Community Cultural Celebration
Gathering meeting minutes
Feb 10, 2007

Gathering opened at 10:00 am, Karen Hawkins (recording secretary)
Attendees: Nancylou Stiles, Janet Jones, Joan Emerson, Karen Hawkins
Minutes from Oct 14, 2006 gathering were read, corrected and approved
Treasurer’s Report – $7.99, incoming donations: $251.51 from shares of stock cashed in from George Brandt, $50 from German group, $65 water donation, $35 water donation brings total to $409.50

Discussions about the 2nd Annual Celebration
*assure LRTV involvement this time
*Nancylou sent a letter to the Ken & Anna Ham Foundation requesting grant money (copy of letter attached)
*focus on generating income for event
*set date and number of days for event – check other community events and possible places for event, discussion followed – decision made to hold event Sept 14 – 15 (Friday night and all day/evening Saturday) – have dances both evenings
*discussion about food preparation/state laws regarding restrictions
*adequate space for presentations (logistics) needs to be addressed, need to accommodate all cultures satisfactorily, implement a search team to find suitable facility
*Janet Jones elected Director
*Karen Hawkins elected Secretary
*need a Treasurer
*Janet will edit last year’s letters inviting culture presenters
*no payments for presentations
*need to set ground rules for organization
* consider inviting: Tai Chi, musicians, youth, artists (ie. Pottery), alternative medicine from other cultures
*returning cultures or ones wanting to come: Irish, Italian, Franco/American possibly, Puerto Rico, Uzbekistan, Russia, India, German, Afghanistan
*Nancylou will be liaison for Irish & Italian
*need committees: Fundraising, Executive (B.O.D.), Budget, Publicity (George Brandt suggested)
*cost to rent facility and possibly tents
*Janet suggested placing quotes about cultural diversity in PR articles
*Karen suggested ongoing quiz questions about cultures
*sustainability of event discussed
* Bylaws and BOD, get 501c3 status (need financial statements)
*does Mission Statement need any updating/editing
*Janet shared idea about “culture tree” – each culture donates a relevant ornament for tree to be added to each year
*ecumenical blessing to begin event
Gathering closed at: 12:00 pm   Next Gathering – March 10, 2007 from 10 - 11 am