Belly dance benefit for WAES coming 27 March 2010 at the Post Theater. Please plan on attending - this will be fun.

Next Board Meeting April 10, 2010 at 6:00 pm. Open to all members. Will be held right before our regular meeting in the same room at the Salt Lake County Complex.

Earth Jam is coming on Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25, at Libery Park. Volunteers are needed to man our booth between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. Foster birds or adopted birds are welcome! Please contact Layna to volunteer.

The 15th Annual Stut Your Mutt will be held May 22, 2010 at the Veteran's Memorial Park. The address is 1985 W 7800 S in West Jordan. More info will be forthcoming as the time approaches.

Meeting March 13, 2010

Be kind in '10

President - Susan Kelley asked Rescue Director- Jim Fowers for a up-dated report on what was happening – Jim reported that he is in the process of setting up a committee to help him. Has spoke to the people he has asked to help which are:

• Sandy Cross
• Laina Scheunemann
• Sarah Southerland

Main reason is it is too big a job for one person-

Goals are:

1. Make sure home studies are done in a timely matter and write ups complete and added to bird’s file.
2. Foster parents get follow up visits with the bird to make sure it is a good fit for them and the bird. That birds are well and happy.
3. Important to have a committee that works together well as a team.
4. Committee will have a discussion either by a meeting or by phone to discuss and decide if a bird is to be placed in a foster home by the home studies and reports done previously-
5. Committee will get together periodically a to discuss how things are working out-progress of reports and if any changes are needed to improve the process.

   All board members agreed this seemed to be a good idea and gave approval--

   Chase Kimball requested that all up-dated information be put on the web site so each and every board member can see at any time- where and who has each bird-vet status reports-home studies, etc. Jim stated he knew record keeping was way behind for the past couple of months–Chase commented “no for the past 10 years!” Jim also reported he has been trying to catch up the past and found he has quite a bit that is non- existent - but will continue to work on it and get it done.

   Jim also reported that we have two or three new members that were going to attend the meeting tonight– Audrey asked how they heard of WAES–Jim said most are from our website.

   2-Jim stated that records needed to be kept and up-dated on the cage situation–what the rescue has available and where each one is located, if it is in storage, he has , or with a bird at a foster home. Jim wants everyone to know that the committee is in dire need of large cages as WAES has more birds than cages. Some foster families have purchased cages with their own monies. So anyone that should know of someone that is up-dating their own cage or getting rid of one (in good condition) to let him know and he will make sure it gets picked up.

   Chase commented we do seem to get a lot of calls from people from out of state. Jim stated he try’s to respond to each one of them either by e-mail, phone, or sending a letter.

   Audrey brought up another good way to gain membership is by participating in activities such as “Earth Jam” “Strut Your Mutt” or even at Tracy Aviary. Any place we can set up a booth or table, hand out our pamphlet’s and tell the public what WAES is all about and how we are trying to help the birds. Audrey also stated that working with the Humane Society on “Adopt a Pet Day”. Jim commented that someone at the Humane Society requested we put a flier up at their place of business so the public would know where to take their birds should the situation arise. It was also suggested that we put up a flier in some of the vet’s offices. Also said “do not mail” but hand deliver the flier and talk to the vet’s and help build the relationship. Also very important we get flier’s to the animal shelters in the Wasatch area.

   Jim asked that in conjunction to the flier’s that we place donation canister’s. Andrew Glasmacher will follow up with collection pick-ups at least once a month.

   Valerie/Vice President commented on how poor some of the past & present pictures of our rescue birds are and we need to up-date and make sure they are of better quality.

   Jim thanked everyone who has stepped up and helped with rescue and has seen such a better response than 6-8 months ago. We do have an influx of conures and will be picking up another one tomorrow- wish we could get more people enthused as they are such a cute bird with sweet personalities. Sandi Glasmacher offered to help put some short videos together for the web site highlighting different birds each month. Stated she and her husband have the equipment and experience for doing this.

   3-Chase stated he is still looking into moving our website to a new network as he is not very happy with the service from the past . Stated not real hard to do–just getting it done.

   Chase also has someone working on the finishing touches of WAES logo– Jim stated that if he can get a proof of what they want- he has the means in getting help making up the signs-posters-fliers, etc. He and Audrey thought it would be good to have one to post in the lobby for the nights we hold meetings, and at all the up-coming events.

   Susan asked about donations for the auction on the belly dance benefit. Get her the info and descriptions (pictures if possible) and values a/s/a/p.

   Sandy Glasmacher stated she is still trying to figure out her job/role in her office. seems like so many job’s cross over into each other and she will work hard to figure it out. Sandy also stated she has spoke with someone from Winder Farms, on providing our organization with free snacks. All they ask in return is for the representative to be able to hand out applications for home delivery for their company. There will be no pressure or making people feel uncomfortable. They would also be willing to donate for raffles etc. They do it for free, and it is worth trying at least one or two times. They offer milks, juices, cookies snacks, etc.

   Susan Kelley brought up the idea of doing a yard sale at her home in late spring early summer. Said she sits in a good area as there is a flea market at a drive in just a block or so away and that would generate a lot of traffic and hopefully business our way. Most stated that sounded like a good idea to them.

   Board meeting adjourned–to start regular meeting of “WAES”

   -Kathie Fowers/Secretary

Also, WAES is collecting molted parrot feathers for The Feather Distribution Project. If you'd like to donate some feathers, please seal them in a ziplock (airtight) baggie and bring them to the meeting!