Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFBMINUTES080702Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc. F' Board of Directors' Meeting Municipal Building Conference Room August 7, 2002 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Joni Fichter at 6:20p.m. Those in attendance were Joni Fichter, Beverly Loftis, Ross Frazer, Sue Hanna, Karin Dubose, Win Graham, Charlie Henke, Cheryl Butler, Lynne Goddard, Shannon Gardner and Danielle Kernell. 2. President's Report a. Joni welcomed new board members - Shannon Gardner (Membership & Magazine) and Lynne Goddard (Business Partners) b. There is another board position open (Linda Gray's). Joni asked to forward potential members to her or Danielle. One potential member is Tina Boaz of Chick Fil-A. Also, keep Chick Fil-A in mind for opportunities where they can help. C. Keep Fire Chief Terry Stevenson's family in your prayers as his wife Joyce lost her battle with cancer this week. 3. Approval of Minutes Gayle Jackson was absent due to her father's surgery. Cheryl Butler took minutes. Shannon Gardner moved that the minutes of the April meeting be approved; Win Graham seconded. The minutes were approved. 4. Treasurer's Report Ross reported he is working on proposed changes to the by-laws. He was still waiting for a few checks from the Ball and Prom night Sociable. Sue Hanna will follow up. He said there were not many changes in the Treasurer's Report since June. He will issue a check for approx. $49,000 to Lone Star Play Equipment for Colonial Park items which the Board previously approved paying for outright. 5. Board Reports E-Store - Cheryl Butler Cheryl met with Danielle and Donna LaMond regarding E-store. They discussed how best to process orders and ways to promote E-tore sales as well as potential new items. Pictures of items will eventually be added to website. Cheryl is working on inventory of E-store items. There are approximately 375 t- shirts (various sizes). Ornaments will be counted next week. She will send totals to Joni and Danielle. Susan White and Cheryl have also inventoried park pavers at all parks. There are a few missing at Whitt Johnson and Huffington, but these may be at the city somewhere. Susan is checking and will report next week. 2 Foundations and Large Gifts - Chris Simon (absent), Charlie Henke, Karin Dubose and Danielle Kernell Linda Gray is sorry she cannot be at her last official meeting but she is in Canada. William Altman (resident) is still working on raising $2,000 for new backstop. Grants update - Brown, Cockrell and Powell responded no. Cullen, Fondren, Hamman, Hershey, Houston Endowment and Wortham are still pending. There was a discussion on why the foundations that declined had done so and whether proposals could be re-submitted. Beverly Loftis will follow up with the Houston Endowment. Charlie Henke would like help with the Wortham Foundation if anyone has influence. This committee will be combined with the Planned Giving and Memorials (Win Graham) Danielle discussed the possibility of some kind of campaign to promote membership, direct giving etc. This could be done as a direct mailing, put in the City Currents or water bills, or in local papers (Village News, Examiner or This Week/Chronicle). It would then also be available to give to Realtors and Newcomers Club. We need to really target those who may donate and go after them. Danielle will research cost (printing, mailing) and distribution options and get back with Board. Website - Donna LaMond (absent) Danielle met with Donna to discuss website. Will eventually add Wish List and also ads and links to donors. Danielle met with Patti Betts regarding Power Fund and possible link to the website. Membership and Magazine - Patricia Rorschach and Shannon Gardner New membership magazine is almost complete, just needs to be proofed by Danielle. Estimated cost of printing color brochure is $1,600 plus mailing cost (either in City Currents and just pay additional costs or a separate mailing). The first mailing will go to all residents with later publications going to new members only. To be sent either annually or semi-annually. There was the suggestion to use the Ball to encourage membership by using the bidding frenzy to sign up new members (maybe at the $ 100 level). Patricia originally scheduled the magazine to go out in September but now will likely be pushed back until October pending Danielle's proposal (distributed at meeting) to change membership levels and benefits. There was a lengthy discussion regarding levels/benefits, what price a life membership should be (or if there should be a life membership offered this year) and how best to track benefits. Danielle will work on this and report back. The website membership information will also have to be updated by the time the new magazine is mailed. 3 Special Events - Planned Giving & Memorials - Win Graham This committee will be combined with Foundations and Large Gifts. Park Lovers Ball - CeCe McCann (absent) August Sth meeting moved to Vicki Grams. PLB Recognition & Follow Up - Sue Hanna Duke sign is up at Colonial, but should be moved over the entrance if possible. Will check with Mark Mailes. Wish List/Giving Tree - Vicki Grams and Maria Elena Herbst Wish List for Colonial, Recreation Center and other parks soon available on line. Three Wish List boards were done and are at Colonial Pool, Community Center and City Hall. Information can be added or changed as needed. These can be borrowed for any meetings board members may have (arrange with Danielle). Elena Chapel funds will purchase a tree and bench. Should be ordered before the end of summer. Waiting to see where to locate. Visit neighborhood groups like Newcomers, Seniors, Whine & Twine, playgroups, etc. Need to keep up to date list of what has sold, to whom, for how much what inscription, their phone numbers and addresses, date thank you was written, etc. Flyers to be put at community center, library, city hall, pool. Man tables to promote at parks on certain Saturdays and special events. Business Partners - Lynne Goddard Lynne met with Danielle to discuss current Business Partners and possible new plans which include: "Parks Card" which would entitle the holder to discounts at sponsoring stores (area restaurants, stores, movies, etc.) with a donation also coming back to Friends with each purchase. Lynne met with Central Market regarding possible discount card such as Randall's/Kroger's. Chick Fil A has offered to sponsor times when a portion of sales would come back to Friends. Lynne also met with Gexa/Power Fund. Ross mentioned the possibility of Power Fund sponsoring a short informational meeting to explain deregulation to interested residents. Block Captain Liaison - Lynne Goddard Lynne will be a liaison between the Friends Board and other block captains and will distribute relevant Park information and opportunities. Council Report - None 4 Parks & Rec Report - None 6. Old Business 7. New Business Whitt Johnson approached Danielle about doing a "museum" where the pocket park is as a joint venture with Rotary. An architect will donate time and only bill for his hourly worker so about $50K is needed. However, this does not fit our mission statement since we are "parks". The Rotary Club needs to take this to the city council. If the city approves the plan, Friends could possibly donate money for landscaping. Danielle distributed expense report forms and Style Manual for Members use. 8. Adjournment Beverly Loftis made a motion that the meeting be adjourned; Ross Frazer seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10p.m.