Name, years and country of service, and one memento you have from your country of service.

Announcements/Business

Tom: was approached by 82nd Avenue Association about participation in a parade on April 25th. He has not heard from board; can he assume that we are not interested? Need to know tonight and an approximate number of people. After a discussion, it was decided that Tom will tell the association that they can at least expect a banner and hopefully a small group of flags. Gordon Young will be the point person on this, and a Facebook announcement will be sent out.

Bill: CRPCA is looking for a coordinator for Grand Floral Parade this year–June 6th. Job entails flag pick-up, assigning flags to members, and coordinating day-of logistics. There has also been a parade practice and picnic the evening before in years past. Need answer immediately. Gordon: I’ll do it! Met with much applause. Phyllis: if attendance is dwindling, are we burning ourselves out? Should we continue doing this? Gordon: I think it’s still worth it.

Bill: Also up for discussion is purchasing flags from Jack Kirkwood and his organization instead of renting year after year. Matthew: find out how much he wants and find a place to store. Phyllis and Tom volunteered storage. Susie: we could also generate money by renting them out ourselves.

Adrienne Wolf-Locket presented a proposal for a summer camp in Robins Bay Jamaica. The camp serves elementary school kids, grades 1-6, who would not otherwise have anything to do in the summer. Includes lunch and field trips. Fundraising for camp is now being done by RAISE, and Adrienne and Bob are doing what they can to assist. Bob and Adrienne were the first administrators of this camp, but leadership has since been transferred to locals. Asking for $1,000.

Joel presented a proposal on behalf of “Andando” for a women’s poultry cooperative in Senegal. 80 women and their families are involved. Money would go toward construction of a poultry production facility and initial stock/food/medicine. Similar projects have been successful and there is a model in place. Asking for $2,000, but project could move forward with alternative funding sources if not fully funded, it just might take longer.

Joel: the committee proposes to fund each project at $1,000.

Discussion: Tom: I would support giving $1,000 to each, provided we get progress reports from both groups. Bill noted that such reports are standard procedure.

Phyllis: how can we get the money to these groups? Tom can take money to Jamaica, or it can be transferred to the organization in Florida. Joel will contact Lewis Kiker from Andando about transferring funds to Senegal.

Bill: I move that we accept the committee’s recommendation of $1,000 to the Andando Foundation’s poultry project and $1,000 to Robins Bay summer camp. Patrick seconded. The motion carried.

Elections

Bob Wolf-Lockett: membership coordinator duties include checking the P.O. Box, which the current coordinators have not been doing. Bob recommends changing the description to reflect current practice. Bill suggested removing the P.O. Box responsibility from the job description and voting at the next meeting.

Patrick facilitated nominations:

President: Tom DeMeo

Secretary: Erin Gettling

Treasurer: Phyllis Shelton

E-Update Editor: Susie Robillard

Newsletter Editor & Webmaster: Meaghan Corwin

Education Coordinator: open position

Events Coordinator: open position

Fundraising Coordinator: open position

Grants Coordinator: Joel Salter

Membership Coordinators: Adrienne and Bob Wolf-Lockett

Networking Coordinator: Gordon Young

Program Coordinator: Bill Stein

Scheduling Coordinator: Mike Waite

Service Coordinator: open position

All nominees were elected unanimously.

After being elected Program coordinator, Bill suggested business meetings quarterly, the minimum required by our bylaws, to make more room for speakers. Meeting months would be January, April, July, and October, plus an annual business meeting in September when the budget is presented. Those present were in agreement.

Tom will continue coordinating service events, but the board will actively recruit for a Service Coordinator, as well as the other open positions.