West Norwalk Association Board Meeting
January 7, 2013
MINUTES OF THE WEST NORWALK ASSOCIATION
JANUARY 7, 2013
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT WERE: Linda Forcellina, Gay Mac Leod, Regina Krummel, Candide Valadares, Anthony Carrano, Donna Dollé, Ken D’Arinzo, Galen Wells and Ron Paladino. Bill Krummel, Bob Wagman, Mike Lesko and Brian Forshino were guests.
A welcome and best wishes were given for the new year: Brian Foschino and Mike Lesko were introduced as guests and potential new Board members.
Report on Holiday Party: There were no $100 or $75 donations given at the holiday party. Thoughts were writing thank you notes- still need to be discussed for future requests for more donations. We plan to write thank you notes for donations of $75 or $100 when such donations occur.
Lessons Learned:
A. Bigger fonts on the lists for easier reading
B. Silent Auction unsuccessful as a fund raiser. The baskets will not be made in the future because of work involved and little profit gained. Galen Wells suggested a “real” silent auction as is done in many other non-profit organizations.
C. People walking in without paying the fee or paying their dues. Gay Mac Leod suggested providing tickets for food as people are checked in as receipts that a family or individual paid. This ticket would need to be shown prior to entering the area where food is served.
D. Dolce is losing money on our event.
1. We need to either charge more for the food or find another location.
2. Anthony Carrano suggested that we look into the dinner being held at Oak Hills Restaurant.
3 .Donna Dollé suggested asking Dolce for a donation to the WNA . We could then justify charging more for the party.
4. Galen Wells suggested that we ask for the actual cost of the food rather than a $5 entrance fee.
5. Ken D’Arinzo suggested that we charge everyone for food.
6. Donna Dollé suggested sending out a mailing asking for a response as to who is attending and asking for a payment ($25, $50, $100) ahead of the holiday party as is done by other non-profits for an event.
7.Regina Krummel suggested that the payment be for a specific need (such such as the Scholarship Fund.
8. Bob Wagman warned that it may be offensive to members if we ask for money.
E. Checking people in and the confusion made it difficult to remind people to donate to our scholarship fund.
F. The food drive was successful. We filled 8 boxes and some Board members contributed along with some residents.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The treasurer’s report included all income and expenses for the year between January 1, 2012 and January 7, 2013. The details of the Holiday Party expenses will be sent to the Board by e-mail. The total income was $2,090. Expenses were: $1,712.66 for Dolce, $655.99 for the holiday card mailing for a total of $2,368.65 leaving a loss of $278.65 for the event. The motion was accepted.
DISCUSSION OF FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF WNA AND PROGRAMS TO CONTINUE:
A. Welcome Baskets to our new neighbors: 22 baskets were delivered during 2012 at the cost of $240.78, about $10.95 per basket. Many baskets are donated, which saves money. It is a time consuming job to put together the baskets and there is concern about the difficulty of delivering baskets when people are not always home. There were a few ideas to replace the baskets: 1) Send flowers. Candide suggested asking a flower shop to provide free flowers for
advertising. 2) Candide also suggested sending a letter inviting newcomers to our meetings and Gay suggested offering a welcome gift such as a baked good at that time. 3) Regina suggested inviting newcomers to a meet and greet event at the meeting house chapel. Regina noted that many residents feel alone and isolated. A thought of wine and cheese event was suggested. Concerns about parking at the chapel were brought up as well as the need to
contribute funds for use of the chapel.
B. Donations to Fox Run Elementary School: All agreed to continue because we use the school library and we donated $300 during 2012
C. BMHS Scholarship Donations: All agreed to continue, but total amount of dollars will be determined by available funds.
D. 2013 Fee for Annual Party: An affordable place is needed. It doesn’t need to be held in September. It was suggested that it be combined with another event, possibly one that is more family oriented where children can be involved. Candide and Anthony were asked to explore an event that can combine the annual meeting and a special WNA event and report back to the board. The date is at the discretion of the board according to the change in the By Laws.
E. Costs to WNA that are necessary: Website upkeep including e-mail blasts, newsletter and insurance.
F. Activities without a cost to WNA: Adopt -a-spot., Thanks to Candide, who will continue to offer his services. In addition our Spring clean- up, and responses to resident’s questions and concerns are without a cost to WNA.
REPORT ON MEETING AT OAK HILLS:
Anthony Carrano and Ken D’Arinzo attended the Oak Hills Authority on-site meeting and will continue to attend the future meetings. They reported that there will be a public hearing that can be found on the town’s park website along with the minutes of their meetings. There was a motion for the WNA Board to continue to gather information and to post the letters from Paul Cantor and Oak Hills Authority on the WNA website. The motion was made by Regina Krummel and seconded by Candide Valadares. A vote to accept the motion was unanimous. In addition, we will send out an email blast promoting the opposing point of views on the WNA website.
REPORT ON CNNA MEETING:
Regina Krummel reported on the CNNA meeting. The meeting covered several parks -Ryan, Oak Hills, and Cranbury. Bill Krummel reported that Town action on Oak Hills will be predicated on what the WNA decides. Regina and Bill Krummel volunteered to go to future meetings with the understanding that they don’t have to stay for the whole meeting and Ron Paladino will cover if the Krummel’s cannot attend.
WNA SCHOLARSHIP FUND:
Regina Krummel and Galen Wells will co-chair the Scholarship Fund committee. However both Gay Mac Leod and Linda Forcellina will be copied on all correspondence and be part of the candidate(s) selection committee. Gay Mac Leod will give all information to Regina and Galen to help them get started. There was discussion about whether or not the children of the Board should be eligible for the scholarship as long as those members are unable to be on the selection committee. It was generally accepted that it would seem like too much of a conflict of interest for the children to be eligible. There was no motion or vote on the question.
A motion was made stating that Board members should contribute at least $25 to the Scholarship Fund. The motion was made by Ron Paladino and seconded by Regina Krummel. A vote to accept the motion was unanimous.
Potential WNA BOARD CANDIDATES (Mike Lesko and Brian Forschino) introduced themselves and offered a brief background. The Board will consider the candidates, take a vote and quickly make a decision as to the
acceptance of the candidates.
New Business- Flooding issue. Bob Wagman discussed the issue of flooding and requested that the board assign someone to monitor the topic. He mentioned he was going on extended sick leave and would not be able to follow through. Gay mentioned that for the February meeting, a representative for Bob Wagman and who is familiar with the flooding issue will be present. Galen Wells offered to follow through on the flooding issue in Bob Wagman’s place.
THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:15 PM
Respectfully submitted, Donna Dollé, Secretary Addendum: Ken sent the following figures in a subsequent e-mail to all Board members. This is the breakdown of all monies collected at the Holiday party:
Entry fees: $145
Silent Auction: $170
Scholarship contributions: $35
Raffle: $105
Membership fees collected: $1635
Total deposit from the Holiday party: $1635