ALLIED PARTNERS - September 13, 2006 Present: Barbara Alvarado, Mary Jean Bartholomew, Jeni Bingen, Mike Bodden, Mary Charnitz, Susan Corrado, Dan Haupt, Marcia Henderson, Linda Ketcham, Joan Laurion, Marge Lyford, Leslie McAllister, Barbara Park, Shirley Robbins, Sue Sawyer, Dianne Stevens, Alex Thornbury, Jack Tiffany, Marissa Winger. Introductions were made and we welcomed visitors Rev. Alex Thornbury (new at Westminster Presbyterian) and Marissa Winger, Christ Presbyterian. Jack's opening thought was a meditation on the law of attraction, we receive the blessings that we give. Minutes of the August meeting were approved as presented. Since no written reports came in before the meeting, we will again hope that such reports as can be written a week ahead of the meeting (not all can) will be e-mailed to Linda, so she can have them printed. Mike suggested that a few minutes could be spent reading (silently) reports at the beginning of the meeting, so that later they would not have to be repeated.
ISSUES 2) Overview of the charette: Susan and Leslie reported that though there were fewer residents attending than hoped for, good ideas came forth, not only on buildings and traffic, but on social issues. The architects took the residents' ideas seriously. Three options were finally chosen, all good, with the Wellness Center incorporated in each. These go next to a Task Force, then to the Plan Commission, finally with a recommendation to the City Council. Leslie emphasized that the neighborhood itself did fine work in getting the word out about the charette and the rally/parade, with door-to-door visits. Mike moved that Susan be authorized to write a letter of thanks to Channel 3 for their extensive coverage of the charette, and a thank-you letter to the local newspapers on behalf of Allied Partners and other stakeholders. The motion was seconded by Mary Jean and carried. 3) Leslie reported that 200-250 people attended the Move Forward Not Out rally, with several celebrities. The Career Fair brought 40 to 50 employers and about 125 job seekers. The Mobile Food Pantry has served 80 families in three times of operation. 4) Mary Jean reported for Alice A. that 50 to 70 kids were served each day during the two weeks when churches were serving lunches. There was some food-throwing and disrespectful behavior at times; more help is needed from the neighborhood. Discussion: Do we need a more visible place to serve, such as the Learning Center? Do we need to publicize more, as with a flyer? Should we serve only on a couple of days, or have a big event on the two Fridays? It was decided that this will be discussed further at our May meeting. The behavior problems suggest that we discuss our moral mandate to help the children learn respectful behavior and responsibility. 5) Discussion of reforming the agenda. General agreement that issues should be first, reports last, but people who need to leave early need to be high on the agenda. Susan, Dianne, and Mike can't finalize their reports a week ahead, so they might be given ten minutes each first, then special reports (usually visitors), then issues. Dan agreed to work with Alice Appen to re-form the agenda. All of us should tell Alice before the meeting if we know of items needing to be on the agenda. 6) Tabled: Executive Committee Formation, schedule of Allied projects, and the Landmark Forum.
OLD BUSINESS
REPORTS NEXT MEETING October 11. Facilitator, Dan Haupt; Thought, Mary Jean Bartholomew. Matters for the agenda: Transportation for the Play N' Learn Group; proposed budget, with donation to Boys and Girls Club; if time, our role in teaching responsibility and respectful behavior. |