June 2017 Minutes

Minutes of the June 13, 2017 Friends of the Merrick Library Meeting

Present: Karen Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice-President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Barbara Goldberg, Fran Kommor, Steve Dershowitz (Kumon of Merrick).  Meeting called to order at 4:37 PM by Chair Karen Tusa.

The minutes of the May 2017 meeting, as emailed to the members, were read and accepted on a motion by Marion Ormsten, seconded by Howard Schwartz and unanimously approved.

The Treasurer’s report, as follows, was accepted on a motion from Diane Christie, seconded by Howard Schwartz and unanimously approved:

Total in Savings:       $5,806.62

Total in Checking:       $662.24

Total Income:               $241.30

Total Expenses:         $2,972.70

There were no invoices for review for the month of May.

Diane Christie reported that a bank letter was received stating that a fee will be charged if a minimum balance is not maintained in the accounts.  Diane visited the bank and was informed that FOML would not be exempt from this fee.  Karen Tusa advised to bring this matter to the attention of the Library Director, Ellen Firer for discussion/resolution.  

Committee Reports

Membership

Karen Tusa reported no change in memberships.  Currently, residential memberships are at 45 and there are 13 business sponsors.

Tasting Event
The event, Merrick Eats, will be held on Thursday, September 14 from 5:30-8:30PM.  There are 17 tables available.  Fran Kommar, Marion Ormsten, Diane Christie, Ellen Shurgan, Steve Dershowitz and Howard Schwartz will personally visit local restaurants to offer them the chance to participate.  Karen Tusa passed around a flier she created for the event along with a commitment form and fact sheet.  Once approved for distribution by Library Administration, these documents will be organized into packets and given to the volunteers visiting the local restaurants.

Craft Fair & Vendor Fair
The fair will be held on Saturday, November 18 from 10:30AM-4PM.   Howard reported that he sent out “save the date” notices.  In July, Howard will email personal invitations to vendors.

Old Business

Diane Christie reported that the tax return has been filed.

New Business
Karen Tusa reported that the website is in progress and hopes that it will be completed and launched by the September meeting.

Howard Schwartz reported he will contact (a second time) the Copiague Library on how to run a document-shredding event.
The Library dates for the FOML sponsored fall meditation classes are currently being scheduled by Angela Capone, Program Director.
Marion Ormsten will send a get well card to Sandra Mintz (Publicity Chair).

Diane Christie mentioned raffle sales are low and asked for volunteers to sell raffles at the Library.  Marion Ormsten volunteered to do so once a month or whenever possible.

Marion Ormsten suggested FOML sponsor a “Tech Support Program” at the Library.  This would entail having a tech support person that patrons could go to at a certain time of the day in the Library to ask various technical questions about their computers.   Karen Tusa said she would discuss this idea with the Library Director.

Upcoming meetings of the Friends of the Merrick Library will be held on Tuesdays at 4:45 PM (not 4:30 PM) on the following dates:  September 12, October 10, November 14, December 19, January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, and June 12.  There will be no meetings in July & August.

Howard Schwartz made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Tusa
President