Triangle Ferret Lovers Newsletter

Issue 29, April/May 1998

Table of Contents:

1. Next Club Meeting
2. April 18 Meeting Notes
3. You Know You're a Ferret Lover When...by Michelle Phillips
4. Ferret Proofing Bottom of a Refrigerator by Kathleen Taylor
5. The Stove Is Next by Sonam
6. Basic Rules for Ferrets Who Have a Home to Run! FML post by Victoria Foster
7. Terrifying Bath! SAFE Rick's FML post
8. Window and Sliding Screens...FML post by Dick Bossart

1. President Jim Dunn introduced his suggestions for festival guidelines: a. Get commitment from volunteers 6 weeks before event. b. Two volunteers + one alternate for each shift. c. Two members to organize each event (one on-liner and one off-liner). d. More prominent advertising in newsletter.
2. Vice President Nicole Kincaid (imaginepeac@aol.com) is looking for someone to take over membership duties. She is more active in other areas now and unable to do as much. We currently have 60 paid members. The Renaissance Faire on March 29 & 30 went well except for one volunteer being left on their own during a shift. We should have at least two volunteers at the booth per shift for safety reasons, as well as, helping field questions from the public. There is a necessity to get off-liners more involved with volunteering at festivals, education days, etc. For the May meeting, Nicole will prepare a list of dates for upcoming events (bake sales, yard sales, education days, adoption days, etc.). Possibility of 2 adoption days, 2 bake sales and 1 yard sale. TriFL has a need for better displays; i.e., how ferrets were used in history--rabbit hunting.
3. Treasurer Eric Sessoms stated we now have $995 + $68 collected from the Faire for a total of $1,063.
4. General Counsel Jeff Marsocci is in the process of helping Diane Campbell to attain non-profit status for her ferret shelter. Once approved, TriFL can financially support the shelter. TriFL's taxes are due to be filed by May 15, 1998.

1. Education Chair Congratulations and Thanks to Cindy Barnes who volunteered for this position. Cindy's first act will be to call schools and check on a Science Day for the club to participate in.
2. Library Pam Sessoms has received plenty of well-written and informative materials, and are now available for member use, as well as, the Sheppard and Greene Ferret Facts video! This ends the $100 spending spree for the library!
3. Jeff Marsocci has generously donated his pre-paid booth space at the State Fairgrounds for club use, plus offer to prepare pamphlet handouts. We will monitor the success of this event and possibly do 3 to 4 more per year.
4. Newsletter Shari Gunter will send Info Packs to Dan Herr for distribution to Chapel Hill pet stores. Mail club info to Jeff Marsocci for brochures at the June 6 & 7 education event at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. On May 9, take mini-FAQs to Exotic Pet Expo participants at State Fairgrounds. And, finally, send Cindy Barnes area school board contacts to inquire about conducting ferret education days.
5. New member Carol Gerke will call Borders Bookstore to check on the possibility of TriFL conducting an education day.
6. Miscellaneous - A suggestion was made to ask High School Counselors/Representatives whether or not if kids that must do community service help the club at bake sales, educational events, etc. Also, a possibility of doing company picnics (present educational information and get sponsors). If you have suggestions/advice/or contact numbers for us, please call the President. Dan Herr offered to make calls to organize volunteers (non-members) for upcoming events, as needed. CenterFest is coming up September 19th & 20th. TriFL booth fee is $60. Please consider volunteering for a 4-hour shift.
7. MEMBERSHIP: A proposal was presented to have two membership prices for active and non-active members. Active members would pay $15/year and required to volunteer 8 hours total per year at a festival, education day, bake/yard sale, etc. Non-active members would be those who wish to refrain from volunteering and would pay $25/year. Active and non-active members will receive the newsletter. This proposal will be voted on at the May 9th meeting. If adopted, it will become part of TriFL's bylaws. An idea was presented to acquire raffle items and those who volunteer for events would have their name put in for the drawings.
8. '98 YARD SALE: Donations are now being accepted for our annual yard sale on August 29 & 30. Toys, electronics, tabletop appliances, tools, and pet supplies needed. No clothing will be accepted. Please contact Shari for pickup/delivery of donations @ 231-3221.

May 9--Dr. Charles Ward of The Animal Hospital in Carrboro will speak on Insulinoma.

June 6--Dr. Dan Johnson of Avian & Exotic Animal Care in Raleigh will speak on flea control and heartworm prevention.

July--No meeting.
August 1
September 5
October 3
November 7
December 5--Holiday Party!

Thanks to Club Secretary, Cindy Anderson, for great note taking!

This web page is maintained by Pam Sessoms. I can be reached at: pjdutche@email.unc.edu.

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