Takoma DC Neighborhood Association – Minutes of Board Meeting 1/8/08

The meeting convened at 8:00 pm at Promised Land Baptist Church.

Attended by board members Paul Schwartz, Rich Holzsager, Julie Schor, Leon Johnson, Anissa Rogness, Ann Beman, Stacy Mills, Mark Headings, Ronnie Parham-Dudley & Eleanor Allen.

I. Those present approved minutes from 11/13 and agreed on tonight’s agenda.

II. Welcome to new board members and elect officers.

a. Welcome to Stacy Mills, Ann Beman and Anissa Rogness.  Paul stated that relevant documents, such as by-laws and minutes, are on the website.

b. Officers were nominated as follows:

i. Paul Schwartz, President;

ii. Carolivia Herron, Vice-President;

iii. Mark Headings, Treasurer; and

iv. Eleanor Allen, Secretary. 

c. Rich moved to elect the slate; Julie seconded. The officers were elected by acclimation.

III. Upcoming meetings.

a. Board Retreat. The retreat will take place on January 26 from 1-4pm at the Landis Building.  Paul distributed an email with his suggested areas of focus.  For the retreat, he would like to focus on the upcoming meetings, assignments for board members and our past accomplishments.  Stacy stated that neighbors want TDCNA to have an agenda. Paul stated that we would like input from the community.  Ronnie stated that the purpose of the retreat is to discuss our mission and what we plan to do this year.  Eleanor stated that she will draft the accomplishments for 2007. 

b. January 22 General Meeting. We discussed the meeting and the possibility of inviting people to express their concerns. Paul stated that the meeting was scheduled for education with Nancy Smith taking the lead. Stacy mentioned that she, Nancy and ANC Commissioner Faith Wheeler attended a meeting on Coolidge restructuring which was only attended by 20 people, less than half from the neighborhood [fewer than 5 parents], and asked if this should be a priority, given the difficulty in getting parents to attend.   Paul then suggested a neighborhood meeting with community leaders. Stacy mentioned getting the block captains involved. It was decided that the meeting will focus on neighborhood priorities for 2008. 

IV. Treasurer’s Report

a. Mark distributed the treasurer’s report for the month ending 12/31/07. 

b. He stated that the Safe Takoma grant of $30,000 came in and the $950 check for insurance was sent out. 

c. Jackie Parham is still the signatory on the account because Bank of America misplaced the signature card and we were unable to change over the account.

d. Regarding the rain garden grant, Ann explained that the grantee is the Friends of the Takoma Recreation Center. TDCNA is a supporter but has no official role.

e. Dodie Butler as not cashed a $200 check from last spring re: the Caring Network.

f. Jackie did a final budget which Mark will send to the board list.  

V. Old/Continuing business

a. Newsletter. Paul stated that six weeks ago, Dodie Butler decided to stop doing the newsletter.  Her view is that it’s a “neighborhood newsletter” and should not be controlled by TDCNA (even though TDCNA pays for it).  We need to discuss the status of the newsletter at the retreat. Ronnie stated that we can’t afford it and need to decide if it benefits TDCNA.  Rich said that it is valuable for older people not on email.  Paul agreed that we need to discuss the newsletter as well as other communications, such as a member brochure and the website.

b. Rec Center follow-up. Stacy stated that there has been a restructuring at the center with new staff such as Al Cook the new site manager, and the removal of Miss G to another site.  Stacy, Carolivia and Pam Ellison met with the new Parks Director Clark Ray. She asked Ray to support the strategic planning process.   Stacy also met with Councilmember Bowser and Mayor Fenty’s office.  Bowser promised to make some contacts.  Next steps are an evening session in January, a retreat in February and a general meeting in May. 

c. Holiday party.  We overspent on the party.  Ann and Nancy are still due reimbursements. We need to send a thank-you note to the Giancolas. 

d. Website.  Rich has been paying fees for the various sites (tdcna.org, takomadc.org, with extensions .info, .net, and .com.  We get about 1,000 hits per month.  Paul asked everyone to look at the site and make suggestions. 

VI. New Business/Announcements

a. Paul received a letter from the church regarding using tape on the wall and the prohibition of food and drink in the sanctuary.  In the future, we need to use and easel. 

b. Brightwood Investment meeting on Jan. 10 at 6:30 at Emory UMC.

c. O-Hats on Jan. 13 at 7pm at Savory Cafe. 

VII. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 pm.