FICRA BOARD MEETING MINUTES (draft)
December 6, 2012
Board Attendees: Jim Braden, Jeff Goodwin, Patty Metzger, Tony Moore, Lynne Goodwin, Mimi Miller and Hal Goodell.
President Jim Braden opened the meeting at 7:32 pm.
Minutes from the November 1, 2012 board meeting were corrected to reflect Abby Schoffield’s offer to put together a Welcome basket for new residents, the revised Treasurer’s reports for August, September and October were added to the November 1 minutes. The minutes were then unanimously approved.
President’s Report: Jim Braden
- Jim recognized Margaret Wickline for her attendance at the meeting.
- Volunteers need to write their volunteer hours down in the volunteer notebook, which is kept in the drawer in the front hall. This volunteer time is important to include with the information we send out for grants.
- The Sand spit opened as of Dec. 1 with appropriate signage.
- The Christmas tree lighting event was a great success. The beautiful tree was donated from the Braden’s garden.
- Kim Peters donated the piano that is now in the auditorium.
- The auditorium looks great: thank you, building committee.
- Thanks to Lynn Goodwin for the great FLASH publication.
- The separation of FICRA and the Trust is in progress. The Boards are working to separate the budgets for 2013.
- There were no items on the Consent Calendar this month.
Treasure’s Report: Mimi Miller
FICRA received $3325 in donation thanks to Stan Weston’s efforts, including an anonymous donation of $2500 to Crime Watch and $1000 to the Trust.
FICRA Bank Balances as of 11/30/2012:
FICRA Beginning Balance $1126.09
Deposits 982.37
Expenses (1310.86)
Crime Watch Donations 3325.00
Crime Watch Expenses (659.24)
FICRA New Balance $3463.36
Money Market Beginning Balance $20774.39
Interest 2.56
Money Market Ending Balance $20,776.95
Trust Beginning Balance $13,403.33
Transfer from checking 603.00
Donations 1425.00
Spruce up Expenses (4902.45)
Dividend 1.44
FICRA Trust New Balance $10,530.32
PayPal Beginning Balance $2813.11
Income 841.03
Expenses (616.83)
PayPal Ending Balance $3037.31
- Current Family Memberships: 361
The complete treasurer’s report is attached to these minutes.
Committee Reports:
CrimeWatch: Stan Weston
- A burglary occurred when a resident left her house unlocked for 20 minutes and went to her neighbors. Her computer and all her jewelry were taken. Lock your house!
- Vandalism of signs on Gway, 10th Ave and Hyak Drive occurred on two separate occasions. Stan has been researching this case and plans to give some information to the investigator at the sheriff’s office.
- Stan gave several comparisons for 2011 and 2012 crime occurrences. Nearly all categories have gone down this year. Crime is very low on Fox Island and much lower than Gig Harbor and immediate surrounding areas.
- Drug paraphernalia has been found in the FIUCC parking lot.
- Stan suggested having a “crime meeting” for all island residents in January to give out information and to highlight the effectiveness of CrimeWatch. Hopefully this would bring in more donations for CrimeWatch, too. Jim Braden said he thought this would be a good idea and will work to get this started.
Building Committee: Carolyn Braden
- The committee is writing grants to sand and refinish the floors in the north classroom, restrooms, and the auditorium and to replace the floors in the halls and some boards in the south classroom. Estimates on the flooring are coming in. Perhaps we can get reclaimed fir floors for the auditorium.
- Work in the auditorium is completed and includes painting all walls and the ceiling, replacing window shades, replacing the stage skirt and adding a stained picture -hanging rail. It looks great! The upgrade cost about $4600 after we received a donation for the stage skirting versus the $5300 granted by the Board for this work (i.e. under budget!)
Social Activities: Karen Craven
- November 30 game night had 40 attendees.
- December 2 tree lighting was great. Thanks to all volunteers who helped decorate, to Jerry Smith for leading the caroling around the tree and to New Voz for being the opening act for the Wicklines. The Wicklines and friends were wonderful as usual. Eve Dorsey and her children sold hot chocolate and popcorn, which helped offset expenses and was a big hit. Many people mentioned that they liked the train and the photo ops with Santa. Some people didn’t like having the boy scout booth right at the front door.
- Lisa Gray will head up Ladies’ Latte on Thursday mornings beginning in January.
- There will be a Lego event Dec. 16th for families.
- January 26 will be the wine and cheese for members “and guests.” Karen needs help procuring items for the auction. We do have $300 sponsor ship for this event.
- Karen reiterated that we need a “think tank” in January/February to discuss what FICRA ‘s function is. (On this line, Jeff and Hal will report out on the survey at the January board meeting.)
Nature Center: Phil Craven
- Nature plants are being ordered to plant in the cleared areas.
- There were 20 volunteer hours this month for a total of 344 hours this year.
- The Use Policy has been approved and the committee will look into putting up signs that explain the use policy.
- NC committee will meet Dec. 19 and have a work party Dec. 22.
Publicity: Jim Braden for Kalli Ostner
- Jim expressed appreciation to Kalli for keeping the website current and for creating the signs that get posted on the bridge.
Fundraising: Jeff Goodwin
- The database is not finished but should be completed in December.
Special Committees:
Bylaws: Jim Braden
- The separation of FICRA and the trust is ongoing. The technical work to setting up two separate organizations is being accomplished. The FICRA board needs to go through how to separate costs in response to the meeting that was recently help among Mimi, Jim, and Tony. A “Reserve Study” is being done to summarize all assets. The Trust will rent the facility and one of the renters will be FICRA.
- The Trust is a 501c3 and its function is to own and keep the property maintained.
- FICRA is a 501c7 and it’s function is to provide educational and community activities.
Unfinished Business:
- The rental process and rent schedule need work.
- A grant has been sent to the Ben Cheney Foundation for the flooring work.
- FICRA will meet in the spring with PenMet Parks and residents regarding the Sandspit.
New Business:
- Abby Schofield is putting together a Welcome Packet: George Weiss will give her a map of the island.
- There was a discussion of a band for the FICRA fair. Instead of reserving the Gypsy Jazz Band the general interest seemed to be in using local talent. (PenMet Parks donates $500 for the fair and this would cover a band.) General agreement was that having the Youth Board organize the fair music would be difficult for them. We need someone to take this responsibility over. It was suggested that placing food booths around the music stage with tables and chairs would enhance the role of the entertainment at the fair.
- Lynn Goodwin’s son, Michael, is planning to have his senior project be a FICRA fundraiser. He plans to have an “open mike” night for music for youth.
- FICRA needs to pay the Calendar Wiz for services.
- The next FLASH will be before Easter.
- Hal suggested having a half-year membership for new members at half the annual cost. Attendees did not agree with this idea.
- We need to have membership cards for people when they join so any confusion around when membership is due will be resolved.
Meeting adjourned 9:20pm. Next meeting January 3.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Metzger