Friends
of Braille Institute
General Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2006
The
general meeting of Friends of Braille Institute was called to order at 11:35
a.m. at the San Diego Braille Institute by President Karen Morikawa. A quorom was present.
All
members attending were welcomed by Karen Morikawa and invited to enjoy fresh
fruit grown in her home garden. A
printout of the current mailing list database was circulated for address
changes and so that members may add spouse name information where
applicable. Members were encouraged to
submit new mailing list entries to Karen Morikawa promptly.
Secretary: The minutes from the July meeting, earlier circulated via email,
were distributed at the meeting for corrections and additions. They will be revised and submitted for
approval at the next general meeting.
Reports
Treasurer
Julie Fiscko
announced that dues payments in the amount of $380.00 were deposited. The current checking balance is
$4859.55. There were no disbursements
since the July meeting.
Membership
Chair Suzanne Swigart announced that Susan Lange is joining. An updated membership roster was distributed.
Cycling
For Sight, August 4-6: President Karen Morikawa
announced that several members attended the “finish line” event at Braille
Institute San Diego on Sunday, August 6.
There were 25 riders. The event
raised over $30,000.00.
Publicity, Ann MacDonald – Details of the proposed press release were discussed and a draft was circulated for comment. Beverly Kelly announced that she had checked into setting up a website for publicity purposes. A motion to develop a website named “Friends of Braille Institute.com” and establish it at the offices of Pacific Science and Engineering at a cost of $17.00 per year passed.
Invitations, Karen Morikawa – Various designs and text proposals were circulated for comment and discussed. Cost issues were discussed. A motion to augment the event budget to allow for printing of up to 1000 invitations and reply cards and the postage that will be needed for the invitations passed. The committee will continue to work on design and text based upon today’s comments and on the revised invitations budget.
Auction Item Solicitation Letters, Suzanne Swigart – 158 letters have gone out. 100 more are going out soon. Members were encouraged to take letters and forms with them today and distribute them to business owners, then advise the committee to whom they were distributed to avoid duplication of effort.
Decorations and Miscellaneous, Julie Stanley – It was reiterated that Pam Thompson’s silk flower arrangements would serve as centerpieces. The suggestion was made that we look into having Norman provide mirror rounds for underneath each centerpiece; Julie Stanley suggested she might arrange small shells on the tables for additional décor. Napkin and tablecloth colors were discussed. The committee will make a decision on the colors. Favors were discussed. Ann MacDonald circulated paper box samples that could be filled with seashells, small chocolates, or some other type of small but heavy items to keep them from blowing off the tables during the event. The committee will make a decision as to the type of favors.
Event Setup and Silent Auction Display – Pam Thompson stated that this committee should have a chairman. Although it has a good number of talented persons to serve as committee members, several are not available either the day of or the week of the event itself.
A motion to place an order for a second printing of the Friends of Braille Institute letterhead, numbering 2000 copies at a cost of $199.00 plus tax, passed.
Unfinished
Business:
A tour of the Los Angeles Braille Institute with Vickie Liske will be arranged for a date after October 22, 2006. The matter of setting the date is tabled.
Announcements:
Vickie
Liske
announced that the Santa Barbara Auxiliary held its annual event at the polo
field on August 5, 2006; 200 persons attended.
The
next meeting will be held Tuesday September 12, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. at Braille
Institute San Diego. It will be a brown
bag lunch meeting.
The
meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Michele
Swope
Secretary,
Friends of Braille Institute