We're nearing the end of summer, and if the number of success stories we've collected is any indication, you all have not been taking it easy this season! Please read on to learn about some of the exciting developments from around the country...many of which may have resonance in your state.

We also have a few brief updates from the SELP office in this edition, as well as some resources for those of you looking to drive traffic to your websites or improve your board meeting minutes. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to seeing many of you at the conference in November!

Best Regards,

Michelle Watkins
Membership Services Coordinator

2008 Conference
It may seem early to be thinking about November, but the SELP conference is less than 3 months off and planning is in full swing.  We have a great line-up of topics and speakers, including a session on the path to a sustainable economy led by Dr. Jim Barrett of Redefining Progress, and an exploration of how we can use stories to create social change by James John Bell of SmartMeme.

Among the many other great topics on the agenda, we'll take a look at how some states are grappling with water quantity issues, ways you can tap into youth leadership, what it takes to make persuasive fundraising appeals, and of course, what the 2008 election results will mean for our work.  And don't forget the many opportunities for networking with your peers, connecting with friends and unwinding on the beach. 

The conference will be held November 19-23 at The Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California.  For members who haven't already taken a moment to respond to your invitation, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible so we can have an accurate room count for the conference facility by their deadline in early September.  

And as always, we'll be holding a high-spirited auction at this event.  We are continuing to gather auction items and welcome your suggestions and donations! 

If your conference invitation has gotten buried in your e-mail box, please contact me (mwatkins@selp.org or 608.268.1440) and I'll be happy to resend it.

Hope to see you in November!

 

Idaho
A Nevada gold mine that had been sending thousands of pounds of mercury into Idaho's air has been closed.  The victory is credited to the Idaho Conservation League program director Justin Hayes' long campaign to stop the aerial pollution. 
more

Maine
The Natural Resouces Council of Maine released a report recently touting the accomplishments of Maine's first-in-the-nation electronic waste recycling program that requires manufacturers to establish and pay for collection and recycling centers.  During the two years Maine's e-waste recycling program has been in operation, it has saved the people of Maine 3 million dollars, kept a million pounds of lead out of the environment, and ensured safe recycling of over 8 million pounds of toxic electronic waste. more

North Dakota
The Dakota Resource Council is celebrating a new law that forces owners of abandoned North Dakota oil wells - some more than 50 years old - to clean up their sites.  The law has worked so well that in less than a year, a large percentage of wells it targeted are already compliant or well on their way. more

Texas
The Texas Conservation Alliance's efforts to build public support for the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge (which resulted in tens of thousands of letters and signatures from Texans supporting the refuge) have paid off.  A judge recently ruled in favor of the refuge, denying motions by the City of Dallas and the Texas Water Development Board that sought to overturn the refuge and make way for a reservoir.  more

Virginia
With the help of Virginia Conservation Network and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, that state's unique citizen environmental boards have successfully weathered an attack and come out stronger as a result.  The boards, whose members are appointed by the governor, decide key environmental permits.  Conservationists successfully defended the boards on the grounds that they provide a vital forum for citizen access to decision makers and because they are less subject to direct political pressure than the head of a regulatory agency.

Washington
The Washington Environmental Council joined with farming interests, children's health advocates, anti-poverty activists and others in support of the recent passage of the Local Farms-Healthy Kids bill.  The bill makes it easier for schools to buy locally grown food and increases access to local produce for low-income families. more



Do you have a story about a recent victory for your organization?  If so, we'd love to hear about it!  Successes will be featured in our quarterly updates, please send us your stories so that your great work can inspire and encourage your SELP colleagues.

 

Driving Traffic to Your Website

The Hatcher Group, a communications firm that supports SELP's Grasstops and Federal Budget Project, hosted a very informative webinar for all SELP member groups on increasing traffic to your organization's website. If you were unable to participate, you can find a copy of the presentation by clicking here.

If you would like to learn more about online outreach, please visit the Hatcher Group's blog at http://thehatchergroup.wordpress.com/for useful information on social media, viral content, and much more.


Board Minutes- Keeping an Accurate Record for Your Organization

Keeping accurate board minutes is vital to tracking organizational decisions and actions.  Actions not reflected in the minutes will likely not be considered significant and will most likely be forgotten.  Additionally, minutes are considered legal documents by the auditors, IRS and courts, as they represent the actions of the board.  In the case of an audit, the IRS may ask to see copies of board minutes for the period under audit.  Actions reflected in the minutes may be used to support other documents the IRS may ask to review.   

Below are elements of well-taken minutes:

• Date and time of meeting
• The names of the directors, employees and guests in attendance
• A summary of the financial and other reports
• A list of all motions made, who made them, who seconded them, the vote tally and whether the motion passed or failed
• A summary of all important discussions
• Signature of the person taking the minutes with date

 
Be sure to check your organization's bylaws for other requirements.  In addition, your bylaws will probably lay out a protocol of minute approval, such as requiring minutes to be sent out prior to the next board meeting and making a motion at this meeting for their approval.  It is strongly suggested the minutes be circulated in a read-only format, such as a PDF, or other unalterable format.  Any changes should be amended to the minutes and a new version submitted before the next meeting where the new version is reviewed. Minutes should be retained in a manual by the organization and available for review by board members.

Avoid these pitfalls when taking minutes:

• Taking down every word of the discussion.  This is both impractical and unwieldy. Details do not belong in meeting minutes.
• Rotating who takes minutes.  This can lead to inconsistencies and issues of accountability.
• Recording the meeting in place of taking minutes.  A recording can be a powerful device for helping the minute taker should questions arise, but should not take the place of the minutes themselves.  Using such a recording would require each board member to sit through the entire board meeting again in order to approve the minutes, and would ultimately end in a "rubber stamp" of the minutes.