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Group to Group, Organization to OrganizationDate: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 13:08:54 GMT From: "Teri Casper" To: bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu Subject: reporting percentages Hi, I am interested in finding out from the state bluebird societies, what percentage of your members send a monitoring report in. Also, what is the secret to increasing that percentage? Thanks, Teri Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2000 20:21:31 -0600 Hi, We would just like for all the bluebirders in Kentucky to know that a group of us have just recently organized and incorporated "THE KENTUCKY BLUEBIRD SOCIETY". We would like to hear from anyone that is interested. This is for the entire State of Kentucky. We are affilated with NABS. Our neighboring states have really been helping us to get Kentucky organized over the past few months. So come on all you Kentucky bluebirders let us hear from you. We would even like to hear from our neighbors too. If you have questions or comments please let us know: kybluebirds"at"hcis.net or bobivy"at"hcis.net. All for the bluebirds, Bob Ivy
Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2001 14:51:11 -0500 TO THE AFFILIATE GROUPS: In November 2000, the NABS' affiliate groups were sent a supportive form letter, as suggested by the NABS' Board of Directors, proposing that a commemorative stamp of the Western Bluebird be issued by the United States Postal Service. Many of you have already responded to our request. We ask that the other groups please review this letter as soon as possible. When approved and signed by a representative of your affiliate group, the form letter should be returned to Elsie Eltzroth, 6980 NW Cardinal Dr., Corvallis, OR 97330. This must be received by her NO LATER THAN 30 April 2001. Many thanks for your continuing support and assistance. Should you need further information/materials, please contact me at the email address shown above. Elsie Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 17:23:56 -0500 (Drum roll and trumpet blasts, please.) Soon "Texas Bluebird Society" will be a reality. If you live in Texas and are willing to be a part of starting a group in your city / region, please contact me. Please spread the word! And, thanks to all who have been a part of this effort by providing information and encouragement. When the organization is ready for members (probably next fall), I'll let you know. Thanks! Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 18:24:34 -0500 To Harold and all, Yes! Texas does have others on this list, but we are few and far between. In the past few months Texas postings have shown up from Bryan, Corpus Christi, Waco, Bandera, Dickinson, Silsbee, Dallas/Forth Worth area, Mount Pleasant, and Mountain City (no mountains). We're in the process of establishing a North American Bluebird Society affiliate - Texas Bluebird Society. It is anticipated that more than one chapter will have a "kick-off" next fall. This post is a reminder to all that a Texas organization is on its way!!!! Hurray! Hurray!! Hurray!!! Harold, I'll send an email directly to you on your other questions. Pauline Tom ----- Original Message ----- Hello i am new to the list . I have seen bluebirds pass through
my area From: "Pauline Tom" bluebirds"at"austin.rr.com Texas Bluebird Society was incorporated in September 2001 as a Texas non-profit corporation. This is the first and only NABS affiliate in Texas. The website, www.texasbluebirdsociety.org , includes a membership form as well as a form for those who wish to give a monetary gift to the organization in memory of someone or in honor of someone or a special occasion. Board of Directors: Pauline Tom, Keith Kridler, Marj Swies, Kate Oschwald, Lynne Warfield, David Shiels, Don Hutchings, Mark Klym, Doug Rohde, Mike Scarbrough Web Master: Laura Craig Pauline Tom From: "Gretchen Hughes" lghughes"at"
joink.com
To All, We are in the process of starting a new Bluebird Society, at present we are calling it the East Central Illinois Bluebird Society, We will hold an organizational meeting on April 6th. at the American Legion Home in Paris, IL. Anyone interested in attending, and or joining us in this endeavor call or e-mail us at: Loren Hughes\ Thanks From: "CJ Hazer" CeeJaaHzr"at"starband.net I've looked for a Bluebird society in my state (Missouri) but haven't found any. I'm new to the list and have fallen in love with Bluebirds. This happened when I found them occupying a nestbox we put out not 20 ft from our home. I watch them constantly. They have prompted many hours of study & research to learn all about them. I've become so obsessed that I want to start a Bluebird Society for my state. Can someone of experience in loving and helping these godly creatures give me sources for starting a society? I've joined the NA Bluebird Society. And have bookmarked many Bluebird sites. We're experiencing out first brood. We have 6 nestling (6 days old today). They all appear to be happy, healty and VERY well fed. We supply thick, juicy mealworms for Jack & Jill (mom & dad). Happy to be on the BLUEBIRD-L! From: "Pauline, Mountain City TX" bluebirds"at"austin.rr.com CJ in Missouri said "show me" ... (how to start a bluebird organization). I suggest we help by doing a "round-up" of bluebirders in Missouri. The most difficult part of getting a group organized in Texas was finding the people across Texas who wanted to be an integral part of an organization that they didn't know about. We searched for many months for Board Members. We found lots of avid bluebirders after we organized, but not before. (NABS is not a resource for names for start-up. NABS will provide one time member mailing labels for a new affiliate - that's AFTER the group has incorporated and taken some other first steps.) Let's help CJ (CeeJaaHzr"at"starband.net) find bluebirders in Missouri! Pauline Tom ----- Original Message ----- I've looked for a Bluebird society in my state (Missouri) but haven't found any. I've become so obsessed that I want to start a Bluebird Society for my state. Can someone of experience in loving and helping these godly creatures give me sources for starting a society? CJ & Doug Hazer Farmington, MO (60 miles So. of St. Louis) From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com You can read our newsletter at: http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/lbbs/lbbs.htm
Evelyn Cooper Bluebirds along the bayous......where we lend a helping hand! From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 16:28:15 -0500 (Central Daylight
Time) ... From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com From: "PTom" ptom"at"austin.rr.com ... From: "Fawzi P. Emad femad <at> fpemad <dot> com As you know, NABS stands for the North American Bluebird Society, but did you know this society started in Maryland? Yet today Maryland does not have a bluebird society. I would
like to get such a society started and associated with NABS.
I know there are many If you like to participate, please send me (privately) your name and phone number. Also, if you know any Marylanders not members of Bluebird-L who are interested, please send me their name and E-mail address. Hopefully we can all meet after dinner at a time and place to be decided later. Please complete the information below and E-mail to me. Name: Fawzi Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, Maryland Date: Sat, 04 Jan 2003 09:17:47 -0800 (PST) Well, I don't like to think alone so that is why I am on here asking my bluebird friends on Bluebird_L for ideas. It seems that O.B.S. is loosing many members while in other states, membership is growing fast. I have called and asked "no longer members" to ask why they didn't renew and I was told, once they learned the basics of bluebirding, why should they stay on as members? Unless they are really interested in bluebird conservation, people leave...so what are some ideas from this audience. Bill Robinson, the other Stark County coordinator, and I have started a successful Stark county bluebird club, with an average of 25 people in attendance. We move are quarterly meeting around Stark county in different interesting places to try to draw attendance. We do, but not enough of these people become members of our club(we encourage them to join, and the fee is used to join OBS too, so as not to take away from OBS, but help it to grow). I do the salesman thing, going door to door! , but not many have attended out meetings. The reason why people don't go to OBS meetings is because of distance, which I can possibly understand. So, I need help and suggestions here. Oh, anyone out there that would like to come as a speaker to
our meeting in March? I'd like to hear from someone. Darrell
in N.E. Ohio From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com I am very new at this. Our organization is seven months old. We are still growing and gaining members. (106) I have been told by several that when renewal time comes, this is the problem most organizations face. We have five very good projects we are involved in and supplied with nestboxes and predator guards and LBBS paid for it. I write to all our on-line members and tell them about it and also put it in the newsletter so that they see without their help we cannot do these things. One thing that helps us gain members is giving presentations to garden clubs, church groups and civic organizations. We have three scheduled within the next week. We have statewide meetings, but have one in the southern part and one in the northern part of the state, where membership is strongest. Of course more attend where they live. We have been discussing just this week about having only three meetings during the year and making them start at the beginning of nesting season and ending in September with our Annual Meeting. I would love to hear from some other organizations about this that have gone through the renewal period because we will be doing it also in about 5 months. Any advice to us fledging organizations is very much appreciated. Evelyn Cooper ... From: "PTom" ptom"at"austin.rr.com Like Louisiana Bayou Bluebird Society, Texas Bluebird Society is new. It will remain to be seen how effective we are in retaining members. Here are some of the ways we're trying. We're making renewals as easy as possible. Kate Oschwald sent our recent first renewal notices with member info already inserted on the form - so the member only had to insert the form in an envelope with their renewal check. Members have been recruited to become a part of a project larger
than what they could do by themselves even if they were the
most productive, knowledgeable bluebirder in Texas - "Bluebirds
Across Texas...one nestbox at a time". (It happens that
we have the most productive, knowledgeable We communicate a great deal electronically - providing a team to answer members' questions through www.answers"at"texasbluebirdsociety.org It seems most members want very few meetings - so we don't have lots of meetings. Our annual meeting is of extremely high calibre - enough so to make it worth driving an average of 4 - 5 hours. We offer a 2nd smaller meeting each year in one of the many regions in Texas - about once every 5 years members will have a quality meeting with a driving distance of less than 3 hours. We're developing educational and scientific projects to put members' dues to use. Many members (I think 20%) add a donation in with their dues. It's about commitment to a cause. Pauline Tom Bluebirds Across Texas...one nestbox at a time ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com I forgot to mention that we advertise, advertise, advertise our meetings and then we do a write up about them afterward. It has brought it many members. The papers have been wonderful to us working with us on articles and announcements. Evelyn Cooper ----- Original Message ----- ... From: sbassie"at"bellsouth.net Hi, Darrell, As our President of LBBS has already told you, it's advertise, advertise, advertise! Getting the word out about what your group is doing, when meetings are held, projects you have going, etc., is the best way to catch and retain people's interest. This doesn't have to cost any money, or very little. Most radio stations, local TV stations, and newspapers (especially smaller weeklies) have a community calendar and will happily list your meetings. One idea that has worked especially well for us was having individual members write up a short story about how they got started in bluebirding. We helped to polish it a bit when needed (and very little was needed!), and submitted them to local papers as press releases. Smaller papers, especially, like to run articles on local residents. This was a driving force in our start-up drive for members. We've had articles published about different members in papers all over the state. One of the articles I am most proud of was about our president. When I first talked her into doing it, my ultimate goal was the front page of the Sunday Accent section of the Monroe, La., Newstar, our regional daily. I didn't think it would go that far, but would have been well pleased with a weekday article. Imagine my surprise when we not only got the Sunday Accent front page, but the article was picked up by the Baton Rouge Advocate, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and 14 other weekly newspapers around the state! The story was even featured in the online editions of all three daily papers! That has provided publicity that has been invaluable to the growth of our organization. An added plus is that the papers now happily print articles about LBBS meetings and projects! Four other members have also had wonderful articles printed in daily and weekly newspapers, and all have helped to focus attention on our organization and it's goals. I am planning another push during the summer prior to our September renewal time, featuring other LBBS members. Hope this provides some new ideas. If I can help, feel free to contact me. Good Luck! Sheryl Cooper Bassi ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "suziq" lghughes"at"
joink.com
We were associated with the IL Audubon in what was called the
IL Bluebird Project for 2+ years. In that time we held workshops
several times a year in different parts of the state. At the
workshops we showed videos from the Stokes, answered questions
that non birders in attendance had, and proceeded to construct
a bluebird nestbox from the kit we had built. The charge for
the workshop ranged from $5 when we started to $8 at the last
one. The box was then taken home by the person who built it.
We almost always were asked when we would have another workshop.
Always, we picked up new members with these workshops. Our membership
jumped from around 60 members when we started to 180 in the
time we were associated with them. A lack of help from the Board
caused us to resign. Consequently, later on we started a new
society and many of the same members joined. we only contacted
a small portion of the state, and now have nearly 100 members.
Our board consists of new birders, but are doing a great job.
We have had two meetings, and had great turnouts. A workshop
is planned for later in the spring, and am sure more new members
will generate from that. Workshops and advertising plus flyers
posted in groc. store and other places where they are allowed
is a great way of getting the word out. There are always folks
out there that have never thought of having a nest box before.
Just my 2 cents worth about our success in gaining and keeping
the best members. If you have any questions about the kit, or
anything else, please fell free to contact us at any time. Best
of luck to all bluebirders, and keep them flying Loren Hughes--Pres.
ECIBS(East Central IL Bluebird Society) 1234 Tucker Beach Rd
Paris,IL 61944 217-463-7175 From: "Michael Wheatley" sialia"at"cyberdude.com Darrell: I am President of Friends of Seneca County Park District in Ohio, plus President of Toledo APICS. The Friends is only a couple years old, but we can seem to get more that 8 - 10 members and 5 - 6 people to a monthly meeting. Toledo APICS is 40 years old, we have 190 individual members and 10 corporate members. We are sometimes lucky to get 15 people to attend a monthly Professional Development Meeting, even though their employer usually pays for it. By all means advertise as much as possible. Use papers, radio stations, and any other media that you can. Use the free community service spots like community calendar, upcoming events, etc. The problem that I see is that the missing masses claim they
do not have enough time. I see it as T P. Time equals Priority.
Most of these individuals are filling their time with other
choices (the competition). Talk about the organization casually,
as much as practical. Make the group as familiar to the general
masses as possible. People must change their priorities themselves,
but you can help. Mike in NW OH From: "paul kilduff" plkldf"at"hotmail.com Paul Kilduff, Baltimore MD Loren Hughes said: We were associated with the IL Audubon in what was called the
IL Bluebird Project for 2+ years. In that time we held workshops
several times a year in different parts of the state. At the
workshops we showed videos from the Stokes, answered questions
that non birders in attendance had, and proceeded Here in MD, we have no bluebird society. A couple of us have been talking about it, but we begin to wonder what the point is. Is it an outreach effort? We think of the time involved, and reaction has been lukewarm from bluebirders in MD. I wonder if listservs and the web have not supplanted a lot of the original purpose for such societies? What think? Here are a couple of specific questions: 1) what are dues used to pay for? 2) what purpose does the society serve? 3) parenthetical third question: (what does the TX bbs do to make it worth people's while to drive four hours?) :o) best, From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com Hey, I am not in Texas, but I have a lot of excited LBBS members!!! We have wonderful speakers at our meetings and we get to meet new bluebirders and see old friends and talk to our hearts content about Bluebirds! Our dues are used to pay postage for letters and newsletters to members, printing newsletters, speakers, cost of printing handouts, certificates, cost of meetings. Our dues are very low priced. Our mission statement says what we are all about. We strive to help the propagation of Bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds and to educate young and old alike, and so far, we have having a ball doing it!!!!!! Evelyn Cooper ... From: "PTom" ptom"at"austin.rr.com Paul Kilduff asked: (what does the TX bbs do to make it worth people's while to drive four hours?) Well ... not everyone drove four hours to Texas Bluebird Society's annual meeting ("Celebration of Texas Blues"). Some drove 7 hours. 2 or 3 drove only 30 minutes. (No one was local in the central location.) For the Friday night & Saturday event, most members (except those 2 or 3 nearby) also had the cost of two nights lodging. It had to be worthwhile. For most, the "favorite" part was our ongoing (during breaks) Silent Auction with a large array of (mostly bluebird related) donated items put together by Doug Rohde. It raised $800. Also during breaks we had a House Sparrow Help Desk manned by Kate Oschwald - with assorted traps displayed. And, Keith Kridler sold Kridler-built nestboxes (he donated LOTS of them) and signed copies of "The Bluebird Monitor's Guide". Keith kicked off the event on Friday night with slide show presentation - "For the Love of Bluebirds". He couldn't hide his passion for bluebirds if he tried. We were pumped! Saturday included Nature Walk; research & development presentation by David Shiels on the "HeatShield"; sessions "Bluebirds Year Round", "Backyard Photography", "Bats" (Central Texas is famous for bats), "Media Relations - Tips from an Insider", and John Cys' report on his trail at a state park. After a bigTexas BBQ dinner & the awarding of (donated) door prizes, Steve Garr gave the keynote address, "Bluebirds ... not just for the country", telling how he brought bluebirds to nest in the shadows of downtown Nashville and giving hope to urban Texans. It was like a mini-NABS Convention. We laughed. We shared bluebirder
comraderie. We learned. We had fun. (Within the next few days
our January newsletter will be posted on our website - with
color photos and related Speaking of North American Bluebird Society Convention... It's early this year. March 20 - 23 in Kearney, NE (during the great Sandhill Crane migration). See [www.nabluebirdsociety.org] for details, including agenda & registration form. Many who post on Bluebird-L attend NABS Conventions. ... I was hooked after my 1st convention two years ago. Texas will host NABS Convention in 2006. Yippee! Pauline Tom Bluebirds Across Texas...one nestbox at a time Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 09:21:27 -0600 The Board of Directors of Texas Bluebird Society conducts a lot of business on-line, and would like to do more. I have been reading Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised and confirmed what many have said, that conducting business on-line does not conform to the Rules, unless Special Rules of Order and Standing Rules are written to cover it. We do not have the necessary clauses in our by-laws or special rules, so we are in the position of drafting some, to allow us to comply with our by laws and get more accomplished than is possible by meeting once or twice a year. For those of you in state NABS affiliates, do your by laws cover doing business on-line, or do you conduct all official business in your actual board meetings, as I believe NABS does? If anyone has the necessary clauses in their by laws or has the necessary special rules written to cover on-line business, I would like to hear from you. Please e-mail me privately rather than adding to the number of Bluebird-L e-mails. I would appreciate any help any of you could give us Kate Arnold From: Bruce Burdett, blueburd"at"tds.net Someone sent me a clipping from the Hartford (CT) Courant about a Bluebird restoration program in Connecticut. This project is being carried out, not by individuals or clubs, but by the state's Dept of Environmental Protection (DEP) . The program began in the early 1980s. They are offering free lumber bundles (15 -20 boxes per bundle), fact sheets, and box plans. DEP has a website: www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife The free materials are being given out only to established roups - school groups, 4-H clubs, nature centers, civic organizations - but anyone interested may write to: DEP Wildlife Division Wildlife Diversity Program P.O.Box 1550 Burlington CT 06013-1550 The article mentions that Bluebird populations are on the rise in the state, and that every town now has them. It said that Bluebird numbers had "declined dramatically" through the early 1980s. You can probably get a copy of the article by writing to the Hartford Courant, c/o Don Stacom, Staff Writer, who wrote the piece. It's encouraging to hear about a STATE's taking an interest in Bluebird restoration. Bruce Burdett SW NH "Bet Zimmerman" The point of contact is Geoffrey Krukar.... They do an annual publication that they send out to folks who request lumber, with postcards to report bluebird nesting results. I think it goes into a database that isn't accessible. They have a nice little factsheet on EABLs at http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife/factshts/bbird.htm. Does anybody know why CT doesn't have a NABs affiliated program? Bet From: Haleya Priest, mablue"at"gis.net Bet, CT doesn't have an affiliate group simply because no one has started one! However, the MBA is considering expanding to include all of New England. If anyone in CT, RI etc are interested, contact me. We do have members from all of New England, but this would involve changing names, expanding the board, meetings, etc. Haleya Priest President, Mazzzchusetts Bluebird Association ... [Note from webmaster: there used to be a tri-state program involving MA, CT but it was disbanded.) From: PTom, ptom"at"austin.rr.com [in response to a question about whether it costs anything to participate in Bluebird_L/NABS.] There is no cost to be a participant in Bluebird-L. Bluebird-L is owned by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's Birdhouse Network and provided through their generosity. The Birdhouse Network (TBN) jointly manages Bluebird-L with the North American Bluebird Society (NABS). You do not have to be a member of NABS or of Cornell's Birdhouse Network or a NABS' affiliate to participate on Bluebird-L. But, since you mentioned NABS, as chairman of the NABS Membership Committee, I do extend a warm invitation for you to join NABS. Dues are $20 year which includes a subscription to the "Bluebird" journal and makes you a part of a continent-wide bluebird conservation effort ... something bigger than any individual or any state organization. (see www.nabluebirdsociety.org for a membership form). The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, the entity that provides this free service, offers membership in their The Birdhouse Network (TBN). If you are willing to keep detailed nesting records while supporting bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds, I invite you to join me and many others on this list as a TBN member. (see http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/signup.html ) The cost is $15/year and NABS members receive a 20% discount. Some of us are also active in the community of bluebirders within our state or area through a NABS "affiliate" organization. There is a list of affiliates and their contact information on the NABS website. There are many ways to be involved in and support bluebird conservation, education and research. Some who participate in Bluebird-L are not a member of any of the associated entities. Some are members of many. By the way, in July there'll really be a unique time with lots of us coming together in person. The NABS Annual Convention will be held in Ithaca NY, home of Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (see www.nabluebirdsociety.org) It'll be a wonderful time of putting voices and faces with printed names! Pauline Tom Mountain City (no mountains) TX From: June Witkowski, jnbt2912"at"juno.com Here's a reminder that the 7th annual Great Backyard Bird Count starts this Friday, February 13, and runs through Monday, the 16th. The event is run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon, with sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited stores. All of us would like to make that point that we need all of you - and your friends, family, schoolmates, business associates, dry cleaner, car salespeople, in short, everyone! - to take part in this event. Just count birds on any or all of the count days and send them over the Internet to www.birdsource.org/gbbc. You'll find cool maps and tables that are updated almost instantly, so you can see how your observations contribute to the continentwide perspective. View bird images and sounds, and life history information. There's even a section at the web site just for teachers and other educators, as well as for birders of all skill levels. The Top Ten lists are always a hit. This year, we have several new features, one to help people learn how to create habitat out of their yards, and another to encourage families to make birding part of their everyday life. To the Canadians who are part of this list: We really need Canadian participation, as birds no know boundaries. With the current winter finch invasion, it will be interesting to see what the distribution maps look like, extending through Canada to wherever they are, farther south. We appreciate any help you can provide to get the word out about the count (please forward this blurb to any listservs for which it would be appropriate - I'd appreciate it if you would cc Jenny Smith on that, so we can track publicity efforts - and to thank you personally for your help). Print materials from the web site to distribute throughout your town or city. Get your kids' classrooms involved. It's fun, easy, and helps build our database of continentwide bird distribution and abundance. If you read articles about GBBC in your local newspapers, magazines, bird club newsletters, the Internet (anywhere!), we would appreciate receiving clippings (or photocopies) of the articles. Our visitors love to read them, and we will include them in our media packet which is presented to our Board of Directors. To all of you who have participated in the past, and who help spread the word, thanks so much! Keep it going! Allison Wells From: Larry A Broadbent, rockets"at"mnsi.net Dear NABS Affiliates, I'm looking into forming a new Bluebird Organization for the Province of Ontario. I'm currently a member of the Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society (OEBS). http://www.ontarioeasternbluebirdsociety.org/ But the OEBS has fallen asleep at the wheel. I feel that a new Bluebird Organization for the Province of Ontario is needed. Thus I'm forming the Ontario Bluebird Society, which I will seek NABS Affiliation. I'd greatly appreciate it if any NABS affiliates who put our their own printed newsletters, would consider sending me a copy of their current newsletter? They would be nice to have for reference when it comes time to do our own Ontario Bluebird Society newsletters. Regards, Ontario Bluebird Society (OBS) Larry A Broadbent 301-388 Park Ave E Chatham, ON N7M 3W3 Canada Ph: (519) 351-6988 E-mail rockets"at"mnsi.net From: Evelyn Cooper I have in my hands at the moment what looks like an NABS newsletter that one of LBBS members gave to me as he is one of the very first to join NABS back then. It does have the picture of the 1977 map of all bluebirds and shows it was in the National Geographic that year. In the newsletter there is an article entitled "Bluebird Trails: A New Beginning! On the front of it is a photo by Lawrence Zeleny and a caption "Where Have All The Bluebirds Gone?". I love this little newsletter. I say we have come a long way and it is because of hardworking, dedicated bluebirders! LBBS wishes Maryland much success with their new society and we are always there to lend a "Helping Hand". Evelyn Cooper Delhi, LA From: Phil Berry, mrtony8"at"mchsi.com Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 1:16 PM du Subject: Re: New Maryland Bluebird Society! congratulations to fawzi and the others who put their hard work in to the organization of the maryland bluebird society. may it turn out to be a huge success. i personally know how difficult it is to encourage others to organize a working group to further bluebirding. most are content to visit boxes and count numbers, or have the "first egg" or whatever. this is above and beyond. Phil Berry From: "Betty Faye Lawton" Bruce, Does NH have an EABL organization? One associated with a national one? BFaye in Laconia, NH From: Bruce Burdett, blueburd"at"tds.net Betty Faye, et al, The only Bluebird organization that I know of in NH is me (I). My NH Bluebird Conspiracy is not an organization in the usual sense, since I'm the only person in it. NABS made a big exception in my case and made me an affiliate. I do two things, basically. I mail out my free information /suggestion packet to anyone who requests one (2807 so far), and I maintain and monitor 72 houses (36 pairs of houses) in the town of Sunapee. I suppose you might say that the Conspiracy has 2807 members, but that would be something of an exaggeration. I'd like to think that maybe 200 recipients of my packet really became serious Bluebirders, and that would be enough for me. If you hear of any other Bluebird "organization" in NH, please let me know From: Maynard R Sumner, m-r-sumner"at"juno.com To all who would like to know we are having a Bluebird Festival at Jackson, MI. The festival is at Jachson Community College and the activities can be viewed at www.dahlemcenter.org Maynard Sumner Flint, MI From: ke4fej1"at"email.msn.com And I have two people who want to just Volunteer to do anything!!!!!! Isn't that something. One lady lives across from one of our Golf Courses and jumped at the chance to take over the Monitoring there, and was there the next morning getting ready to start her new project. She also may be the one to follow up on our other 5 golf courses. The other person is on the lookout for materials for us to use, and possibly finding funds for the 4-H Bluebird Booklet for the Gainsville printing fund. The news article did put out to the public asking for $5,000.00 for the 4-H Printing find to print the project book I wrote for them. And I have heard checks have been being sent in! I know I have over $1500.00 from before...so will be interesting to see if we can finish this part of our project. So back to building... I have an individual from Tampa/Hillsborough County coming tomorrow to pick up a Trail...and check out our web site to see our eggs/birds and babies hatched and fledged You know I love numbers, cause I don't actually see the birds, but I am too busy to count now. Christy Sarasota, FL "Not Bluebirdless in South Florida" From: Z28l981991"at"aol.com [mailto:Z28l981991"at"aol.com] From: Tina Phillips [mailto:cbp6"at"cornell.edu] Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 12:24 PM Subject: 2 -FOR-1 OFFER THE BIRDHOUSE NETWORK YES, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE BIRDHOUSE NETWORK (TBN) FOR 2004 AND 2005 FOR ONLY $15 Name _______________________________________________________ Organization __________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ City________________________ State ____________ Zip _____________ Are you a Lab member? ___ Yes ___ No 2-FOR-1 Offer (2004 and 2005): $ 15.00 Tax Deductible contribution to benefit ongoing research $ Total amount enclosed: $ Please charge $_______to my credit card: Check one: ____MasterCard _____VISA ___Discover _____American Express Card number: _________--__________ -- __________ Expiration date: _________________________ Your signature __________________________________________ Send the completed form (and a check payable to The Birdhouse Network, if not paying by credit card) to: The Birdhouse Network P.O. Box 11 Ithaca, NY 14851-0011. Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 16:08:21 -0400 From: Cher [mailto:bluebirdnut"at"a-znet.com] Here's an update on the "Help The Hurricane-Homeless Blues" project: I've been in communication with a noted Bluebird conservationist and nestbox supplier, who has agreed to help by supplying nestboxes at a reduced rate. The commission from the sale of the 2005 Bluebird Calendar will be used to offset the costs involved in getting these nestboxes to trail owners and monitors in Florida and other hurricane-affected areas of the south who have lost some or all of their boxes to this year's storms. If the project is very successful, we may even be able to help with the costs of mounting and baffling supplies. It's all up to the Bluebird Community. Please pass this information on to anyone who may be interested, along with this link to to the webpage which outlines the basics of this campaign: http://www.bluebirdnut.com/bluebird_gift_shop.htm There are links on this page directing to where the calendar can be purchased online; also information on bulk pricing and purchasing, and contact information to let us know about trails that may be in need of assistance. If you wish to go directly to the online shop, please follow the link in my signature; once in the shop, enter the "True Blue" section, and the calendar is about halfway down on the right-hand side. ...our own Wendell Long was one of the contributors to this project (see the July photo). ... Another contributor -- I didn't realize they were a List subscriber until I looked back at my archive of List mail -- is Ruth Edwards. Her photo was a winner in one of our Bluebird Photo contests, and it appears on the April calendar page. George Watson, who contributed our November photo, took the prize in another one of our Bluebird Photo contests; I don't believe I've ever seen him post to the List, although he may subscribe (hello there, George, if you're out there). Cher www.BluebirdNut.com - Dedicated to Bluebird Awareness and Education www.BluebirdNutCafe.com - Bluebird Discussion Forum From: JOHN & BARBARA SIBIO [mailto:jsibio"at"comcast.net] What a great idea for those holiday gifts we buy for neighbors, teachers, etc. This just solved that tiresome shopping problem for me, and it will help the Bluebirds too! Barbara in Cloverdale, CA From: Cher [mailto:bluebirdnut"at"a-znet.com] ... From: Evelyn Cooper [mailto:emcooper"at"bayou.com] [Note from webmaster: questions from Dottie Roseboom in lower case, Evelyn's responses in upper case.] Since it's off-season & quiet, could you give us some details on what your publicity looked like? We have a state society, too, and picking up new members at the front end as old ones drop off the back is challenging. Did you do newspaper articles? If yes, in statewide papers or townwide? Did you design Posters? (And if posters, where did you hang them?) Can you describe which tactics gave the best return? I WILL TYPE IN CAPS SO IT IS EASY TO SEE MY RESPONSE. AT THE VERY BEGINNING, I WROTE AN ARTICLE ON MY LOVE FOR THE EABL AND HOW I GOT STARTED. I GAVE SOME GOOD INFO ON SEVERAL THINGS ABOUT ENTICING AND MONITORING THEM. MY DAUGHTER, SHERYL BASSI, SENT IT IN AS A PRESS RELEASE TO MONROE, LA NEWS STAR THAT COVERS A LARGE PART OF NORTHERN LA. THEY CALLED ME AND CAME OUT AND TOOK PICTURES OF ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER BESIDE A NESTBOX. THE OTHER PAPERS IN THE STATE PICKED IT UP AND IT COVERED THE STATE. MARY JANE SHEARER AND HER HUSBAND, ED, WERE HELPFUL IN THIS AS HE WORKS FOR A NEWPAPER AND KNOWS MANY IN LA. THEN, WE GOT BUSY AND WROTE ARTICLES ON SEVERAL OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE AND THE PAPERS RAN STORIES ON THEM. THEY WERE SO VERY NICE. IT BROUGHT IN MANY MEMBERS. OUR BLUEBIRDER OF THE YEAR'S (KENNY I GET TO KNOW THE NEWSPAPER PEOPLE AND MAINTAIN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP. WE PUT OUT FLYERS THE FIRST MEETING, BUT FOUND OUT THE FREE ADVERTISEMENT IN THE NEWSPAPERS IS REALLY ALL WE NEED. I GIVE PRESENTATIONS MANY TIMES DURING THE YEAR AND NEARLY EVERYTIME PICTURES ARE MADE AND THEY SEND THEM TO THEIR PAPER. JUST RECENTLY, ONE WAS IN THE MONROE NEWS STAR WHERE I SPOKE TO A GRADEN CLUB IN JONESBORO, LA. I SPOKE FOR EAST ASCENSION SPORTSMAN'S LEAGUE IN GONZALES, LA (South LA)IN AUGUST AND THEY PUT THE STORY AND A PICTURE IN THEIR MONTHLY MAGAZINE. I ALWAYS PUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF OUR MEETINGS IN PAPERS STATEWIDE AND THEN DO A FOLLOW-UP WRITE UP. MOST TIMES IT BRINGS IN NEW MEMBERS. I SAY YOU CANNOT ADVERTISE TOO MUCH. PEOPLE LOVE TO READ ABOUT BIRDS, THE BLUEBIRDS AND BLUEBIRDERS! Do you have annual conferences? (We put on some really nice ones but we were the only attendees -- except for the last one where the two organizers really hustled on publicity. What helped them, too, was that they held it at a Mass Audubon sanctuary, so walk-by/poster-reading patrons were already 'half down the road.') WE HAVE A SPRING MEETING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER. WE MEET IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE FOR ONE AND THE NORTHERN PART FOR THE OTHER ONE. WE TRY TO FIND GOOD SPEAKERS. WE ALSO HELP PAY THEIR EXPENSES. THE NESTBOX WORKSHOPS HAVE BEEN A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS. WE GIVE A YEAR'S COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIP WITH THE NESTBOX. THEY ARE SO MUCH FUN! I'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH WONDERFUL NESTBOX KIT CUTTERS AND INSTRUCTORS. I'VE HAD THREE GARDEN CLUBS TO CONTACT ME TO DO ONE FOR THEIR ORGANIZATION. I'VE ALREADY DONE ONE AND 13 OUT OF THEIR 19 MEMBERS JOINED US. ONE LADY ALREADY PUT UP HER NESTBOX AND CALLED EXCITED TO HAVE BLUEBIRDS GOING IN AND OUT OF IT. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE STAY ONLY ONE YEAR, BUT WE'VE GAINED MANY WONDERFUL MEMBERS THROUGH IT. ONE I CAN THINK OF IS A BOARD MEMBER ALREADY AND A FINE ONE. We'd really enjoy a back-&-forth on this topic; we couldn't be the only group struggling with it? LBBS HAS BEEN SO BLESSED WITH WONDERFUL TALENT AND A SUPER BOARD TO WORK WITH. THEY ARE JUST THE BEST! AND THEY WORK HARD! AT FIRST, I WONDERED HOW A LARGE ROOM OF PEOPLE (AT A MEETING) THAT DID NOT KNOW EACH OTHER WOULD REACT AMONG THEMSELVES. WELL, I SOON FOUND OUT. ONE LADY ALWAYS HAS HER WHISTLE WITH HER AND SHE ALWAYS HAS TO BLOW IT TO STOP THEM FROM TALKING SO WE CAN GET ON WITH THE PROGRAM. I NAMED HER THE OFFICIAL WHISTLE BLOWER! WE HAVE A GOOD TIME! WE DONATE "THE BLUEBIRD MONITOR'S GUIDE" TO PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES ACROSS THE STATE. WE ALSO ESTABLISH TRAILS ACROSS THE STATE. WE HAVE SOME IN STATE PARKS. ONE WE ARE WORKING ON NOW IS THE JIMMIE DAVIS STATE PARK IN JONESBORO, LA. HE WAS A FORMER GOVEROR. OUR NEWEST ENDEAVOR IS THE KLEINPETER DAIRY BLUEBIRD TRAIL MONTPELIER LOUISIANA WHERE WE ARE PUTTING UP 200 NESTBOXES. WE WILL ADD MORE AS IT DEVELOPS. I HAVE PAINTED 30 BOXES WITH BLUEBIRDS ON THEM TO PUT ON THE FRONT PART OF THE DAIRY TRAIL. (MR. BEN KLEINPETER LIKED MY BLUEBIRDS) THE DAIRY CONDUCTS TOURS AND HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AND OTHERS WILL TOUR OUR TRAIL. KENNY K WILL BE MONITORING AND MAINTAINING THE TRAIL. I THINK A GOOD WEBSITE IS A GREAT ASSET TO ANY ORGANIZATION. WE STARTED OUT SMALL, BUT NOW HAVE A WONDERFUL SITE AND WEBMASTER, KENNY K. HEY, THANKS FOR ASKING, I LOVE TO TALK BB'S AND LBBS!!! Evelyn Cooper From: Evelyn Cooper [mailto:emcooper"at"bayou.com] Dottie, I get so excited talking about our organization, it may have come across that we have no problems and I am bragging. (our organization is very young) However, the problem part is in every organization and the bragging part, I plead guilty. I don't think I addressed the question about publicity "for towns". Yes, we do both towns and state for every paper that we can. I have several town and city papers that can forward it on to other small town papers for me. One of our biggest concerns is having people really interested and dedicated for years down the road. It is a fact that 90% of our organization just pay dues (for which I am very grateful). However, it will take more than that to keep it going in the future. Have you all had this problem? One situation that is hard to deal with is someone will come up with an idea that would not be in the best interest of the organization (I mean lead it WAY down the wrong path) and it takes up so much time hashing it out, seeking advice on it and trying to soothe ruffled feathers. Some get mad and won't help anymore. So, you just have to carry on. So far, we've have been blessed to have someone to fill those places and work hard. This is my first ever experience working and dealing with people of this magnitude. I have found there are a few that whine and have their eyes on themselves and take the president's precious time about it. Then, there are those that have their noses to the grindstone and never complain or expect praise. There are never enough words to give these people praise for all their hard work. If it were not for these that stay with it and continue to work hard, we would not be where we are. One recent example is the untiring efforts of the men working very hard to cut out nestboxes for the Kleinpeter Dairy Trail and get them ready to transport this week in order that they can begin to be put up for the nesting season. Putting up the trail will be a major undertaking and hard work. LBBS is so proud of it. People that work like that are priceless!!! So, I say to any Bluebird List members that are members of organizations, think about it and find a place that you can help in your society!! There is a place and a talent needed just about anywhere there. If you are not a member, please consider helping in your state. They need you! Thanks for listening,(reading) Evelyn Cooper Delhi, LA From: Evelyn Cooper [mailto:emcooper"at"bayou.com] LBBS has had such a good week, I have to share or I would burst. We have two new lifetime members and a corporate membership. (our first corporate membership). One day this week when I went to the P.O., there was a membership from a man in Clinton, Arkansas joining our organization. This is our second from ARK. We also got 175 nestboxes completed and transported to Baton Rouge for the big trail at Kleinpeter Dairy Farm Trail that is now under construction. Kenny K reported to me yesterday that he saw Bluebirds flying around close to the trail. We have the prospect of having several native cavity nesters on this trail and it is exciting! I am still amazed at the infancy of knowledge about Bluebirds in our state and how to monitor them. Our work has really just begun. I encourage you to get involved in an organization and help in any way you can. Most people don't realize what a desperate need for help in just about every phase of bluebird work there is for people in our organizations. I know we want our organization to be top notch, and it takes that sort of folks to make it that way, hard working, dedicated people. I get the impression that there are lots like this on the Bluebird List. Join a society today, help the Bluebirds and help the society do it!!!!! Evelyn Cooper Delhi, LA From: Torrey [mailto:torrey_canyon "at"yahoo.com] The Kalamazoo Nature Center is currently collecting data for the 2nd edition of the Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas. (It's exactly what it says it is, a big book of maps that show where birds nest.) The 1st one was done about 20 years ago, & lots of stuff has changed. All your observations of cavity nesters (EABL, TRES, whatever) would be greatly appreciated. Plus, if you keep track of the birds you hear while you're checking your boxes, we'd also like that info. (For instance, if you hear a Field Sparrow in the same place a week apart, that bird probably bred there.) If you're interested, please e-mail John Brenneman at miatlas "at"naturecenter.org A couple other projects we coordinate are the herp atlas (just like the bird atlas, only with frogs, snakes, salamanders, etc) and the winter bird feeder survey (people record the birds at their feeder once a month & mail us back a form). For the herp atlas, e-mail Ray Adams at radams "at"naturecenter.org For the winter feeder survey, e-mail Connie Ferguson at cferguson "at"naturecenter.org WARNING: Our e-mail system has been kinda funky for a couple of weeks now. It might be safer to call. 269/381-9738 Thank you for all the great things you do for the bluebirds, & thank you even more if you can help out with our projects. Torrey Moss Kalamazoo Nature Center Kalamazoo, MI From: Cher [mailto:BluebirdNut "at"a-znet.com] Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 9:02 AM Subject: Newsletter, and Hurricane-Bluebird Calendar update I wanted to tell you all about some interesting things going on around here. The Bluebirds have not showed their little beaks since early September, so I've had to do other things to keep myself busy. I've started a Bluebird Newsletter. Some of you may already have subscribed, and if so, thanks! It is evolving and growing with every issue; with the help of our subscribers and others, it will contain some interesting articles and news items each month, along with links to some fun, interesting, and useful stuff. This link will take you the newsletter sign-up page at Bluebirdnut.com -- it gives instructions for subscribing, and a link to a sample newsletter. I never publish, share, sell, trade, or otherwise disclose my subscriber's names or e-mail addresses to any third parties. http://www.bluebirdnut.com/Bluebird_Newsletter.htm Other good news: We've sold almost enough Bluebird calendars to send those first 100 nestbox kits down to the folks in Florida! Just a few more to go, and the kits will be on their way! For anyone who was thinking of purchasing a calendar but hasn't yet, I have obtained a limited number of them at a reduced price through a "shopkeeper" special, and I'm making them available to my Bluebird friends at a significant discount. The discount won't affect the amount that goes to help the Hurricane-Homeless Blues. That remains the same -- 100% of my proceeds from the calendars goes to the trail rebuilding efforts. Please reply to me personally at my address for more information. -- From: Gretchen Hughes [mailto:lghughes"at"
joink.com
] ...I wanted to tell you about the memorial boxes that our Lincoln Trail
Audubon Chapter ( of the IL Audubon Society) are putting up as a memorial
to the members who have passed away. Also, I would like to invite anyone who is interested to attend our spring conference. It will be on April 16th, 2005, at the Ballard Nature Center (www.ballardnaturecenter.org) Steve Garr, Pres. of NABS will be the principal speaker, "Bluebirds, Not just for the country" ,and Mary Hennen of the Field Museum of Chi. Will also be presenting a program on the falcons. For registration information, contact us. Registration is only $10.00 which includes a catered lunch. Loren Hughes-Pres. East Central IL Bluebird Society |
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