Brief notes from the January 4th Board meeting, taken from unapproved minutes, submitted by Secretary Corinne Smith:
It was confirmed that the new schedule for Board meetings will be on the first Monday of the month at 6:45. (Next Board meeting tomorrow night, Feb. 1st, at The Hideaway on Division St. in Northfield.)
Jessica had contacted Pat Garofalo and Pat Pariseau about the Legislative Interviews, and was continuing the complicated process of scheduling. (It ended up that David Bly and Kevin Dahle were interviewed on Jan. 20, and the District 36B officials on Jan. 25.) Jessica received a call from a representative of the Indepence Party in Faribault to see if the Northfield League was going to host candidate interviews for the special election for a State Senator to replace Dick Day who has resigned. The Board decided not to do this since the district does not include Northfield and we have no active members from Faribault.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Program Planning Meeting: January 9, 2010
The meeting has been confirmed to be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
A light brunch will be provided.
Allene: Quiches
Bonnie Jean: Bread
Jessica: Fruit
Teena: Napkins and teabags
Teena will provide information regarding the core issues for Marcia to send out before the meeting so that people will have a chance to review and prepare for the meeting.
At the meeting, Teena will lead a discussion of the national issues, Jessica will facilitate a discussion of local issues that the League will want to address in the coming year, and Barbara will take notes.
Elected Officials Party
This will be held on February 12, 5:00-7:00 pm, at the Village on the Cannon. The party will double as a celebration of the League’s 90th birthday.
Publicity will be through the E-Catalyst. Board members will make calls to the membership in early February to remind people and to ask if they can make an hors d’oeuvre, come early to help set up, or stay late to clean up.
Jessica will make invitations to send to the elected representatives. Teena will be responsible for the cake, Jessica will get the wine and roses, Bonnie Jean will bring balloon bouquets, and Sharon will come in period costume.
League’s Birthday Declaration
Teena read a declaration regarding the League’s birthday. She will ask the mayors and city councils of Northfield and Cannon Falls to accept it and make a proclamation. Sharon will try to get a press release regarding it.
Ideas for March
There will be a What’s Up event—March 15 at the Hideaway. The observers are being invited to share about their role and what they are seeing at meetings. Jessica, Barbara, and Bonnie Jean will meet with observers to hear about how their process is going and to discuss plans for March. This will be publicized in the E-Catalyst.
Census
Teena spoke with Rhonda Pownell about the Human Rights Commission and the Census. She also spoke with community engagement representatives from each college about ways to publicize and generate interest in the census. April 1st is the official census day. Ideas to make people aware of the census and its importance include making a human chain downtown to symbolize the interconnections.
Annual Meeting
Last year the meeting was held at the Eagles Club and included a spaghetti dinner. Other options were investigated, but the Board decided to keep the cost down and hold it at the Eagles again.
Jessica will check with the Eagles on dates, with a preference for April 22, April 29, or April 24, in that order.
Various speakers were discussed, including: Lori Sturdevent, Tom Stinson, Mary Lahammer, and Susan Haigh. The Board decided to invite Lori Sturdevent, and Sharon will contact her. (Note: She's coming! April 22nd)
We will continue to celebrate the League’s birthday at this event. Bonnie Jean will develop some sort of music/skit/spoof.
OTHER
Website
Catherine wants to step down from this role. Jessica offered to take it over beginning in the summer. A decision was made that this should be a board position.
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Membership
Janet reported that she had received the fliers about LWV from the national office that has a space to add local League information. She has also member handbooks from the state.
Communications
E-Catalysts are coming out regularly and are well-done.
Sharon is planning press releases to come out after the various upcoming events.
She will invite a reporter to the February party for elected officials.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
