Surfrider Foundation Portland Chapter

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 11th 2005, 7:00 PM Ecotrust Building

www.surfrider.org/portland

Members present

Rob Williams – Facilitator, Former Chair
Katie Breene – Snowrider Project Coordinator
Markus Mead – Surfrider Foundation OR Field Coordinator
Brett – Member
Jess –  Member
Dilan Moxness – member
Eric – Member
Tina Torri – Secretary
Jocelyn - Member
Kristin Hull – Member
Ashley – Individual Event Coordinator
David Blackmon – Treasurer
Rebecca – Member
Molly – Member/Intern
John Thompson – Storm Drain Coordinator
Andi – Vice Chair
Abby – Member
Jean – Member
Kristin – Member
Garren – Past Vice Chair
Dave Spencer – Road Clean Up Coordinator

1.      Introductions – Rob

2.      Report on Surfrider Luau – Andi

Our September meeting was exchanged for a Hawaiian Luau party at Gorge Performance with Hawaiian food and the premier of the Clean Water Classic 2005 movie. Markus our OR Field Coordinator even made a cameo in the film!  The Luau was a great success and we send out many thanks to Gorge Performance for the awesome party. Tina will send a Thank You note.  [Secretaries note: A note was already sent by Pamela  - Thank you Pamela!!]

3.      Catch Basin Marking – John

We glue markings at catch basins around town which say “Dump No Waste.” Two weeks ago 8 people met at Gabriel Park and glued 75 markers in 1˝ hours. There is no date for the next event, it requires 24 hours of no rain before and after the marking. In the past this event has taken place on the 3rd Tuesday of the month but now that it is getting darker sooner the suggestions has been made for moving the event to Saturdays.  If you are interested in being contacted regarding future marking events please contact John Thompson at SurfAeronca@hotmail.com.

4.      Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up – Dave

We sponsor a section of Hwy 101 with the Oregon Hanggliders, we meet at the Moolack Beach parking lot just North of Agate Beach in Newport. It usually takes about one hour and we need a minimum of 7 volunteers. The next event is TBA. Please contact Dave Spencer at davidspencer99@msn.com if you are interested in being contacted regarding this event.

5.      Surfrider Internship Project – Molly

Molly works with DHS performing beach studies to monitor beach use. She evaluates beach studies in other states to evaluate beach use.  She is currently evaluating the effectiveness of these studies.   (State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan.)  Winter beach sampling sites are posted online for state ocean water sampling.  Thank you Molly for all of your hard work!

6.      Public Comment Opportunity:  Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Nearshore – Markus

Go to our website, read and send comments to Markus. Comments can be a simple as “Hey, I go to this spot and it is important to me. I surf there. It is a special place for me.” Send comments to Markus at mmead@surfrider.org or log onto our website.

7.      Brainstorming for Future Meetings – Rob

Surfrider Foundation’s newly hired executive direction will be present at our next meeting. We will have a question and answer session and discussion with Jim Moriarity so come prepared.

What other events would you like to see/why do you come to meetings?

·        Knowing about upcoming SF activities.

·        Watch movies.

·        Meet other people.

·        Hear from grassroots organizers.

·        More involvement in coastal issues.

·        Tangible things: breach clean ups, raising awareness.

·        Focussing on where we can make a difference.

·        Ability to volunteer for things.

·        More diversity – other ideas.

·        Learn about Surfrider’s issues, there is not always a lot of follow through.

·        Incorporate more direction in the meeting – evaluate the climate.

·        More fundraising activities.

·        More fun at meetings – movies, pot lucks, volunteer appreciation.

·        Update the website.

·        Volunteer outreach.

·        Calendar on the website.

·        Where are we going to meet – we need a fixed meeting space. Somewhere quiet where we can show a movie, etc.

·        Balance between our events and events on a larger scale.

·        Presenters.

·        Documentaries, continuing education.

·        Outreach, public – donations.

·        Wetland restoration/Snowrider project education.

·        We have accomplished a lot in two years.

·        Focus on projects, fewer more focused projects.

·        Broader reach to the general community.

·        Review objectives for the group. New members. Tie in.

·        Review global objectives and local objectives for Surfrider Foundation.

·        How corporations are involved in helping the community. How can corporations help a local chapter? I have a company and how we can help your chapter.

·        I also work for  a large corporation – we do matching grants but SF needs to present a well-done presentation.

·        As a new member – objectives of the chapter. A form for newbies.

·        A new meeting space!!!

·        Criteria:

q       Free

q       Quiet

q       Food and drink (recommended)

q       A regular meeting space

·        Houses? – not regular

·        Kennedy School – but there is a hefty food purchase requirement

·        Rogue Brewery – Noisy, not private

·        Kristen will research potential meeting spaces and present them at the next meeting. Please bring your own suggestions.

·        How many people are interested in Snowrider, do we want to incorporate Snowrider into our meetings?

 

8.      Retreat – Markus

Date: Weekend of November 19-20th.

Place: TBD          

Who: All active Oregon SF volunteers are invited to participate in this planning retreat.

We have $1000 from National for food, lodging, and travel. 

9.      Opens

·        Jean – “Newport Chapter”

A few members of the Newport Organizing Committee have ideas that they would like support with to involve SF in the Newport community.

q       Sponsor/Co-sponsor doggie poop stations at beach entrances. Signs, Etc.

q       Recycling cans in at beaches.

q       Water testing – especially streams.

q       Map for the website – GIS – collections spots for waste/trash.

q       Water testing sights and results for certain beaches/sites.

q       And a special thanks to Greg for coming to the SOLV beach clean up at Agate Beach.

·        Teton Gravity Movie – Katie

They are showing the Tangerine Movie. Katie can not attend but they allow us to have a booth and give us two free tickets. The event is November 5th at the Roseland Theater. Chad is the contact person at Teton Gravity.  Please contact Katie at kbreene@gmail.com if you are interesting in volunteering. The event is really a lot of fun so don’t miss out!

·        Markus – Patagonia grant

A BWTF grant has been applied for the West Linn High School teacher to test streams. It also incorporates water testing for the Pacific City and Lincoln city schools. Also to purchase a lab for here in Portland.

Our next meeting will be the second Tuesday of the month

Tuesday November 8th – 7:00pm

EcoTrust Building @ 721 NW 9th Ave