february 9, 2023 meeting minutes

Present: Karissa & Elijah Canfield, Julie Pelletier, Hal Hultman, Cheryl VanVliet, Diana Bolton, Phil Crutchfield, Paige George, Maureen Posler, Nazmiye Yapici, Vivian and two guests that are potential new members from the Pizza & Pop with the Civitans event at the Center for Aging. 
Cheryl called the meeting to order at 6:28 PM

1. Additions & Corrections: 2 Additions.  Elijah wanted to have discussion about the essay contest and Nazmeyi Yapici wanted to add aid to the earth quake victims in Turkey. 
2. Minutes: No additions or corrections. Phil made a motion to accept the minutes and Vivian seconded the motion.  Motion approved.
3. Treasury: Diana reviewed the treasury information and the balances of both the general and MP accounts. Diana reported that the only anomaly was a small charge which was actually costs for name badge material that Cheryl purchased. Elijah made a motion to accept the treasury report. The motion to approve was seconded, however I am sorry, I missed capturing it.  The motion to accept was passed.
4. Guests: Two guests attended the meeting and were from the “Pizza and Pop with the Civitans” held at the Center for Aging. Sandra Miller and Diane Wilson seemed very interested in joining the club.  I hope we can welcome them as members soon!
5. Correspondence: Information was presented about the South Lyon Channel 19 Community Television station. The station has information on historical data and is looking to promote events that the community does. Options include someone from the organization to participate in the “Spotlight on South Lyon” interview series, getting videos of events on SLACTV or providing PowerPoint presentations to SLACTV. Definitely something to consider for our upcoming events.
6. Member Initiation: Vivian officiated the initiation of Paige George.  Cheryl was Paige’s sponsor. See pictures of the event will be on the club website shortly.
7. Project Updates:
   1. Pizza & Pop with the Civitans: this event was a success! 28 people attended. Cheryl discussed the club’s Desert Angels Packing event and the Youth Entrepreneur Market. 2 ladies are interested in the road clean-up and 1 woman has a special needs grandchild and is interested in camp. The club also received permission to put a collection box in the center for Desert Angels.
   2. Music on The Grand: Karissa reviewed this year’s event dates and music genres. Karissa explained that there will be expanded food truck options and a food truck or menu geared towards children. The dates are: June 7, June 14, June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2 and August 15.  The club voted to participate in the July 19 & August 2 events. 
   3. Tent: With several events taking place this summer, Elijah raised the question of purchasing a tent.  The pros and cons of a plain white tent vs. the “Cadillac” version with our logo, color sides and top were reviewed.  After much discussion, the decision was made to purchase the “Cadillac” version.  Hal will get details and coordinate. Maureen made a motion for the club to spend up to $2,000 for the tent & case.  Karissa seconded the motion. The motion passed.
   4. Desert Angels Packing Party: Elijah brought up having our Desert Angels Packing party once a year versus twice a year. If we hold one event, between Halloween and Thanksgiving, we get the benefit of all the extra Halloween candy and the likelihood of more donations resulting in more boxes.  Last spring, we had about 86 boxes to send. In the fall, we had 232 boxes. Getting the community behind us with more boxes as a result, is more beneficial to the club, the community and our troops. The tentative 2023 date is November 16, 2023. A suggestion was also made about contacting Walmart & Lowe’s for donations as well as putting boxes & flyers at the senior center and at “Music on the Grand”.
   5. Inspired Movement (Digital Playspace): Thad is the point person on this project. There was no update on the project.  The club members present had discussion about the importance of moving this forward and going above the Special Education Director or potentially trying another school. The club received a grant for this project and it must be completed and a report turned in by April 2023, so moving forward aggressively is getting more important.   Hal will reach out to Thad & partner with him to get this project moving.
   6. Charity Poker: Elijah submitted the applications for our two events. We are just waiting or approval.  Elijah will send an electronic sign-up next month.  Please, please consider volunteering.  You are not actually playing poker so reservations about supporting poker are not an issue and you don’t have to know anything about poker to work the event. 
   7. Clean-the-Highway:  Dates for cleaning the highway have been posted.  KVCC will clean the highway on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 will be the back-up date.  Meet at the New Hudson Biggby at 10:00 to clean.  Vests and reacher tools are provided. The second date is September 23 with September 24 as a rainy day back-up.
   8. Essay Scholarship: Elijah asked about this project.  Maureen said she would chair the project and that Cheryl was providing the letters, rules and application from last year.  The subcommittee so far is Maureen, Cheryl, Paige and Maureen will ask Paulina to participate.  Since I started the minutes, Paulina has agreed to be a member of the subcommittee. Letters will go to the two school principals the week of February 12, 2023 and students will have until April 19, 2023 to submit their essays. Paige is converting the application to a Google document so students can apply right on the application and submit it. Elijah will update our website once dates are confirmed and requirements finalized. 
   9. Youth Entrepreneur Market (YEM): Elijah reported that the dates for the 2023 YEM market events are May 14, June 11, August 13 & September 10.  Elijah summarized the program, for our guests. The market is held on the grassy land between Lucas Grill and Biggby Coffee on Pontiac Trail.
   10. Focus Hope: May 20 is the first date that the club will partner with the Plymouth Canton Civitan Club. Volunteers have to be at Focus Hope no later than 9:00 AM.  If you are interested in carpooling, meet at the Costco parking lot, located at I-96 & Middle Belt. 
   11. Elections: Cheryl brought up the club elections for the 2023-2024 year.  The club does not have a President-Elect so there is no one to move into the President office for the coming year.  If no one steps up, Thad will do a second year as President. Diana agreed to serve as Treasurer for another year and Maureen initially agreed to serve another year as secretary for the meeting minutes and newsletter.  However Maureen has since advised Cheryl that she will not serve another year.  Physical restrictions are making writing more difficult and keeping up with the discussion is getting hard. 
   12. Earthquake Victims: Nazyemi asked to discuss providing aid to Turkey for the earthquake victims. There is a need for money, diapers, bedding, sleeping bags, etc.  Money and items are being coordinated with the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM). Nazyemi will talk to NACYM on process for donating.  Elijah made a motion to donate $1,000 to TACAM for relief efforts.  Diana seconded the motion and the motion passed. Diana will handle the donation when details are known. TACAM is a 501(c) so the donation can come from the MP account.

 

1. Upcoming Projects:
   1. Clean-the-Highway: April 22 and rain date is April 23, 2023
   2. Music on the Grand: Concerts start on June 7, 2023 and run every Wednesday.  KVCC is participating on July 19 & August 2.
   3. Youth Entrepreneur Market (YEM): Dates for the YEM are May 14, June 11, August 13 and Sept. 13. Please plan on attending one or more of the events to support our youth entrepreneurs.
   4. Focus Hope: Partner with Plymouth Canton Civitan Club.  Focus Hope Dates:
      1. May 20 & Oct. 14
   5. Charity Poker Dates:
      1. May 11th – 14th
      2. June 15th – June 18th
   6. High School Essay Contest: Communication will go to school principals the week of February 12.  Senior student essays are due April 14.   
   7. 2023-2024 Officer Elections: The President-Elect position is open.  Thad will do two years as President if no one else is interested. Diana agreed to serve as Treasurer for another year.

Next Meeting is a dinner meeting at Teresita’s Mexican Grill on February 23, 2023.  Teresita’s is located at 56310 Grand River, New Hudson, MI.  Maureen will send out an RSVP email with responses due to Nazyemi by February 20.  Nazyemi is working with the restaurant on seating.
 
Hal Hultman made a motion to adjourn made at 8:25 PM. Phil seconded and the motion passed. 
 
Minutes respectfully taken by Maureen Posler on February 9th and submitted on February 13, 2023.