Advisory Council Meeting October 8, 2007

Present: Sarah Gainey, Tom Haeg, Larry Schwietz, Bruce Dickau, Tom Wicks, Rachel Peterson, Cassie Herbst, Bruce Wollmering OSB, Scott Daninger, Alison Binsfeld, Stephanie O’Keefe, Bob Russell

 

Collegeville Colors

Sarah: No exact numbers available yet.  There were more events this year, but the weather kept crowds away.  Was mentioned in the St. Cloud Times

 

Homecoming

Rachel: No new memberships but t-shirts were very popular.  We are considering a policy for the use of our logo on t-shirts that would restrict its use to 100% organic t-shirts or sweat-free t-shirts

 

Timberdash

Cassie and Rachel: 144 people attended – over 100 more than last year – and we partnered with Health Advocates.  We intend to do this again next year.

 

Orientation

Tom and Cassie: Around 300 first-year students volunteered with the Arboretum during orientation week. Twenty chose to become members, although the point was to get them involved with the Arboretum from the beginning.  We intend to be involved next year as well.

 

Chapel

Tom: Most reactions were negative, disappointed, or “it could have been worse.”  Vandalism has already started

 

Introduction of senate reps
Sarah: Sean Suter (SJU) and Erin Moore (CSB) are our student reps this year.  They are absent today.

 

Other event/publicity things

St. Cloud Times mentioned the Randall Arendt Conference; we had an article in the Abbey Banner; the world premiere of a movie about the Avon Hills (If a Road Runs Through It) will be held at Saint John’s on October 25

 

PreK-12

Sarah:  We lost some schools this year but gained Foley.  Foley recently brought out 7 sections of 2^nd graders.

We have been talking about an indoor/outdoor facility or “interpretive center.”  This is something we should discuss further.

The Lincoln Elementary Project will allow each classroom to come out to the Arboretum 3 times this year.

Energy Educators workshop – a grant from Xcel providing a 1 week stay with a stipend for teachers to learn about energy

Project/Wet/Wild/Learning Tree workshops will occur in two weeks with curriculum provided by the DNR.  A grant allows 10 tuition-free attendees

 

Annual Report

The report is printed now.  Bruce wonders if we can put a color photo on the front of Sagatagan Seasons

 

FY 07 Goals and Accomplishments to Date

IA Jim Dwyer on the capital campaign

-          $150 million mark crossed, $27 million needed for specific programs

-          Campaign will continue for 2 more years

-          This is a good time to add a “product” or project to the campaign

-          The discussion will continue through Christmas, but should get into the conversation now

-          Focus on Benedictine Stewardship, sustainability, reducing carbon footprint, connection to the Abbey

People who may be interested in helping Tom Kroll with this: Steve, Bruce, Scott, Tom Wicks

 

Budget

We are allowed to “roll-forward” now instead of just losing funds

A debt to the University has been forgiven

Salaries – can they be bumped up?  Fellows need a cost of living increase

Considering making Office Coordinator a permanent position and adding second Environmental Educator fellow

 

Goals for the Future

Tom H: lands committee present plan for environmental interpretive building

Larry: Comp develop of ad-hoc committee by end of Nov

Bruce Dickau: ad-hoc committee

Tom Wicks: ad-hoc committee and programs – openness to visitors on campus

Bruce Wollmering: ad-hoc committee and continue to be free and enjoyable

Scott: continue working to make Arboretum needed in departments – establish connection

Alison: finish trunks

Stephanie: tighten up mission: have a ten-year plan, specific research at the Arboretum “a long term reason to be,” evaluation of effectiveness

Bob: Restoration plan of new prairie

Steve: livable wage for fellows, expansion of maple syrup program

Sarah: evaluation kick