Dear BICO Enthusiasts,

I would like to thank everyone whom attended the November 12, 2007 BICO General Meeting.  Also, I would like to thank Bob Burchard for hosting the meeting.  As usual, it was a good time for us to get together face-to-face to share updates on activities, exchange thoughts and ideas, and to plan upcoming outings.  All of these activities are reflected in these meeting minutes.

The next BICO General Meeting is planned for Monday, JANUARY 14, 2008 at 7:30 pm at Bob Burchard’s home.  Please mark your new calendars.

Sincerely,

Bob Iacovazzi, Jr.
BICO Chair


BICO General Meeting Minutes   November 12, 2007

INTRODUCTIONS


RECENT ACTIVITIES
---> We planned and executed three day outings and one camping outing since the last general meeting at the end of September ... thanks to our dedicated volunteers.

---> Lindsay Major was unanimously elected BICO Treasurer!  Congratulations Lindsay!

---> Alvarez Dixon is a new BICO Certified Leader!  Congratulations Alvarez!

---> Bob Burchard was nominated for the Ravens' Community Quarterback Award.  Although unsuccessful, the Ravens' organization acknowledged the nomination in a letter, and "applaud all of the great work that your nonprofit organization does to make our community stronger"

---> The BICO Steering Committee has chosen to adopt the Sierra Club's protocol to train Certified Leaders to use epipens on ICO outing participants in the case of severe anaphylactic reaction.  Please note that this does not mean that you are obligated to get training.  On the other hand, let Gwen Bergen know if you would like to take the training from one of the accepted training companies.  BICO will reimburse this expen.

---> The College Gardens Community Center (CGCC) BICO Partnership has experienced a transition to new YMCA Administrators: Mary Ann Reynolds and Michael Shaffer.  Both new administrators have expressed their support of the CGCC parnership with BICO.  I would like to thank Adriane Lee again for her work with BICO in helping to make the CGCC BICO Partnership successful.

---> Bob Burchard sent out grant reports to the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.  Currently working on a second round of Annenburg Funds from ICO National.

---> Bob Burchard is also currently conducting our annual calendar drive.   Recently, he announced the Second and Last Chance to order Sierra Club calendars to enrich both your 2008 and BICO’s treasury.   Orders had to be placed with Bob Burchard (rpburchard@verizon.net) by November 12, but if you want a calendar let Bob know and you will be placed on a standby list in case some calendars don't sell that we have in stock.

The calendars come in two varieties:

1. Wilderness wall calendars - $13.60
2. Engagement week-at-glance, spiral-bound calendars - $14.65

---> An updated list of outing expense guidelines was recently sent out to all active BICO volunteers.  The list is also to be posted on the BICO web site for future reference.


UPCOMING EVENTS
---> BICO gear shed cleanup (Date TBD)

---> First Aid/CPR Training and BICO Leader Training (Date TBD)

----> All four teams have a full roster of outings planned.  Please check our web site: http://ico.sierraclub.org/baltimore for more information.


TREASURY


GENERAL NEWS
General Reminders
---> 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 winter outings, to ensure that you get a van.

---> Please tag, and make the Gear Master aware of, gear that is broken.  Nicole Veltre is our current Gear Master.

GROUP  BREAKOUTS

HELP WANTED
---> Certified Leaders and Volunteers to support the BICO Dickey Hill Elementary School (DHILL) Team.  After the first of the year, this team may not be able to go on outings because there are not enough Certified Leaders and Volunteers.  If interested, please contact Brian Green (bgreen20@yahoo.com) or Dave Barry (manhat@verizon.net).

---> BICO Publicity Coordinator.  The duties of the Publicity Coordinator include 1)  Developing and coordinating all BICO articles and promotional pieces and distributing them to local media, and 2) Liaison to and providing articles and information for the Maryland Chapter, Greater Baltimore and Howard County Sierra Club publications, and others as determined to be necessary.  If interested, please contact Bob Iacovazzi at bicobob3@copper.net.

---> Assistant BICO Leadership Development Coordinator.  The duties of the Assistant Leadership Development Coordinator include helping the Coordinator to 1) Supervising the leader training programs; 2) Ensure that BICO leadership training meets the standards of the Sierra Club and the ICO National Subcommittee; 3) Provide guidance and support to all leaders as needed; 4) Attend outings to support leaders and giving feedback on leadership issues; and 5) Help to identify appropriate training resources (i.e., leadership, first aid, etc.) If interested, please contact Gwen Bergen at gbergen@gmail.com.

NEXT MEETING  
January 14, 2007 at 7:30 pm.  The meeting is to be hosted by Bob Burchard.