Amigos de los Animales Board Meeting

August 22, 2006 at Canuck's Restaurant

Attendance: Alison Cunningham, Billie Soltis, Linda Ramírez, Alma Zepeda, Martha B. Armenta, Edgar Barragán, Juan Luis López

Called to order at 40 PM,

1. 1st Billie
2. 2nd Linda
3. 3rd Martha

Last month's Minutes approved: No Minutes.

1. 1st Alison
2. 2nd Billie
3. 3rd Edgar

New board of directors official introduction & titles.

1. President: Alison Cunningham. mailto:CALISON613@aol.com # 669-136-0773
2. Vice president/shelter expert: Billie Soltis. mailto:Danes1@mindspring.com
3. Secretary/education: Linda Ramírez. mailto:ramirez.latre@gmail.com #913.8824 and #669-994-7430
4. Treasurer/shelter manager: Edgar Barragán. mailto:edgarmzt@hotmail.com #914-2473 and #669-431-4367
5. Public relations officer: Alma Zepeda de Balingasa. #980-6423
6. Conrehabit liaison/education: Martha B. Armenta mailto:spanish@prodigy.net.mx #984-4307
7. US Liaison : Nadine Laxen. mailto:nadine@pobox.com #916-4195
8. Permanent founding board members :Wilson Godfrey, Henry Laxen.

Officers report

Edgar Barragán reports that Daniel Balderrama is no longer serving at the shelter and that Adriana López is taking his place, working full time, business hours from 9AM to 2 PM and from 4PM to 7PM, Monday thru Friday and 12noon to 5PM on Saturday Edgar also reports that Jorge is working half time during the weekdays and from 9AM to 2PM on Sunday. Omar Copado is the surgery assistant for Doctor Juan López, and he is working from 4PM to 7PM Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Omar is going to make a statement where he declares that he is capable to do this work and release the shelter of any responsibility in case he gets injured or sick when performing his work. Edgar will ask volunteers to mainly answer the phone and take written messages. Doctor Juan is responsible for the handle of all money at the shelter.

Old business

Alison reports that the tile shelves at the surgery room are finished, as well at the cement floor at the patio outside the shelter. All the dog cages have tiles. Doctor Juan is going to buy screens to fix the cages, so that puppies can not go out.

New business

Fund raiser chair not necessary. Each person does their own fund-raiser with the help from their team (members or non members). Alison will do the graphics, such as posters, flyers etc, but please inform her way in advance of an event. Alison will post a Shelter Report every month, to the E-groups. A new roof is needed in the cats area.

Financial report - treasurer

Edgar did not bring a written report. He promise to send ASAP one by Internet. He also promises to send a complete report to all board members by email at least 2 days prior to board meetings. He reports that in the Mexican bank account he started with $60,855 pesos and that by today we have $42,375 pesos, this is roughly because he pays Dr. Juan salary, $2,700 pesos for shelter supplies, $5,800 pesos for tile shelves at the surgery room, $1,800 for the cement side walk outside patio, and $365 pesos for garbage taxes. He also report that there was a donation made at the shelter that was later deposited in this account.

Shelter report

Dr. Juan López reports that supplies donated will be added to the inventory sheets. Donations at the shelter increase to $11,000 in May, and in August, to this date, we have received $9,300. He will give all the money donations to Edgar once a week, so Edgar can deposit them. Dr. López reports that this month 12 cats were adopted, and that 28 dogs were adopted, actually there are 32 dogs at the shelter, 14 adults and 18 puppies.

Open forum discussion

1. Martha's Hot-line Flyer, joined by Conrehabit, Amigos de los Animales and Acuario Mazatlán, to be distributed in many public spots.
2. Board and General Meetings to be split. Board Meetings will be the second Tuesday of every month at 6PM in a place to be confirmed.
3. General Meetings will be the third Tuesday of every month at 6 PM at Canuck's Restaurant.
4. Compliments to Alma Zepeda on behalf of Board Members
5. Billie briefly explained the Spay and Release Program for cats, and we decided to put it on hold until we get information about the cost. It is a great idea but we need to check the numbers.
6. Donation boxes, prototypes for which were approved by the former board, will be made by Allison. Boxes are going to be numbered.
7. Billie will show a catalog and Alison explain how we can build some inexpensive puppy pens. We will check this.
8. Shelter info, Hot-line Flyers to be given out at General Meetings
9. Alison will make a sign to be posted at the shelter with donations required to adopt animals, $100 pesos for dogs and $50 pesos for cats

Fund-raisers

1. Halloween Costume Party at Canucks. Alison, Nadine, Billie. Confirmed.
2. Sunday Bar-B-Q Madness at Canucks. To be confirmed by Phil.
3. Breakfast with Santa at Canucks. To be confirmed by Phil, Dec 10, Sunday.
4. Amigos Christmas Party at Nadine & Henry's. Dec 3 or 10. Private.
5. Phil offer for each ticket we sell for other events at Canuck's. Alison to discuss with Phil.
6. Putting on the Ritz at The Inn at Mazatlán. Nadine February
7. Annual Taquiza. Alma, July
8. Paws on Parade. Billie will check this.
9. Maybe Valerie organize a Tonalá Bus Trip

Motion tendered by board members for August 2006

Although projects are approved, we will have to use Fund-raiser money an do these projects in order of priority. We will evaluate monies, after monthly expenses and bills are paid and taken care of. We will also act according to the donations that come in. The money we have set aside in the US account is strictly for Emergencies.

Other discussions

Martha informed that the corporate purpose of Amigos must be changed in order to fall within the activities that would exempt Amigos from Income Tax and/or to give the Donatarias Status. This is going to be done with Attorney Buenrostro, when he legalized these minutes and will give power to Edgar to represent Amigos before the Mexican Tax Office. Martha will take care of this.

Meeting adjourned at 30 PM

1. 1st Billie
2. 2nd Alma
3. 3rd Linda