D2Care

We are a recognized 501(c)(3), effective June 13, 2006.

What does this mean for us? We are required to file an annual report with the State of Delaware and the USA IRS, but we do not have to “pay taxes” on membership fees, donations, contributions, bequests, devices, transfers, or gifts.

What does this mean for you! If you choose to become a member or “donate” to D2Care, you can claim “donation” or “contribution” on your tax filings. 

What does this mean for the dogs? Most of the money brought in will be used to help pay for the rescue, vetting, and transport of deaf dogs to qualified individuals or rescues.  There will be overhead costs, such as the purchase of merchandise, the Charter Member Certificates, P.O. Box, etc., but once these become “routine” costs, the remainder is for the dogs.

By the way, eligible D2Care members are currently in the midst of elections for the first Full Board. You will find the names of the new Board on the website at the end of May.

Katrina
President, D2Care
www.d2care.org

President Katrina McGinnis called the meeting to order at 5:10 PM PST with all members present.

• Katrina McGinnis, President
• Lori Skinner, Vice President
• Jim Beckley, Secretary
• Myra Ellis, Treasurer
• Jennifer Laus
• Rhonda Champion
• Becca Incledon

The minutes of the previous Board meeting were posted to the Files section of the D2Care_Board Yahoo group web site, in the “Files” section for review and comment. No comments or revisions were offered, and the minutes were approved unanimously.

The Treasurer’s Year End Report was submitted to the Board on the D2Care_Board Yahoo group website by Myra. Questions concerning specifics of accounting were asked by Katrina and Jennifer and were answered. After discussion, the Treasurers Report was accepted as submitted.

The Marketing and Merchandising Committee Report submitted by Lori stated that the committee was waiting for the final logo design to be able to begin making decisions on merchandise to offer. In addition, Kim is looking into the cost of printed pencils. The report was accepted as submitted.

The reports of the Funding Committee and the Web Committee were submitted in combined form to the D2Care_Board site by Jennifer. The Funding Committee had nothing to report. Since the last Board Meeting, the Web Committee has continued to make steady progress. We’ve added a few new pages to the site, and have the Adopt-A-Dog area almost ready for take-over by its Committee. Getting ready for voting will probably be the next big project. The reports were accepted as submitted.

The Membership Committee Report was submitted by Katrina to the D2Care_Board site. The Membership Committee has been consulting with the Board on the upcoming elections. They are prepared to announce the beginning of election process once the Board gives it approval to move ahead. The first step is announcing that the Membership Committee is accepting applications for Board Candidacy. A preliminary time line was spelled out for the elections. Members: 47 sign ups 33 dues paid 4 pending 10 on hold (more than 30 days without paid dues) Katrina sent an e-mail letter to those on hold to be sure that we had not “lost” their dues. So far 3 have answered and said money is on its way. The Board accepted the report as submitted.

Old Business

1. Board involvement on committees. It was unanimously approved that a discussion would be held on the D2Care_Board list to determine the role of Board members on committees.
2. Policies to support the Bylaws. It was unanimously agreed that the appropriate committees and individuals would discuss Policy statements to support the Bylaws.

New Business

1. Elections for the next Board of Directors. After discussion, it was unanimously agreed to change the name of the Helping Deaf Dogs Yahoo group to D2Care_Members and give all current members of the group until February 15, 2007 to join D2Care. More discussion concerned the timeline for voting on the Board of Directors. February 15 deadline for dues in order to vote in the Board election. February 15 deadline also for Board candidate submissions. March 1 Board candidate applications will be posted to D2Care_Members and to D2Care.org. March 15 voting begins for the Board of Directors. March 26 a reminder to vote will be sent. If voting is by paper ballot, voting will end April 20, if electronic, on May 6. The proposed timeline for voting was approved unanimously.
2. Domain registration. This was placed on the agenda for Jennifer, who had gotten a renewal notice. No Board action was needed, but Jennifer would forward particulars to Myra for payment.

It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting.