July 2010 Board Minutes

Present: Chad Akins, Bev Kooi, Don LeMaster, Jenni Fleming, Elaine Nelson

Called to order at 7:11 pm.


June minutes: approved.

Treasurer’s report: $818.64 in checking, $525.85 in savings, $1289.17 in sign fund, $1006.48 in certificate. 20 up-to-date dues-paying members.

Discussed content and layout of summer newsletter.

Discussed whether to use dues reminders. Yes? Also, Jenni will get a new pouch to hold dues money turned in at events.

Jenni got a copy of our certificate of incorporation, following a prior meeting’s discussion.

Picnic: BBQ secured, will be loaned from local business. We will provide an ad in the newsletter. Ruth is getting supplies (paper goods?). Elaine requested that we order burgers from Stewarts Meats again, all agreed. Chad will contact Kenny (?) about hot dogs. Don will contact someone at South Bay BBQ. Discussed music: Elaine will forward contact information from performer who contact her earlier in the year. Discussion of other performers, info booths. Informal asks to potential groups over the next two weeks.

Suggested purchase of an awning for use at the picnic and other events. Maximum $100, white, preferred with a lip on the sides for stenciling our name. Moved, seconded, approved.

Adjourned at 8:25 pm

June Board Minutes

Called to order 7:10

Present: Ruth Middlebrook, Bev Kooi, Chad Akins, Elaine Nelson, Jenni Fleming


Don Lemaster could not attend, but let Chad know that he’s voting yes on pathway project and has someone for BBQ duty at the picnic.

May minutes, Elaine: approved.

Treasurers Report, Jenni: $525.74 in checking, $1288.90 in the signs fund, $812.98 in savings, $1005.28 in a certificate of deposit.

Pathways Project, Elaine: discussed the potential project at Fairview and 10th, cleaning up a pathway as part of a city pilot project. Elaine will submit the application and be the volunteer lead on this project. Approved.

Newsletter, Bev: discussion, including picnic planning. Bev has final outline of articles.

T-shirts: came up during discussion of newsletter. Elaine will resend cafe press shop link. Also discussed a graphic done by Nikki McClure during the logo contest, we’d like to ask about using that as well for t-shirts, etc.

Picnic, Chad: discussion. Chad will write letter to coop to see if we can coordinate our picnics. We decided on tentative menu: pending other donations, same as in previous years.

Advertising for picnic and newsletter, Jenni: get correct info onto the website for rates. Elaine will find her draft letter. Set target of approaching 20-25 businesses for ads, Chad will mail, Jenni will handle follow-up.

501(c)3, Chad: with annual revenue of under $5000, not a whole lot of benefit. Also, we need a mission statement.

FYI, Ruth: Olympian will be featuring various n’hoods.

Park meeting, Elaine: Quick update on what happened at the public meeting, followed by discussion.

Future agenda: mission statement. (not July, but some other meeting)

Next agenda: picnic.

Adjourned 8:20 pm

Next meeting – July 13, Ruth will not be here.

May 2010 Board meeting minutes

May 11, 7pm, Fire station meeting room (100 Eastside NE)

Present: Elaine Nelson, Chad Akins, Jenni Fleming, Don LeMaster, Bev Kooi, Ruth Middlebrook

Call to order 7:11pm


April minutes: Elaine will review and resend April minutes for approval at the June meeting.

Chad presented a map with all individual units. Examined map, discussed uses.

Discussed this schedule – moved that we continue 2nd Tuesday, 7pm. second, voted all ayes. All potlucks to be general meetings: moved, seconded, all ayes.

Treasurer’s report (Jenni) – savings: $525.62, signs fund: $1288.62, checking: $843.27, certificate: $1004.04. Discussion of how people know when their dues are up. Bev suggested tracking, and sending reminders when dues are up. Discussion of solicitation. (bookkeeping rules? privacy rules?) I will find examples of soliciting dues renewal.

Non profit update (Chad) – waiting for electronic IRS filing, greatly reduced fee. Chad will send info to Don. Set to discuss at next meeting. Jenni will call sec of state about articles of incorporation.

Discussion of email lists, other electronic communication (Elaine): ena-announcement (ENA-only events, city notices relevant to n’hood), ena-discussion (open to all for notices & conversation). Can pictures be posted to the email list? Going to let Facebook lie fallow.

Picnic: Decided on date of August 21.

Newsletter (Bev): July 9 is story deadline. Ruth will have for delivery on July 27. Delivery by August 8. Stories: Lions Park? Picnic. Potlucks (Ruth). Meet neighbors. Survey? (Send CutePDF info to Bev.) Madison article (Ruth will talk to Yvonne). Gardening. Discussion of ad pricing. Jenni will write a draft letter.

Adjourned 8:43pm

Next meeting: June 8
Tentative agenda: 501(c)3 filing; dues renewal process; rough version of newsletter, specifically survey

April board minutes

April 15, 7pm, Light & Life Church (following potluck)

Present: Elaine Nelson, Chad Akins, Bev Kooi, Jenni Fleming, Don LeMaster, Yvonne Fish, Kerry Smith, plus several guests.

Called to order 7:04 pm


Sign distribution – request to put fewer words and bigger lettering. will make blanks to put on the website. suggestion of focusing on “third Thursday”, discussion of formatting for best visibility

Discussion of agenda process – post draft at the beginning of the potluck, have people review and add if necessary. Jenni will bring bulletin board, we’ll have a spot for announcements, signup sheet.

March minutes, moved, seconded, approved.

Business cards (Bev): if you have business cards, share with the people at your table. board members will get them, paid members can also get a set of 10 to have info to share with neighbors. put out sign-up sheets: who has signs, do you want biz cards, would you like meeting reminder call.

Picnic (Chad): had noticed that our picnic and the co-op’s were close together. should we pursue a joint event? need to start planning now. discussion of options. 1980 block party! picnic committee: Chad, Ruth, Don. they will set date, etc.  Chad will check into whether we can coordinate with the co-op on a joint picnic. neighbors or more public?

Member outreach (Chad): incentive idea: reflective house number signs, make it easier for paid members to order from the fire department. ($15) He is willing to do that, thinks it’s a good marketing for the ENA. discussion: what is the value for dues-paying members. [missed a chunk of discussion, something about delivery, and which are legal and which are not. Chad is working on a manual.]

General meetings: move them to the potluck dates.

Newsletter, will have another meeting April 29, 7pm at Don’s to finalize dates, etc. If you’re interested, come.

Spring city grants (Chad): will be looking at, see if it’s something we can/should apply for. due at the end of the month. discussion.

501(c)3 (Chad): will have a presentation/report ready for the next board meeting.

Communications methods: streamlining, especially the Google groups. Elaine would like to have a get-together about the website. Bev is interested in using it as an incentive: able to post if you are only a paid member? Chad is only willing to set it up like that if/when we get our 501(c)3, doesn’t think we should limit our services.

CafePress: items with our logo? Have created some for one-off gifts for past board members. Yes, add to site.

Additional discussion. Chad: open to other ideas for bonus items/incentives at the picnic. Don likes the idea of putting something out with the house sign that includes an ENA sticker. (Chad will post pic of sign)

Adjourned 7:52pm

March board minutes

Minutes taken by Elaine Nelson, Secretary

Called to order 6:37, after potluck

Present: Don LeMaster, Elaine Nelson, Sam Schroeder, Chad Akins, Kerry Smith, Ruth Middlebrook, Bev Kooi

Absent: Yvonne Fish, Jenni Fleming (Nathan Allan submitted his resignation from the board by email earlier this month.)

Guests: Janine Gates, David Brune, Susan Haring, Heather Hansen


Introductions.

Janine asked if we could move the dinner later in the evening, and that was received well. [I don’t have written down what time: 6 or 6:30?]

Chipper coming to Ruth’s this Saturday.

Discussion of doing more advertising with potlucks, as well as email & Facebook generally.

A reminder article about graffiti on trash cans will be on Janine’s blog. Discussion of graffiti & other aesthetics issues re: trash bins.

Elaine is looking for someone to take on newsletter editing. Bev may be interested in assisting. Ruth may be able to help with distribution.

Chad brought up a project concept for redeveloping around 4th, State, Boulevard, that he is working on: “East end urban renewal project” Discussion.

Don brought up the issue of becoming a 501(c)3, to go to the next level, be available to receive grants. Big thing that came up at last meeting was desire for a meeting place, maybe even a building. How do we get more money? How do we get participation from the 1100 residents? Discussion of pros and cons. Chad and Don are willing to work on putting together the proposal to bring back to the board. Janine asked if any other NAs are 501c3s. Bev proposed having Chad and Don research and bring a proposal about nonprofit status back to the board. Moved, seconded, approved.

Slate of officers was nominated: Chad Akins for President, Don LeMaster for Vice President, Elaine for Secretary, Jenni for Treasurer. Moved, seconded, approved.

Discussion of publicity concerns.

Discussion of business cards. Chad will get the information to go on the cards and give it to Bev.

Garden walk. Heather will be planning the event, group decided on April 11, probably around 1:30 or 2pm. Suggestions for gardens were discussed, several individuals were mentioned. Elaine will post request for gardens on media.

Chad will get yard signs from Nathan.

We will have a meeting specifically for newsletter: Thursday April 1, Don’s house, 7pm. Elaine will bring all the materials that she has for both editing and distribution.

Adjourned 7:30pm