Friends of Dicken Woods General Assembly
Minutes for the Monday, August 4, 2003 meeting at Trinity Lutheran Church
Attending were Helen and Mason Barr, Jim
Boyd, Nadine Brown, Mike Champion, Bitsy Eaton & John Eaton, Kay
Holsinger, Stephanie Hunter, Diane Imready, Tom Ivacko, Naela Jenkins,
Theresa Leite, Deb Norbotten, Mary Unterburger, Marian Williams, Carol
& Max Ziegler, Hildegard Hohnke, Roger Gorlewski, Kevin Carley.
Naela Jenkins chaired the meeting and opened proceedings at 7:05.
The Parks Advisory Commission has
recommended purchase of Dicken Woods. . FODW will not be involved in
negotiations between the city and Diocese of Lansing. Negotiations have
not commenced because the bishop was on vacation, but he should be
returning this week. Our part will be raising $50,000 for the city to
apply towards the purchase and/or maintenance of the property.
The West Side Ann Arbor Kiwanis hosted
Tom Ivacko and Erik Stalhandske at their June meeting. Erik and Tom
presented our cause during the luncheon. A letter of thanks and request
for support has been sent to the WSAAK. Eason Chun is a Kiwanis
officer and FODW.
Bumper Stickers were approved at the last meeting, but that was before the PAC announcement. They will not be pursued.
Web Site Traffic as monitored by our
counter reported approximately 290 hits last month from 120 different
people, with some fluctuation over preceding months. The most
frequently hit page is the latest news.
Treasurer Deb Norbotten now has 214
members on our FODW roll. We earned about $3700 from the garage sale,
and have $1900 in donations and $36,785 in pledges. The total is about
$43,000. She has responded to each pledge with a letter, including our
expectation to collect pledges in late summer or early fall.
IRS Form 1023 for Tax Exempt Status has
been submitted to the IRS for approval. The process can take six weeks.
Jim Boyd will contact the IRS to follow its processing. Naela and
Marian Williams recommended that we put "no goods or services received
for this donation" on our receipts. It may be required for donations of
$250 or more.
New Dicken Principal Mary Anne Jaeger
was contacted by Tom. She has recent experience with curbing
inappropriate development around her last school. She is not
responsible for the school newsletter, and encouraged Tom to contact the
PTO regarding FODW news and distribution of fundraiser coupons.
A Conservation Easement from Walden
Hills Village has been proposed to increase the protected area of Dicken
Woods. A conservation easement is very flexible in regard to its
duration and the amount of public access. This would be a very positive
development to the Parks Department and City Council by adding
protected areas to Dicken Woods, and would benefit the condominiums by
preserving natural areas. The manager is supportive, but the issue will
be decided by the association board.
FODW Benefit Concert at the Ark is
scheduled for 8:00, August 21. Doors open at 7:30. Reserved seating,
available at the Union, is recommended for those who want to ensure a
good seat without waiting in line. All proceeds go to FODW.
Promotion of the event is critical and
can be advanced through the media and word of mouth. Deb Norbotten will
contact Lucy Ann Lance of Kool 107, and Jim Boyd will contact the Ann
Arbor to arrange coverage. Matt Watroba of WDET has already announced
the concert several times on his Saturday afternoon program. Ted Heisel
of WAAM should also be notified. All are encouraged to post notices in
corporate newsletters and public bulletin boards at area businesses.
No repeat flyer is planned. Stephanie and Deb blanketed the
neighborhood with 900 flyers announcing the concert and listing breaking
FODW news.
Concert Preparations include an attended
table, literature, and donation jar. Jack and Bitsy Eaton volunteered
to staff the table. They may rotate with other FODW so they can enjoy
at least part of the concert. Erik will contact the musicians to obtain
professional biographies, and determine if they wish us to sell their
CD's during the benefit. Jack Eaton will draft a pamphlet with
performer information, FODW update, and possibly thank yous to various
contributors to FODW. Coupons for the Borders promotion will also be
needed for distribution.
Borders Benefit will be the weekend of
September 19-21. Proceeds from sales at both Ann Arbor stores will go
to FODW when our coupon is presented with a purchase. Coupons are our
responsibility to make and distribute. They are not required, however.
Simply mention FODW with your purchase if you don't have a coupon.
There is no limit to how many we make. Tom Ivacko will ask the Dicken
PTO to distribute coupons. Jim Boyd will contact Nicola's Books to see
if they would arrange a similar benefit on another weekend.
Bylaws were submitted by Jack Eaton for
approval. One amendment was suggested, "One VP shall sign checks in the
absence of the president. The treasurer shall always sign checks."
Another concern regarded Item 12 and dissolution. This is covered in
legal terms in Article VII of the Articles of Incorporation. Jack
stated his concerns regarding eligibility for membership. He'd prefer
inclusiveness and informality, with safeguards to ensure the current
goals of FODW are not compromised. This issue will be decided at future
meetings. Naela Jenkins proposed acceptance of the bylaws with the two
verbal amendments regarding FODW check endorsing and dissolution of the
corporation.
Passed unanimously by oral vote.
Business Pledges will require a formal
letter with FODW letterhead. Naela will identify potential donors.
Volunteers will identify owners or appropriate contacts, so that the
letters can be addressed to an individual. We will solicit a letter
from the PAC regarding their intentions and efforts to acquire DW.
The SC Mailing List is currently open to anyone, SC members are identified on the website.
Three Large Tables are left from the garage sale. Contact Naela if you are interested.
The Next General Membership Meeting is planned for 7:00 Monday, September 8 at Dicken School. Deb will verify availability.
Jack Eaton moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:40. Naela seconded. All assent. No dissent.
Minutes taken by Jim Boyd.