FMCA: HFH - Hutchinson meeting Minutes 10-3-02

Meeting Minutes
Recorded by Marion Braum (acting secretary)

The meeting was called to order at 12:18 pm by Linda Walden, Vice President – Build Coordinator [President Wally Starz is in the hospital]. Officers present were introduced: Barri Amor, VP Membership; Jewel Hebert, VP communications; Floyd Hager, National Director; Lynn Laymon, Alternate National Director; Marion Braum, acting secretary in the absence of David Fridline. Guests present: Jackie Debord representing Ginger Painter, VP International Area.

Vern Moore moved to accept the previous meeting minutes as published; Fran Hanrahan seconded it. Motion passed.

The Treasurer's report, prepared by David Fridline, was read by Linda Walden. As of September 21, 2002 the Chapter’s balance in the Wells Fargo and Americus accounts stood at $33,382.41. Jean Pryor moved to accept the treasurer's report as submitted; Ray Hebert seconded. Motion passed.
Linda Walden advised that additional moneys totaling over $2000 have been donated during this FMCA Extravaganza from the Vogue, Singles International and Holiday Rambler chapters and various individuals. The GANIS donation will represent about $13,200.

The National Director’s report by Floyd Hager highlighted the following topics:

FMCA is sponsoring a raffle for the recruitment of new members. Recruitment of a new member gives you a ticket in the drawing for a PT Cruiser. New members will be entered into a drawing for a trip to Alaska.
As part of an explanation of how HFH finances the houses they build, it was stated that mortgage payments are about $250 a month for 20-year mortgages.
We are the only chapter that is part of a licensed non-profit organization.
GANIS Credit Corp. gives 0.5% of mortgages written to FMCA and FMCA will donate half of that amount to Habitat for Humanity.
There is a new publication, How to Build a House, which is endorsed by HFH International. It is available from HFHI and will soon be available at Home Depot stores.

The Membership Report by Barri Amor consisted of the following:

Thank you to all the FMCA Extravaganza booth volunteers.
New brochures are now available. Members were asked to get a supply of the brochures for distribution during their travels, as well as at any area or local rallies. Thank you to Lynn and Linda for their work on creating the brochure.
The Chapter signed 1 new member at the Monaco pre-rally and 3 new members at this Extravaganza.
Mac McKee asked if there is a video or materials to use at local rallies, Escapee rallies and other RVer gatherings. Linda discussed the presentation, RV Travel and Habitat For Humanity… A Perfect Match, which was created by she and Lynn for HFHI Care-A-Vanners. It includes slides and a detailed script and has been made available for all RVer presentations. Barri Amor has 2 copies for use at FMCA gatherings; the HFHI RV desk has copies for other RV presentations. The statistics in the presentation have been updated. There is also a 12-minute video about the work of Habitat available through Barri.

Fischer House report presented by Lynn Laymon:
Don and Wanda Fischer were again thanked for the seed money for the Great Bend build. The build drew over 100 volunteers, including seven FMCA National Executive Committee members and their spouses, who participated for one day. Lynn thanked all of the coordinators for making the build a great success.

Because of the number of volunteers participating, alternate workdays were necessary. On off days participants had the opportunity to work on another Habitat house or with the local Retired Seniors Volunteer Program renovating ramps for seniors, as well as go on a number of area tours. Vern & Ann Moore were able to connect the partner family and Shriners to arrange for them to cover the costs for one of the partner family's children requiring corrective medical attention.

The Build Coordinator’s report was given by Linda Walden:
The October North Carolina build is full, as are the Riverside, Calif. and Tucson, Ariz. builds in Jan & Feb. 2003. The Ocala and Avon Park, Fla. builds have openings.

In order to accommodate the number of volunteers, the Chapter is adding more builds rather than having to turn away volunteers. There will be two builds after the Pomona convention – Apple Valley and Ventura, both March 24 (arrival) through April 5 (departure). Signups for these and the Cass County, Mich. (5/26-6/7) and Albany, OR (6/8-21) builds will be announced in the Nov. 1 newsletter. The Buffalo build will be in Medina, NY (7/21-8/2). The Chapter tentatively expects to fund and build a house with a Cincinnati affiliate in September 2003. There is a need for build leaders and assistant leaders.

The build sign-up process was reviewed and it was announced that on the earliest sign-up date no registrations will be accepted until noon Eastern time, to avoid inconveniencing both the build leaders and members located in the west.
The question was asked: If you want to work on a build and the number of workers limit has been reached, can you still participate if you find your own place to stay? The answer: Probably not, because the affiliate sets the number of workers based on the work available and other factors, and donated meals are arranged for the specified number. Contact team leaders of each build for a specific case.

The Communications report was given by Jewel Hebert:
The November newsletter is being prepared. Articles are due by October 15. There are some changes: the font will be smaller in order to gain more space for more articles. A question was raised to the membership about whether or not build participants' names should be listed in the newsletter. The vote was in favor of not listing the names. Jerry Langenfeld suggested that lists of build participants be made available at the Chapter meetings.

Nominating Committee report was given by committee member Jerry Langenfeld.
Jerry asked that those wishing to run for national Director or Alternate National Director for the March 2003-2004 term contact him or other committee members (Sylvia & Bob Hicks, Ralph Jennings, Patricia Houston).

New Business:
Jackie Debord, representing Ginger Painter, VP International Area, announced that at the next International Area Rally in Quartzsite the area will provide the HFH Chapter with a tent and 50-50 tickets. FMCA is sponsoring the 50-50 raffle and has decided to donate the proceeds to FMCA Chapter: HFH. Lynn Laymon thanked the International Area and clarified that the 50-50 is an International Area undertaking, not a Chapter function. Tickets will be sold at the HFH tent in the name of the International Area. Lynn also talked about the Clark Challenge/Cincinnati Build Fund board, which has reached nearly $20,000 in donations.

Tom Braum, Webmaster, announced that the newsletter is now available on the Chapter Web site. Anyone interested can have a PDF version of the newsletter sent directly to his or her e-mail address. This electronic version will be sent in advance of the printed newsletter. At this time, the mailed copy cannot be discontinued in lieu of the electronic copy, because all members do not have the capability to receive it; this is a future goal. Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary to read the e-newsletter, but it is a free download. A signup sheet for the e-copy was circulated.

The minutes of this and future meetings will also be on the Web site. Tom invited members to send him pictures or e-mail him electronic pictures of builds and he will put them on the Web site. Tom pointed out that the HFH Chapter Web page is part of the FMCA Web site under Chapters, which are listed alphabetically; this chapter is not listed under "H" but "F" for FMCA Chapter: Habitat for Humanity, the legal name.

Linda announced that Chapter T-shirts are available for $15 and leftover Fun & Fitness Walk T-shirts are available for $10.

Jewel also invited build participants to e-mail her build pictures to create build picture collages for the scrapbooks.

Mary Follen moved to adjourn the meeting; Ken Fehrenz seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Marion Braum F178198