Ozark Avalon Board of Directors Meeting
May 18, 2008
In attendance: Rose Wise, Sage, Cat, John, Orpon, Sorsha & Crystal.
Items discussed:
It was noted that the campground needs to have more gongs placed at random points for a “relay system” to announce scheduled activities, meetings and/or meals.
It was comfirmed that Sage was elected to the Board and appointed as Housing Director. He will continue to do background checks on potential residents via CaseNet.
Rose plans to draft a letter to be sent to the Sheriff’s Office, but will send it to everyone on the Board List first so that all can review it and comment before it is mailed.
Interfuse 2008 proceeds were allotted as follows:
Gross income $11,500
Gravel, Grass Seed, & other expenses $ 2,000
(paid of lawnmower, electric bill, & VISA)
Land payments for whole year $3,500
Seed money for Hibernate 2009 $1,500
Savings Account $2,500
Utilities run higher in the winter. The propane gas bill is running way to high.
Orpon stated that the gas stove in the smaller trailer needs to be replaced with a proper heating stove before next winter.
It was noted that everyone and everything needs to become more energy efficient.
Rose suggested that we cut the grass in the campgrounds and fields less this summer to save on gas and diesel fuel.
Labrynth:
Crystal and John would like to use rebar and rope to mark off the labrynth. That way we can mow the grass underneath the rope. It was suggested that we look at other options as well to reduce the cost, rebar is expensive. We will check into the option of electric fence posts to see if they are less expensive.
Recycling & Reducing:
It has been suggested that we use non-petroleum based fire starters for our ritual and other fires. Can use pine cones, kindling, paper, used candles, used paper and bacon grease. Also, keeping the wood DRY is a vital part of the plan. For a project we could undertake making fire starters from various materials. Need to look into this option too. Someone also needs to gather up the excess wood left over from Interfuse before it gets overgrown with grass.
Renters:
Because of liability issues, we will no longer accept long term renters with underage children. We will continue, however, to accept families with small children when they are seeking temporary sanctuary from abusive or dangerous situations.
Another issue with renters is the cost of electricity. Each tenant should be paying the electric usage assigned to that particular residence as designated on the Co-Mo electric bill. For the actual Retreat center the total amount will have to be divided between OA and the total number of tenants so that each tenant can pay that portion to Ozark Avalon to cover the costs of their own electricity usage.
Swimming Pool:
The pool needs to be fenced and locked. At the very least the steps and the deck up to the pool must be locked so that small children cannot gain access on their own.
In the future, maybe the pool can be relocated farther away from the trailers to prevent disturbing tenants who might be sleeping when others are playing in the pool.
Calls need to be made to Lowe’s and Home Depot to check on the cost for installation of approved fencing around the pool. It does not necessarily have to be wooden fence, we would however like to provide privacy fencing.
Priority Tasks
The following list of activities need to be addressed as soon as possible
The windows in the Retreat Center need repair badly
A new refrigerator is needed in the Retreat Center since the old one died.
Need to decide if and how we plan to update the kitchen in the Retreat.
Need to order a new pool cover, preferably black, 24 feet round before closing the pool this fall.
The Retreat Center will need to “winterized” as soon as the weather starts turning cool again.
Wish List
It was requested that a “wish list” be created and sent out to the Board members for their input as well. Things such as the following could be listed:
Privacy fence for pool and hot tub area
Repairs on the Retreat Center or a New Large Out Building or a Rec Center
New facility for food preparation
This wish list can be posted on the MidWest Burners List and the OA lists
We can also check Freecycle frequently
Upcoming Fund Raising Activities
Pagan Picnic – contact some of the St. Louis members
Earth Day
Cast-a-Way -- Burner event end of August. Might be a kid friendly event? Will bring in some camping fees.