Attendance

IN ATTENDANCE

Board Members:
Emina Darakjy, Emily Spillett, Laura Burnett, Mona Cummings, Nancy Sappington, Nike Harvey, Gordon Mann, Megan Shaw, Daniel Kump.  

Staff: Nancy Hughes, Dorothy Abeyta.  

ABSENT

Absent: Bob Blum (excused), Sarah Gaskin (excused), Elizabeth Lanham, Anne Fenkner (excused), Sara Davis.

Staff: Deb Etheredge (excused).

SUMMARY

Meeting was called to order at 12:09 PM

Agenda approved – unanimously

Consent Calendar was approved – unanimously but with a discussion about what should be included. Further, the Executive Board may have a discussion on changing the format in the future, but fine for now.

A vote was taken to remove the “List” of what would be covered in the meeting that sits atop the Agenda page as redundant. The vote passed unanimously, and the list will be removed going forward.

We discussed the 2022 conference – anticipated for late September 2022 in the Palm Springs area. Nancy Sappington has been working with the Convention & Visitor Bureau there. We have quotes from three locations, and we will follow up further with each of them ASAP.

(Nancy Hughes has included comments in this section.) We discussed the amazingly successful March 12th statewide planting event. Criticism was received regarding two events from board members. Constructive input is always welcomed for improvement. The staff has researched and shared the appropriate information regarding Beaumont previously and is in the process of gathering information on the City of Orange. Almost two years of work has gone into this project, derailed by COVID twice, while partnering across the industry with 29 cities, 28 local organizations, volunteer groups, arborists, and other Statewide organizations, and subcontractors, sponsors, and a public relations firm. We had attendance from decision-makers and elected officials, including Assembly member and Speaker of the CA Assembly Anthony Rendon! We had high visibility and great responses across the board. Positive feedback was also received from other board members who participated. Livermore was discussed – some non-native trees (pre-approved by the city) will be relocated, and native trees will be planted in their place. The removed trees will find new homes elsewhere in the City.

The In-Person Board meeting scheduled for June 17th in San Diego, at Balboa Park, was discussed. Nancy H stressed that folks get it on their calendar and make travel plans. Laura Barnett sends suggestions for lodging, and Daniel Kump is looking into that too. We will need to construct an agenda for the day that is constructive and forward-thinking, exciting!

o We always hope board members can cover their travel costs, but we know that isn’t always possible. If you need help covering travel expenses, reach out to Nancy H. Regional Councils should use their Council funds to cover their travel.

Nancy H reminded the Sacramento and Inland Urban Forest Councils that we need to take 30 minutes and instruct them regarding Forest Service requirements. She also asked for Councils to submit their monthly or occasional reports of their activities to support our annual funding from the Forest Service/CAL FIRE.

We reviewed the Board of Directors’ Organizational Calendar of intended and approved tasks for the Board members to accomplish. One activity was addressed, including “reworking the Awards Criteria” with the Conference Organizing Committee. That will be added going forward.

The meeting adjourned 1:02 PM