Dear BICO Enthusiasts,

There were several new faces at the May 14, 2007 BICO General Meeting, and I would like thank everyone that attended the meeting. At the meeting, we discussed topics of interest to BICO, learned a couple of new games, and planned outings. All of these activities are reflected in these meeting minutes.

The next BICO General Meeting is planned for Monday, JULY 16, 2007 at 7:30 pm at Bob Burchard’s home. Please mark your calendars.

Sincerely,

Bob Iacovazzi, Jr.

BICO Chair

We planned and executed eight outings since the last general meeting in March...thanks to our dedicated volunteers.

Bob Burchard and Bob Iacovazzi represented BICO at the "Do Something" event organized by Volunteer Central on April 11th. At this event, six agencies that serve Baltimore youth were introduced to about 30 interested volunteers through "speed dating" and agency brainstorming activities.

Angela Buffington and Bob Burchard represented BICO at the Baltimore Eco Festival on May 5th.

Bob Burchard arranged a First Aid/CPR training that was attended by six volunteers. Also, two other volunteers attended training that they scheduled for themselves. Thus, this means that eight people became re-certified or certified in First Aid/CPR.

We are working to get caught up on reimbursements and other financial obligations. Progress is being made. Lindsay Major Ringgold, currently our interim Treasurer, is now listed on the bank account as of last week and has received checks. She has started the process of reimbursing people who are owed money. She plans to give guidance regarding reimbursement procedures in the near future.

BICO received the $700 ICO National Nathan Grant, as well as a $5,000 grant from the Macht Foundation...Thank you, Bob Burchard.

Bob Buchard is currently working on $2,000 and $15,000 grants from ICO National per the Annandale Foundation and Knott Foundation respectively. In addition, he has submitted a $5,000 grant request to the Chesapeake Bay Trust for the Patuxent River Sojourn (DHHS six-day trip down the Patuxent River).

Christina Barnett, a senior at McDonogh High School in Owings Mills, plans to complete her senior project by volunteering 75 hours of community service for BICO!

Some time during the evening was spent discussing BICO volunteer retention. Angela Buffington made the group aware that BICO attracts at least 100 new volunteers in a year, but few ever go on an actual outing, and even fewer commit for the long term. Given this, she suggested that BICO focus on volunteer retention, and not finding new places to advertise. She also brought up that many volunteers who have stayed long term have come to BICO by word of mouth from other volunteers!

• Global Warming Challenge and Climate Change Tag – Bob Iacovazzi introduced the group to these two new games. The Global Warming Challenge is an interactive game based on a list of suggested lifestyle changes that people can make to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The participants have to first state whether or not a given lifestyle change will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and then they have to explain why or why not. For each correct answer, a small amount is taken off projected 100-year global temperature change values.

• Climate Change Tag is a game where participants act as elements of the earth global radiation budget, which include sun and earth radiation, ice sheets, clouds, and greenhouse gases. For more information regarding the game, please contact Bob.

Please send your trip reports from your most recent team outings to Bob Iacovazzi at

bicobob3@copper.net.

Please inform Bob of your van reservation requests early for the summer outings, to ensure that you get a van.

Please tag, and make the Gear Master aware of, gear that is broken. Bob Klasen is our current Gear Master, at least until the end of May.

July 16, 2007 at 7:30 pm. The meeting is to be hosted by Bob Burchard.

From Catonsville: Drive south on South Rolling Road to the Wilkens

Ave. traffic light. Turn left and travel 0.5 miles to Rambling Drive.

Note - 913 Rambling Drive is the 7th house on the left.