Friends of Georgia Libraries
Meeting Minutes
June 2015
Opening
The regular meeting of the Friends of Georgia Libraries was called to order at 12:00 PM
on June 19, 2015in McDonough, Georgia by FOGL President Kathy Ash.
Present
Kathy Ash, Dan Aldridge, Beth Ratliff, Keith Schuermann, Rita Spisak, Chris Snell,
Belinda Outwater, Lorene Flanders- RACL Liasion, Jessica L. Everingham-GPLS
Liasion
Call to Order & Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved as distributed.
Treasurers Report
Keith reported a balance of 2519.57 in the checking account as of 4/17/2015. He also
reported that memberships of Friends groups were approximately 18 and the rest of the
memberships were held by individuals.
Old Business
Kathy thanks Keith for representing FOGL at National Legislative Day in Washington.
Kathy made note that there is a need for volunteers for Legislative Days both in Georgia
and Washington at the next appointed dates.
New Business
Como is coming up October 7-9. Kathy, Keith and Beth volunteered to help staff the
FOGL table as they will be in attendance. Suggestions needed for improvements for
upcoming COMO. Chris mentioned FOGL needs more exposure to the public. Possible
ways: Leaving books with FOGL info in laundromats, podcasting meetings and speakers
attending local Friends meetings and sales.
Dan discussed when talking to new groups forming Friends groups to let them know it is
wise from an organizational and legal standpoint to apply for 501c3 before they form. He
cited recent bookkeeping issues in a current group as an example.
Chris reported of a successful training for trustees that was held and suggested that more
trainings for boards, Friends and trustees be held to teach about state funds and advocacy.
Kathy reported that there are currently no applications for the author grant or the 2
awards that FOGL offers.
A discussion was held about recruiting younger members. Things suggested: Attend
children and teen programs to discuss FOGL and Friends in general. Begin Teen
Advisory boards for local Friends and a teen member on the FOGL board. Suggest
library volunteer time to teens needing volunteer hours for school.
Social media and articles in print was discussed. Beth has the FOGL blog up and
running. Please email her at foglblog@gmail.com to submit events or articles for the
blog. Rita posts to the Facebook page. Kathy will talk to David Baker about an article in
AJC.
It was decided there will be no Fall Workshop in 2015.
GPLS Liaison: Jessica L. Everingham will check in to details of a possible Friends
license plate with the state. She will also look in to the needed training in advocacy.
Belinda Outwater reported on the sad passing of Denzil Pugh, friend to libraries. An
article about Denzil was posted on the FOGL blog.
friendsofgeorgialibraries.blogspot.com/
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned by FOGL President Kathy Ash. The next general meeting will be
at 12:00 PM on August 28, 2015, at GPLS offices, 1800 Century Place
Suite 150, Atlanta, GA.
Minutes submitted by:
Beth Ratliff