by Vickie Park, CAS Secretary

Columbia Audubon Society Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday April 15, 2026

Boone County Electric Building

Present:  Lottie Bushmann, Vickie Park, Allison Vaughn, Eric Seaman, Greg Leonard, Shelby Thomas, Bill Mees, Reed Gerdes, Eric Wood, Lori Turner, Emma Buckingham

Meeting called to order:  6:01

Previous minutes:     Reed Gerdes moved to accept the March minutes as written.    Greg Leonard seconded it.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Eric Seamon reviewed the finances.   He has explored investment options for the recent donation.  He recommended a 3-year fixed annuity.  Eric Wood moved that the board accept this proposal.  Motion seconded by Reed.  The board unanimously voted to approve this plan.

Nature Areas:  Bill Mees reported that the opportunity for a burn at CANS this season has passed.   A burn will be planned for December 2026.

Programs:  Emma Buckingham, Allison Vaughn and Lottie Bushman volunteered to form an ad hoc committee to schedule programs for the next year.

Education:   Lottie and Lisa will continue planning the Band with Nature program in October.

Lottie has again agreed to lead a field trip for a group of students from the Missouri Scholars Academy this summer.

Communications:   Submissions for the May issue of The Chat need to be turned in to Allison by April 29.

Dark Sky:  Allison reports that monitoring of conditions at RBMSP continues.  Plans toward certification are proceeding nicely.

Field Trips:  Recent field trips have been successful.  The web site lists upcoming events.

Membership:  nothing to report

Slate of board members and officers will be voted on at the general meeting tonight.

Meeting Adjourned:  6:45 pm

The general meeting was started at 7 pm.  Lottie Bushmann announced the slate of nominees for new board members and officers for 2026/2027:

Emma Buckingham for president.

Greg Leonard for vice-president.

Vickie Park for secretary.

Eric Seaman for treasurer.

Ragan Webb, David Neely and Chris Hagglund for members of the board.

Lottie then asked for any other nominations.   None were offered.

Jim Gast moved that the slate be approved.  Bob Glidewell seconded it.  The slate of nominees passed unanimously.

Submitted by Vickie Park