Molly Hoffmann commenced the meeting at 7:05 p.m. with 12 people present. She began by recapping what LAA had accomplished since it's beginning in June, 2008. Accomplishments include:
--Agreement on a name for the group
--Monthly meetings to discuss goals, ideas and educate each other
--Growth to ~70 participants
--Letter of introduction to Community Leaders
--Letter of introduction to Capitol Humane Society Leaders
--Set tentative goals for the group
--One member held a conversation with a City Council member
--One member held a conversation with Bob Downey, CHS
--Meeting with Mayor Beutler and his staff
--Ongoing development of a relationship with Animal Control
--Started working on mission statement
Goals for LAA were discussed with several options for future projects.
--Drafting a Mission Statement
--Building community support and awareness
--Response to letter from CHS Board
--Recruit active participants
--Meetings with City Council members
--Visits to Humane Societies in other cities
--Possible community activities
Community Activities:
--Education
--Sponsor a feral cat colony
--Pet food bank
--"Petition Drive" (demonstration of community support)
--Look into starting new rescue/shelter in Lincoln
There was a discussion of whether or not LAA's mission should be tied to the Capitol Humane Society. Concerns were voiced about CHS's long-standing resistance to community participation which was reinforced by their reply to LAA's letter of introduction.
Two short term goals to be accomplished before the January meeting are:
--Meeting with Robin Eschliman
--Drafting a Mission Statement for approval in January.
A group will meet at 2:00pm Sunday 12-7-08 at Tico's Restaurant to work on the Mission Statement.
The next general meeting of Lincoln Animal Ambassadors will be at Lincoln High School on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 at 7:00pm. Reminders will be sent by e-mail.
