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Western Plains Telecom Pioneers
Minutes of Business Meeting
July 6th, 2005
President, Charles Hecht called the meeting to order at the Eagles Club in
Windom. After the Pledge of Allegiance there was a moment of silence to remember
those that have been lost. Member and partners attending were Leatrice Hecht,
George and Doris Bakalyar, Becky and Bud Meyer, Dave and Barb Hemmer and Jodie
Crowell, Sec. Treas. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The
treasurer’s report was distributed, reviewed and approved.
OLD BUSINESS
• Jodie attended the Cottonwood County Family Service Agency
Appreciation Coffee. This Appreciation coffee was held to honor all groups and
individuals that made the Comfort Fleece blanket program possible.
• The Thank you received from the City of Windom-Legion Park
Project was distributed to attending members.
• A Thank you was also received from the Senior Center for
Chucks handling of the distribution of 911-only cell phones. Chuck informed the
group that he had also received a call from the Jeffers Senior Center requesting
12 phones. Dave Hemmer stated that if our Council needed a few more phones and
we could make connections with someone going to St. Cloud he would gladly give
us the additional phones needed to meet the Jeffers request. Chuck will follow
up. Dave also shared that he worked with the law enforcement agencies to collect
the phones and then he retrieves them, reprograms them and has several Senior
Advocacy groups distribute the phones.
• Dave Hemmer also shared that Ralph Hunstad can get as much
stuffing for Hug-a-bears as we need. Jodie will check with Kris and make sure
she received some of the stuffing from Ralph or that she knows this resource is
available.
NEW BUSINESS
• Dave and Barb Hemmer made a presentation about the MS Tram
Project – a 5-day bike ride that is raising money for MS. He is the Chairperson
and has a goal of raising $10,000.00. Our council had previously given $200.00.
The MS Tram will be held July 24-27th starting in Grand Rapids and ending in
Duluth. Volunteers are needed to man the Pioneer Rest Stop making sandwiches and
other treats for the riders. We watched a DVD created by Dave showing last
year’s ride. Leah made a motion to donate an additional $300.00. George 2nd and
the motion carried.
• Dave suggested that as soon as we know whom the new
President is for 2006, that as a Council we extend an invite to host a meeting
at our Council, which would include a tour of the Jackson Pioneer Museum. He
stated that he felt there would be a great deal of interest to view our Museum.
• The group reviewed a letter received from Orville Gravley/HIS
recipient requesting funds. George made a motion to donate $150.00, Leah
seconded and the motion carried.
• Jodie requested a transfer of funds from the General Fund
to the Designated Fund. George made a motion to transfer $200.00. Becky seconded
and the motion carried.
• The Southern Fall Fling has been scheduled for Thursday,
Sept. 22nd at the Windom Eagles Club. Jodie will make arrangements for the meal
cost and also plan the Birthday Party theme. Attendees to the Fall Fling will be
asked to bring a cake mix, frosting mix, party favors, candles, balloons, etc.
and the goal will be to get enough items to create 12 Birthday Party Bags for
the Windom and Jackson Food Shelves. Jodie will also bring cupcakes and each
attendee birthday will be mentioned. Jodie also suggested that we conduct a
short business meeting during the Fall Fling so all Pioneers and partners can
watch the process that is followed in hopes of generating more attendance at the
meetings. Dave Hemmer also suggested that we invite the Executive Board to our
Fall Fling Birthday Party.
• Dave Hemmer also shared that if we send our project
information, picture, newspaper articles, thank you, to him, he will scan them
for the achieve files and also place the information on the pioneer website.
Jodie will begin doing this.
• Jodie expressed concern about the lack of reporting of
hours. We need to find a way to make this better. The volunteer hours reported
is how the Pioneers receive their funding from Qwest.
Our next meeting will be held on Sept 22nd, 2005 during our Fall Fling.
Respectfully submitted,
Jodie Crowell
Sec-Treas.