Peterborough LETS Board Meeting
Monday, January 26th, 2009 - King Street
Present: Lori Sainte (Administrator), Margaret Wright (Vice-chair), David Baker (Chair),
Tina Williams (Secretary)
Absent: Kim Blodgett (Member-at-large), Jeannine Crowe (Treasurer)
Administration:
Margaret declared that there was quorum.
The minutes for the meeting that took place on November 24th, 2008 were passed.
There was a discussion of possible potential board members.
Meetings:
Lori attended a Permaculture Meeting in January. She felt it was a good marketing opportunity. Lori and Margaret attended the Local Economic Meeting in Early December 2008.
Lori stated she would attend the next Transition Town Meeting in February 2009.
Markets:
David, Margaret, and Lori agreed that the December Market went well. Lori liked receiving money up front from the vendors. She stated she would be willing to be a co-coordinator of a library Market again. In Lori's agenda notes, she stated that moving around tables was a big job but she was able to go early because of the lack of people in the morning. The library's janitor was not available to assist with the moving of tables at 1pm. For future Markets, David would like to have better access to the library's auditorium. Lori didn't get a receipt from the library. She was going to ask Jeannine to get one. Lori asked if a member should receive Green Dollars for his hosting duties. He was willing to work for free. Margaret mentioned a student who helped. Lori commented in her agenda that the cafe did well. The proceeds went to Our Space. David and Margaret commented that the vendors earned more Canadian than Green Dollars at the library. David also thought the library attracted people who didn't drive unlike the Evinrude.
Margaret asked about the possibility of the Evinrude as a venue. David was concerned that it may cost too much. Tina wondered if we would be using the arena. Margaret clarified that she was considering a room off to the side of the arena. She was concerned it was too out of the way. However, she thought the May Market may be held there. She thought the venue would attract more bargain hunters. David suggested that Markets could be held later; for instance, from noon to 5pm. Lori thought more information was needed before a decision could be made.
Margaret agreed with Lori that she didn't want to exclude any members by holding to a Market theme. Tina said that just because a Market had a theme didn't mean that all the vendors needed to hold to it.
Margaret and David agreed that it would be generally better to hold Markets later. Tina wondered about how far in advance people should be made aware of any time changes. Lori thought probably as soon as possible. The February and March Markets will be held from 10am to 2pm because they have already been advertised for that time.
At the February Market, Our Space may run the cafe. Margaret was going to ask at the next Our Space board meeting.
At the January Market, six tables were booked. Two members brought something for the potluck. Margaret was to thank those members in an upcoming newsletter. A broken window at the venue made it quite cold. A different table set-up was tried. Eating tables were located by the kitchen. Margaret and David agreed that it was effective and they liked it.
No Markets will be held in April or October due to holiday conflicts.
Margaret suggested that she stop giving out ice cream at Markets. David stated that if it was inconvenient for Margaret to get and dish out the ice cream, then she shouldn't do it . Lori agreed.
Lori agreed to book the library auditorium and the Evinrude.
Membership:
At the December Market, there was one renewal and four new memberships registered.
In January, a new member received membership number 1027.
Advertising:
Lori requested that a member receive more green dollars for a poster she designed and posted. Tina was concerned it might encourage other members to design posters without the board's permission. Margaret and Lori agreed stating that posters should go through the board.
Margaret presented new LETS business cards to the board.
Due to computer trouble, Lori will need to restart designing the business brochure.
Another LETS member is helping Lori now with advertising.
Finances:
There was a question about grants. It was agreed that the $1000 received from the city was a nice cushion. Jeannine in her message sent to the LETS email address stated that she supported the idea of the LETS applying for another city grant.
Lori read Jeannine's financial report out loud to the board. The LETS had enough money to pay its bills. As of December 20th, 2008, the monthly phone bills had levelled out at $50.53. Two more payments will be coming out of the deposit. Tina wondered if the LETS was saving money on the phone after changing to a cell phone from a land line. Lori reminded the board that the phone bills previously were at $70/month. Margaret stated that the phone was the biggest expense for the LETS. David countered saying that the answering service was necessary.
Lori had an invoice for the printing of the business cards.
Lori announced that a grant writer had offered his services to the LETS on a volunteer basis. Margaret offered to work with him.
Next Meeting: Monday, February 23rd, 2009, 6:30pm, King Street
