Meeting

Deb Taylor called the meeting to order at approximately 6:05 p.m. in the auditorium at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont. Minutes of the January 14, 2009 meeting were presented. Mike made and Asra seconded a motion to accept the minutes. The minutes were approved on a voice vote.  

 

Deb welcomed everyone and mentioned that Lydia Leon will be attending all of our meetings until the Festival. 

 

Deb noted that she created an FOCchecklist that includes updates of all tasks with respect to this Festival as well as who is in charge of the task. This will be helpful in years to come.

 

Deb announced that an FOC blurb will appear on the community page of the Summer/Fall Activities Guide put out by the Lawrence Parks and Rec Dept. Additionally, thanks to Cynthia, the FOC is listed on the Events Calendar of the Lawrence Convention and Visitor's Bureau Web site: http://www.visitlawrence.com/visitor/events/3131. Deb suggested that the board find out the deadline to get in next year's paper edition of the Visitor Guide. Sarah stated she thinks the deadline for next year is in July. Cathy from the Chamber is the contact person.

The Board agreed with Lydia Leon's suggestion that we ask the City Commission declare "Celebrations of Lawrence Cultures/Heritage Week" for the week of our event. 

Asra made an appointment to visit the Haskell President (Dr Linda Warner) and the VP of University Services (Ted Wright) on March 12. She also secured dates for us to promote FOC at the Lawrence Public Library (the first two weeks in June and the last two weeks in Auguest). Maria Butler stated that the Library would like to have a booth at FOC as well. Deb reported that Cynthia agreed to make promo material for us.

Deb reported that the Feb 17th meeting at Ingredients was productive. Attendees: Asra, Susan, Baha, Carlos, Chris, Cynthia, Deb, Lydia Leon, Tim Laurent.

• Chris Keary made contact with Nick Arthachinda, ISSS Program Coordinator of KU's Multicultural Center. He is happy to be an intermediary for us and the KU student groups. ISSS is sponsoring a World Expo on Thursday, April 2, KU Union Ballroom, in the afternoon (1-4 pm). Board members agreed to attend the event. Deb will connect with Chris to see if Nick will allow us to have a booth at the World Expo. Deb will ask Cynthia if she can have the promo material completed by then.
• Tim Laurent provided us with useful info concerning South Park. It is posted in the FOCchecklist.

Asra will ask Board Members at the Islamic Center if we may use some of their tables for FOC.

 

Mike stated that upcoming training at the Lawrence Police Dept will focus a lot on driving skills and weapons. He will find out if any opportunities for an Educational Awareness Training session can happen after July. Additionally, Mike stated that he will announce FOC to police officers and encourage them to attend (and bring their families).

 

Lydia agreed to contact last year's DJ (for Feria Hispana). She will see if we have access to a stage.

 

Robbie agreed to speak with the NAACP about having a table at the FOC as well as Habitat for Humanity. He agreed to be in charge of the FOC layout at South Park.

 

Peter Luckey agreed to sent out a letter to area church communities to invite them to participate in FOC.

 

Deb stated that she does not want to send out letters until after Spring Break.

 

Board members agreed to contact the following to have booths at FOC:

• Asra: Islamic Center, Jewish Center, Habitat: Women Build, KU Audio Reader

• Sarah: Loring (Homeless issues), Renita (Indep, Inc), ECKAN (Janette)

• Robbie: Habitat, NAACP

• Peter: Churches

• Mike: His neighbors from Venezuela and Italy, his family's(?) church, Police Dept

• Lydia: all Hispanic groups, e-mail to ESL folk at Hillcrest Elem.

Deb mentioned that the Interfaith Dialogue at the Islamic Center was informative and exciting and that the crowd seem to enjoy being there. The Muslim community was extremely welcome. Baha and Asra would like to see more Board members attend in the future.

 

 

Adjournment

Mike made and Sarah seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 6:55 p.m. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

 

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