LWVCC Board Meeting, March 20, 2015
The LWVCC Board met in the BV Library on Friday, March 20th, 2015.
Present were: Marjie Gray, Melissa Smith, Ann Graham, Nancy Bob Smith, Jan Scar,
Linda Mulka, Nancy Walters and Jeanne Younghaus. Deborah Lively, and Marilyn Box,
Treasurer was also present.
Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
Finance/Budget Report: Marilyn Box and Jeanne Younghaus
The Budget Committee, consisting of Marilyn Box, Jeanne Younghaus,
Scott Hartman and Jackie Sobczak, met and reviewed the 2014/2015 budget. They
prepared a final budget summary which was handed out and reviewed by the board.
They also prepared a proposed 2015/2016 budget which was reviewed by the board and
which will be presented to the full membership for approval at our annual meeting in
April. We have not spent the entire budgeted amount in several categories. Public
Relations and Conference fees have an especially large amount remaining. We discussed
ways in which to use this money in the coming year with emphasis on attracting and
retaining new members. Jeanne proposed that we buy a monthly ad in the Mountain Mail
and the Chaffee County Times, using this ad to promote our programs, forums and other
activities. She has talked to the advertising manager for the papers and received a quote,
including a 10% discount, for 2 sizes of ads. The consensus is to buy the larger ad.
There is enough money left from 2014/2015 to operate this item at a loss if necessary and
then re-evaluate its’ effectiveness next year. Nancy Walters, Marjie Gray and Deborah
Lively will be on the committee to work up some ad copy.
We agreed to continue sending $100 to the Buena Vista Government class to be
used toward their participation in the We The People contest. The treasurer will send a
check in September.
We agreed to continue a $20 subscription to the state Legislative Newsletter,
considering it a donation to the state league. We need to find a member who is willing to
receive and review this letter and then send pertinent information to our general
membership.
We will encourage members to attend state events e.g. State Convention,
Legislative Day and the Leadership Retreat. Deborah Lively and Jan Scar will attend the
State Convention in May. Melissa Smith will attend the Leadership Retreat and will
invite Rose Mirich to attend as well. Registration information should be sent to Jeanne
Younghaus. More attendees would be welcome.
We have a donation jar which will be available at functions and meetings. The
opportunity to make a donation will be included in meeting announcements.
Marilyn Box reported that geranium sales are organized. Carol Sanford is in
charge of picking up and delivering the plants. Marilyn emphasized the need for more
members to help with sales. Jeanne will contact the state office to verify we don’t need a
sales tax license before we advertise in the newspapers.
Committee Reports:
Annual Dinner: will be held at the Steamplant in Salida on April 20th. Marilyn
Bouldin is chairman of this event. Dinner will be catered and the seating limit is 40
people. More people can be accommodated for the program. The speaker will be Ann
Carter from the state Alzheimer’s Association. Cheryl and Larry Kovacic have offered
to pay for 2 hours use of the room. We voted to add an additional $90 to secure the room
for 3 hours total. Reservations should be sent to Jeannne Younghaus - $25/person which
includes tax and tip. Reservations are due April 13th. A separate email, in addition to the
newsletter, will be sent with details about this event.
Deborah Lively will MC.
Voter Service:
We will include a discussion of voter service policies at our May meeting.
A review of the past year’s forums and attendant questions will be included in this
discussion.
Making Democracy Work Award:
A committee will be appointed to evaluate this award – whether we should
continue to offer it, etc.
Nomination of new Board Members:
Libby Fey has agreed to be a board member. She is interested in the finance
committee.
We will invite Gail Brooks, Rose Mirich and Scott Hartman to become board
members.
Retiring board members are Harriett Patten, Nancy Bob Smith, Ann Graham and
Jeanne Younghaus.
New members will be approved at our annual meeting.
Website Upkeep:
Nancy Walters needs someone to help her with website maintainence and to
ultimately take over this job.
Program Planning:
Our annual picnic is August 17 in Buena Vista. Casa del Rio Clubhouse is
available for $75.00. Linda Mulke will invite Keri Donovan – state senator and
Deborah Lively will invite Jim Wilson our state representative. This will be a
membership kick-off event. The membership committee is in charge of details.
December 2015 – there will be no meeting
January 2016 – County commissioners program. The program committee will
decide whether to make this an evening or late afternoon meeting, which day of the
month, etc. in order to attract more audience members.
We need programs for Sept., November, February 2016 and March 2016.
Suggestions are to continue the behavioral health study; health care services for our aging
population; a panel of mayors from BV, Salida and Poncha Springs; other state or
national studies. Other suggestions are welcome.
Membership: Ann Graham
Membership committee will organize a membership drive to coincide with our
August picnic and encourage members to bring guests. Melissa will ask Rose Mirich if
she would be interested in being on this committee.
By-Laws:
Following is a proposed change to our by-laws regarding payment of dues:
Article VIII: Financial Administration
Sec. 2. Dues. Annual dues shall be payable on the first day of September of each
year. Any member who fails to pay dues by the end of December shall no longer qualify
as a Voting Member.
This change will be voted on at our annual meeting.
The annual meeting is April 20th at the Steamplant in Salida. There will be three items on
the agenda: approval of the new budget, by-law change regarding dues and approval of
new board members.
There being no more business, the meeting was adjourned.
Jan Scar
Secretary