FRIENDS OF THE EAST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY

MONTHLY MEETING, MARCH 26, 2008

 

The president called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M.  In attendance were Ollie Jones, Pat Jones, Bea Piersa, Kevin Chamberland, Frank Evans, Lynn Evans, Leonor Ramos, Adrianna Salos, Eva Salos, and Paul LaRocca.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The secretary’s minutes for the February meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer reported that she had collected $6 in dues at the meeting, and has approximately $400 in the treasury.  She plans to have an Excel spreadsheet on the treasurer’s holdings for next meeting.

 The incoming secretary will set up a regular monthly reminder note to the Community Access Channel (Channel 5) to run a notice of the Friends’ regular monthly meetings the week before each meeting is to be held.  In addition the note will ask that the channel include, as part of its monthly Friends notice, the East Hartford Public Library website address, so that local citizens will be able to find what activities are going on at the library every month.  (NOTE:  I left the notice for April already—Paul)

The secretary will also post the e-mail addresses of the new members who joined at the Black History event last month.  (We neglected to discuss that event, perhaps because it went so smoothly.—Paul)

Paul reported that we have received a note from the IRS on our application for tax-exempt status and an EIN (employer identification number).  Paul had omitted some columns on the application (our projected income for the next two years), necessary for approval.  (NOTE:  I corrected this on Friday and we at the library faxed the completed form to the IRS.—Paul)

The issue of a business/finance speaker was raised:  Lynn will send a new request to Doris Napier, asking if they have someone who can initiate our series.  Paul offered to lead a discussion on finance and stocks if the State can’t manage.

Ollie agreed to contact Lucy Hurston to speak about her author-grandmother, preferably on a Wednesday in April.

NEW BUSINESS

We discussed how to make younger participants in the Friends feel welcome and useful.  Eva has accepted appointment as Young Friends Co-Ordinator, working with Debra, the children’s librarian, to come up with projects involving that area of the library, where young volunteers can assist, and see their contribution to the library’s smooth working.

(We also should discuss waiving dues for young Friends—Paul)

Frank suggested that we should invite one of the town Representatives to the House or Senate to speak about politics and important issues at the State level; it was suggested to also have an East Hartford town government official as speaker at another time, but the feeling was that most people have a fair idea of how the town works.

Patrick reminded us that the Open House for the new Reference Room will be on April 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 P.M., with refreshments.

Paul spoke as the officers came to the end of their terms.  He congratulated the group on a fairly effective first year as an organization, and recommended that the Executive Board try to meet between the monthly meetings.  He thanked the retiring officers for their efforts.

The group then proceeded to elect new officers.  The new officers are:

            President:  Paul LaRocca

            Vice-President:  Lynn Evans

            Secretary:  Ollie Jones

            Treasurer:  Eva Salos.

Refreshments were served.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Ollie & Paul (a joint effort)