April 2017 Miutes

Minutes of the April 18, 2017 Friends of the Merrick Library Meeting

Present: Karen Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice-President) Maureen Garvey (Secretary), Diane Christie (Treasurer) Fran Kommor, Steve Dershowitz (Kumon of Merrick) and Ellen Firer (Library Director).  Meeting called to order at 4:31 by Chair Karen Tusa.

The minutes of the February 2017 meeting, as emailed to the members, were read and accepted on a motion by Maureen Garvey, 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:       $8,455.43

Total in Checking:       $308.64

Total Income:              $313.17

Total Expenses:               $0.00

The members reviewed the invoices for the month of March.

Committee Reports

Membership

Karen Tusa reported that residential membership is currently at 44 out of 54 renewals mailed.  Fran Kommor and Marion Ormsten did call those who have not renewed their membership.  We currently have 13 business sponsors (of the 142 mailed) compared to the 18 we had in 2016.

Craft Fair

Howard Schwartz reported on vendors’ comments that he obtained at the last Craft Fair.  He said he kept the lawn signs from last year, and observed that we need to continue to improve publicity. Karen Tusa reported that she has already received calls from vendors asking for the date of this year’s Fair. The date will be November 18.  Howard will send out “save the date” notices.

Old Business

15 people attended Family Movie Night; although it was a small crowd, Karen Tusa reported that everyone seemed to enjoy the program, and the kids particularly liked the popcorn machine. After some discussion it was concluded that we might do better in the future to hold a similar program in the afternoon.  Maureen Garvey will talk to Sue Goodwin, the Head of the Children’s Department, to obtain her comments and suggestions.

The Meditation Class was a success, and some patrons have requested it be continued. The Friends will sponsor the program twice again in the coming year.

Karen reported that we have some positive outcomes from the three MUFSD PTA meetings that she and Maureen Garvey attended. We have two volunteers who will re-do the FOML website.  The members present agreed unanimously that the Friends will pay the approximately $100 hosting fee for the new site.   At the Chatterton meeting, a parent requested that the Library re-institute the “meet and greet” for parents and potential baby-sitters who have completed the Red Cross Baby-Sitting course held at the Library. Ellen Firer said the Library had ceased that program due to lack of attendance, but would be happy to reinstate it if there is interest.  She suggested Maureen Garvey speak to the Teen Librarian.

Steve Dershowitz suggested we contact the Superintendent’s office and request that a flyer advertising the FOML be placed in the students’ backpacks along with all the other informational material that goes home with the students at the end of the school year. Howard Schwartz suggested that representatives of the Friends attend the first PTA meetings next fall, which typically have higher attendance.

Ellen Firer suggested that the FOML underwrite the cost of the refreshments that the Library puts out during National Library Week, and Fran Kommor suggested that Friends staff the tables as well.

New Business
Karen passed around the updated FOML bookmark.   Steve Dershowitz volunteered to pass them out to his clients at Kumon.

The date of the tasting event has been re-scheduled to September 14; the June date we had picked turned out to be the night of one of the proms. Ellen Shurgan and Jan Sanseverino have met with Karen re: the planning, and will do so again.  Angela Capone, the Library’s Program Director, is working on the configuration of the tables.  We estimate we can accommodate approximately 20 restaurants.

Karen mentioned some possible program ideas, and the one everyone liked was a paper-shredding event. The Friends would arrange for a shredding company to come to the Library, and patrons would bring their sensitive documents to be shredded. Howard Schwartz said he would speak to someone he knows in the Copiague Library, where they hosted such an event, and Maureen Garvey will speak to the Bellmore Memorial Library, which also provided this service to the public, to get information about how to proceed.

Maureen Garvey mentioned that Chocolate Works does fund-raising events.  After discussion, it was decided that Karen would invite them to participate in “Merrick Eats” and Howard will send them in invitation to participate in the Craft Fair, and possibly we will consider doing a fund-raising event with them in the future.

Friends members are asked to come a few minutes earlier to the May meeting to review the Friends books and records of the treasurer.

Upcoming meetings of the Friends of the Merrick Library will be held on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM on May 9 and June 13.

Howard Schwartz made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 5:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen Garvey
Secretary

Minutes of the February 14, 2017

Friends of the Merrick Library Meeting

Present: Karen Tusa (President), Maureen Garvey (Secretary), Barbara Goldberg, Fran Kommor, Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Sandra Mintz (Publicity Chair), Carol Goldberg, Ellen Shurgan,  Jennifer Menza (Roslyn Savings Bank), Steve Dershowitz (Kumon of Merrick) and Ellen Firer (Library Director).  Meeting called to order at 4:35 by Chair Karen Tusa.

The minutes of the January 2017 meeting, as emailed to the members, were read and accepted on a motion by Maureen Garvey, seconded by Fran Kommor and unanimously approved.

The Treasurer’s report, as follows, was accepted on a motion from Marion Ormsten, seconded by Sandra Mintz and unanimously approved:

Total in Savings:    $ 10,814.43

Total in Checking:       $326.14

Total Income:              $515.00

Total Expenses:           $335.99

The invoices for the month of January were reviewed by the members.

Committee Reports

Membership

Residential membership is currently at 38 out of 54 renewals mailed.  Fran Kommor and Marion Ormsten volunteered to call those who have not renewed their membership.  We currently have 10 business sponsors (of the 142 mailed) compared to the 18 we had in 2016.  Karen read the names of the businesses that have become Friends:

All Island Transportation

Century 21 American Homes

CSM Engineering

Kiddsmiles Pediatric Dentistry

Kumon of Merrick

Mortgage Professionals Corp.

N.F. Walker Inc. Funeral Home

La Strada of Merrick

On the Safe Side Inc.
Roslyn Savings Bank

Jennifer Menza of Roslyn Savings Bank volunteered to mention The Friends at the next Chamber of Commerce meeting that she attends.

Craft Fair

There was a discussion about possibly moving the Craft Fair from December to February, but that idea was discarded because the weather is so unpredictable.  It was decided that Karen would look into moving it back to November from December. 

Old Business

The Friends purchased 15 flash drives for the Library.

New Business
Karen Tusa asked for volunteers for Family Movie Night at 6:45PM on Feb. 21. Sandra Mintz, Fran Kommor and Ellen Shurgan volunteered.  Karen reported that Diane Christie had already volunteered.   Volunteers are still needed to greet attendees at the meditation class on March 9^th and 30^th. Steve Dershowitz of Kumon volunteered to display a flyer for the Family Movie Night at his establishment.

Karen Tusa and Maureen Garvey reported on their presentations at the Birch and Lakeside January PTA meetings. Unfortunately, Chatterton had to re-schedule their January meeting and neither Karen nor Maureen was able to attend; they will attend the Feb. meeting.

Karen reported that as a result of our appeal for volunteers, especially to work on the FOML website, one of the Lakeside PTA members did contact us with an offer to do that. Maureen Garvey will follow up.

Debbie Jones of the Merrick Library is working on a new bookmark that has information on the Friends, including a quick registration form and a listing of all the current corporate sponsors. Members at the meeting edited the Friends bookmarks.

Karen Tusa reported June 22 & 29 and all Thursdays in July are open for the Friends to host the tasting event. After discussion, June 22 was chosen.  The event will run from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.  Karen called for suggestions as to what to call the event; Steve Dershowitz suggested “Merrick Eats”, and those present agreed. Ellen Firer said the Library will provide coffee and it was agreed that other beverages would be purchased locally. Karen will discuss the table set-up with Angela Capone.  Admission will be $10 per person.

The Merrick Chamber of Commerce networking meeting originally scheduled for Feb. 9 and cancelled due to the snowstorm will be re-scheduled, but the date is not yet determined.

Karen informed those present that the Friends’ officers may sign up for an emailed version of the NYLA newsletter as part of the FOML’s membership. Karen, Maureen, Diane, Sandra and Marion signed up; Karen will contact Howard Schwartz to see if he wants to receive the emailed version as well.

Karen announced that Maureen Garvey has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Merrick Library to complete Susan Dillon’s term. Maureen will serve as liaison between the Board and the Friends.  

Upcoming meetings of the Friends of the Merrick Library will be held on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM on March 14, April 11, May 9 and June 13.

Barbara Goldberg made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen Garvey
Secretary

FOML sponsors Family Movie Night at the Merrick Library

Minutes of the January 10, 2017 Meeting

Minutes of the January 10, 2017 Friends of the Merrick Library Meeting

Present: Karen Tusa (President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), Maureen Garvey (Secretary), Barbara Goldberg, Fran Kommor.  Meeting called to order at 4:37 by Chair Karen Tusa.

The minutes of the December 2016 meeting, as emailed to the members, were read and accepted on a motion by Diane Christie, seconded by Fran Kommor and unanimously approved.

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

Total in Savings:  $10,814.43

Total in Checking: $147.13

Total Income: $175.40

Total Expenses: $0

The 2016 spreadsheet of income and expenses was distributed and reviewed.  The monthly invoices were shared with the members present.

Committee Reports

Membership

Karen Tusa reported that we have received 35 residential memberships. 142 business membership applications were mailed on this date.

Craft Fair

Karen Tusa said that hopefully at the next meeting Howard Schwartz would report on his findings from the survey he sent to participating vendors.

Old Business

Karen reported that the mediation class is scheduled for March 9, 16, 23 and 30.  Karen passed around the flyer she created for the class.

Maureen Garvey reported that Jump and Jam LI will supply the popcorn machine for Family Movie Night. Karen passed around the flyer that the Head of Children’s Services, Susan Goodwin, created for the event.

Karen Tusa has all the flyers and information ready for the PTA meetings that she and Maureen Garvey will attend in January. 

New Business
The Library reported another damaged pair of ear buds. Karen Tusa will wait until we have a few to request a credit from JanWay.

Marion Ormsten has agreed to serve again as Correspondence Chair.

Karen Tusa reported that the Board of Trustees approved the tasting event.  A discussion of potential dates ensued. The consensus was that a Thursday night either in June or July from 5:30 to 8:30.  Karen Tusa will discuss dates with Angela Capone.

Diane Christie informed Maureen Garvey that she has to complete paperwork at HSBC. Diane will accompany Maureen to the bank to do so.

There was a discussion of possible events that the Friends could sponsor; a trivia event was favored.

Acting on President Tusa’s suggestion, Maureen Garvey made a motion that the FOML subscribe to NYLA’s Friends Newsletter.  The motion was seconded by Diane Christie and passed unanimously.

Upcoming meetings of the Friends of the Merrick Library will be held on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM on Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 9 and June 13.

Maureen Garvey made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Diane Christie. The meeting was adjourned at 5:40PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen Garvey
Secretary

Minutes of the December 13, 2016 Meeting

Minutes of the December 13^th, 2016 Friends of the Merrick Library Meeting

Present: Karen Tusa (President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Maureen Garvey (Secretary), Sandra Mintz (Publicity Chair), Barbara Goldberg, Fran Kommor and Ellen Firer (Library Director).  Meeting called to order at 4:40 by Chair Karen Tusa.

The minutes of the November meeting, as emailed to the members, were read and accepted on a motion by Diane Christie, seconded by Marion Ormsten and unanimously approved.

The Treasurer’s report, as follows, was accepted on a motion from Maureen Garvey, seconded by Sandra Mintz and unanimously approved:

Total in Savings:  $10,642.28
Total in Checking: $197.02
Total Income: $1,648.56
Total Expenses: $0

Committee Reports

Membership
Karen Tusa reported that we have received 30 membership renewals and three new   membership applications.  We mailed out about 60 applications. Howard Schwartz will run the labels for the business membership applications and a group will prepare them for mailing in January 2017. We had 18 local business memberships in 2016 and hope to equal that in 2017.

Craft Fair
Members who worked the Craft Fair reported that it appears to them that the vendors who did the best were the ones with different and/or unusual booths, such as the cake vendor.  It was agreed that too many of the same type of vendor, such as costume jewelry, is not a good thing, but it is hard to guarantee that all the vendors will be unique.  Diane Christie particularly wanted to mention Bagel Plaza’s generous donation. It was also agreed that the street signs were the best advertising we did, and we will definitely have more of them next year.

Nominating Committee
Sandra Mintz named the slate of nominated officers: Karen Tusa for President, Howard Schwartz for Vice-President, Diane Christie for Treasurer and Maureen Garvey for Secretary.  There were no nominations from the floor. The slate was unanimously approved.

Old Business

Karen discussed repeating the meditation class with Angela; dates are still to be decided.

New Business

Maureen Garvey reported that she had spoken with Angela Capone about a popcorn machine vendor, but Angela did not know of one. Maureen will speak to Bellmore and Levittown libraries to see if they can supply us with a vendor.

In a re-ordering of the agenda, Ellen Firer said that she will speak to the Library Board of Trustees at that night’s meeting about the Friends hosting a “Taste of Merrick” fund-raiser in the spring.

Ellen Firer thanked the Friends for the tray of holiday cookies we gave to the staff, in appreciation of their assistance over the year.

Maureen Garvey reported that she heard back from Lakeside and Chatterton PTA Presidents, but not from the Birch School PTA. She left a hard copy of the email in the PTA mailbox at Birch and hopes that they will respond.   As it stands now, Karen and Maureen will attend the PTA meeting at Lakeside on Jan. 18^th at 7:30PM and at Chatterton on Jan. 25^th at 7PM.  Karen will bring membership applications, flyers for Family Movie Night and possibly some Merrick Library newsletters.

Karen Tusa asked Correspondence Chair Marion Ormsten to send thank-you notes to Jan Sanseverino for obtaining the lawn signs for the Craft Fair, to Joan Sculli for past participation as Publicity Chair for the Friends, and to Vinny Brown, of the Library custodial staff, for his assistance at the Craft Fair.

Diane Christie started a discussion about other programs the Friends could underwrite for the Library, considering our funds. Several suggestions were made; Karen Tusa will bring them to Ellen Firer.

Maureen Garvey said that she is still working on re-doing the FOML blog.

Upcoming meetings of the Friends of the Merrick Library will be held on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM on Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 9 and June 13.

Maureen Garvey made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Diane Christie. The meeting was adjourned at 5:40PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen Garvey
Secretary

Minutes of the November 2016 Meeting

Minutes of the November 15th 2016 Friends of the Merrick Library Meeting

Present: Karen Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice-President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Maureen Garvey (Secretary), Sandra Mintz and Jan Sanseverino.

Meeting called to order at 4:37 by Chair Karen Tusa.

The minutes of the September meeting, as emailed to the members, were accepted on a motion by Howard Schwartz, seconded by Diane Christie and unanimously approved.

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

Total in Savings:  $8,993.72
Total in Checking: $197.02
Total Income: $735.00
Total Expenses: $342.06

Committee Reports

Membership
Karen Tusa reported that the residential membership mailing went out on Nov. 1; in addition to renewals, one new application for membership has been received so far. Business membership applications will go out in January 2017.

Craft Fair
Howard Schwartz reported that we have 12-13 tables booked, but he has spoken to several people who plan to take a table.  Karen Tusa reported that she has placed advertisements in several publications, including the Herald and the Craft Master News.
Flyers were distributed to members who will try to place them in the windows of local businesses. Jan Sanseverino volunteered to have some lawn signs professionally printed.
Diane Christie, Howard Schwartz and Marion Ormsten volunteered to request donations from local businesses.

Nominating Committee
Sandra Mintz reported that the slate of officers is as follows:  Karen Tusa, President; Howard Schwartz, Vice-President, Diane Christie, Treasurer and Maureen Garvey, Secretary. The slate will be

voted on at the December 13^th meeting.

Old Business

The members present agreed that the Friends will volunteer to underwrite the cost of another series of meditation classes in the Spring, since the Fall class was well attended.

New Business

There was a discussion about how to book a popcorn machine for the Friends-sponsored Family Movie Night.  Maureen Garvey said she would talk to Angela Capone to see if she knows of a vendor. 

Sandra Mintz volunteered to serve as Publicity Chair; she will write the copy and forward it to Karen Tusa for distribution.

The discussion of the review of the by-laws was tabled.

Maureen Garvey reported that she would contact the PTA Presidents of the three Merrick Union Free School District schools as soon as possible. Howard Schwartz suggested that in addition to speaking briefly at the January meetings, as planned, we also ask for a membership mailing list so that we could directly target parents in the district.  Howard will make every effort to join Karen and Maureen when they attend the January meetings.

Karen Tusa suggested that the Friends host a tasting event for the spring fund-raiser.  She will discuss the possibility with Library Director Ellen Firer.

Upcoming meetings of the Friends of the Merrick Library will be held on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM on Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 9 and June 13. Election of officers will be held at the December meeting.

A motion to adjourn was made at 5:25PM by Maureen Garvey, seconded by Diane Christie.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen Garvey
Secretary

  

FOML Craft Fair

Join us on Saturday, December 3 from 10:30AM-4:00PM for the Friends' Annual Craft Fair, held in the Merrick Library Community Room.