LTEF GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 8, 2009

Attendees:       Collette Evanko

                        Elyse Fiers

                        Susan Forenzo

                        Anne Mankiewich

                        John Roncoroni

                        Bob Tabor

                        Mike Walsh

I.                   Playground

à        Collette turned over $3,855.25 to Elyse, which included proceeds from the basketball concessions, magnet sales, the Valley View bake sale, yoga classes, and a grant from Walmart.

à        Collette also announced that the Playground received a $5,000 contribution from Craig and Elaina Young.

à        The Playground Fund was at $142,621.26.  With the addition of the above monies, the fund is now at $151,476.51.

à        The basic estimate for the playground equipment and basketball court paving is $130,550.  With the addition of the Phase I and II engineering studies, the total is $158,050.  We will also need rubber curbing to hold in the mulch, which Collette estimates at about $3,000, bringing the total required to $161,050.  There will be some additional site-work, including relocating a drainage pipe which currently runs through the center of the planned playground.  This cost is still unknown, but Collette feels safe in estimating the total required for the playground at $167,000.

à        A vote was taken to move $15,000 from the Blues Fest account to the Playground Fund in order to fulfill this required amount.

II.                Blues Fest

à        Elyse distributed the Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statements.  She reported the net profit for the Blues Fest was $24,026.16.  This was an increase from last year’s event, which netted approximately $17,600.

à        Once the vote was taken to shift $15,000 of this total to the Playground Fund, this left $9,000 to be distributed amongst various other local non-profit organizations. 

à        Mike noted that there are two grant requests posted on the Enrichment Grant web-site, one from Mr. Haenny and the other from Mr. Burd, for a total of $3,400.  He suggested that we should consider funding these requests.

à        After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed to apportion the remaining $9,000 as follows:  $4,000 to the Blues Committee for next year’s seed money; $1,000 to the Knights of Columbus; $200 to the First Aid Squad; $300 to the Fire Department; $250 to the LTAA.  The final $3,250 will be used to fulfill the two grant requests, with the balance to be taken from the General Fund.

III.             Recruiting Volunteers

à        Mike opened this discussion by stating that he and several of the other LTEF board members have been in their positions for two years.  Although they may want to continue their involvement with the organization, some of the current board members would prefer to step back into less prominent positions. In order for the LTEF to be viable as an ongoing concern, it needs fresh ideas and input from new volunteers. He asked for any ideas on how we can encourage volunteers for board positions. 

à        One idea is to target Kindergarten parents, possibly inviting them to a “soiree” where we can have the opportunity to share information about the LTEF and encourage volunteerism.  However, a concern with this approach is that parents might not be enthusiastic about attending an event at which they know they will be targeted to volunteer.

à        Another idea was for each of us to come up with a list of parents who have volunteered in the past or have otherwise shown an interest in the LTEF.  A letter would be sent to these individuals, outlining the work we have done and how they can help in the future.  This would be a first step towards identifying possible candidates.

à        It was agreed that for our next meeting, which will most likely be in August, we should each come up with a list and start working on a letter.

IV.             Shop-to-Earn Program        

à        Now that the Blues Fest is over, it is a good time to announce this new program.  Anne had drafted a letter to parents, which she will arrange with Noreen Ranallo to have sent out to the LTEF e-mail list.

à        Mike mentioned he had made a purchase through the program several months ago, and wondered when we would see any proceeds from that expenditure.  John Roncoroni will check with John Phelps to make sure the program is operational, and find out how long it takes to receive payments.

Prepared by Anne Mankiewich

6/10/09