January 9 Meeting
The beginning of a new year...and with the holidays over, we can begin anew to address concerns and plan projects for PIE!
Ms Ellingson, who could not attend, left the following message:
"I am on my say to Seattle for a Grand Writing Workshop for reading --
"Teachers have expressed positive feelings about the picnic tables and benches.
"Also needed for recesses are indoor games and activities and a cart. Outdoor, a few balls and jump ropes and that sort of thing would be good.
Thanks for all of your support of the people and programs at OSE."
Karen Ellingson
This meeting was lighthearted and fun, with much being accomplished. We began promptly at 7PM, and dived right into the fun stuff...spending money! Treasurer Mary Elmore reported that we need to spend...what better way could we start the year? Our account balance is healthy, and we are well within budget, which did not take this balance into account. Mary suggested that the teachers need to ask for more money...hint hint.
The Book Fair "lost" money, in the sense that actual revenue was a negative number. This is due to loss, incentives, tax, etc. This did not take into account the free books received, which would make up for the apparent loss.
The Playground Fund had a balance of over $3000 as of September 30, 2000. Much was discussed in this area, and it was decided that the playground benches discussed previously would be ordered., This includes two benches and two table/bench sets. They are heavy duty, steel core PVC plastic, peel and rust resistant, securable, and yet moveable (for that new school that we all keep hoping for). This purchase was $1865.75. We also voted to spend money for indoor, rainy day play equipment. Sarah Coleman was to purchase board games, art equipment, etc to fill a cart. $500 "ish" was allotted to this project. (It should be noted that one father of the group, a firm believer in parliamentary procedure, was frustrated by our obvious lack of training in this area! He was shaking his head the whole time as we casually agreed (voted) on the things that we needed to do! And to be honest, I think that our $500"ish" just about threw him over the edge. Sorry, Dad! <smile>) Sarah was also to spend $100 on jump ropes, balls, etc. ** Following the meeting, it was agreed upon by the officers that the $500"ish" should be accompanied by an extra $100 to include much needed art supplies) Major playground equipment, such as a Big Toy, was discussed. Sarah, Tracee Magee, and Ms Ellingson were hoping to apply for a grant from the Bishop Foundation (now Grays Harbor Community) for this large purchse. It was also discussed to pour a tetherball pad to keep the kids from playing tetherball in the mud, and painting Hopscotch lines and a shooting line on existing asphalt.
Next, we voted to purchase a Polaroid One Step Business Edition Camera. Mary researched and found both this and an "Express" model. Both were the same price, but the business model was advertised to be a bit more sturdy and long lasting. We can make buttons from the photos, but Polaroid recommends wearing gloves to protect our hands from the chemicals, and keeping the layers intact in the buttons. This would cost $50.
It was also suggested that we purchase a toner for the school copier. PIE uses this copier for PIE publications, providing our own paper. It was estimated that we used about one toner per year, which we have never paid for. We voted to budget one toner per year, purchasing two this year. These are $100 each, and would be ordered through Janet. (It should be noted that Dad also objected to buying two this year, which was fun as we had never really seen anyone oppose anything at these meetings)
Dina Davis had seen a cash register at Second Hand Jan's for $50, and was wondering if it would be worth our while to purchase. She requested that someone who knew cash registers check it out. Despite trying to hide under the table, Jody Cadle (who oversees register systems as part of her employment) agreed to stop and take a look. It was voted to approve this purchase, should it be a functional register. (**This was purchased two days later, and the register is not only functional, but does tax, etc) This will be very helpful in Book Fairs, Christmas Store, and so on.
It was reported that the businesses are doing well with the penny drive, and funds continue to roll in.
T-Shirt orders went well, and Maryhelen hopes to have another order in this Spring. We need to order 26 to get the price break. It was decided that we would begin taking orders and when we got to the 26 or by February 19th, we would order. There were leftovers from two years ago (the red shirt with white cougar and backpack) which we voted to give to the Bus Drivers first, then to merchants that had supported PIE Events.
Library Shelves are still incomplete, but Merrilu Sparagno has offered her garage for finishing and painting them. These are hoped to be finished by the end of January.
We very quickly discussed Spring Fundraisers, and the ideas of a Talent Show or Potato Feed were offered.
And then, amidst many giggles, we voted to GO HOME!