Minutes of the April 7, 2008 Staying Put Board Meeting
A meeting of the Staying Put Board of Directors convened on Monday, April 7, 2008 at the New Canaan Library.
Tom Towers opened the meeting leading a long cheer to salute Bob Lear and his inspiring new book Volunteerism in New Canaan. The book is a compilation and description of our town's many fine volunteer organizations and the large corps of hard working volunteers who serve all of us who live here. Bob announced plans to donate book sale profits to Staying Put.
Tom announced the nomination of Annie Cohen for board membership. Her election was unanimous. Annie will be heading up planning for our May 20 First Annual Meeting.
Jane Nyce reported the latest SP statistics. We have 209 individual members representing 146 households. 43 members are also SP volunteers. Requests for computer assistance are on the rise. Vetted service recommendations to fill springtime chore requests will be especially welcome.
Pat Stoddard recently chaired a lively meeting to brainstorm for ideas for member programs and events. A wide-ranging assortment of trips, tours and cultural programs were proposed and a calendar is being worked out. April plans include a dinner gathering at Cherry Street East, the Four Freshmen Benefit Concert on Saturday April 26 at 4 pm and Glass House tours earlier that same day. On May 12 there will be a tour of the Silvermine Art of the Northeast Show followed by dinner at the Tavern. On May 20 our first Annual Meeting for members, advisers and our Board will be followed by a Spring Wine and Cheese Party. The Memorial Day festivities will include marching in or watching the parade followed by refreshments under our big new SP banner.
Upcoming SP publicity will focus primarily on the Four Freshmen concert on April 26 at the New Canaan Country School at 4 pm. A patron's reception will immediately follow in the school Library. The Advertiser and News Review will be running articles on the Freshmen and $50 admission tickets are available at the office as well as at Elm Street Books and the Gramophone shop. Special $35 member tickets will be at the SP office (966-7762) as well as Patron tickets for $100 each. Since Judy and Dave Bentley were able to secure contributions to underwrite all the concert expenses, the entire proceeds from ticket sales will go to Staying Put.
Tom Ferguson reported that he and Bob Witt have been discussing the SP and Getabout relationship and the overall transportation needs of New Canaan seniors in general. It was decided that it would be crucial to get additional input from our members. Tom has prepared a 4 page survey to go out to SP members to determine their key transportation concerns. As the responses are tabulated and discussed, Tom will keep the concerned town agencies informed.
Pat Stoddard urged that long term fund raising be pursued with vigor. Now that SP is launched and operating it has attracted a good base membership which should help to generate additional financial support. And we all need to get behind the Four Freshmen concert ticket sales to make our first fund raiser a major success.
David Brown reported on his personal visits with his 15 SP Member Connections. David finds that lots of people get more interesting as they get older and have longer and more varied life experiences. He feels that through his Connections visits he has made a group of new friends at a time in life when it is increasingly difficult to meet and get to know new people. Staying Put Connections can foster that assurance.
In closing Tom Towers commented on the wonderful spirit of involved participation evident in many recent SP gatherings.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor O'Neill, Staying Put Secretary.
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