DRAFT WECAN Annual General Membership Meeting 1 December 2022

 

WECAN Annual General Membership Meeting Minutes December 1, 2022 @ 21 Jefferson Drive @ 6:30 pm

  Board Members present: Joe Fioccola, Mike Kenton, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, and Susanne Willis. 

 Board Members not present: Byron Ballard, Stephanie El-Hajj, Sylvia Organ, Carrie Pettler, Rich Peterson, Pattiy Torno and Brittany Wager.

 Also present: Neighborhood Specialist Meredith Friedheim, Lee Lance, Brian Lander, Patrick Pearson and Lynn Player.

  CALL TO ORDER:  Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:59 pm after hot beverages and snacks.

 GENERAL DISCUSSION:

Rebecca raised some questions for general input. She has talked to several people who live in the neighborhood but many have no interest in serving as a leader or on the WECAN Board. She wants to consider all options for the future such as limiting meetings to quarterly or even dissolving the organization.

Susanne likes receiving updates, but fears the loss of connection. She suggested that maybe there’s another way but she is not the leader.

Brian thinks it is great to have communication through Face Book and access to the garden grants, etc. and it is good to see all the expertise that Pattiy brings to the table.

Joe noted that Pattiy’s surgery went well and she is recuperating.

Rebecca recalled that when she began in WECAN in 2012 Marsha was the Neighborhood Coordinator. Susanne offered that she is okay with quarterly meetings.

Rachel observed that participation has diminished and some people are happy just to enjoy the benefits of living in WECAN. She also noted a national trend that all organizations are losing leadership. WECAN does still serve a purpose. It has a voice at the table and is a conduit to connections. It would be a bigger loss to dissolve WECAN compared to diminishing natural phases. The key is inviting in new people.

Rebecca repeated that Byron will help in defining roles at the January Retreat. It is hard to increase participation when some people prefer Zoom or in-person or Face Book exclusively. Rebecca would prefer more informal meetings less often than monthly.

Susanne suggested progressive dinners or cocktails or fire pits or socials.

Lee noted that the best turnout is usually Halloween.

Rebecca asked if a non-profit could take a break.

Susanne thought it better to keep the structure for projects and grants. 

Lynn was asked if WECAN was actually needed for the garden projects.

Rebecca was told by a friend that the city is afraid of WECAN.

Meredith had an email from Maryann about improving the intersection. (Clingman and Hilliard) Rebecca asked Joe for his take.

Joe thinks the organization is important. As much as people dislike meetings-nothing happens without them. The value of monthly meetings is the ability to respond quickly to whatever comes up without the hassle of trying to call and schedule additional meetings. They do not have to be long meetings but the serious work of a meeting can happen in half an hour or less. It is about communication with neighbors and building relationships. He is happy to continue to offer his service as secretary. Pattiy is generous with her service as Treasurer.

Patrick suggested outlining the various leadership roles and on orientation. 

Rebecca noted the pressure of the role of Chair as some previous chairs left early. When she originally took on that role she agreed to set agendas and facilitate meetings.

Joe is not satisfied with Zoom, or Next Door, or even G-mail for discussions.

Lee has business meetings that are often two or more hours long with observers attending and the business portion often takes 15 minutes or less. He suggested a neighborhood Happy Hour after a brief board portion which might consist of approving the minutes, a brief treasurer’s report and items that need a decision. If there are serious issues then call another meeting. It would be more appealing for him to have a 15 minute meeting and then a happy hour.

Lynn is also bored with all meetings but 15 minutes would be okay.

Patrick noted there has been a lot of pressure on the neighborhood in the last year with conflicting groups but more inclusion would be reassuring.

Lee suggested using the app called SLACK as an alternative to meeting discussions. (Slack is an instant messaging program developed for organizational communications, it has been adopted as a community platform.) It enables threaded and specific conversations on mobile desktop or phone and has customizable groups and channels.

Brian finds it easier than Teams.

Lee volunteered to set it up.

 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rebecca moved and Rachel seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the WECAN Board meeting on November 3. The motion passed.

 NOMINATION OF BOARD MEMBERS:  Joe reported that Byron, Pattiy, Rachel and Rich had completed an initial 3-year term on the board and all are eligible for a second term.

Joe moved to nominate them in the class of 2025. Rebecca seconded and the motion passed.

Rebecca nominated Brian to the opening in the class of 2024. Susanne seconded and the motion passed.

 HOMELESS CAMPS FORMING IN WECAN: Meredith reported that the city was expecting a report from a homelessness consultant in January. In the meantime the city has just hired a Part Time Special Projects Coordinator and they will be included on email reports to helpendhomlessness@apd.gov.

 WECAN ACTIVITY IN 2022: Joe suggested a better time would be the January meeting/retreat.

The WECAN NEWS provided a lot. Joe was thanked for his efforts as editor

  ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

  Next WECAN Board meeting January 6, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

 Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola