VOLUNTEER
& CONTACT

October 24th 2007

Updates – $ We have approximately $1800 in the bank and more donations came in tonight – Keep trying to sell those bags!

Tasja took a list of names to the Children’s committee to vote on for our playground name. Officially the playground name is WILD WOODS PARK!!!

Site update – The last of the Land Design North meetings will be held the week prior to Thanksgiving (date, time and location have yet to be announced) and after a preferred plan has been decided on there will be a 30 day public comment period. We are working on getting specifics from the Borough about what happens after that and when we can have access to land where the playground will be. The final Talkeetna Public Facilities draft plan will have to go to the Planning Commission and then to the Assembly for final adoption.

Fundraising

Karey presented a fundraising plan that was drafted with Laura and Charlie. There are 4 main categories of fundraising with target income goals for each.

1.Grant Writing $40,000

2. Major Donors $50,000

3. Events $7,000 already raised $1347.51

4. Small contributions $15,000 already raised $3060.52

5. Materials donations $35,000

For a total of $147,000 already raised $4408.03

This plan was discussed – what targets might need to shift and how we are to go about implementing.

*There will be a special meeting held Monday October 29th at the Eye of Denali 11am. All are welcome.

This meeting will be to compile a list of potential major donors among locals and businesses frequented by Talkeetnans in the lower valley and Anchorage. If you cannot make it to the meeting but have ideas please e-mail them to Anita.

** We are in need of an organized volunteer to head this category of fundraising – keeping track of the list of potential donors, who is helping to solicit these donors and what progress has been made.

Please contact Karey 733-7677 or 355-3079 or Laura 733-1970 or 355-6659 if you are interested in helping out.

Pickets are part of the small contribution category. We discussed pros and cons of wood vs. plastic pickets. Engraved plastic pickets will cost us approximately $20 including shipping. It was voted on and agreed that we will go with plastic. They will be the perimeter of the tot-lot portion of the design. Anita will design and print a flyer about selling pickets. Folks who donate between $50-$99 will haev the option of a picket with a max of 17 characters engraved. We are going to receive a sample picket for the company that makes them.

Magic Show – This Saturday October 27th

Lisa reported that everything seems to be in place. She is still short on decorations for the hanger. An idea was suggested that committee members who have a Jack-O-Lantern carved bring it as decoration – of course take it home with you after the show. **Thank you Lisa for all your hard work in organizing this event.

It was discussed and decided to postpone the December fundraiser until February – Valentines Day. At this point volunteer energy, effort and time will be better spent working on contacting potential large donors with phone calls and letters.

Leathers’

Howard and Noelle have been working on making phone calls to find out rough pricing on the materials list from Leathers’. This will give us a budget to work from.

Karey reviewed a proposal letter from Leathers’ outlining the rest of the project and what fees will be due for their professional services. It will cost us approximately $33,600 in fees and airfare (for their consultants to come up) to finish up the project. There are a few questions that Karey will present to John Dean, our project manager.

If you would like to see the proposal or have questions please contact Karey.

**We are still short a volunteer to fill a crucial position – TOOLS. Build day cannot happen without tools. We need a volunteer to be in charge of soliciting and organizing tools from community members to build our awesome playground.

If you think you can help or know someone who could help please contact Karey or Laura.

It was discussed and decided to keep awareness and enthusiasm in the community by being at different community events this winter. We will have a booth at the St. Barnard bazaar Nov.10th and possibly the Senior Center craft show the 17th. We will have info, volunteer sign up sheets, bags and pickets for sale and donation brochures to hand out. Laura will put together a box of all the needed items to have at the booths. If you would like to help please contact Kristy at 733-5600.

Thank you to everyone who attended!

Our next meeting will be Wednesday November 7th 6:30 at the Roadhouse.