HRN Annual Meeting Minutes

Feb 8, 2004

Attendance:

Meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.

Status Report: Suzanne reported that HRN had 147 adoptions in 2003, up from 125 in 2002. HRN continues to help Worcester ARL, Methuen, Boston and Brockton MSPCA, and Boston, Pembroke and Dedham ARL.

During their December fundraiser, Wignall Animal Hospital in Dracut held a Pictures with Santa event. HRN was presented with $1,200 in merchandise -- including gift certificates at Wignall Animal Hospital, Staples, Market Basket, and Dodge Animal Grain.

Education Events. HRN continued to appear at education events, including those in pet stores like PetCo and Especially for Pets. In addition, HRN appeared at Tufts Vet Expo. The 2004 event at Tufts is scheduled for September 11, 2004. PetCo in Topsfield has committed to having HRN its recipient for the Spring-A-Pet fundraiser, while PetCo in Plaistow has agreed to allow HRN to share the donations with another rescue group. Because of PetCo's commitment, HRN would like to be at their stores in March and April. Diane, Shannon, Jackie,Joan, Helena, Cornelia and Carol (for Sundays) have expressed a willingness to do an information day.

Grant Writing -- HRN received a $2,000 grant from PetCo in 2003. Marsha and Erin will work on grant writing. Marsha asked for trivia for writing of HRN grants.

Treasury -- There is $21,000 in the Treasury. All expenses have been paid. HRN is struggling with foster homes, and the foster home situation is not working out well. There are basically two large foster homes now. HRN, long range, is looking towards a physical shelter. While renting is a possibility, finding an old house in foreclosure is another possiblity. Thinking of renting 1,000 sq. ft. Woburn is a likely location because of tax benefits and proximity. Since HRN is years away from hiring personnel at the shelter, it would be totally run by volunteers. Thinking of looking in the Olympia Avenue area. Depending on how much space HRN could get, and its cost, a 2,000 sq. ft. facility would allow bunnysitting on premises. Carol, Katherine, and Suzanne are on the research committee.

Fundraising:
HRN Credit Card -- HRC has a credit card, where a percentage of each purchase goes to the charitable organization. Maura and John are to look into this.

Recycling Printer Cartridges -- Joanne Aja has set up HRN to receive $1 for every printer laser cartridge or color inkjet cartridge returned to Recycle First. Boxes and envelopes were provided to those members interested in participating.

Yankee Candle Sale and Bulb Sale. Two fundraisers running jointly in August. Jessica is coordinating the Yankee Candle sale while

Christine Bennett is in charge of the bulb sale. The possiblity of adding a link on the website to order candles on line was discussed.

Starbuck's Spring Event. Carol is organizing this.

Need for more advertising and fundraising was stressed.

Used Clothing Sale on E-Bay -- Maura will be in charge of this. There will be a link to e-Bay on HRN's website.

Calendar -- Carol suggested a professional photograph should come to take pictures of rabbits for the calendar. It was decided that this would work once HRN has a physical shelter. The need to improve the printing quality was also discussed.

Legal Issues -- Possibility of getting a release before a potential adopter looks at a rabbit. Jon is to look into this. Pro bono advice can be obtained the first Wednesday of every month from the Mass Bar.

WGBH Telethon -- Sunday, March 27, 3-7 p.m. Looking for HRN volunteers. Jessica Pearlman is coordinating this.

News Section on Website -- New section on News has been added to website. Info on the magazine, Rabbits USA, the Wignall donation, and Rabbits for Dummies (in which HRN is listed) are now on this page.

Hotline Help-- The Hotline is currently being answered by Kathie, Diane (weekends), Maura (Mondays), and Helena (Behaviorial Questions). Hotline should be checked at least once a day. Other volunteers for the Hotline were sought; but none were found.

Boston Cable TV. Carol will be appearing on Tales of Boston, on February 18th, Channel 9 in Boston.

Newsletter. Christine Bennett organizes the newsletter Shannon PDFs it. Request for more articles made.

Tax Receipts. If a volunteer has more than $250 of in-kind contributions, he would need a tax receipt from Suzanne. Need to keep receipts and driving records. Under $250, it is just a basic writeoff. Need no documentation.

Press Releases. Erin will be in charge of press releases. emccarthy@rcn.com

Board of Directors was elected: Suzanne, Cherryl, Carol, Helena and Maura.