Lebanon Township Education Foundation
General Meeting Minutes
August 31, 2009
Attendees: Elyse Fiers
Susan Forenzo
Anne Mankiewich
Noreen Ranallo
Mike Walsh
I. LTEF Board Membership and Fundraising – Mike Walsh
à Mike talked about the need to encourage new volunteers to take on LTEF Board positions. As of January, 2010, some of the current board members will have been in their positions for 4 years, and they feel it is time for them to step back and make room for new participants.
à A first step towards encouraging volunteers is to let people know exactly what the LTEF has accomplished over the past 4 years. This includes not only the Valley View playground, but also the various Enrichment Grants we have funded, the community assistance we have provided to township families in need, and the educational programs we have sponsored.
à We agreed that a general letter to parents should be prepared for distribution at Back-to-School Night, detailing our accomplishments and impressing upon parents the need for volunteers to step up to board positions in order to maintain the LTEF as a viable, ongoing organization. The Back-to-School nights are on September 16th at Valley View, and the 24th at Woodglen.
à Mike would also like to prepare a second letter, which would present our case on a more heart-to-heart level, to be sent to a list of personal contacts. Each board member should come up with his/her own list of contacts for this letter.
à Anne will work on drafting both letters.
à Mike also talked about a fundraising drive, which he would like to launch around holiday time in the form of a mail campaign.
à Anne raised the idea of a “wine-and-dine” event, which we could hold informally at someone’s house, as a way to celebrate completion of the playground. We could organize this once we have identified candidates interested in taking on board positions, as a way of thanking them and encouraging further volunteerism.
II. Playground Update – Mike Walsh
à All the permits for the playground construction have been approved. We expect the equipment to be ordered in the next week or two, and the playground to be completed by Halloween.
à The final quote came in slightly lower than expected. This was due partly to the fact that the manufacturer is replacing one of the original pieces of equipment with a new piece, which they are giving us at no cost, in exchange for using our playground as a demo site for the new apparatus. We need to start working with Mike Rubright on a plan for Woodglen soon.
III. Web-site – Noreen Ranallo
à Noreen reported that the Enrichment Grant web-site has been corrupted again by someone hacking into the site. This had happened previously, in the spring, but Josh had worked on the site and it had appeared to be fixed until recently.
à We talked about cutting out the link from the LTEF web-site to the Enrichment Grant site, until the Enrichment Grant site is fully secure. If necessary, we can set up a temporary provision for people to donate to grants directly from the LTEF site.
à Julianne Targan is currently coordinating demonstrations of the equipment purchased through the Enrichment Grant program, to take place on Back-to-School night. Mike asked Noreen to contact Julianne for an update on the Enrichment Grant web-site.
IV. Treasurer’s Report - Elyse Fiers
à Elyse distributed the Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss statements.
à She noted that she will be paying two playground-related invoices to Spiezle Engineering. She will also be writing a check for our insurance.
à Elyse also pointed out that the general checking account is inflated by $10,700, the amount collected for the Doran family, so the true amount in that account is $17,885.50.
à Mike mentioned that three people have been awarded the Ralph Bleck scholarship, and are due to receive those funds upon graduation from high school.
V. New Business - A Day in the Park
à Mike reported that Beth Fischer had contacted him to find out if the LTEF is willing to manage an activity for A Day in the Park, which will be held on September 19th.
à Susan suggested the idea of a scavenger hunt for kids. Mike will check with Beth to find out if this would be acceptable. Susan indicated that if we get approval, she will work on setting it up.
Prepared by Anne Mankiewich
9/04/09
