CH Minutes

6 Apr 09

Members present:  Cheryl Burton, Penny Monetti, Shelly Barabas, Tony Monetti, Kevin Burton, Chuck Becker, Don Butterfield

Welcome new member: Dennis Yates

1.              Finances:  $4837.94. Monies by RVI used in March:  Transportation costs.

2.              New CH role: Information Superhighway for homeless through CH website and use of new technologies. Discussion began when Kevin relayed an experience he recently had as he was mailing fund raising letters for CH at the local Post Office.  He ran into a homeless person and got to understand first hand some of the challenges this person faced.  He helped the person get shelter and food, but it was not easy.  CH can serve as a “Connecting Hearts” Communication Information Super Highway.  

a.               The vision is that we host a symposium (TBD) of all agencies in Warrensburg and perhaps Johnson County that can provide assistance to homeless people.  CH will continue to serve the needs of needy children - by helping the parents of these children - will help the children. 

b.              Potential list of participants include but are not limited to: Homeless Shelter, HELP, RVI Social Workers, Survival House, Harvesters, Salvation Army, Clothes Closet, Catholic Charities, Food Pantry, Churches, and Social Services.  

c.               One of the goals of the symposium is to create a centralized list of current contact information and what there agencies can offer for homeless and to create a web site under CH for people to be able to reference in order to help the homeless.

3.              Cheryl and Kevin mailed out to all local churches a letter and information on CH and also provided our team with a list of all the churches and contact info.  The members present divided the list up and agreed to follow up with the churches in order to gain support.  Contact List –   Penny: 1-9,  Don 10-19, Chuck 20-29, Shelly 30-39, Cheryl 40-49.

4.              Tony made a motion to change the focus of CH concerning its support to the RVI school’s transportation needs for at risk kids with after school programs.  He did not think it was feasible to provide the logistics and funds required to meet all the RVI schools and various after school programs transportation needs.  He suggested that we ask the RVI schools to determine solutions for this challenge and to look for other potential solutions. He suggested that we provide monies for at risk kids that need transportation for vital medical and dental appointments.  His motion was seconded by Shelly and unanimously approved.                         

a.               Specifically:  CH will continue to provide funds for meeting transportation requirements of needy children for medical appointments and to purchase gas cards for parents recommended by the RVI counselors.

5.              Tony made a second motion that we restructure CH organization to include the position of Treasurer and Vice President.  He also suggested forming three committees: Operations, Finance and Admin.  The motion was seconded by Kevin and unanimously approved. 

a.               Kevin Burton was elected VP of CH. Thanks Kevin for your leadership and support.  

b.              Chuck Becker was elected Fund Raising Alternate.

c.               Donna Warden accepted the position of Treasurer

6. Chuck Becker is working with Kevin to update our CH Website:  Connected-Hearts.com  orhttp://connected-hearts.com .  As soon as the website is finished it has been approved to add onto the RVI District’s school website. If any member of our team wishes to update the website please contact one of the Executive Board Members.

7.We will need to update our brochure to include a group picture and new contacts. 8.During a group discussion we decided to meet as an Exec team two weeks prior to the General meeting at the Java Junction, on Saturday, 0900 am.

9.New fundraiser initiative:  All School Competition for a Crazy hat, sunglasses, socks, and Hawaiian T-Shirt Day combined.  It will cost 50 cents for each category, so each student has the potential to bring in $2.00.  Each school will choose a day during the second week of May to hold the fundraiser.  The class that raises the most money, (Red 3 class for MS and HS) will win a Gingunda Pizza Party from Monettis.  Much advertising will be needed beforehand to promote the competition.  The fundraiser has been approved by the RVI Superintendant, Dr. Orr.

Next meeting:  July 6th, 6:00PM at Community Center

Taste of Warrensburg, specific goals, success stories, symposium idea, restructure   

positions, new fundraiser, website and mailers.

Grand Opening of Carmike Cinema's, VIP Benefit for Connected Hearts on July 14th,2009.