of Pittsburgh. Jack would prefer to have checks made out to Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and marked FEC. At this early stage there are no firm plans as to where the new center will be built or in what form it will be. Suggestions will be presented at the September meeting for those who are anxious to help.

Bob presented budget information including a quarterly dues payment schedule so that members who joined at different times of the year will renew memberships accordingly. The current financial situation is sufficient to cover the additional fees for meeting sites; therefore, the dues structure will remain the same as last year. There are currently 182 3RBC members.

The topic of a logo, T-shirts, hats, etc. was deferred to a later meeting.

Several issues were addressed concerning The Peregrine. Paul Hess expects to maintain the newsletter at its ten page length. Geoff Malosh will write an article concerning the recent Snowy Plover excitement at Imperial. Previous issues of The Peregrine will be placed on the 3RBC website. After a discussion about posting the new issues on the web as soon as they are published, it was decided that they would be made available to both the membership and the general public. It was also decided to maintain the current format of mailing the newsletter in an envelope. The membership renewal notice will offer members the choice of receiving their newsletter solely on the web or to also receive a paper copy.

The club's role with the IBA at Raccoon Creek was briefly discussed. The club looks favorably on this project and will urge individual members to get involved. Steve Hoffman will address this important issue when he speaks at the January general membership meeting.

Special events like a birding festival or hosting a well-known guest speaker are not likely to be scheduled for the coming year. The club will investigate the possibility of assisting the Todd Bird Club which is hosting the PSO conference in May 2003.

To continue the tradition of having a fall picnic outing, the club will have a picnic at its October 27 outing at Moraine. Wendy Jo will bring potato salad and Jack will bring hot dogs; others will bring covered dishes, etc.

Additional leaderless outings may be posted on the web. Todd Bird Club has had successful leaderless outings in the past. Experienced birders can volunteer to help.

Jack and Eric will update the club's recruitment materials and make them available for distribution in appropriate locations.

Submitted by Pat and Sherron Lynch