Community Cultural Celebration
Gathering meeting minutes
May 13, 2006

Gathering opened at 10:05 am, Karen Hawkins (recording secretary)
Attendees: Sally Chappell, Joan Emerson, Ruth Glantz, Karen Hawkins, Janet Jones, Chief Dave Lyons, Joanne Morse, Virginia Staples (Jinx), Nancylou Stiles,

Introductions were made, followed by a prayer (led by Karen) and song (led by Joanne)

Discussions
* Sally contacted Ann D Burt, she is willing to present info on Artic climate changes (videos, displays, personal experiences), she is available Sept 18, 19 or 21 (Sally will confirm date), Sally spoke of climate change experts located in Maine, she plans to present info on the Marshall Islands, Ann can provide handcrafts made of palm leaves and shells, she will confirm a date with Henry Hamilton for his presentation on Afghanistan
* April minutes were approved
* Nancylou will be asking for donations from various places, she sent a thank you to the UMW for their donation, have not heard from LRHCC, there was a lengthy discussion regarding a policy of giving money to the cultures, even though Bev was not at the gathering, Nancylou stated Bev's position because Bev felt so strongly about it that she called Nancylou before the gathering and told her how she felt, the discussion was tabled until later in the gathering
* before donations can be requested we must address what things are going to actually cost (buttons, door prizes, banners to hang at town entrance roads), posters
*Janet, Ruth & Karen will put together a tentative budget for costs, Janet will lead this group and plan a time for them to meet, they will bring back recommendations for approval at the June 3 gathering
*it was voted to offer only travel/lodging expenses to needy presenters (case by case)
*the first draft of an invitation letter was proofed, corrected and approved, there was a second letter of confirmationm and of a time, to be sent to the cultures that have already agreed to be a part of the Celebration, this letter was also approved
* the logo has been approved with request to add color, we will be using the logo on the letterhead instead of the church's letterhead
* Jinx will be in touch with the Cornerstone Gospel Church in Naples & cloggers, and a band at no charge
* Participating cultures to date:
            Shakers – Sept 15, Sept 16-17 open, Climate changes/Afghanistan – Sept 18, 19 or 20 (dates to be confirmed by Sally), American Melting Pot – Sept 22, Sept 23 open, Germans/folk dancing – Sept 24
* Ruth will contact people associated with the Somalia culture
* Karen will contact Karen Evans about the homeless community
* Dave will make contact with the Irish community and Sugien (Ann) of the Asian community
*need contact with African museum, Franco/American community in Lewiston

Gathering closed at: 12:00 pm
Next Gathering – June 3 from 10:00 am - noon