EAT Minutes January 2008

January 30, 2008 at 6:30 pm, TFREC Lunch Room 

The meeting began at 6:30pm and concluded at 8:45pm. Next meeting is February 29, 2008 from 12:30-2pm WVC Conference Room 

Members Present: Joan Qazi, Angela Schaub, Mike Brogan, Michele Wiman, Fran Taber, Colleen Donovan, Laurie Reigert

Dates to Watch For: March 31, 2008 is scheduled for the second annual Farm to Table meeting to be held in Wenatchee’s Community Center. Details coming soon.

Treasurer’s Report: Joan reported a balance of $2446.99 as of 1/30/08. This balance includes the $2,379.05 granted by Heifer for the Mini-project addendum and earmarked for CFA interview coordination, transcription, and data analysis. Most recent activity was $32.96 for processing the photos from the Clovis Point MS ESL students for the photo novellas. A purchase of $139 was made for the junior master gardener pins. This expense will be reimbursed by the John Newbery PTA. Incoming monies include a $3000 grant from STEPS to be used for fees resulting from the CFA. 

Announcements: Congrats to Jenn Crawford on a baby girl!

Committee Reports

  • CFA Hispanic Focus Groups will be taking place on Feb 7th and 21st and held at the Wenatchee Community Center. City Hall will need to be paid a $32 fee prior to the meetings. Andrea Romero and Laurie Riegert will facilitate the first meeting and Consuelo has agreed to facilitate the second. We will have a training session before those dates. Joan will facilitate all the English-speaking interviews. The Wenatchee focus group will take place on the 11th at the CDHD with Judy Preston’s assistance. The Cashmere focus groups will take place on 10th and the 20th at the Fireside Room. The Leavenworth interview is scheduled for the 25th. Michel Wiman is assisting with these three interviews. Fifteen dollar gift cards will be purchased from local grocers as door prizes, one per family. Michel will check in with Dan’s Market and Joan will check in with Sage Mountain. Photo novellas will be displayed at the focus groups, along with a brief presentation on the purpose of a community food assessment. JoEllen, via Joan, shared a sample calendar of what could emerge as a tangible result of the CFA. The calendar would feature data results from the CFA surveys. It was clarified that the focus groups will be more in depth questions of the answers obtained from the survey responses. Laurie asked about translating the Hispanic audio tapes from the focus group interviews.
  • Consumer Education No current information was presented.
  • 501c3 Exploratory Committee Colleen gave a power point presentation regarding more information about 501c3 options (501c3, fiscal sponsor, Heifer project, partner with CFC). She reviewed EAT goals, financial resources available, and organizational capacities to meet those goals. The presentation also covered some of the accomplishments of EAT, including how they were done and challenges. Sheets covering various goals were handed out including an assessment work sheet on how to prioritize goals. As a Heifer project, EAT could receive group support/ accountability; financial support; time to work towards a 501c3 possibility and networking with other Heifer projects. The relationship with Heifer would be for 3-5 years. EAT would need to have full participation; log frame with project plan; detailed budget and passing on gift (sharing of knowledge). Heifer monies could be used for hort/garden supplies; media support; conferences; office supplies; accounting support; Application deadline is in March and September. It was recommended that EAT contact a CPA/attorney to discuss tax filings and accountability. JoEllen and Joan will set up this meeting. It was agreed that now that options have been clearly laid out, EAT must make a decision regarding to 501c3 or not. The leadership committee will come to a consensus and send out a recommendation to the EAT membership for response.
  • Grant Work 
  • School Garden Committee Foothills MS is moving forward with the school garden project. Angela mentioned that the PTSA has agreed to write in the project as a line item with the condition that a parent coordinator be found. Staff support is in place with Shelby Lockhart as the designated staff liaison. The principal, John Waldren, is very excited about the project. Attempts are still being made to contact Tracy Faulkner as a possible parent coordinator. Cindy Kahn is another possible candidate. She has 2 incoming 6th graders; is a past master gardener; and very interested in supporting EAT. Angela will be meeting with her tomorrow to talk in depth about the position. 
  • Website Michel mentioned Sam Eastburn as a possible webmaster. He owns a small web design business. Clarification is needed to determine if he can work pro bono or if he wishes to be paid. There is a possibility that he can be paid in the future with funds from Heifer if EAT chooses to become a Heifer Project.
  • Media Joan is planning to meet with Isaac at his workplace to coordinate media activities.

Follow-up on Topic(s) that were discussed in this meeting:

  • Mike Brogan’s property is still available for lease and anyone interested in working on this should contact (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Committee Sign-Up:

  • Working Group Chairperson Joan Qazi; Meeting Facilitator: Joan Qazi; Minute Taker: Angela Schaub; Treasurer: JoEllen Colson; Webmaster: Dave O’Connor; Newsletter: Fran Taber; Media Diva: Kim Langston; Fundraising: Scott Parsons
  • Community Food Assessment Chairperson Joan Qazi; Billie Jo Ellis; Fran Taber; Colleen Donovan; Kim Langston; Judy Preston; Angela Schaub (Data Analysis); Marcy Ostrom; Laurie Riegert; JoEllen Colson; Consuelo Coronel
  • Consumer Education Chairperson None; Kim Langston; Billie Jo Ellis; Shawn Hansen; Joan Qazi; Ginny O’Kelley; Laurie Riegert; Judy Preston
  • Community Garden Chairperson None; Jenn Crawford; Sharlynn Cobaugh; Kim Langston; Shawn Hansen; Dawn Fisher; Michel Wiman
  • 501c3 Exploratory Chairperson Angela Schaub; Angela Schaub; Fran Taber; Colleen Donovan, Sharlynn Cobaugh;
  • Edible Schoolyard /Farm to School Chairperson Angela Schaub; Angela Schaub; JoEllen Colson; Joan Qazi; Scott Parsons; Dawn Fisher
  • Farm-to-Table Chairperson None; Fran Taber; Marcy Ostrom; Bill and Vonnie Smith; Michel Wiman

Suggestions for next meeting:

  • Next Meeting February 29th at the WVC Conference Room . 
  • Updates on the 501c3 Exploratory Committee; Focus Group Interviews and Foothills MS school garden project; Planning for the Farm to Table meeting 
  • Meeting Minutes Responsibility Angela Schaub will have copies for distribution
  • Treasurer’s Report Responsibility JoEllen Colson will have copies for distribution

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