MAGDRL: Annual Member Meeting April 16, 2005

MAGDRL: Annual Meeting April 16, 2005

Our Annual Meeting was held in Baltimore on April 16, 2005. Members from North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey attended to hear the state of our rescue.

President Debra Rahl presented opening remarks and MAGDRL goals for the coming year. She was delighted to report that MAGDRL successfully completed our audit which enables us to apply for corporate grants.

MAGDRL has a working Board of Directors and they reported on key accomplishments during their term. Left to right are 2004 MAGDRL officers Becky Moser (Secretary); Mary Cini (facilitator); Chair Meg Graine (Policy & Procedure); Roxann Dolce (Fundraising & Grants); Jody Cohen (Treasurer); Debra Rahl (president); Kathie Shea (Volunteers); Christina Kallay (Statistics); Lissa Scott (Education -- the photographer); and MAGDRL attorney J. T. Bathon, Esq..

Attendees received MAGDRL's 2004 Annual Report which included a message from our president, reports from Board members, area reports, our 2004 financial report and proposed 2005 budget. They also received copies of new brochures and fliers to share with their home teams.

The meeting lasted for 2 hours with the second hour devoted to member questions. Discussion topics included volunteer training, dogs in kennels, fostering, making our Volunteer Handbook more 'user friendly', and creating a separate volunteer web site with information and forms all in one place. Great ideas!!!

Finally, our election judges announced the results of our Board of Directors elections. Our 2005/6 officers are listed here: http://www.magdrl.org/BoardOfDirectors.htm

After the meeting, members shared a meal at a local restaurant before many made their long trip home. Members who only knew each other by email had a chance to put a face to the name. We share common goals and challenges across the mid-Atlantic region, and we this spent this time discussing new directions for the coming year. It was a pleasant end to a fruitful meeting.