Murdock Neighborhood Association Board Meeting -- Draft Minutes

May 10, 2006

The meeting was held at the home of Charles Jones.
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by President Bob Fanjoy.
Board Members Present: Fanjoy, Murchan, Johnson, Gomez, Hsieh, Jones
Board Members Absent: Livesey
Other attending: None

Minutes of March April 12 Board meeting were approved with one change. Minutes of Special Meeting (Candidate Forum for District One) held April 5 were approved. The Board approved posting Draft Minutes on the MNA Website prior to approval and subject to an initial Board review. Adopted Minutes will replace the draft when available.

Treasurer’s Report

• Hsieh reported on membership. Many of last year's members have not renewed. The Board requested that Doris e-mail those who have not renewed, reminding them of the MNA's many activities and accomplishments (refer to Fanjoy letter in last newsletter for content) and of the expenses. Bob's letter should be posted up front on the website and not just in the newsletter. The website could have a "head-counter" (Gomez will research.) and perhaps we could have an honor drawing for Web users at the next meeting (Johnson). The site is a real service to members, but they need to know about it.
• The Board approved $60.31 reimbursement to Steve Chell for newsletter expenses for the last two editions.
• Current balance is $1,642.95.

Old Business

Traffic Committee

• Judy Boehm, committee chair, had asked the Board for direction on using video to document dangerous practices of drivers near the school. The Board agreed that it could have value, and directed her to explore the possibility that the city could do the taping (either Transportation or Police Dept.). The Board thought a tape presented by a police officer to a meeting of Murdock/Portal parents might have some impact. If the city approves and can help with the taping, the topic should be raised with Principal Leslie Mains at the next traffic meeting.
• The Board also wants the potential for carpools to be an agenda item at the next meeting with the school, city, and district. We have not pressed hard enough on this potentially valuable congestion-reducing option.

Social and Events Committee

• The next event will be the annual picnic, scheduled for June 24 (See details under New Business).
• There were four volunteer sign-ups at the April 25 general meeting – could be helpful for events.
• The Board discussed how we could support Jennifer Lee's park play dates, which have been deferred due to bad weather.

Membership Drive

• Trixie will speak with Steve Chell about potential marketing materials to be developed for use by Board members who will canvas the entire neighborhood.
• Perhaps we should offer a dinner certificate as a reward for the member with the most successful referrals.
• All Neighborhood Watch participants should be strongly encouraged to join (have membership forms available), since this activity is a direct result of MNA work.

Website

• We need to get the picnic information posted.
• Trixie will see if the city has a flyer or other material we can post about National Night Out, our next general meeting. We can also use the website to solicit nominations for the movie to be shown at the park that night (August 1 – first Tuesday in August).
• Solicit volunteers for the National Night Out Committee on the website and at the picnic. Doris should also include a pitch for volunteers in her e-mail blast, and David will work on recruitment as well.
• Start announcing that the October meeting will include election of next year's officers. Be thinking of nominations. (Also for Doris's e-mail blast)

New Business

June 24 Annual Picnic

• Ask Jennifer Lee to assist Margie Murchan, (Larry and Margie are the event chairs); Jenny Hsieh will also help.
• The event needs its own committee – this is too much for the Board to do. We should contact the four volunteers from the April 25 general meeting.
• Doris should include a call for volunteer help in her e-mail message.
• We should have more activities and games this year, including a bounce house, visits from fire and police departments.

Nominations and Officer Election; By-laws revisions

• October Board Meeting will be annual meeting for election of officers and a good time to consider by-laws revisions.
• Nominating committee should be selected in June to start work. This is one board member and several members.
• Call for volunteers on the website and at the picnic.

Next Meeting Location: undetermined. Meeting hosts for coming months: July - Murchan's; August – TBD; September – Johnson's, October – TBD.

Meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Trixie Johnson, Secretary