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.

Minutes of the October 18, 2016 Meeting

Minutes of the FOML Meeting of Oct. 18, 2016

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

Meeting was called to order at 4:35 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 Sandra Mintz and unanimously approved.

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

Total in Savings:  $8,543.72

Total in Checking: $254.08

Total Income: $219.33

No expenditures

Committee Reports

Publicity-Karen Tusa, in the absence of a publicity chair, presented the new FOML bags.

Business Membership-Howard Schwartz will prepare the mailing of the membership application to local businesses in January 2017.

Residential Membership-General membership applications will be ready for mailing in November.

Craft and Vendor Fair-Howard Schwartz reported that fewer than half of the 25 available spots have been reserved. Our list of potential vendors is 200; he is confident that we will fill all the spots. A number of the meeting’s attendees volunteered to work the Craft Fair.

Karen Tusa reported that the Library has established an extension dedicated to the Friends; she has retrieved several messages related to the Craft Fair already.

Old Business

Karen Tusa passed around the updated Friends brochure.

Karen Tusa reported that she greeted the attendees at the first meditation class; Maureen Garvey volunteered to attend the final class to represent the Friends and hand out our brochure.

Karen reported that an ad has been placed in the Merrick Herald-Life asking for volunteers to join the Friends.

New Business

A new publicity chairperson is still needed.

Marion Ormsten, Sandra Mintz and Jan Sanseverino will serve on the nominating committee.  Karen Tusa will review the by-laws. 

Sandra Mintz suggested that the Friends host family-oriented program. After discussing the possibilities, it was agreed that a “Family Movie Night” should be scheduled for the mid-winter break, aimed at families with children younger than 10.  Maureen Garvey offered to coordinated with Susan Goodwin, head of Children’s Services, and Angela Capone, Program Coordinator, to pick a date.

Future meetings will be held at 4:30 on Tuesdays, Nov. 15, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 9 and June 13.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:21 on a motion by Howard Schwartz, seconded by Maureen Garvey.  

  

September 2016 Minutes

Minutes of the September 13^th Friends of the Merrick Library Meeting

Present: Karen Tusa (President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Maureen Garvey (Acting Secretary), Sandra Mintz.

Meeting called to order at 4:35 by Chair Karen Tusa.

The minutes of the June meeting, as emailed to the members, were accepted on a motion by Marion Ormsten, seconded by Maureen Garvey and unanimously approved.

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

Total in Savings:  $8,324.39
Total in Checking: $254.08
Total Income: $597.87
Total Expenses: $178.11

President Karen Tusa reported that she has a new listing of the Chamber of Commerce membership.  The Friends will canvas the Chamber again this year, as was done last year, to join the Friends at the same contribution of $50.00.  Last year 18 local businesses joined; some contributed more than the required $50.00. 

The Friends Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3.  It was determined after some discussion that the hours will be from 10:30-4.  Vendors will have from 9-10:30 to set up. Friends should park in the Cure’ of Ars parking lot.

It was discussed, that, if possible, the Friends could have a dedicated telephone extension at the Merrick Library, at least for the weeks leading up to the Craft Fair. If there is no cost to the Friends, and the Library administration approves, we will keep the extension year-round.

The discussion over signage related to the Fair ended with the agreement that FOML should create and distribute more lawn signs than last year.  It was also agreed that the Friends should seek out a member who has the ability to create signs and flyers.

Old Business

Karen Tusa notified Lisa Hudson at Cure of Ars that the Friends Craft Fair will be held on Dec. 3

FOML is sponsoring a meditation program at the Merrick Library.

FOML purchased 100 ear buds for the Library.

New Business

Karen Tusa informed the members present that the 100 tote bags previously purchased by the Friends almost two years ago are nearly gone. She proposed that we purchase new bags from JanWay that are slightly smaller, but are the same style and are on sale. It was agreed that she should make the purchase.

Karen Tusa informed the members that we need a Publicity Chair, as Joan Sculli is stepping down from that position.

The election procedures were discussed, and during the process we realized that the by-laws have an inconsistency that should be corrected to read as follows:

ARTICLE V SECTION 1.  At the October meeting, the President shall appoint a nominating committee of three members, which shall convene promptly and place in nomination the names of candidates to fill the offices for the ensuing two years.  The nominations shall be recorded in the November minutes and submitted in writing to the membership prior to the December meeting.  Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the December meeting.

Karen Tusa will place an ad in the Merrick Herald-Life calling for volunteers to join the Friends.  She will ask once again that they name the Library correctly as the Merrick Library, not the Merrick Public Library.

Diane Christie made a motion to adjourn at 5:25 PM.  The motion was seconded by Sandy Mintz. The meeting was adjourned.

Next meeting dates:  Tuesday at 4:30 PM:  Oct. 18 Nov. 15, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, Mar 14, Apr 11,  May 9, June 13.

Respectfully submitted by Maureen Garvey .

June 14, 2016 Minutes

Friends of the Merrick Library

Minutes of Meeting June 14, 2016

Meeting called to order at 4:30 PM by President, Karen Tusa.

Present: Karen Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice-President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Sandra Mintz, Ellen Firer (Library Director).

Minutes:  May minutes were reviewed and accepted as emailed.

Treasurer’s Report:

Savings $8,100.40

Checking $58.31

Income: Book Sale $100.80

                Employee Giving: $50.00

                Raffle: $26.00                                                                                                   

                Tote Bags: $15.00

                Flash Drives: $8.00

                TOTAL:         $199.80

Expenditures: Stamps: $9.40

Committee Reports:

Business Membership: Karen sent thank you emails/letters with a copy of bookmark to 18 business sponsors.

Old Business: Thank you to Jan Sanseverino and Marian Hart for selling raffles on May 15^th before the Sunday concert.

New Business: Meditation program. Three instructor prospects: Lorry Salluzzi, Joann Miller, Jeanne McElwin. Sandra will contact Joann for availability.  Four consecutive sessions in the fall on Tuesday or Thursday evenings at 7PM.  Instructor to be paid $50 per session. 

Craft and Vendor Fair scheduled for December 3^rd: Karen will contact Lisa Hudson at Cure of Ars regarding date. 

Karen will update stationery/website with new Secretary.

Next meeting is Tuesday, September 13^th at 4:30 P.M.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by Sandra Mintz