Minutes

Minutes of Saint John's Arboretum Advisory Council Meeting

May 12, 2003

Council Members:

Present: Al Barth, John Geissler, David Hartwell, Tom Kroll, Fr. John Kulas, O.S.B., Scott May, Linda Mock, Janette Monear, Steve Saupe, Elizabeth Sim, Larry Schwietz, Tom Wicks, Ron Wienhold, Fr. Bruce Wollmering, O.S.B.

Absent: Terri Barreiro, Bob Ellenbecker, Bob Thomsen, Chuck Wocken

Scott May called the meeting to order at 2:40 p.m.

Fr. John Kulas, O.S.B. opened with a prayer.

Tom Kroll introduced the new Advisory Council members: Fr. Bruce Wollmering, O.B.S. is a member of Saint John's Abbey and teaches in the Psychology Department. Tom Wicks is a neighbor of Saint John's and a graduate of Saint John's University. He is also the Director of the Boy's and Girl's Club in Saint Cloud. Terri Barreiro and Chuck Wocken were not able to attend this meeting.  

Committee Reports

K-12 Education

John distributed a handout titled Participation-Total and reviewed it with the Council. The handout includes a summary of the number of people who have participated in Arboretum activities beginning January 1, 2003 to the present time. K-12 had 1,322 students participate in Arboretum programs. (See attached)

Two CSB students have been hired to work at the Arboretum. They will begin May 13th and will be helping with creating the 2nd and 3rd grade teaching trunks.

Al Barth and District 742 Teachers gave a presentation to the Minnesota Science Teachers Association about the Arboretum's teaching kits. It was well received.

CSB/SJU Education

The Peer Resource Outdoor Leadership Committee and the Arboretum co-sponsored a triathlon this spring. As a benefit of co-sponsoring, Arboretum's name was listed on the shirts that were given to the participants. The Peer Resource Outdoor Leadership Committee is considering making changes to the Challenge Course. The changes will make it easier to coordinate the Arboretum and Challenge Course activities allowing participants to spend one half day in the challenge course and one half day in Arboretum activities.

An Arboretum activity is included in the Fall Orientation for incoming 1st year students. University President, Br. Dietrich's goal is to have 70% or more of all University students outdoors/familiar with the Arboretum before they graduate.

Community Education

The February Owl Hoot had a good response, 40 people attended and 15 of the people attending became new members.

The Woodland Wildflower walks lead by Ron Wienhold also had a good response, 35 people attended.

The Arboretum is offering an adult program through the St. Cloud Area School District 742 Community Education Programs in June. The program is about gardening with native plants, wildflowers and grasses. John Geissler is the instructor.

Ron Wienhold and Janette Monear will be presenting a community education program this summer also. Their program is titled Spirit of the Trees and Native Edibles.

Saint John's Preparatory School has approached the Arboretum to co-sponsor a non-competitive walk event to be held on October 5, 2003. The Arboretum has agreed to co-sponsor.

The Woodland Owner's Conference will be held at Saint John's on October 11, 2003. A question was raised about what rate should be charged for Arboretum events.

All Arboretum events provide an opportunity to recruit members and we should use that to promote membership.

It was decided to set up a subcommittee to review pricing for Arboretum events.

Lands

The 30 acres of prescribed burn for oak regeneration has been completed.

The Nature Conservancy has contacted Saint John's about the Avon Hills Landscape Plan. This plan is a visioning process of what the area may look like 100 years from now with a goal to maintain the character to the area. Nature Conservancy contacted Saint John's because of their conservation/restoration practices and the active part they play in the community.

There was discussion about a nature trail upgrade southwest of the cemetery.

There was discussion about the erosion around Stella Maris Chapel and the restoration of the chapel.  

Volunteer Management/Administration

The Plant Sale is this Saturday, May 17th. To date, the volunteer response is great.

PR/Membership

The Arboretum currently has 250 members. The Arboretum is growing - last November there were 180 members.

The most recent fundraising mailing cost, based on the Alumni Magazine, was $2,000. The mailing raised about $1,800.

The Advisory Council was asked to put thought into the best use of Arboretum fundraising time and dollars.

Fundraising

Fundraising idea - give new Saint John's graduates free or low cost memberships for three years.

Fundraising idea for restoration of Stella Maris Chapel - approach Alumni.

· Tom Kroll to check with Br. Linus and Institutional Advancement.

New Business

The next Sagatagan Seasons will be out in June. Jean Scoon, a Saint John's employee and Arboretum member, is writing an article about the geology of the area for the newsletter.

Ideas and articles for the newsletter are welcomed.

· All committees should try to meet before the next Advisory Council Meeting.

· Submit your agenda items for next Advisory Council meeting as soon as possible.

The meeting was adjourned.

Upcoming Events:

The next Advisory Council meeting is Friday, October 3, 2003 at 2:30-5:00 p.m. in the New Science Center, Natural History Museum. Mark your calendars. Submit your agenda items to Tom Kroll by September 15, 2003.

Homecoming is Saturday, October 4, 2003. People are needed to staff the Arboretum Booth and assist with the horse drawn wagon/trailer moving people from the parking lot to the stadium, at the beginning of the game and from the stadium to the parking lot at the end of the game. Contact the Arboretum Office to volunteer.

"Collegeville Colors" is Sunday, October 5, 2003 1:00-5:00 p.m. (See enclosed flyer.) We will need people at four information stations along the trails. This person should have some expertise on any natural resource subject. Contact the Arboretum Office to volunteer.

The Woodland Owners & Users Conference is October 11, 2003, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. All Arboretum members should have received a flyer. The cost is discounted for members.

The Arboretum Membership Recognition Open House is December 5, 2003, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. This is open to all members.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Mock