March board meeting minutes

Present: Nathan, Ann, Jenni, Elaine, Chad, Jessica, Tim, Heather, Josh, Kate, and guest Casey Caronna

  • Approve last meeting minutes (can be read here: http://eastside-olympia.org/2009/02/19/february-board-meeting-minutes/)
    Minutes from February & January approved. Moved Chad, Jenni second.
  • Newsletter (deadline is April)
    Meeting on 5/21, To Jessica on 5/1, Articles to Elaine & Chad 4/24.
    Income/costs. Ask Do’ops for discount in return for ad? Discussion of whether to pay for folding. Work party? Will have work party to fold & count. Tim, Jenni, Elaine, Chad all willing to volunteer.
    Topics agreed, will post shortly. amended 3/28: see below.
    Organize advertising information! Talk to Nova School about advertising: we changed our minds about taking ads from outside the neighborhood. “Reserve the right to refuse service.” Encourage local businesses to come to the picnic.
  • Discussion around how much we should be involved with community re: public safety. Put information out? Reminders. Get to know your neighbors.
  • Signs for meetings (Nathan can present example)
    Nathan showed a sign sample from VistaPrint, $14.99, double-sided. Get with logo, and sleeve for meeting date/location. Enough for all the board members, and post in the yards. Nathan will do design, get pricing & sample. Want color background, possibly a color from the website.
  • Sex Offender Notices
    Do we want to send them through the Google Group emails? Discussion. Add resources page. Everyone will send Elaine suggestions to post on the website. (Also, Nathan will add Kate & Josh to the board email group.)
  • Phone
    Discussion about whether to get the ENA its own phone. VOIP device vs prepaid cell vs Vonage vs Skype. Nathan will look into online options. Elaine will find notes about prepaid phones.
  • Mail
    Jenni has some materials from Dept of Ecology re: eastbay project. Survey from Homes First! seeking feedback on affordable housing needs in the neighborhood. Will return to this topic. Good general meeting speaker?
  • Neighborhood Coalition
    Nathan went to the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations meeting and talked about his experience at the meeting. Different levels of membership; Luke was on the Steering Committee. Asked for someone else to attend. Invite CNA people to our picnic. Josh might be able to go to the next meeting along with Nathan.
  • Community Garden?
    Might be in the comprehensive plan? Also quick discussion of garden walk dates, possibly mid to late May, to be announced in the newsletter. Discussion of timing, connections with the city. Also vacant lots? Nathan will call David Hanna.
  • Treasurer’s Reports: we have some memberships coming in, plus 2 Stormans’ checks ($35-$50?). We still have some cards, Jenni is taking them. amended 3/28: there are available Storman’s Thriftway 1% community rebate cards held by Jenni.
  • New Business
    Casey: will have a project at the end of his Master’s (education) program 2 years from now.
    More discussion about community garden, projects for the future.
    Discussion of the Homes First! survey. Feeling that we don’t know enough to complete it, but we might want to have them submit an article and/or speak at May general meeting. Jenni will contact. (note: we need to set up se*******@**************ia.org.)
    More about Stormans cards, Jenni will contact to have more at the general meeting.

Proposed topics for May newsletter:

  • meeting agenda/pres message
  • outreach for new pres
  • treasurer’s report
  • meet your neighbor
  • garden walk: mid/late-May?
  • new board members
  • picnic planning
  • google group promo
  • ads
  • membership form
  • slow walking signs (also add to website)
  • parks update
  • homes first

February board meeting minutes

present: Josh, Kate, Elaine, Chad, Sam, Nathan, Ann, Luke (as outgoing president), Jenni

1) Board elections. Discussion of the role of the president. Elaine elected as secretary; Jenni as treasurer.

2) what’s our plans for the year? picnic, garden tours. The city is working on its plans for the parks in the neighborhood (Madison, Lions). Kate is interested in being involved with community gardening. We’ve been encouraged by the city to approach the Lions for funds.

3) back to discussion of presidency. Nathan would be willing to step up as “pro tem” president, in part to keep the conversation with David Hanna going. Should we volunteer Jessie as vice-president? No decision made.

4) Ann would be happy to stay for her full term, as long as she doesn’t have to hold an office. All agreed.

5) Hand-off of presidential materials: Nathan to take plates et al; Jenni to take key. Luke has updated the board list.

6) CNA representation. Usually the president has been, but any board member can be the representative. Luke talked about what CNA is/does. Side discussion of pesticide project being coordinated by the CNA, budget issues with the state.

7) Elaine on the garden tour: March 8, 2pm. Still looking for more gardens; Elaine will approach neighbors across the street.

8 ) Next meeting is May 14, so newsletter deadline will be early April.

8b) Luke was thanked for his service.

9) Elaine brought up the idea of committees: development, communications, events. Discussion of the block party idea. Side discussion about the St Mike’s parking issue. Recommendation of St Mike’s staff is to call the police on illegal parking. Should we create a flier to put on the windshields? Side discussion of issues around informal parking. Can we get something through the city? Quote the city ordinance. Discussion of trees planted by the city. Get the plant lady on 8th to be in a garden tour. Nathan will create the flier. Chad can get the information about the ordinance. “Use the lot first” and “Park safely.” Discussion of various development projects around town.

10) Vote on signatories on the account: Jenni & Nathan. They’ll go down to WSECU to get everything set.

11) Dinner at the meetings? Next meeting will be March 19 at Swantown Inn. We’ll plan for dinner at the next meeting.

12) VistaPrint does yard signs. Nathan will have a sample that they’ve ordered for the day spa, can bring to next meeting. SWNA got a grant to do something similar, but one-use! Name tags? Garden tour gardens? Button maker? Sam has one. Elaine can make a design.

13) Need to remember to approve past minutes at the next meeting.