september 14th, 2023 meeting minutes

​Present: Marta Ford, guest Dave Ford, Julie Pelletier, Diana Bolton, Rich Roberts, Nazmiye Yapici, Hal Hultman, Cheryl VanVliet, Thad Bogert, Maureen Posler, Phil Crutchfield, Karissa & Elijah Canfield, Carol Sienko, and Theresa Furget.
Thad called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM.

1. Additions & Corrections: Marta added MSU Fundraiser under 5i, and Theresa added Region 6 District convention under 5j.
2. Approval of the August 10th, 2023 Minutes: Rich made a motion and Maureen seconded it to approve the minutes.  Motion passed.
3. Treasurer’s Report-Diana: Diana went over the general account and explained that the Lumo Playground description is the licensing fee for the Inspired Movement Project.  She also went over the MP account. Phil made a motion and Rich seconded it to accept the September 2023 Treasurer’s report.  Motion passed.   
4. Correspondence: None.
5. Project Updates:
   1. Club Elections 2023-2024: Thad asked if anyone was willing to step forward to be the president elect.  Elijah stated he would do it. Cheryl made a motion that the slate of officers: Thad for president, Elijah for president elect, Diana for treasurer, and Theresa for secretary be elected.  Rich seconded the motion.  Motion passed.
   2. Party in Hell Recap: Cheryl and Hal hosted a great social event for the club. The top fisherman with seven catches was Toprak (Cheryl passed around a picture of Toprak with one of his catches). Thanks Cheryl & Hal !
   3. Charity Poker Future Dates-Elijah: Dates are set up for 2024: May 9th-12th, and June 20th-23rd.
   4. Youth Entrepreneur Market (YEM)/Participant Recognition-Elijah: Elijah indicated that there’s been around 31 participants this year.  Which is doubled from last year.  This is great, however, he questioned whether this is just his project or is it’s the club’s project.  Theresa indicated outside of herself with Elijah and Karissa, they’re the only members that stay all day with the market.  Thad, Rich, and Phil have come around at various times to help. Theresa stated she greets each vendor around startup time to answer any questions and to help them out with explaining their products.  And then shortly prior to closing she goes around to see how they’ve done , usually she asks how much they’ve made and whether they’re coming back next month. At the club’s table/booth questions are answered about the market, the club’s role and Civitan questions with handing out club info. Members indicated that they would like to continue sponsoring this project Elijah was unable to do any marketing of the event, other then the signs that are put up in front of the Biggby Store the day of the market.  He would like to see members step up and help with this.  The Farmer’s Market was mentioned about handing out flyers there. Numerous attempts have been made contacting the individual who’s in charge there, with no response what’s-so-ever. Thad indicated this may change if he’s elected to city council. A committee/team needs to be set up in January 2024 to coordinate the market with organization, marketing (flyers, cable tv) and then recognition of the participants.  This brought up the discussion of recognition of this year’s participants.  Karissa, Theresa, and Elijah had started this discussion back in August concerning a dinner with certificates being handed out.  However, they didn’t get this completed and it’s a bit late/short notice to try and pull something together by the September dinner meeting, especially with school back in session and the various school activities that are currently going on.  This is something that should be established at the start of YEM in May with letting the participants know with a save the date invite.  This is something the committee should handle.  This year’s participants should still be recognized with certificates of participation and letters of appreciation/thank-you.  This can also include the dates for the 2024 YEM market dates (starting in May, the 2nd Saturday of the month until September). It’ll mean much more to the participants if these can be mailed out via postal mail. Diana, Maureen, and Cheryl indicated that they’ll handle the certificates, and thank-you letters.  Elijah will give them the addresses of the participants, and if need be, Nazmiye can verify the addresses.   
   5. Desert Angels November 16th-Karissa: The Lyon TWP Municipal Center has been secured for the packing party. Donation boxes are being set up at the Biggby Stores (S. Lyon & New Hudson) along with one at the S. Lyon Senior Center.  It’s also being advertised in the Lyon TWP and S. Lyon Senior newsletters.  The donation list will be attached to the club meeting minutes and newsletter. Elijah indicated that the Regional B postal boxes which were the cheapest to send are no longer available.  All boxes will be sent to stations and no longer to individuals due to the difficulty of delivery. The large boxes are about 30% cheaper to send (about $19 per box) than the medium size boxes. It will cost about $3,500 to send 182 large size boxes which is an increase of about 40% in postage.  However, after discussion the MP account can still be used to pay for postage.  Marta will check with her son who’s in the military to see if there’s another way of sending the boxes. Cheryl   stated that Paulina is collecting paperback books through the Salem-S. Lyon District Library. She also mentioned that the Plymouth-Canton Civitan Club will be attending the packing party in lieu of their dinner meeting.  Lastly, Cheryl indicated that the club was also donating $500 to go towards the postage.  The check was given to Diana.  Elijah stated that to send 150 large size boxes it’ll cost about $2850 in postage. Elijah then made a motion that up to $3,000 out of the MP account be used to pay for postage of the Desert Angle/Miracle Boxes.  Diana seconded the motion.  Motion passed. Karissa indicated that she would put together an Amazon Wish List for donations.  Maureen will contact Paige about the local high schools having a collection drive at the schools. Food was discussed next.  Karissa will take care of ordering the pizza’s.  Karissa made a motion and Elijah seconded it, to spend no more than $300 from the general account to pay for the pizza’s. Motion passed. Theresa will  take care of the cookies, she’ll donate them.  Hal will take care of the beverages.  This time he’ll get the 2-liter bottles of pop along with cups.  He’ll donate the pop and cups. 
   6. Scarecrows on the Grand-Karissa & Theresa: Scarecrow can be set up from October 6th-11th and Scarecrows will be up from October 12th through the end of the month.  Scarecrows must be picked up by November 1st. The club’s scarecrow theme will be Desert Angels with the scarecrow holding a donation box.  Cheryl has the frame, Theresa & Maureen have the grocery bags for stuffing, Marta will check with her military son for clothing.  Will meet at 1 PM on October 8th at Karissa & Elijah’s house for scarecrow assembly.
   7. Pumpkinfest September 30th-October 1st-Thad: Club’s booth is located just east of The Lyon Theater on E. Lake St./10 Mile.  The booth set up is for the 30th from 8-10 AM.  Have about 1,000 stuffed animals for prizes and Thad has some left-over LED rings and he will order more. Thad has set up the sign up for booth volunteers at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FACA72AABF85-pumpkinfest3.  Thad also indicated that Pumpkinfest still needs volunteers to sell tickets, tee shirts, pour beer in the beer tent and more.  If you’re able to help register at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0848ACAD2CA0FD0-south5#/.
   8. Inspired Movement Project (Digital Play Space)-Thad: Thad and Hal had presented this as a benefit for individual’s with special needs.  It appears the school system intends to  use this for all students.  Thad wasn’t sure whether this was permissible under the CI grant guidelines and that members would want to move forward or not.  Members indicated that this shouldn’t be an issue with CI and Thad should move forward.  Thad will take the next step with Sue the Sp. Educ Director.
   9. MSU Fundraiser-Marta: Marta indicated that this is an easy way to raise $500-700 for the general account by working the concession stand at MSU sporting and non-sporting events (not football).  It only takes about 8 members (cashier, inventory, runners etc.) to run it.  Volunteers get access to free parking.  If the club would like to do this, she can set it up with her contact person at MSU.
   10. Region 6 District Convention October 27th-29th-Marta: This will be held at The Drury Inn in Lafayette, IN.  Breakfast is included with hotel room as well as “kick-back” from 5:30 to 7 PM, which includes three drinks and food.  Registration is $50  and $50 for food.  Room rate is $150 but must register by September 27th to get this rate.  Doug Szczepanski-“Miracle Soldier” will be this year’s special speaker and CI president Dee Hutsler will also be in attendance.
   11. Pontiac Trail Rd. Cleanup September 23rd: Meet at the New Hudson Biggby Store on Milford Rd. at 10 AM.
   12. Focus Hope October 14th: Join the Plymouth-Canton Civitan Club with food box building at 9 AM down at Focus Hope located at 1400 Oakman Blvd. in Detroit, 48238.  Afterwards the group will go out for lunch.
   13. Plymouth-Canton Civitan Club Social Invite October 11th-Cheryl (just added): The Plymouth-Canton Club is inviting local Civitan clubs for a social event at the Living and Learning Enrichment Center (Carriage House) located at 801 Griswold , Northville, 48167 on October 11th from 6-8:30 PM.  The cost is $15 per individual.  Must RSVP by Sept 21st to Jacqui Norton at 734.536.4814 (cell) or 734.425.4077 (Home) or [email protected].
6. Dinner Meeting September 28th, 2023 at 6:30 PM at Teresita’s Mexican Grill.
7. Next Business Meeting October 12th, 2023.
8. Adjournment: Karissa made a motion and Phil seconded it to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 PM.

Minutes respectfully taken by Theresa Furget on September 14th and submitted on September 15th, 2023.