Friends of Schoodic Meeting –
8 October 2003

The regular monthly meeting of Friends of Schoodic convened at the Schooner Club, on the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park (ANP) at 7 PM on October 8.  Attending the meeting were Michelle Bierman, the SERC contractor working with the NPS, Ed Pontbriand, of ANP, Nancy Horschak, Jay Horschak, Dirk Faegre, David Ellwood, Jim Wagner, Peter Drinkwater, Tom Mayer, Jeanie Wilson, Bob Babcock, Deedee West, Bill Stone, Pauline Angione, and Bill Zoellick.

Newsletter

Tom Mayer has created a first draft.

The discussion of the newsletter brought up the question of the mission statement.  It currently reads “natural resources.” 

Jay moved that we change wording to “cultural and natural resources” – to be consistent with the NPS mission.

Discussion:  some concern about “resources” in place of “environment.”  Observation that we do not need to have the same wording as the NPS.

Motion tabled until the end of the meeting.

Tom reviewed newsletter content, at a high level.  He will send the newsletter to people, by email, for comment.  He said he would like to hold it to two pages.  Peter Drinkwater suggested going to 3 pages, in order to make room for mailing address info.

Tom proposed distribution to the list of 111 names (FOS “members”) that Tom has.  Peter Drinkwater suggested bulk mail to everyone in Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor.

The discussion of the broader mailing led to the question of the purpose of the newsletter.  The consensus was that recruiting of members and donations is among the purposes.  Also, there is value in letting the community know what the organization has done.

Bill Zoellick moved that we send the newsletter, by bulk, to Winter Harbor and Gouldsboro, and send 1st class mail to the people on Tom’s list.  Seconded by Jim Wagner.  Discussion included a suggestion (Dirk
Faegre) that the newsletter include a request for donations – with the idea that it would be an interesting experiment.  Motion carried.

Report from Ed Pontbriand

Ed said that there will be trail rehab work on Little Moose.  This will be in cooperation with planning being done by Charlie Jacobi of the NPS.   Ed will provide the date.

Ed also noted that there is a lot of plastic on Little Moose.  Asked that FOS organize a cleanup.

Ed also thanked FOS for checking on a report of a beached Minke whale.

Finally – Ed asked about the idea of restricting plowing of the road during the winter.  General sense was that this was a good idea.  Members with more detailed suggestions should email Ed. (ed_pontbriand@nps.gov)

Jay Horschak noted that there is also work to be done on the Anvil Trail.

Logo

Jeanie passed around some possible logo designs.

Bill Zoellick will put them up on the website and people will send in comments.

Friends of Schoodic Futures

The question of how to organize FOS – whether it should be independent of Schoodic Futures, whether it should be a membership organization, and so on – lead to a discussion of the role of FOS.

Bill Stone suggested that one way to proceed with this would be create a one day retreat, facilitated by someone experience with such things, to discuss the question of what we want FOS to be.  He suggested that the meeting should include both the parent organization (Schoodic Futures) and FOS.  The discussion of what FOS should be would lead to a discussion of whether it should be independent of the parent organization.

Discussion followed.  Part of the discussion revolved around what FOS should be.   What relation does it have to ANP?  Will the organization do more than  provide volunteer activity to the Park staff?  How does it overlap and differ from the role of Schoodic Futures? 

Bill Zoellick and Bill Stone suggested that it would be good to take time to discuss this in general.

There was also feeling that such an in depth discussion might be premature.  The two organizations are still evolving.  There was substantial expression of feeling that there is no reason to make change until there is a problem. 

Pauline Angione suggested that one way to clarify the problem might be to think in terms of the activities that the organization hopes to undertake (as opposed to thinking in terms of the broader and more theoretical mission).  What does the organization actually hope to DO?  What is the workplan for the coming year?  What concrete objectives does the organization have?  What are the deadlines?  What financial and volunteer time commitments will it make?

Bob Babcock noted that there seemed to be division between those in the group who see the mission as one of helping the NPS, and others who are more interested, or at least, equally interested, in providing input to NPS decision making.

Bill Zoellick suggested that input could also mean advocacy – is FOS interested in taking a stand on issues?  Even if that stand was perhaps ahead of the official ANP position on a matter?

Dirk Faegre noted that, in discussing input and advocacy, it is worth looking at the National Park Conservation Association.

Bob Babcock moved that FOS contact Ron Beard, or an alternative, to facilitate a meeting of FOS only at which FOS could decide more about its purpose and, time permitting, a work plan, possibly leading to insight into relationship with Schoodic Futures.  The motion was seconded by Pauline Angione.  Motion carried with 3 abstentions.

The meeting adjourned at 9 PM.  The next meeting is November 12.