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ANNUAL MEETING

Annual Meeting, Volunteer Appreciation & Social
Saturday, July 27, 2024, Noon
(Rain Date: Sunday, July 28, 2024)
Half-Mile Field, The Wildlands, Orland, Maine


SCHEDULE:

12:00  Dead River Trailhead/Gate open for parking

12:30 – 2:00 Group tour of Mountain Brook trail, Hike and Mountain Bike Ride

2:00 – 3:00 Annual Business Meeting & Volunteer Recognition

3:00 – 4:30 Social with Live Music, Hors D’oeuvres and Beverages

Please bring a chair!

Map and Directions

Directions: Turn off US Route 1 in East Orland onto Hatchery Road, following signs for Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. Go 1.4 miles to the Hatchery. Continue through the parking lot, through the yellow gate onto the gravel Don Fish Road, another .6 miles. The trailhead/ parking lot is on the left. Volunteers will direct you. Street/ GPS address:  24 Don Fish Trail, Orland, ME or Link to Map

2024 Annual Business Meeting Agenda
2 – 3 PM
Half-Mile Field, The Wildlands
    1. Welcome, Logistics, Schedule (Landon)
    2. Call Meeting to Order & Establish Quorum (Carl)
    3. Approve Minutes of July 29, 2023 Annual Meeting (Carl)
    4. Financial report, 2023-2024 (Emily/Jack)
    5. Report on Trust activities in past year (Carl)
    6. Introduce Staff (Carl)
    7. Introduce Committee Chairs (Carl)
    8. Committee reports and recognition of volunteers (Committee Chairs)
    9. VOY & YBS Awards (Landon)
    10. Elect Slate of Directors, terms ending in 2027 (Carl)
      • Isaac Bray (new director)
      • Carol Benatti (2nd term)
      • Anna Perna (2nd term)
      • Liam Riordan (2nd term)
    11. Elect Annual Slate of Officers (Carl)
      • Kurt Silberstein, Secretary
      • Emily Hawkins, Treasurer
      • Anna Perna, VP
      • Jack MacBrayne, VP
      • Carl Derian, President
    12. Adjournment of formal meeting (Carl)
    13. Logistical update (Derek)

Minutes of 2023 Annual Meeting
10 am, July 29, 2023, Joost Family Preserve

  1. Welcome; Quorum established by Kurt Silberstein, Secretary; Carl Derian, President called the  meeting to order at 10:12a.m.
  2. Carol Bonatti moved to approve the minutes of August 28, 2022 annual meeting, Liam Riordan seconded. Minutes approved by majority vote. 
  3. Capital Campaign highlights: Today we are at 2.77 million dollars, exceeding our goal by 16%. The main purpose of this campaign was to purchase 325 acres (now called the Dead River West property).  Second was to raise stewardship funds for the Joost property. Third was to fund trails and equipment. Last, to be in a better financial position when the next land acquisition opportunity arises.
  4.  2022-2023 Financial report by Emily Hawking, Treasurer. Jennifer Riefler moved to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Carol Bonnatti. Approved by majority vote.
  5. Trust accomplishments for the fiscal year July first 2022 to June thirtieth of 2023 by Carl Derain, President: Carl reviewed new land acquisitions and other accomplishments, including 183 acres on Hothole Mountain and 76 acres near the South Gate. The Wildlands now includes 5137 acres. Also, In 2023 we were named the State of Maine Tree Farmer of the Year. 
  6. Landon Fake, Executive Director, reviewed the history of the land that is now owned by the trust and the potential to complete community projects on the property, such as new trails, increased parking, interpretive signage to enhance the property for increased community visitation. 
  7. Carl Derian introduced Current Directors and Staff: Board members: Carol Benotti, Emily Hawkins, Sarah LeVine, who is not present due to illness, Jack McBrayne, Anna Purna, Liam Riordan, Kurt Silberstein, Leah Page, Hannah Johnson, Denise Smith, Dan Kircheis, Laurel Lockett who is absent. The staff are: Phineas Peake, the acting Steward; Landon Fake, the Executive Director; Derek Cole recently moved from part time to full time in the Communications role. Roger Greene is our Forester. 
  8. Carl Derian presented the Annual Slate of Officers: 
    • Kurt Silberstein, Secretary
    • Jack MacBrayne, Assistant Treasurer
    • Emily Hawkins, Treasurer
    • Jack MacBrayne, VP
    • Carl Derian, President
    • Liam Riordan moves to approve the slate of officers, Jennifer Riefler seconded. Passed by majority vote.
  9. Carl Derian presented a Slate of Directors, terms ending in 2026
    • Leah Page (1st term 2021-2023)
    • Laurel Lockett (interim director appointed 6/2023)
    • Sarah LeVine (first term 2008-2011)
    • Liam Riordan moves to approve this slate of directors. Carol Bonnatti seconds. Approved by majority vote.
  10. Volunteer recognition, Volunteer of the Year: Award presented by Jennifer Reifler to Liam Riordan. 
  11. Motion to adjourn by Kurt Silberstein, Secretary. Meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.