ENA Board Meeting
October 9, 2024 7PM
Swantown Inn 1431 11th Ave SE, Olympia
Members Present
Jim Sweeney (Secretary), Karen Clemens (CNA Representative), Nathan Allan, Abigail Twombly
1) Approval of the minutes
Following the September 11th Board meeting it was pointed out the Board had not approved any fund expenditures to support the upcoming Fall Festival event. Therefore, six Board members agreed via email to expend up to $100 on incidentals for the event.
The September 11th meeting minutes were approved with the above addition.
Following the October 9th Board meeting, Tim Smythe requested $300 the Board had previously approved to fund a memorial tree to be planted at the Armory. Sherry emailed the Board making a motion to fund the $300 tree project at the Armory. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
2) Treasurer Report
Checking $306.16
Savings $3,242.12
Total $3,548.28
3) How are funds requested for events, setting budgets, and getting approval?
The Board needs to set maximum limits on funding for events by category, and include this in grant requests. The ENA’s annual calendars will help us keep track of spending. Nathan explained the calendar on the ENA website is a “page” and not a “post” so it’s not included in the weekly emails. He will be looking into creating curated quarterly e-newsletters which would allow us to control what’s included.
4) Harvest Festival Oct. 12th 1-4 PM
The Board discussed last minute preparations and the volunteers who are expected to help.
Abigail said the acoustic band will perform from 2:00 to 3:00.
Jim talked to Tim Smythe and the Parks maintenance people. He will also contact someone from the food bank.
5) Freedom Farmers event
Nathan reported on this organization which provides food for Olympia schools. They were very appreciative for being able to use the ENA cider press.
6) CNA Report
The next CNA meeting will be on Monday October 14th. The agenda includes a discussion of Olympia’s homelessness progress and challenges, with Housing Response Coordinator Kim Kondrat.
7) January Annual Meeting
The Board continued to discuss topics for the annual meeting. There was general agreement we should focus on food security as the primary topic. Potential guest speakers include Chris Hyde, someone from the Food Bank, and someone representing the Olympia Community Garden on 13th Avenue. One idea is to work with Souper Sunday to provide hot soup for the meeting. We will make final decisions at the November meeting. The meeting will be at the Swantown Inn, starting with a social event at 6:00 PM.
8) Tim Smythe conversation about armory tree planting
Sherry will be discussing tree planting at the Armory and other topics with Tim. Jim mentioned that Tim plans to be at the Fall Festival on Saturday.
9) Mark Foutch forwarded an article about the South Capitol neighborhood using its RNA grant to have a huge barbeque, paying for the mailing, 350 burgers, etc.
We might want to do one big event with financial support.
10) Other
Nathan met with Lisa at New Bridge about making giant snowflakes. He agreed to work with the artist and others to make similar holiday decorations to be displayed around the neighborhood, starting with Central Street. Details concerning funds for materials and a possible grant request will be determined later.
Abigail said she would like to do another Meetup event at BeerWorks.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
