The Monthly Board Meetings are being held at the homes of Board Members for there remainder of this Board’s Term, through April. February’s meeting was held in Barbara Wilson’s home. Several members where either out of town or unfortunately under the weather. A quorum was achieved.
Discussion of meeting sponsored by the Voter Services Committee For Feburary 20th:
The board reviewed and discussed an e-mailed request sent to KathyT from Eve asking the board to help identify 20 - 25 Northfield residents (including select LWV members and other residents) who should be invited to participate in a meeting proposed for February 20 she has planned for the purpose of bringing together selected citizens and LWV members to meet and to think constructively about Northfield’s future, raise questions about City government, and share ideas about ways in which city government could be made more transparent, accountable and effective. The ideas and questions raised in this meeting would then be the basis for a public forum on City government in early March or April. The purpose of the public forum would be similar to the first meeting, but would include a panel of selected speakers to address the questions and concerns raised at the first meeting, critique possible solutions and respond to questions from the audience. The meeting would be open to the public
and elected and appointed officials and staff will be invited to attend.
T board discussed this proposal at length. Eve was out of town at the time of the board meeting and therefore could not be present to answer any questions the Board did raise about her proposal, (its timing, whether the second meeting planned could be the topic for the LWV Annual Meeting in April, and the membership of the Voter Services Committee).
The Board did provide a list of names Eve could consider as potential participants. In compiling its list, the board tried to think across the different sectors of the community. The Board also recommended that the discussion include current or past LWV Observers (Mary Savina, Georgina Campbell, Pat Kriesel, Jane McWilliams, and Ann Ness) and additional LWV members including Mary Carlson, Mary Lewis Grow, Molly Woehrlin, and Margit Johnson.
The board decided that a general invitation should go to the whole membership inviting anyone who is interested in volunteering to take part in the first meeting to contact Eve directly.
Reports on the Judicial Concurrence Meetings
21 people, including 17 LWV members, participated in the Judicial Concurrence meeting in Northfield ; and 10 people (including 8 members) attended the Concurrence meeting held in Cannon Falls. All agreed that the process of these meetings was effective and helpful; a model for similar meetings in the future.
Membership update:
Sue Mieska and Janet have been working on updating the membership list. Current Membership count: 93 Northfield members; 10 Canon Falls members; and 4 Fairbault a total of 107 members including 25 household memberships) 7 LOTT members; 6 national members.
The board will divide up the membership directory between us to make calls to members to confirm addresses and emails and notify members of the dates for the Annual Planning Meeting and the Annual Meeting. We continue to brainstorm about how to recruit for new members.
Set up the nomination committee:
Hilary and Judy Covey were nominated to help Janet on the nominating
Committee: Suzanna Cierna and Margit Johnson as off-board members. Janet
will call these individuals. Timeline: slate needs to be ready in April.
Board Membership for Next Year
KathyT is currently not certain if she will remain on the board.
Allene will serve as Action Chair for next year, and will send out state alert.
KathyC will serve as at large College Student Laison
Barbara will serve as Treasurer
Janet will serve as Membership Chair
Suzie is not able to serve as secretary next year.
Hilary will be asked to serve as Observer Coordinator
Allene will be willing to serve as a member at large
Cannon Falls Update - Allene:
The Cannon Falls Unit will sponsor its Economics Forum this Saturday, 1:00 -2:30 p.m. They request more help in advertising this event on the LWV web site etc. to get the word out about this interesting event. The Cannon Falls membership would like the LWV to have more frequent meetings. The return of the 4th Monday program is recommended.
Set Meeting Dates:
1. Annual Planning Meeting: Saturday, March 15, 2008
Saint John’s Church, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (event 9-11)
2. Annual Meeting: Saturday, April 26, 2008
United Methodist Church on Maple Street, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (event 9-11)
Future Board Meeting Locations:
March Board Meeting: Janet’s home on Plum Street
April – to be determined
Planning Commission
The LWV needs to resume its practice of sending an observer to the Planning Commission meetings. KathyT will talk to Pat Kriesal.
Preliminary Agenda for next meeting
1. Board review of the budget and the slate to get ready for the annual meeting.
2. Voter Services Committee
3. Action Committee Description (Hilary)
CALENDAR
Feb. 9th Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Cannon Falls Economics Forum 1:00- 2:30 p.m.
Feb 22nd Citizen’s Meeting (invite only)
March 4 Cannon Falls Unit meeting
March 6th Board Meeting (Budget and Slate Approval Needed) Janet’s Home
March 1st Planning Meeting (St. Johns Church ) 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. *
April 3rd Board Meeting
April 26th Annual Meeting (United Methodist Church) 8:30-11:30 a.m.
* Correction: The Program Planning Meeting will be on March 15; details to be announced. - web admin.
