Minutes of the Meeting of the Staying Put
Board of Directors December 8, 2008
A meeting of the Staying Put Board took place on Monday, Dec 8, 2008 at 4PM at the New Canaan Library.
Tom Towers announced the decision that hereafter the Executive Board will meet two weeks prior to the Board meetings and that the Board will meet at 4:30.
Jane Nyce reported that membership is up to 253 individuals and 179 households, with 12 special members. We need 6 more special members. SP recruits special members through the Interfaith Council, parish ministers, Town Hall and its special services, the Get-A-Bout, as well as by word of mouth. Forms for membership renewals will be available at the Jan 11th Annual Birthday Party and will also be mailed out at the end of December. Most membership renewals are due in January, with some due later in the year.
Requests and services increased to 45 calls; this translates into an increase in Jane's time spent with each individual. Many contractors (plumbers, electricians and the like) are asking to be put on our SP list of providers. This is a healthy sign. But SP still needs volunteers from the various youth groups in town - for example, the Grace Church Youth Group, the Boy Scouts, the Exchange Club, and the High School - especially during the Christmas season. Please email Jane with any names or suggestions for helpers during the Christmas season. SLOBS does volunteer work for organizations only, and therefore are not available to help with individual's requests for help with a Christmas tree, for example.
Kudos to Pat Stoddard and her crew for the successful events and programs in November and December! The wreath making with the Young Women's League was very successful; some of the wreaths were donated to homebound members of SP. The last event in December is the Westport Playhouse production, "Holiday Garlands." Please remember to check the website for all upcoming events in January. The EMS event on Jan 7th should include lessons in recognizing a heart attack. All Board members are encouraged to look out for isolated SP members who attend the Jan 11th Annual Birthday Party which will be held at St. Mark's. Please email Jane with any suggestions of prospective members and donors who should be sent an invitation to the party. NB: The Jan 11th Party is by invitation only.
The Newsletter will be done quarterly; articles for the next Newsletter are due on Jan 5th. All suggestions for articles are welcome. Look for the limericks contest in the next Newsletter.
The purpose of the fundraising meeting held at David M's was to explore ways to expand the number of people who are interested in and able to support SP, especially to target the younger-than-55 age group. Since we want our first fundraiser to be a success, a professional event planner, Christie Gammil, was invited to the meeting. Christie will get back to David with a proposal after she has talked with Jane to learn more about SP.
Tom Ferguson will pursue SP's options with The Barbara Benton Davis Fund, which was very generous to SP last year.
Marketing ideas include giving out decals or mugs to SP contributors. Bob Lear's book, "Volunteerism in New Canaan", will be highlighted at the SP Annual Birthday Party and given to some invaluable volunteer. SP could have a presence on Facebook, not only as a marketing tool to the younger generation, but also as a way of networking within the SP community.
The next meeting of the Board will be on Jan 12 at 4:30PM at the New Canaan Inn. Please note new time and unusual place.
The next Executive meeting will be Dec 29 at 9:30 at 58 Pine.
The Annual Birthday Party will be held at Morrill Hall at St. Mark's on Sunday, January 11th at 2PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Lyn Chivvis, Secretary
Call us at
203-966-7762