Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
Program Committee (formerly Outreach Committee)
Rebecca Ruggle's summer home, Aurora, NY
August 8, 2010

Present: Dale Baker (Chair); John Mawdsley (Board of Directors Chair), Roxy Johnston, Rebecca Ruggles, Judy Pipher

Agenda:

1. Planned Program Activities for 2010/2011
• South End Conference. We discussed a variety of possibilities for focus for the conference, including hydrofracking, stormwater issues (infrastructure, development by the citizens & local zoning, climate change and how it affects stormwater issues, inlet dredging, Stewart Park development). Eventually we decided on a Fall conference (October 16, or 23, or 30) which covers many of these issues. One suggested title – “What Price Development?” Roxy will approach Bill Kappell as a potential keynoter, who could provide both historical perspective and a balanced view of hydrofracking (he will also be asked which weekends are possible for him, assuming he accepts). Roxy will also approach Liz Moran to speak on dredging status, and Susan Riha to speak on Storm Water and Climate Change. Possible venues include the Cornell Sailing Club Facility, or if that fails, the Unitarian Church. The IO will be approached as to whether they wish co-sponsorship, but all agreed we could provide cookies if they don’t wish to assume this again. We discussed the importance of good, early, and often PR, but no assignments yet.
• Sunset on Cayuga. All regretted the cancellation, and were concerned that such a small subset of people made what should be a Board decision. The PC wishes the Board to explore the possibility of a spring (May) Sunset on Cayuga, and planning could begin now. John agreed that the item would be placed on the agenda. Some discussion on the virtues of raffles vs. silent auctions. Proper allocation of items crucial.

2. Current CLWN Board Issues
• The Tenor of the recent Fund-raising Letter. There were some complaints as well as praise from citizens. Less stridency and more balance advocated, including correct information behind claims. Pros and Cons debated; an issue for the Board. PC advocates the Board consider the process by which decisions are made so that there are no misunderstandings. We agreed that as the Board felt its way with an advocacy rather than a standoffish approach, evaluating process is crucial. Guiding principles for advocacy may also be helpful, e.g. support for full disclosure of environmental impact of any action; support for a thorough regulatory process.

3. Use of Wells Campus for Watershed Education and Activities
• Unwritten Agreement. John raised the question of how we make the presence of CLWN on the Wells campus meet the college’s needs and goals. It is part of an unwritten agreement behind The free 5 year lease of space for the Network is based on an unwritten agreement which implied that Wells will be the focal point of educational and activity-based planning, and that the Network may draw in other non-profits. Our intern program meets some of their unwritten goals. A Chautauqua type educational week was discussed – although the PC was not prepared to initiate such a large program now. There was discussion of smaller group environmental activities (such as those Rebecca has initiated with her church group), approaching elder hostel to ascertain collaborative programs, and making Wells the center for planned activities. One of the large scale activities mentioned below (kayak race) would utilize Wells as a central location.
• Wednesday Night Forum. Discussion of an August program for a future year, drawing people to Aurora and Wells for both education and recreation. PC considered this type of format relatively do-able as compared to a larger event, and advertising a batch of evenings is easier to sustain.
4. Large Programs that are Potential Fund-raisers (long-term).
• The Great Race concept. From 2009, a great race around the lake had been discussed. Rebecca reported there had been one meeting with former PC chair Ed Harwood to discuss the Great Race concept, and it proved overwhelming (because of scope). Judy pointed out that these large projects take ~10 years to activate and to gain substantial community support.
• Kayak Race or Relay. We discussed developing an event similar to Women Swimmin’ but involving kayaking the entire lake or multiple legs of the lake. Hibiscus Harbor to Wells beachfront is approxately 7.5 mi (or Cayuga Lake State Park to Wells beach front about 11 mi). And perhaps Wells to Stewart Park, Ithaca, a distance of aproximately 25 mi. We need to begin discussions now for 2011 and to begin collaborations with Kayaking clubs that are local. Does Wells have a kayaking program? Judy will ask Niamh O’Leary, former Board member, former member of Outreach Cte. (PC precursor) and Wells Biology professor. There is a fairly active kayaking club based in Ithaca. People pay to have their kayaks transported to new or distant put-ins.

5. Park Foundation expectations for our programs.
Basic message: no more Measuring Action. Two programs approved and there is the expectation that we will select a third:
• Ulysses Septic system
• Hydro-fracking
Future programs may include evaluation of Seneca Falls Water/Sewer/Solid waste treatment (chloramines rather than chlorine). Roxy gave us a tutorial on pros and cons.
Roxy also felt it was important that the Network publicize their Park grant work well in local papers, etc. so that we might realize some boost in membership and/or visibility.

6. Programming and Fundraising- more collaborative? Large programs will lend themselves to that, as well as Sunset on Cayuga. The Program Cte. has much to discuss on these and other unresolved issues mentioned above. We acknowledged the wisdom of starting with a smaller scale activity that can grow and become larger in geographic scale.

7. Next Steps - Recap:
• Plan the Fall Conference – Awaiting Roxy’s word on keynote & date.
• Sunset in Spring – John to raise with the Board
• Board Process & Advocacy Positions – John to convey our concerns
• PC Conf Call in Sept - Dale will schedule; Topics will include:
Wells relationship & events
Kayaking – long range planning and scale of starting up

Minutes submitted by Judy Pipher.