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Purple Martin Voice
Volume 1(11)
Purple Martin Voice is an eNewsletter distributed by Purple Martin Association of the Dakotas. Issues feature the plights and triumphs of Purple Martins in the Dakotas.
eNewsletter
The last few months have been a very busy time for Purple Martins and the Directors alike; therefore we have skipped a few Purple Martin Voice issues. We initially intended to send Purple Martin Voice as a biweekly eNewsletter with 18 issues between March and October, but with July and August being at the height of the season, it was increasingly difficult to maintain the eNewsletter schedule. Furthermore, there was already the need for an early issue with a special article about freezing weather and a delayed issue introducing our partnership with HAV-IT Services. During the last few months, we did a campaign encouraging our associates to check out the Purple Martin Association of the Dakotas' Facebook page. We also did a survey asking for input on next year’s 3rd Annual “Outdoor Martin Fest”. The responses received included many valuable comments. In the next months, we will resume sending Purple Martin Voice as a monthly eNewsletter.
Corporation
On Tuesday, November 19, 2013 Purple Martin Association of the Dakotas received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service containing an EO Favorable Determination Letter 501(c)(3). The organization is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the organization are deductible under section 170 of the Code. The organization is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code. Purple Martin Association of the Dakotas is a public charity under the Code section 170(b) (1) (A) (vi). Effective on March 7, 2012, contributions to the organization are deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable contributions. Exempt organizations must allow for public inspection and copying of their exemption applications, determination letters, and annual returns. The organization makes the documents widely available on our Governance page.
Research
There were a total of 15 geolocators deployed from the Columbia, South Dakota site. Redeployed with geolocators were two after second year (ASY) adults in hopes that we will get multiple year migration maps from these Purple Martins. The remaining 13 were deployed on nesting second year (SY) Purple Martins that were banded in 2012 as nestlings. Hopefully in 2014, we will get a good number of the South Dakota “born and raised” Purple Martins with migration maps to compare with all the others from South Dakota. In addition to the geolocator research about 42 blood samples were taken at the Columbia, South Dakota site to assist researchers at York University.
Conservation
April 14, 2013 3 pm - 4 pm Raising the Purple Martin Housing System
Our nonprofit organization was built from a generous and benevolent idea to focus our efforts regionally. Defining Dakota, of the Native American origin, as "friend", "friendly" or "allies", we have kindly and caringly defined in our name. Native Americans are the original conservationists who were centuries beyond where we are today. Our conservation efforts go beyond educating the public about Purple Martins. Recently we acquired a new domain PurpleMartinDakotas.org and will begin hosting our website with DreamHost. DreamHost is a carbon-neutral hosting company. Unavoidable emissions are neutralized by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits. DreamHost provides hosting services to our nonprofit organization free of charge, which aligns with our commitment to conservation with regard to charitable contributions.
July 9, 2013 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Project Martinwatch with Girl Scouts
We are excited to release the Purple Martin results from the 2013 conservation efforts.
The Turtle River State Park Purple Martin Site had 5 pair that fledged 16 young.
The Greenway of Greater Grand Forks Purple Martin Site had 5 pair that fledged 19 young.
The home site of cofounder Perry Vogel had 12 pair that fledged 61 young.
The home site of cofounder Paul Mammenga had 52 pair that fledged 163 young.
That is a grand total of 74 pair that fledged 259 young! Also noteworthy is that the public sites grew in both number of pairs and number of fledglings.
July 30, 2013 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Project Martinwatch with Girl Scouts
Please make a pledge or contribution to conservation on #GivingTuesday. Our online fundraising will begin on December 2, 2013 at 11 pm through December 3, 2013 at 11 pm CST. A donation made TODAY will be processed on #GivingTuesday.
Calendar
December 2, 2013 11 pm - December 3, 2013 11 pm Purple Martin #GivingTuesday
For more information on events, visit our Calendar page.