march 13, 2025 meeting minutes

Present: Karissa & Elijah Canfield, Mark Blondy (Guest Annette Newton), Diana Bolton, Guest Dan Mercurio-soon to be new member), and Theresa Furget.
Elijah called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM.

1. Additions & Corrections: None.
2. Approval of February 13th, 2025, Minutes: Karissa made a motion, and Diana seconded it to approve the minutes. Motion passed.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Diana went over the general and MP accounts for March 2025. Karissa made a motion, and Mark seconded it to accept the treasurer’s report. Motion passed.
   1. Finance & Budget Committee: Diana went over the budget for 2024-2025 explaining her thoughts and reasoning as prepared. The discussion was that this will continue to be tweaked as this is the first year of having an actual budget.
4. Correspondence: None.
5. Member Recruitment & Retention (MRR) Committee Update-Karissa: Karissa was contacted about putting out a flyer for this individual’s business and wanted to include the Youth Entrepreneur Market also, at no cost. Karissa passed around what it would look like. It will be a direct flyer that will reach 5,000 homes. She has been in contact with the Lyon Today Magazine about placing an ad for the club and YEM. She is still waiting to hear back about the cost. There has been no meeting of the committee to discuss the software previously discussed at the February meeting.
6. Open Discussion:
   1. Washer/Dryer-Bartlett: Elijah: Thad has a meeting set up at the school to discuss this further next week. There was discussion as to what school Bartlett or Brummer will receive the washer/dryer. Mark asked whether clothes could be donated to help the kids out. Further discussion was whether an all-in-one appliance would be obtained, new or used. Thad will report the details at the April meeting.
   2. New Project Checklist-Karissa: Karissa went over the KVCC Events 2025 Calendar, explaining that members need to sign up to lead the various events. Mark indicated that he would be willing to lead the Kitefest in June if the club decides to participate. Here’s the link to review the calendar, then just let Karissa know what event(s) you want to lead:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16xMMdHyLYQw7FizR2EnDEER2_kSXcbFO/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113762036340398725003&rtpof=true&sd=true
   3. New Hudson Bench-Karissa: Karissa passed around a picture to share the concept of what the benches will look like along with the sculptures of the horses. The location is the southwest quadrant of Ring Rd. The benches have a frame over them, and this is where the mural will be placed. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is looking to have the first bench placed sometime in 2025 (nothing has been decided yet). Karissa thinks it will be more like in 2026. 
   4. Winter Project Discussion (Goal decide by May for 2026)

i.Random Acts of Kindness ideas, other ideas? Several members like doing an act of kindness to group homes, senior nursing homes or special ed students to either celebrate birthdays or to just limit it to Valentines Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Could give out movie baskets to the facilities. For the seniors, Mark indicated that he could appraise items, like what is done on Antiques Road Show, only he is not able to do jewelry.

1. MI Monster Dash: TBD, sometime in October.

1. Project Updates: None to report.
2. Upcoming Projects:
   1. Scholarship April 16th: Essays are due to the committee (Maureen, Cheryl, Paige, and Paulina). A decision must be made by May 16th, and the schools are notified of the winners. Per the February minutes only two awards are going to be given out this year. Flyers were given to members to post within the community concerning the essay/scholarships.
   2. Charity Poker Save the Date: June 26th-29th.

i.The current event is April 3rd-6th. Thurs and Fri will be from 10 AM-6PM and Sat and Sun are 6:30 PM to 2 AM. The June event will be the reverse (night/day). Make sure you arrive ½ hour early at Vision Lanes located at 38250 Ford Rd. Westland, 48185. Wear your club tee shirt and name badge during the event.
Signup Genuis Link for April Event:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4DAEA62CA6FC1-55668882-kvcivitan
ii.Training Session: Elijah handed out the Charity Poker Notes and went over them. He indicated the Poker Box has the club’s application/ license for the event, money, the dowel for the singles, paper, pens, and blank name tags etc. He emphasized that the sign in sheet the day of the event must have 3 workers and 1 chairperson signatures. The chairperson signs the end-of-day form (Daily Cash Accountability). The end-of-day account of money should be exact and match what is being reported. On the fourth/final day 2 checks will be made out. One to Vision Lanes for rental location and the other to Krazy Kopz for their cut of the profit. Each check should be noted in the memo line the dates of the four days of the event and what the check is for-rental location and Krazy Kopz profit/share etc. The final statement that goes to the State of MI will be signed by the club’s president-Elijah. The complete Charity Poker Notes will be onsite for reference if needed.

1. Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup April 12th: Meet at the New Hudson Biggby Store at 10 AM (rain date is the 13th). Need 6-8 people (invite your friends and family). Usually everyone goes to lunch afterwards. The safety vests and grabbers will be supplied. Bring gloves. Thanks to Sue Meisner she went to MDOT and picked up the garbage bags to put the trash in.

i. September 20th-28th cleanup TBD.

1. S. Lyon Creek Cleanup May 4th: Elijah stated this will be finalized at the April meeting.
2. Youth Entrepreneur Market (YEM)-Elijah:

i.2025 Dates: May 10th, June 14th, July 12th, August 9th, and September 13th., 10 AM-3PM. The location is the grassy area between the Biggby Store and Lucas Coney Island on Pontiac Trail Rd. He has 10 signed up/interested. Only 5 have paid the refundable deposit so far. This is the first year of the refundable deposit (receive a refund when the youth vendor shows up for the event). Hopefully, this will cut down on the no shows. The total number of vendors last year was about 20 for one month. He estimates there’s room for 25 vendors and can squeeze in 26 if needed. He still must submit the city application and obtain insurance. He will also reach out to past youth vendors.
ii.Marketing Plan: On-site attractions, flyers, other ideas? Discussion was concerning how to increase the foot traffic at the YEM. Need something to attract people to YEM. Karissa reported that she has not heard back from the two grants she applied for (to cover the costs of inflatables etc.,). She is thinking the grants went to other groups. Elijah will create flyers to be hung around town and have someone hand out flyers at the farmer’s market. Mailers have already been discussed under item 5. Mark showed a Tom Cruise impersonator (Tom Dawson), and he works free for charities-but still would have to get the word out to the public. Discussed food trucks and ice cream truck.

1. Next Meeting
   1. Dinner Meeting March 27th at Teresita’s Mexican Grill at 6:30 PM.
   2. Business Meeting-April 10th at 6:30 PM.
2. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:48 PM.

Minutes taken by Theresa Furget on March 13th, 2025, and respectfully submitted on March 14th, 2025.