HomeMy WebLinkAboutFMINUTES050212Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc.
Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc. ("Friends") Board met on Wednesday,
May 2, 2012 at 11:30 AM at Collina's Italian Cafe, 3835 Richmond Avenue, Houston,
TX.
The following were in attendance:
Board Members
Leah Ragiel
Courtney Archer
Ting Bresnahan
Anne Freeman
Matt Foytlin
Steve Primrose
Debora Connelly
Michelle Huth
Amanda McGee
Sara Edgecomb
Katie Hill
Kristine Martinez
Grace Ebaugh
Executive Director
Donna LaMond
Staff
Tim O'Connor
Susan White
Advisory Board
Joni Fichter
Vicki Grams
Guests
Sara Barbatano
City Councilpersons
Mayor Bob Fry
Susan Sample
Joan Johnson
Dick Yehle
Ed Heathcott
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:37 AM.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the April 11, 2012 Meeting of the Board were approved.
Welcome (Leah Ragiel)
Donna and I have been working out the roles and responsibilities of our new board
members as well as some shifting in responsibilities which I am happy to report.
First, Michelle and Grace will be jointly sharing the responsibilities of being our
representatives at the Party on the Patio concert series. You may be hearing from them
about needing board members to help out with some of those concerts. Since that is
largely in June, they will also be managing our Stork Program throughout the remainder
of the year.
Kristine Martinez has agreed to be a co-chair for Park Lovers' Ball 2013. Thank you,
Kristine. We are still on the hunt for a co-chair for Kristine and Donna will update us on
that in her report.
Additionally, Courtney Archer will be taking over the Treasurer position from Sue Hanna
as soon as our income tax filing is complete, that transition is already underway.
Anne Freeman will be joining Sonny Brandtner in the event support area.
Lastly, Amanda McGee has agreed to become Vice Chair of Friends effective
immediately and then to assume the role of Chair of Friends when my term expires at the
end of August 2012.
A motion to name Amanda McGee Vice Chair was moved and seconded by Courtney
Archer and Michelle Huth, respectively. Leah Ragiel called for a vote and the vote
passed unanimously.
The motion to name Courtney Archer Treasurer was moved and seconded by Katie Hill
and Grace Ebaugh, respectively. Leah Ragiel called for a vote and the vote passed
unanimously.
Donor Wall (Steve Primrose and Ting Bresnahan)
The basic wall design, location and funding approval was gained in 2011. In November,
we formed a committee of current and past Friends board members and advisory board
members to ensure that we properly and comprehensively recognize our historical
donors.
Earlier this year three key activities have been happening:
1) Gayle Jackson, Advisory Board, reviewed historical donor information "pre-auction
tracker"
2) Ting Bresnahan began working to narrow and group historical donations from auction
tracker
3) Steve Primrose began working with the "real estate" available on the donor wall to
understand know how many names space will allow and what real estate is required
Next Steps include the following:
Call the committee back together in June to review the breakdown of historical donor
data;
Discuss the categories, number of names possible;
Begin putting names in the categories and start next phase of the wall design with
Partners in Recognition;
Submit final design sign off & names for wall to vendor - Fall 2012
Construct wall - 2012 year end or as funding becomes available
Fathers & Flashlights Update (Sara Edgecomb, Amanda McGee)
Underwriting letters are on schedule to be mailed this week. All event planning is
moving forward as scheduled.
Executive Director Report (Donna LaMond)
Party on the Patio Concert Series is the next Friends event on the radar. The concerts will
be held on Friday evenings in June. Michelle Huth and Grace Ebaugh are co-chairing the
concert series and one or both will be in attendance at the concerts.
June I - The Fab 5
June 8 - Checkered Past
June 15 - The Quality Blues Band
June 22 - The Ezra Charles Band
Direct Energy is the sponsor for the concert series and they will play a significant role in
each concert.
PLB 2013: The date is February 2, 2013 and the venue is Hilton Americas Houston
downtown. We are currently building the PLB team, but have one co-chair in place.
Kristine Martinez will be a co-chair for the 2013 ball and we will be announcing the rest
of the team soon. We do have our Honorary Chairs in place. It will be Friends' honor to
acknowledge Janine and Michael Schueppert for their many years of supporting West U
parks.
Our CPA has been provided with the documents and other information to prepare our
2011 tax return. As soon as the tax return is filed, the treasurer role will transition to
Courtney. Thanks again to Courtney for her willingness and commitment to serve as
Friends treasurer.
Continuing to work on closing out PLB 2012. There are still some receivables
outstanding.
Thank you to the City of West U for hosting today's appreciation luncheon and for
presenting star citizen awards to some very deserving West U residents after today's
board meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Debora Connelly Piccolo
Secretary