RWC Meeting Minutes 11/18/14. Annual Charity Drive and RWC Nomination and Voting of Funds

RWC Meeting Minutes 11/18/14.

Annual Charity Drive and RWC Nomination and Voting of Funds

At the home of Karen Hughes at 2 Brett Cove

The President called the meeting of the Rollingwood Women’s Club to order.

Previous minutes were referred to on the blog, www.rollingwoodwomensclub.blogspot.com.

Treasurer was absent so not financial notes were read. 

Annoucments: The next meeting will be at the Annual Christmas Party at Leslie Gandy’s house and 2402 Vance on Saturday, December 13 at 7pm. 

Members are invited to a preview for Women in Fair Trade Festival at Mary Whorley’s house at 3344 Eanes School Road on Friday November 21 from 12-2pm. The Fair takes place on Saturday and Sunday. For more information see www.atcf.org. 

The Annual Rollingwood Holiday Christmas Light Contest is next month with awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. 

Kelly Dixon, The President and Debbie Dillon volunteer to assemble holiday baskets for City staff, police and maintenance teams. This annual gift is financed by RWC. The President motioned to approve an amount not to exceed $400. Catherine Scott makes a motion and Christi Savarece seconds. 

Beverly Hamilton, Executive Director of Austin Diaper Bank spoke about her organization, which provides diapers for children in need. Members brought packages of diapers in support. Ways to support include financial assistance, diapers or for people to host a diaper drive at home or at their pre-school. http://www.austindiapers.org/

Open Issues: City of Rollingwood came forward asking for money for an addition $140 for signage in addition to the $100 pledged last year by RWC. Christie Savarece made a motion Amy Rung seconds it. Motion passes unanimously. 

New Business: For 2014, City Hall has requested a custom-made Rollingwood doormat for front door, as well as four window shades totaling $2,195. There was discussion if making such a donation could be overstepping our status as a 501 c3 because it may not directly beautify city and impact citizens. Some members of the board fear such a gift could jeopardize RWC’s tax-free status.  Also, some members thought the doormat could be purchased much more cheaply with out the Rollingwood seal on it. The President proposes to investigate the nomination of fund disbursement for the City of Rollingwood meeting under 501c3 designation until January. Sandra Farrell makes a motion. Becky Kittleman seconds it. 

Rollingwood Community Garden, represented by Becky Combes for request of funds for to replace old wooden beds with improved beds, upgrade and clean chimney swift tower and a wheelbarrow. 

Toni Hudson from the Parks Commission first asked members for suggestions on what to do with the old playscape, which is ending its usability, but may be of some value to others. Parks Commission asks RWC for a donation to replace the lower playscape decking which is possibly a carcinogenic. Proposed to replace it with shredded wood, which would cost  $7,000.  Next, she noted that “Dino” the purple dinosaur has been repaired many times, but is in need of replacement, which is estimated to cost $900. Lastly, she noted two trees behind field house have temporary and unsightly tree wells. The Parks Commission asks for $8,600 to erect a safety fence around the trees.  

Noting that the Treasurer recommended RWC limit gifts to $15,000 this year, the tree wells were rejected because of insufficient funds.

Leah Paulo proposed putting a Free Little Library up at Rollingwood Park possibly to be placed near Community Bulletin Board. Toni Hudson makes a motion to allocate $500 in the budget and Heidi Smith seconds. Motion carries. 

The President tallied the request for gifts for $14,955. In Total the Requests for Gifts are:

$400 for Gift Baskets for the City

$140 for city sign

$2,195 City Hall for Rollingwood doormats and shades, not including shipping and handling on the shades

$3,820 Garden Club

$7,900 Parks Commission 

$500 for Free Little Library

Catherine Scott makes a motion to approve all requests from the Rollingwood Garden Club. Amy Rung seconds. Motion passes. 

Kristie makes a motion to replace rubber decking on lower level of the playground. Rosanne Ferraro seconds. Discussion concerning the urgency of replacement ensues. Maria Abernathy offers to research topic for the January meeting. Natasha Harris makes motion to amend motion to approve decking for lower playground. Heidi Smith seconds it, but the proposal is unapproved. RWC instead votes on the amended proposal the to give the money to the Parks Commission if the research bares out in January. Motion passes. 

Sandra Farrell makes a motion to pay for replacing Dino, Shanthi Jayakumar seconds it. Motion carries. 

The President adjourned the meeting at 9:20pm.

Minutes submitted by Kelly Dixon

Minutes approved by Marissa Mireur