BBGC Meeting Minutes 10/26/09

Nate Bell, Lisa Bell, and Norm McCaslin introduced themselves and outlined the possibility of a “passthrough” system where people could donate to the Custer County Foundation and specify that the money be set aside for the Green Coalition. It would be a separate equity account and contributions would be tax deductible. Account balance greater than $2,700 would earn interest. It would essentially be a tax exempt savings account. This would avoid a 501c3 for the Green Coalition.

It was mentioned that the Custer County Foundation could be listed as requesting funds from the New Belgium grants rather than the Green Coalition thus avoiding the 5013c issue. The Custer Foundation has approximately thirty other passthrough accounts. Bulldog Education out of Sargent was one example. Lisa Bell stated she would approach the board regarding this issue.

Deb McCaslin mentioned that the confidence that most people have in the Custer County Foundation would be more beneficial than any individual effort by the Broken Bow Green Coalition. Norm McCaslin mentioned that BBGC would need to determine at what monetary donation level “thank you’s” should be sent out and how may checks were expected in a given year.

The consensus was that further information would be required from the Custer County Foundation Board in order to work out the details of this arrangement. Rick Nelson questioned what the downsides of this arrangement might be, but none could be enumerated at the present time. Norm McCaslin noted that most of the investments made by the Custer County Foundation are in low risk CD’s and Savings accounts which are very low risk even in the current economic climate.

At this point Norm McCaslin and Deb McCaslin left the meeting.

Joan Birnie mentioned that Lonnie Koepke was interviewed on the radio in Indianapolis at the FFA convention and mentioned the upcoming recycling education and highway cleanup.

Rick Nelson and Cheryl Taylor reported that a few weeks ago it was Nebraska Public Power week and over 1,000 incandescent bulbs were replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs. That means that 6,000 bulbs have been replaced by Custer County. This would be about equal to taking 12 houses off of the grid.

Custer Public Power will be exhibiting at the Farm and Home Show in February 2010 giving out reusable shopping bags and replacing even more lightbulbs. Dave Birnie noted that perhaps the BBGC should have a booth at the Farm and Home Show and the group asked for ideas to be brought to the next meeting.

Kelly Flynn arrived at the meeting and reported that 3-7 plastic could still not be recycled due to a very depressed market, but the recycling education program is still scheduled to take place 11/4/09 at Broken Bow Public Schools.

There was brief discussion about applying for grants to buy the recycling program a second pickup truck and Shaleah Jones volunteered to write this grant proposal.

Finally, it was mentioned that the City Utility will do home energy audits and it was recommended that interested parties contact the city.

Assignments for next meeting include ideas for Farm and Home Show exhibit, finding a more accurate carbon footprint calculator, and ideas for possible projects needing funding now that a plan is in motion to accept tax deductible donations through the Custer County Foundation.

The next BBGC meeting is scheduled for 12/1/09 at 7 p.m., location to be announced. Follow @greenbrokenbow on Twitter for location updates.