FRIENDS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CASTLE HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BOARD MEETING

AUGUST 28, 2007

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: ANN WARREN, LARRY DEMERS,  DAWN PLEW, YAEL APT, TED HARSHBERGER, LORI BERMAN, ELAN LEVEY, GINNEAN SHAW AND KELLEY REYNOLDS

1.  WELCOME/INTRODUTION

Meeting began at 7:20pm.  Ann welcomed everyone, thanked Ted for hosting, then got down to business.

 

2.  PLANET BRAVO/SERVER

Diana and Ann met with Planet Bravo to discuss their recommendation of leasing a new server.  The cost would be $150/month ($1800/year) that doesn’t include tech support which is a big issue, etc.  See April 18, 2007, Quote letter from Planet Bravo.  We discussed whether this would be a prudent investment for the school.  Mrs. Tann met with Danny Pezzotta from Planet Bravo who offered a new proposal.  See 8/28/2007 Memo from Danny Pezzotta to Ann Warren which outlines new proposal/offer.

 

There were several ideas – find a sponsor (Best Buy, buy rather than lease, shop price around –although Larry felt that price was reasonable).

 

Larry made a motion to table any decisions regarding the server until a later time - Spring or next year.  Ann seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

3.  FRIENDS STORE

The old Ball Room, which is the Friends Office, has a great window that was once used to dispense balls.  Ann wants to pursue the idea of a Friends store which would sell items mainly for the kids such as Castle Heights' pencils, bottles of water, t-shirts, possibly scrip, etc., one day per week.  Diana is spearheading.  Maria has volunteered to paint and generally fix up the room.  This is a new work in progress.

 

4.  COORDINATORS

Eight coordinator positions have yet to be filled.  Ann will bring this up and we will try to recruit at the Kindergarten and Pre-K Orientations.  We will also pass out flyers at the Friends table the first week of school.  The Hospitality Coordinator will liaise and organize “coffee & donuts” for volunteer meetings, Coffee Talk, and other events, by maintaining relationships with the providers (Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Dunkin Donuts, etc.)   A good person for this job might be Anne Puccini-Field.   Kelley will discuss position with Anne.

 

Diane Davis was suggested for Dine-Out night.

 

We need to find a Jog-a-Thon coordinator or co-coordinators (one with experience) immediately.

 

(See attached list of open positions.)  Ann will provide descriptions of positions for flyers.

 

Friends Flyers

Elan will speak with Mrs. Tann about the office copying our flyers like they did in the past.  We are also in need of a Translation Coordinator or a group of translators who will be available.

 

5.  Budget/New Forms

Larry and Dawn have developed a “Funds Request Form” (attached) that should help the process along with less delays and questions.  Ann will upload the new form on the CHES Website.  This form can be adapted as needed.

 

The Board moved and approved the motion for updating the Bank Signature forms.

 

The new budget was distributed.  (No changes since the version that was distributed at the last meeting.)

 

Larry brought to the Board’s attention that about $2,000 worth of school donations didn’t clear properly due the credit card system in place.  Larry is researching new systems and follow-up with the families who were not charged for their donations.

 

Larry offered to review any donation requests that are distributed to the school.  They would like to make sure that the forms are accurate from an accounting standpoint.  Also, Larry and Dawn will assist with planning the financial matters, especially for the larger events affected by a new tax law regarding the value or benefit received from a donation and the tax deduction.

 

The Board agreed to invest in 3 more “old fashion” swipe credit card machines to get people though quicker.  The main thing is for the users to note is that the information captured is legible.

 

6.  BOX TOPS – IDEAS

Box Tops Fund-raiser is a lot of work for about $600.  To heighten awareness and give more purpose to this fund-raiser, we discussed unofficially tying the fund-raiser to Art Supplies which has the same budget.  Julie Sak Gearhart is chairing Box Tops.

 

Khe is chairing the Gift Wrap Fund-raiser and coordinating the Kindergarten and Pre-K Welcome Party.

 

7.  EVENT REMINDERS

Ann uploaded the Google Calendar to the CHES Website which will list meetings, events, important dates, etc.

 

8.  MEETING DAYS

Ann has been approached by several active families about possibly changing the Friends Monthly meetings, from the 1st Tuesday of the month to another day because it conflicts with Palms Friends meeting.  There was a discussion and we reviewed different dates, but the 1st Tuesday was the only day that worked for the whole board.

 

Friends will meet monthly the first Tuesday of each month, beginning October 2nd, at 7pm.

 

9.  TABLE OUT FRONT

Ann passed around a sign up sheet for Board members to man a table the first couple weeks of school (before school and after school) to sign up/recruit volunteers, discuss donation drive, possibly sell t-shirts (Chaired by Ingrid Caswell who has a new design for 07-08 T-shirts), etc.

 

10.  ORGANIZATION CHART

Ann distributed the Liaison Folders for the various Event Chairs/Coordinators which is outlined in the Organization Chart.  No one has more than three to manage.

 

FRIENDS BULLETIN BOARD

Friends have the second bulletin board in which needs to be organized before school begins.  Ann and others are going to meet on Thursday and Friday to dress up our bulletin board.  We need to find an artistic volunteer to coordinate the bulletin board.

 

FALL FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 21ST         

Sunday 11am to 5pm

Ginger will approach Pacifica West about sponsoring the event and suggesting that PW invite potential home buyers from their open houses to attend.  Planning meeting set for Sept. 11th at 7pm.

 

PUMPKIN PATCH – OCTOBER 19th

Still need coordinator for this event.

 

VARIOUS

 

The $2,000 allocated for Art last budget was not spent last year, and will be collected and spent this year.

 

Ted mentioned that California Country Club HOA is having a block party and would like to offer a table to Friends.  The event is Sunday, September 30th.  Families from that neighborhood (Lisa Peterson) may volunteer at the table.  Good PR for the school.

 

FUTURE FAMILIES

Upcoming Tours:              October 11th at 8:30am

                                      November 15th @ 8:30am

 

Wine and Cheese Event:   November 13th @ 7pm (Board Members please attend.)

 

DONATION DRIVE

Ted will personalize requests to certain donors, especially on the follow-up form.  There will be Event Tickets awarded to donors at the $1,000 and $2,000 levels.  In addition to the monetary goal to beat last years numbers ($65k), there will a participation goal of 100% - this is extremely important for the grant.  Any amount from a family will help us attain our participation goal.

 

Elan talked about the necessity of door to door distribution of Castle Heights’ information.  Larry offered to approach CHNC to help distribute the information.

 

Ted will attend the Wine & Cheese function to discuss the real benefits behind the donation drive and the improved ratings (API, Science, etc.) which are a directly result from the money Friends raises.  This is why our school is so great.

 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED 9:15 PM.