Freedom Leadership Council
Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2010
Meeting called to order at 7PM at Freedom Town Hall
NEXT MEETING: Sunday, January 9th, 2010 7:00pm Town Hall
Attendees:
Marshall Kendall – Leadership Council
Lucy Kendall
Bob Smart – First Christian Church
Dean Robertson – Freedom Community Club
Nancy Griffin – Secretary Freedom Happenings
Phil Griffin
Bill Elliott
Maureen Elliott
Jeannie Kestner – FVS
Neal Boyle – Selectman
Dick Many – Freedom Historical Society
John Donovan
Michael Gaudette
AGENDA:
Review Minutes of June 13th, 2010 Meeting
Minutes are accepted at 7:07pm
St. Patrick's Day
John Donovan would like to have a St. Patrick's Day observance
Prior to moving to Freedom, John's wife worked with an Irish Tenor – may be expensive, coordinate with corned beef and cabbage..... price would be comparable to $35 paid for Broadway night at Lazy Susan's...... if 200 people would need to use gym at FES. Singer's name is Mark Forrest.
John usually gets $2500 for an appearance but if he was in the area, John may be able to coordiate other engagements for him.
Concern regarding price was raised –
Upstairs in Town Hall could be used, and capacity is 110 or so. Thoughts were that it would not be a fundraiser, for entertainment purposes.... have hors'douvers instead of corned beef and cabbage – final comments indicated that we may not be able to get enough interest to support the cost.
Review Happenings results after 1 year!
Accomplishments:
Website – thanks to Mike Gaudette – 11,500 hits on main page, and 6,000 hits on Library page..... new feature – can see how many clicks on what event and how many users click (starting January) --- average 1100 per month --- many are local ISPs – Freedom, CA is wondering why we get so many hits..... email gets lots of spam, so is now registered as a private address..... renew in February $119.00 – $12 for IP address – Rotary and Little League wants to be included – local person was upset that we have posted non-paid member's information on calendar. Town Offices are utilizing it. Bob Smart said that it is very easy to use and features are wonderful. Color will be added in January – each organization will have a unique color – may have 10 organizations for next year.
Sign at Cushing Corner:
There is a sign for Freedomhappenings.org Marshall will install --- arrow was stolen – freedomhappenings.org can be installed where arrrow was, in agreement between Marshall and Dick Many.
Report on Phone book (Nancy Griffin)
Name input is completed, and now on the 3rd proof reading, cross referencing to other documents and phone books. Advertisements have been successefful. $2 donation will be reqested for phone book and be available exclusively at FVS --- after $200 is raised to defer advertising cost for FVS, monies will go to Freedom Press to assist with administrative and other incurred costs. No email addresses will be listed.
Hopefully, final information will be given to Freedom Press this week, to get to printer by 1st of December, for availability end of year.
Welcome Neighbor (Jeannie Kestner)
Where will our focus be? General to everyone, or just for new people --- 1998 – make book availble at Costantino Realty and Paul Wheeler, FVS, PO and Town Offices.
Print 100? It was suggested that we print a minimal quantity until we gather all the information and then make a formal final quantity.
Do it small at first, see what feedback is and go from there.
Jeannie will compile information and get all members information.
Decorate Freedom for Christmas (Bob Smart)
Bob and Marshall had a conversation regarding making Freedom more attractive...... let's talk it up and make it happen !!!! There will be a stable in front of the church – all built and ready (by Bob Smart) – figures are under construction – replaces christmas tree – suggestions – light up wreaths, snowflakes. Michael will research for information – red house owners (tea house) said that we may decorate their house..... Gaudettes will do town offices and town hall. Neal will speak with Scott Brooks tomorrow --- Brooks does watering trough --- would like one for bandstand – will get a tree from Plunges – red sleigh in basement of Historical Society – Neal will get tree in bandstand approved by Selectman.
Community New Years Eve Party (Lucy Kendall)
Lucy is suggesting a community New Year's Eve Party --- she has a committee, spoke with woman's fire auxillary who may serve hors'douevers – spoke with entertainers at Lazy Susan's Broadway evening --- priced food at Sams ---- Sylvia Carney is checking on DJ's --- Marshall is making tables --- friends made tablecloths – have candles for centerpieces – 8pm to whenever, breakfast at 1am --- games, having things going on --- dance music, etc --- would like 40 couples, 80 people approximately $50 - $55 couple --- no suggested attire but casual and hopefully no jeans.
Open Floor
Nancy asked to please send happening information to freedlomeadershipcouncil@gmail.com list of email addresses includes Jennifers as well as ones from other lists.....
Neil has been approached by others to have a sign at Old Portland Rd ----
Look into getting “Welcome to Freedom” signs --- can ask Ossipee where they got theirs, etc. Michael is checking, and Marshall's daughter will be consulted when she visits in December.
What purpose and extent should Freedom Happenings have going forward.
Continue with website and calendar
Take on other wish list such as underground utilities – check to see if it is a feasible possibility --- definitely a wish list ---- ask COOP and PSNH for prices – possibly put as a referendum --- see what deadline is.
Storage has been approved at the transfer station building to store OHW items with racks.
Fund raising events and projects that will benefit various charities in town.... would Freedom Happenings be willing to organize events for different groups.
Movies under the stars --- weather, royalties, etc...... makes it tough
Not 501C so cannot provide receipts.
Check on insurance possibilities through Freedom Happenings – eliminate multiple insurance policies and have freedom happenings as a type of umbrella for certain events.
Spread the word about Freedomhappenings.org --- and how do they access it.....
Nancy will ask lisa wheeler to add freedomhappenings.org to her freedom column contct information
Finalize list of all members of groups in town........ with email addresses so that they would receive information on freedomhappenings.org
Treasurer – Jeannie Kestner and Maureen Elliott will co-chair this title
RSA31:95-H – revolving fund and insurance could work the same way?
Any other items for Wish List?
Flags on the flagpoles
Seasonal banners
This is how I heard it, but please let me know if any changes or updates need to be made.