ENA Board Meeting

November 13, 2024 7PM

1626 7th Avenue SE

Members Present

Sherry Chilcutt (President, on Zoom), Jim Rioux (Treasurer), Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Abigail Twombly, Cheryl Bayle

1) Approval of the minutes

The October 9th meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

2) Treasurer Report

Checking   $105.20

Savings   $2,924.52

Total      $3,029.72

Jim R. reported he moved $300.00 from savings to checking to cover paying for the memorial tree. The check was made out to the City of Olympia. Jim filed our annual report with the Secretary of State. There was one $20 deposit which was assumed to be someone paying dues. Sherry gave him a check for $80 that was donated during the rod & reals event.

It was suggested we work on getting people to pay their membership dues. Very few deposits have shown up suggesting no one is paying dues. The pay program we’re using charges about $2 for each deposit and may be a barrier. Karen suggested increasing the dues to make up for this.

Sherry will be sending paperwork to Lydia in January or February to close out our RNA grants, at which time we will replace funds used from our accounts.

3) Meeting time

The Board discussed changing our regular meeting time for 2025. It was agreed we will change the Board’s meeting dates to the second Tuesday of the month, starting on January 14.

4) Harvest festival October 12th

Everyone agreed the event was a big success mainly due to teamwork by everyone helping out. The children enjoyed all the activities, including helping with apple pressing, and the band added a nice touch.

Jim S. said he updated the write-up he started with the first fall festival in 2018 to capture ideas in case this turns into an annual event. If we do the event again we will want to reserve the shelter for the entire day.

Abigail submitted receipts for items she purchased including paper table cloths and bungee cords. Cheryl will submit receipts for food stuffs she purchased. Jim S. suggested buying a couple of replacement apple pressing mesh bags ($12.95 ea.). The cost will be covered by funding the Board previously approved.

Cheryl suggested combining the Fall Festival with the annual picnic. This would avoid having the annual picnic and block parties too close together. The consensus was that this is a good idea for next year. We may want to wait until after the Parks Department closes the sprayground for the season.

5) Snowstar event

Several Board members said they plan to attend the event Saturday from 10 to 11:00AM at the Swantown Inn.

6) CNA Report

At their October meeting, the CNA discussed:

  • Housing affordability, grants to help pay impact fees, etc.;
  • Using the 1% utility tax to reduce fees for low income housing;
  • Using leftover neighborhood grant funds for sidewalks;
  • If you see someone having a mental health episode you can make a request for services, call the non-emergency number (360 753-8101) or call 911;
  • and neighborhood police patrols.

Councilperson Vanderpool updated the CNA on increasing the minimum wage, and Tim Smith reported on new development proposals.

7) Annual Meeting

Sherry suggested a fundraiser for Souper Sundays. People could donate soup ingredients, gift cards or money. Nathan previously said he would contact Chris Hyde once we have a date for the meeting. The Board suggested either Tuesday January 7th, or Thursday January 9th, starting with a social event at 6:00.

Note: Nathan said he prefers January 7th.

Cheryl will call someone from the community garden.

Karen will contact someone from the food bank.

8) Board Recruitment

The annual meeting agenda will include asking for Board member nominations. Later, we can vote on Board officer positions via email.

Please reach out to any potential Board members before the meeting.

9) Next year’s calendar

Last year Cheryl and Abigail drafted the 2024 events calendar which Nathan posted on the ENA website. All agreed this was helpful and that we should do something similar for 2025.

The Board agreed to continue working with partners such as New Bridge, FUMCO, and Madison School. Cheryl mentioned the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum’s annual holiday historic homes tour is coming up December 8th from noon to 4:00.

10) Other

Jim S. suggested we make sure we’re tracking ENA events and accomplishments, such as the murals and apple press, from year to year, particularly when these involve RNA grant funding.

The next Board meeting will be Wednesday December 11th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.