Dear BICO Enthusiasts,

Thank you to all that attended the July 16, 2007 BICO General Meeting. Many topics of great interest to BICO were discussed at length, which are reflected by these meeting minutes.

I would like to thank Bob Burchard for hosting the meeting and Jessica Walbridge for taking and typing up a draft of the minutes.

The date of the next BICO General Meeting is TBD. Please look out for future meeting announcements.

Sincerely,

Bob Iacovazzi, Jr.

BICO Chair

New members who have completed and fulfilled their Volunteer requirements: Thomas Askey, Margo Becker, Samantha Corbin, Dave Huber, and Chelle Tucker!

New Certified Leaders: Laurie Delaney and Marvin Gutierrez completed their Certified Leader Training at this meeting, which now makes them Certified Leaders! Laurie has been active with the Digital Harbor almost since the team began five years ago. Marvin, a relative newcomer to the DHHS Team, has diligently completed his certification.

Special Acknowledgements: Angela Buffington and Bob Klasen were acknowledged for their service to BICO. Angela created and filled the Publicity Coordinator Position, and was a DHHS Team Co-Leader, for several years. Bob Klasen fulfilled the role of BICO Gear Master for over six years.

Congratulations to our new Volunteers and Certified Leaders. Best Wishes to Angela and Bob as they move on from their BICO duties. Many thanks for the time and dedication you have all given to the BICO program!

Nicole Veltre-Luton has agreed to be the new BICO Gear Master. Thank you Nicole for taking this essential role in BICO administration!

DHHS: Recently completed the 3rd annual six-day Patuxent River Sojourne, which was a great success. A couple of the students were invited to volunteer on future trips. No other summer trips planned; kids are out of school.

College Gardens: Will not be holding an outing during the month of August.

FYC: Swimming & hiking on July 21st at Cunningham Falls State Park. For August 25th, a Sandy Point Beach State Park picnic outing is planned next to the Chesapeake Bay.

• BICO Teams please get up to date on future outing lists - They should be planned three months in advance, and the current calendar is looking quite empty.
• CAUTION using on-line Hospital Finders — do a human check as well, because sometimes the information is incorrect on this web site!
• BICO T-Shirt – We have been allotted $400 for gifts for the kids. A t-shirt seems to be the consensus. During the meeting, we discussed the kind of design; and we decided that a simple ICO T-shirt from National would be preferred. Team Leaders gave needed sizes, and we were reminded that the CG kids are little!
• Possible BICO Picnic – In September we are trying link a short BICO business meeting with a potluck picnic at a park or community clubhouse. Possible sites that were mentioned were Down’s Park, Patapsco Valley SP, Druid Hill Park, Quiet Waters Park, as well as Nicole’s clubhouse. Bob plans to give an update about this soon.
• Reminder: Each group is required to complete one service outing per year and we can propose ideas to them as well. Contact Jennifer Morgan at Rec & Parks. Please let Bob Burchard know if you have trouble getting in touch with her.
• Access Cards and Keys for the Shed - Bob asked which Certified Leaders want them? We have a total of five people who requested these. Please let Bob know if you would like one.
• We are looking for a Publicity & Junior Leader Program Coordinators. Please let Bob (bicobob@copper.net) if you are interested.

• BICO Volunteers and Certified Leaders - Interested in going to the MD State Fair? As a part of Governor’s Day on Sunday, August 26th, we are eligible for free (volunteer) tickets. Please contact Bob (bicobob@copper.net) if you are interested.

CARP Training Update Given by Gwen: Team Leaders need to complete this online training module once a year. Mail in the assessment portion to Gwen. (She will e-mail out instructions/web site info.) We are legally required to report signs of abuse. On the flip side, be aware of any behavior that could be construed as abusive. Gwen reviewed appropriate behaviors. The group posed questions about reporting protocol: To national, regional, the school nurse?

Other Training: Gwen will also send out some info. on Thunderstorm Safety. Finally, be aware of the dangers of burying the kids in sand—suffocation can occur!

Treasury Report (given by Lindsay Major-Ringold): We have switched banks from M&T to Bank of America. BofA will be much easier to work with. Lindsay to post the reimbursement Excel sheet on the web.

Development Update (given by Bob Burchard): New grants since May include: Annenberg, DNR, Wilson & CBT. Thank you, Bob B. for your dedication in keeping BICO well funded.

Calendar Sales: Coming Up! Bob Burchard has agreed to lead them. Thank you, Bob.