HomeMy WebLinkAboutFMinutes050113Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc.
Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc. ("Friends") Board met on
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 11:30 AM at The Union Kitchen, 4057 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77025.
The following were in attendance:
Board Members
Amanda McGee
Ting Bresnahan
Christina Milligan
Jeth Jones
Anne Freeman
Katie Hill
Kristine Martinez
Sonny Brandtner
Michelle Huth
Grace Ebaugh
Sara Edgecomb
Susie Boyce
Advisory Board
Members
Cece McCann
Gayle Jackson
Lynne Goddard
Kim Wilson
Steve Primrose
Leah Ragiel
Executive Director
Donna LaMond
Staff
Tim O'Connor
Susan White
Guests
Judy Cheng
Ashley Gumbert
Sara Barbatano
Joaquin Martinez
Steven Murray
Robin Murray
Monte Beck
Chip Edgecomb
J.R. McGee
City Council
Susan Sample
Ed Heathcott
Joan Johnson
Dick Yehle
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:37 AM.
II. Welcome, Opening Remarks and Approval of Minutes (Amanda
McGee)
Minutes of the April 3, 2013 Meeting of the Board were approved. Jeth Jones
made the motion and Kristine Martinez seconded it.
Chairman Report:
I would like to let you all know about our last Parks Board meeting. Hopefully
you all took a minute to read the email I forwarded from Tim as a recap of the
meeting. We had a presentation of a proposal for a new 10-year parks plan.
The Mayor had asked for this proposal so we could get an idea of what the
community is looking for in light of recent acquisition discussions. It was very
interesting to see the progress we have made in the last 10 years and how we
have done so much of what was proposed through this report. It was also very
interesting to see how the dynamics of this neighborhood has changed in the last
few years. I sent an email to council and Mayor to let them know that Friends
feels like a new 10-year park plan is imperative to our fundraising efforts. I have
asked them to please consider this in making their decision on how to go
forward.
As Donna and I look forward to next year, I would like to get feedback on
possibly changing our board meetings to the second Wednesday of the month.
In looking back over this year we made this change 3 times due to holidays, F&F
dates and PLB dates. I am proposing we make the switch permanent not only
because of those reasons, but also because the Parks Board meeting falls on the
first Wednesday of every month, but in the evening. I feel like it would make
more sense for us to meet after that meeting, rather than before. Especially if we
move forward with this new parks master plan. I would like to bring all Parks
Board items to you sooner rather than a month later. I know we all committed to
the first Wednesday of every month when we joined our board so I would like
feedback as to how this might affect you all.
Donna and I are going to meet in the next few days to discuss our calendar for
the fall. I plan to send that to you before summer so you all can make plans
accordingly.
Last I would like to let you all know that I have asked Sara Edgecomb to be the
Vice Chair of Friends. I would like Sara to take this role on as an extra set of
eyes and ears for me and to be able to stand in for me as a representative of
Friends if I am not able to attend a meeting or function. Taking this on, Sara is
not preparing to assume the Chair role in the future. I had asked Sara to do this
a while back and am honored that she has agreed to take this on. So at this time
I would like to take a vote. The Board unanimously voted in favor of Sara
Edgecomb being named as Vice Chair of Friends.
III. Treasurer's Report (Courtney Archer, not present)
A balance sheet and Profit & Loss Statement was distributed to the board by
Donna LaMond.
IV. Father's and Flashlights (Dee Dee Gilder, Judy Cheng, Ashley
Gumbert)
Our best news is we were able to meet with WUES and determine while the 2
new temporary buildings will take up much of our dinner space we will be able to
work around them without having to make as many changes as we first thought.
Tri Sports has been contacted regarding the request for no games on fields Oct
5. We have commitments from KidFish and Fund Resources for activities and
tables and chairs reserved. We are finalizing our changes to the underwriting
materials, including letters and amenities. We are waiting on commitments from
2 people to finalize our Committee. The Logo has been updated to 2013.
Priority registration dates have been tentatively set for August 20 and 21 st with
general staring August 22nd. There continues to be discussion about the ability
to register online. We hope to next begin sending out the underwriting materials.
V. Donor Wall (Ting Bresnahan)
Tweaking photos for wall
Accuracy review for donor amounts and listings
o Including all of PLB donations and F&F up to May 1, 2013.
Mailer to everyone who meets criteria to be listed on wall (early / mid May)
o Letter is being finalized
o Confirm individual / corporate name(s) to be used on wall (or
anonymous)
Install wall (targeting Aug, 26 - 30)
o FINAL version to Partners in Recognition - June 28, 2013
VI. Other Reports and Announcements (Donna LaMond)
Continuing to work on closing out PLB 2013. The Cinco de Mama/Papa Party is
coming up this weekend on May 4 which is a sociable from the ball. To date, this
party has raised $3,400. We are very grateful to the hosts and hostesses of this
annual PLB sociable. Kristine and Amanda are among the hostesses for the
event, so if you have any questions or interest in attending, please let them
know.
I am pleased to announce that Cece McCann has agreed to be the PLB2014
honorary chair. Cece is a current advisory board member, former Friends board
member, and chaired the ball in 2003. It is such a pleasure to be able to honor
her as we present Park Lovers' Ball 2014. We will be announcing the PLB 2014
chairs soon. Be sure that you all have the date and place on your calendars,
Feb. 8, 2014 at the Royal Sonesta Houston Hotel.
Kristine Martinez is well underway in her new role with Friends as PR chair. She
has already prepared a great press release all ready to send out about today's
star citizen awards and the Direct Energy Proclamation. Thanks to Katie Hill for
serving as our secretary today and for taking pictures for us to send out along
with the press releases.
Christina Milligan, our new marketing and development chair on the board, has
gotten things rolling by reaching out to the paver and stork sales chairs. She has
some great ideas to help jump start things. We expect great results from her
efforts.
Working with Friends CPA to compile the information needed to prepare the
Friends tax return for 2012. Return has to be filed by May 15.
Since our last board meeting, I met with Christi Young of CY Communicate about
revamping and upgrading the Friends website. She has presented a proposal to
Friends which Amanda and I will be considering. The proposal includes adding
a registration and group email contact component through the website. If all
goes as planned, we hope to be able to offer registration for F & F 2013 through
the Friends website.
Please refer to the weekly reports that you receive via email for an ongoing
update on other Friends activities.
This concludes my report.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:51 AM. A
luncheon and Star Citizen Award Presentation followed.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie Hill
(Substitute) Secretary