Friends of the Muscatatuck River Minutes for January 09, 2002
 
Place: Jennings County Public Library
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Attendees: John Huff, Ken Huff, Bill Suhre, Frank Biehle, Kim Lampert, Jo Ann Hallawell, Dan Shade, Gary Conant, Jack Countryman, Richard Tekulve, Greg Martin,  Tom Moore, and Sherida Moore

Old Business: Greg Martin stated that our website, "Friends of Muscatatuck," would be ready right away; he asked for our minutes, mission statement, photos, and calendar to be posted.
Dan introduced a visitor, Dick Tekulve, who is interested in our work and objectives.  Dick lives in Marion Township, one of our cleanup sites.
Ken Huff is pursuing the Verizon grant, which is now in a paperwork stage.

New Business: Bill Beville has contacted Dan Shade, expressing his interest in and support of our organization; however, he cannot attend Wednesday meetings because of a previous commitment. He also said that Jim Kreutzjans was interested in promoting outdoor physical activities.
We have two signs coming; they are to be posted on the bridges on Highway 3 and 7, and on Highway 50.
Jo Ann warned us that Rainbow is moving to Greensburg, and this may affect the efficiency of our cleanup disposal.

Following the business portion of the meeting, Gary Conant led us through organizational processes, especially the methods for long range planning.  First, he asked each of us about our purpose for joining this group. The list centered around cleanup, education, enforcement of litter laws, accessibility, and specifically, the development of buffer areas, greenways, and hiking trails.
When asked what minutes should include, Gary said to at least record all decisions concerning policy and money. Next, Gary worked with us on the mission statement, trying to make it both complete and specific.
Following the new mission statement, Gary had our group suggest twenty different activities that would enable us to fulfill our mission, to reach our vision.  He concluded the meeting with the membership ranking the activities with points from one to three.  The results showed that education/awareness was first, cleanup was second, and developing greenways was third.
Meeting adjourned.  
Next meeting FEBRUARY 6 @ 7:00 
Future Clean-ups
Saturday, April 13th @ Tobias Ford Bridge/Marion Township
Saturday, June 15th @ Vernon Commons to Sullivan's Ford Bridge