MEETING MINUTES for April 11, 2009 - our

SPRING FLING!  

The meeting convened at 2:00 P.M. in the Juliette Hampton Morgan Library, 245 High Street, Montgomery - Second Floor Auditorium

 

1) Welcome and Happy Spring! Happy Easter!! from 2009 Chapter President Shirley Ann Rawls.

 

2) Minutes from Feb 14^th meeting were sent to all members.  As there were no objections, they were approved as written. 

 

3) Officers Strategic Planning Meeting minutes from March 28, 2009.

    The issues discussed are presented today for action.

 

4) Chapter Happenings…

• MGM NOW By Laws – must send these to National NOW by April 30 to get membership rebates.

• Reports to NOW National HQ (administrative processes)

• Annual Tax requirement – Form 990-N [e-postcard]

• May 16^th – Montgomery AIDS Outreach Springfest on Riverwalk from 10 am – 2 pm.

  We will have a booth (and an awning!) – volunteers needed.

5) Quarterly Update… Jan - March 09

• Chapter meets every other month vs. every month.

• Shirley Ann joined the Birmingham chapter counterprotest Roe v Wade weekend – THANKS, Shirley!

• Contributed to Lily Ledbetter – we have not been able to get her as a speaker because of her hectic schedule

• Rhonda is placing information, events etc. on our website

• Shirley has put us on Twitter

• Feb 6^th – Terri & Shirley Ann attended an NCRA seminar about fund raising at AUM.

• Diaper Bank Report – Elaine Fuller:  Brochures printed and available for members to distribute; also will be available at Riverwalk.  Donation of money and of disposable diapers (any size in unopened packages.  With the money and diapers donated so far, Elaine has been able to take 1208 packages of diapers in assorted sizes to Gift of Life. 

6) Strategy 2009 and Beyond…

GOAL: Take action to improve women’s lives by focusing on…

• Membership – Ongoing membership/recruitment drive

  Discussion about outreach to active/inactive members who don't come to meetings

• Partnership – reach out and touch our partner organizations:

  ACLU

  Equality Alabama

  Montgomery AIDS Outreach (MAO)

  Montgomery Tree Committee

  & get new ones – improve networking

  • Project South?  www.projectsouth.org

• Community Service

  Escort at Women’s Clinic

  Diaper Bank – see link above

  Re-activate Women's Shelter Support

• MEDIA RELATIONS – We must get more visibility in the community via all media.  Shirley will work on this.  Will try to get Diaper Bank on daytime news.

   

• EVENTS:  We need to be aware and be involved with all major events; tracking dates and showing up.

  Events are posted on the chapter website as the webmaster becomes aware of them.

  Larry Grewelle informed us of two events next Saturday, 4/18: 

  • Plant It! Montgomery Earth Day at Oak Park – the Montgomery Tree Committee will be giving away plants starting at 9 a.m. – they are usually all gone by 9:30!

  • Alabama Book Festival at Old Alabama Town – readings, book signings by the authors.  Book appraisals available.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

   

• ISSUES:  (focus, single issue)

  • Economic Justice

  • Health Care

  • Winning rights for all women

  • Ending violence against women

  • Legal/Legislative

  • Equality, empowerment & justice

  • Intern program (volunteer@now.org)

Refreshments & Entertainment:

THANKS TO

Maya's Belly Dancing Studio

FOR a great instruction session and dances!