May 2010 Newsletter

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The CSO (Citizens Support Orginization) is a 501 (c) 3 not for proffit foundation run by volunteers.

Our next CSO meeting will be Sunday September 19th at 12:30 at the park. Bring a covered dish for our lunch after the meeting. You do not have to be a CSO member to attend. Come and have fun. Maybe you will want to join the CSO.

Our officers for 2010 are:

Dick Neusch – President
John Smith – Vice President
Jean Fletcher - Store Manager
Patric Fox – Treasurer
Mike Ray – Secretary.

Many exciting things happened at the park this year.

New Swing set & Playground Equipment

Wow! It is bright blue, sleek, strong, and cool looking. Hontoon Island has a new swing set. The CSO donated nine thousand dollars for this important upgrade. If you spend much time at Hontoon Island you will soon see that the playground and swing set in the picnic area are some of our most popular facilities. Children and their families just love to play. Note: The playground equipment was in need of replacement. With the help of retired Ranger Dick Neusch who headed the project and the C.S.O. with the funding we now have new and safe Playground Equipment for the children.

A Bit of History:
New Dock for the Limpkin and vehicle barge
Those of you not familiar with the workings of the park don't know that we have two barges used to bring heavy cargo and vehicles over to the island when necessary. One cargo barge is named The Limpkin after the brown spotted water bird that appears to walk a bit funny. The next time you are at the park be sure to ask Ranger's Dick, Cheryl, JR, Mike, or Jim why the barge is named for this strange bird. The other vehicle barge appears to have no name. We probably need to have a contest to name the barge. Who wants to head up the contest? The barges used to dock at a wooden landing over by the parking lot on the mainland. That wooden landing had rotted pretty badly over the years. In fact it rotted so badly that the landing was beginning to erode. When you visit the park you will see the wonderful new concrete docking area. Several heavy vehicles have been moved on the barge using the new dock. Once again, volunteers played an important part in the work. A Stetson University fraternity came over and spread much of the sand that was later compacted to make a hard surface that vehicles can drive on.

Boat clubs – Central Florida & Regal
The Central Florida Boat Club and the Regal Boat club had great outings at the park this year. The food was great! These are just of few of many organizations that find the island a great place to hang out, kick back, and have fun.

Completed Projects at the Park in 2009
1) A new septic system will be going in this summer.
2) A new main water line will be going in this summer.
3) The road from the main office to the capmground and Rangers quarters will be re-vamped to an aggreget surface and raised 12".
4) A new Coastguard approved Ferry will be at the Island
soon.
5)The concrete walk way to the pavillian and restrooms in picnic area has been completed

Projects still to be completed
6) The loading docks at the parking area and the Island
Must be re-vamped to accomidate the new Ferry.

WOW, that's a lot of goins on this past year. Come on out and see what's happening and enjoy a tranquile day at the park.

New Boardwalk in Progress

Minutes from the APRIL CSO meeting.

Minutes of Hontoon C.S.O. Meeting – April 18, 2010

President Dick Neush called the meeting to order with a moment of silence.

Those in attendance:

Mike Ray

Dick Neusch

John and Pat Smith

Pat Fox

Dick and Marlene Schellenberg

Jim and Cheryl Read

Jim and Joann Schlienz

Mike Hayes

Boone and Linda Caudell

Jean Fletcher

Cheryl Potts

Jean Carpenter

Secretary Report – Minutes of 01/17/2010 meeting were read and approved with additions. It was noted that Cheryl and Dave both volunteered during the Christmas boat parade serving concessions. Their contribution is greatly appreciated.

Treasurer Report –
The cookout grossed $240 and netted $158. A $20 donation was made to the band.

Store Report – The last 3 weeks were very good. There are new items in the store including new Earth Day “green” shirts. We are getting rid of the large coke cooler and getting a smaller one. There is a new vendor for the “Wal-Mart” supplies that offers more health items. We still need more volunteer s for the store.

Wood Report – There is still wood that needs to be split. Wood sales have been brisk.

Newsletter – no report

Membership Committee – There have been 10 renewals, 1 lifetime. There have been 6 new memberships, 1 corporate. 12 Renewals have not been received.

Budget – Hontoon CSO now has an annual budget. It was mentioned in the Audit by the OIG that it was in the best interest of the CSO to develop an annual budget. Mike Hayes developed an annual budget based on the financial information available. The budget was submitted. A new Annual Budget is due July 1st.

In addition, it was suggested that the CSO create specific goals that are measurable, such as a % of revenues earmarked for special projects.

The OIG also made note of the fact that the CSO does not have a written policy for cash handling and revenue collection. Mike Hayes has written a “Cash Handling and Revenue Collection Policy” as a response and it has been submitted.

During the audit, the OIG also determined that the use of the term foundation did not have any substantive impact on the operations of the CSO.

Motion to accept the Annual Budget and Cash Handling and Revenue Collection Policy was made by Jean Fletcher and seconded by Marlene Schellenberg. Passed.

Other old business –

Rockers have been repaired and refinished.

New Business –

It was noted that we need a new sign for the museum visitors’ center which would better draw visitors to its location. Motion to budget $200 for sign made by Jim Read and seconded by Cheryl Read. Passed. Dick Neusch appointed as a committee of 1 to look into options.

Store needs donated games for loan.

QuickBooks – Noted that QuickBooks offered no benefit. Jim Read made a motion that Excel Spreadsheets be used for tax information for the accountant. Seconded by Jim Smith. Passed.

Cookout – Motion made by Jim Read and seconded by Marlene Schellenberg to host a cookout and membership event June 12th from 11:00 – till 2:00. Meet at the park by 10:00 to begin set up. A planning meeting will be held Saturday, May 15th at the park at 11:00. Passed.

The next regular meeting is April 18th. It was agreed to move the meeting on September 19th one week earlier to September 12th.

Meeting adjourned.

Mike Ray, Secretary

Attachments

Documents included by title only. Documents available for review.

1) Preliminary Report, Internal Audit Section, Office of Inspector General, January 2010

2) Response by Mike Bullock, Directory Florida Park Service

3) Friends of Hontoon Island State Park Annual Budget YE June 2010

4) Friends of Hontoon Island State Part Cash Handling and Revenue Collection Policy

Island Cook Out

Come One Come All to the “Friends of Hontoon Island” Cook Out on Saturday May 12TH from 11:00AM – 2:00PM. Enjoy a hamburger or hot dog while you listen to some great Bluegrass Music. Get to meet our officers, members and Park Personnel, ask all the questions that come to mind about the Park or membership and enjoy a fun filled day at this unique State Park. Remember that you can only get here by boat or the Island Ferry which runs from dawn till dusk from the parking lot to the Island.

May 2010 Newsletter < The CSO (Citizens Support Orginization) is a 501 (c) 3 not for proffit foundation run by volunteers. Our next CSO meeting will be Sunday September 19th at 12:30 at the park. Bring a covered dish for our lunch after the meeting. You do not have to be a CSO member to attend. Come and have fun. Maybe you will want to join the CSO. Our officers for 2010 are: Dick Neusch – President John Smith – Vice President Jean Fletcher - Store Manager Patric Fox – Treasurer Mike Ray – Secretary. Many exciting things happened at the park this year. New Swing set & Playground Equipment Wow! It is bright blue, sleek, strong, and cool looking. Hontoon Island has a new swing set. The CSO donated nine thousand dollars for this important upgrade. If you spend much time at Hontoon Island you will soon see that the playground and swing set in the picnic area are some of our most popular facilities. Children and their families just love to play. Note: The playground equipment was in need of replacement. With the help of retired Ranger Dick Neusch who headed the project and the C.S.O. with the funding we now have new and safe Playground Equipment for the children. A Bit of History: New Dock for the Limpkin and vehicle barge Those of you not familiar with the workings of the park don't know that we have two barges used to bring heavy cargo and vehicles over to the island when necessary. One cargo barge is named The Limpkin after the brown spotted water bird that appears to walk a bit funny. The next time you are at the park be sure to ask Ranger's Dick, Cheryl, JR, Mike, or Jim why the barge is named for this strange bird. The other vehicle barge appears to have no name. We probably need to have a contest to name the barge. Who wants to head up the contest? The barges used to dock at a wooden landing over by the parking lot on the mainland. That wooden landing had rotted pretty badly over the years. In fact it rotted so badly that the landing was beginning to erode. When you visit the park you will see the wonderful new concrete docking area. Several heavy vehicles have been moved on the barge using the new dock. Once again, volunteers played an important part in the work. A Stetson University fraternity came over and spread much of the sand that was later compacted to make a hard surface that vehicles can drive on. Boat clubs – Central Florida & Regal The Central Florida Boat Club and the Regal Boat club had great outings at the park this year. The food was great! These are just of few of many organizations that find the island a great place to hang out, kick back, and have fun. Completed Projects at the Park in 2009 1) A new septic system will be going in this summer. 2) A new main water line will be going in this summer. 3) The road from the main office to the capmground and Rangers quarters will be re-vamped to an aggreget surface and raised 12". 4) A new Coastguard approved Ferry will be at the Island soon. 5)The concrete walk way to the pavillian and restrooms in picnic area has been completed Projects still to be completed 6) The loading docks at the parking area and the Island Must be re-vamped to accomidate the new Ferry. WOW, that's a lot of goins on this past year. Come on out and see what's happening and enjoy a tranquile day at the park.
New Boardwalk in Progress	Minutes from the APRIL CSO meeting. Minutes of Hontoon C.S.O. Meeting – April 18, 2010 President Dick Neush called the meeting to order with a moment of silence. Those in attendance: Mike Ray Dick Neusch John and Pat Smith Pat Fox Dick and Marlene Schellenberg Jim and Cheryl Read Jim and Joann Schlienz Mike Hayes Boone and Linda Caudell Jean Fletcher Cheryl Potts Jean Carpenter Secretary Report – Minutes of 01/17/2010 meeting were read and approved with additions. It was noted that Cheryl and Dave both volunteered during the Christmas boat parade serving concessions. Their contribution is greatly appreciated. Treasurer Report – The cookout grossed $240 and netted $158. A $20 donation was made to the band. Store Report – The last 3 weeks were very good. There are new items in the store including new Earth Day “green” shirts. We are getting rid of the large coke cooler and getting a smaller one. There is a new vendor for the “Wal-Mart” supplies that offers more health items. We still need more volunteer s for the store. Wood Report – There is still wood that needs to be split. Wood sales have been brisk. Newsletter – no report Membership Committee – There have been 10 renewals, 1 lifetime. There have been 6 new memberships, 1 corporate. 12 Renewals have not been received. Budget – Hontoon CSO now has an annual budget. It was mentioned in the Audit by the OIG that it was in the best interest of the CSO to develop an annual budget. Mike Hayes developed an annual budget based on the financial information available. The budget was submitted. A new Annual Budget is due July 1st. In addition, it was suggested that the CSO create specific goals that are measurable, such as a % of revenues earmarked for special projects. The OIG also made note of the fact that the CSO does not have a written policy for cash handling and revenue collection. Mike Hayes has written a “Cash Handling and Revenue Collection Policy” as a response and it has been submitted. During the audit, the OIG also determined that the use of the term foundation did not have any substantive impact on the operations of the CSO. Motion to accept the Annual Budget and Cash Handling and Revenue Collection Policy was made by Jean Fletcher and seconded by Marlene Schellenberg. Passed. Other old business – Rockers have been repaired and refinished. New Business – It was noted that we need a new sign for the museum visitors’ center which would better draw visitors to its location. Motion to budget $200 for sign made by Jim Read and seconded by Cheryl Read. Passed. Dick Neusch appointed as a committee of 1 to look into options. Store needs donated games for loan. QuickBooks – Noted that QuickBooks offered no benefit. Jim Read made a motion that Excel Spreadsheets be used for tax information for the accountant. Seconded by Jim Smith. Passed. Cookout – Motion made by Jim Read and seconded by Marlene Schellenberg to host a cookout and membership event June 12th from 11:00 – till 2:00. Meet at the park by 10:00 to begin set up. A planning meeting will be held Saturday, May 15th at the park at 11:00. Passed. The next regular meeting is April 18th. It was agreed to move the meeting on September 19th one week earlier to September 12th. Meeting adjourned. Mike Ray, Secretary Attachments Documents included by title only. Documents available for review. 1) Preliminary Report, Internal Audit Section, Office of Inspector General, January 2010 2) Response by Mike Bullock, Directory Florida Park Service 3) Friends of Hontoon Island State Park Annual Budget YE June 2010 4) Friends of Hontoon Island State Part Cash Handling and Revenue Collection Policy
Island Cook Out Come One Come All to the “Friends of Hontoon Island” Cook Out on Saturday May 12TH from 11:00AM – 2:00PM. Enjoy a hamburger or hot dog while you listen to some great Bluegrass Music. Get to meet our officers, members and Park Personnel, ask all the questions that come to mind about the Park or membership and enjoy a fun filled day at this unique State Park. Remember that you can only get here by boat or the Island Ferry which runs from dawn till dusk from the parking lot to the Island.