September Monthly Meeting Minutes and Follow-up

Below is a small re-cap of our meeting our meeting Tuesday, September 11th:

ATTENDEES:

Julia Granaki
Risa Rottenberg
Jamar McDaniel
Phil Spletzer
Jehanne Piper
Josh Greenberg
Ron
Harv

• The group discussed the organization becoming a 501(c)(3).
• Josh brought the forms that are needed to be filled out. The group
• Risa mentioned that there is a lawyer at Parks who helps organizations with this process.
• Josh will being filling out the form and leave blank any sections he will need assistance from this lawyer on.
• Risa will get us name of lawyer at Parks who will help us.
  

• It's My Park Day is taking place on October 20th from 11am-4pm for those who would like to participate.

• Jehanne has volunteered to spearhead the Fall Festival
• The Fall Festival will take place on November 3rd., from 2pm-4pm.
  
• Julia will email Jehanne last year's info. (Facepainter contact, etc.)
  
• Julia will also contact Jamar about additional ideas.
• Some activities suggested were: pumpkin decorating, sack races, face painting, arts and crafts, storytelling, hot apple cider and goodies. The addition of music and park "play mobile" which Risa mentioned is free if we reserve it ahead of time.

Christmas Tree Lighting Will take place on Friday Dec. 7th (to be confirmed by William) at 6:oo pm.

• Group wants to check with Christian Nolan first before asking if anyone would like to take it on. Christian lead the organization last year.
  
• Some suggested activities include: hot apple cider, the choir from last year, musicians/singers from Harlem School of the Arts (Jehanne to check with neighbor).
• Christian to reach out to Convent Avenue Men's Choir to invite them back again next year.
  
• A platform in front of the tree would be needed with proper lighting so people passing can enjoy the celebration.
  

Risa, followup with Afro-Cuban event-cost/no cost etc.

The group is still looking for volunteers to help Risa planning the 2008 Historic Harlem Park's Film Festival in St. Nicholas Park. All interested should contact the Friends organization at info@stnicholaspark.org

Thank you everyone for hanging in there. We apologize that we did not get through our agenda as planned. Ron and Harv had important concerns and helpful suggestions. We should continue to explore how we can get more of the neighborhood involved in the Friends group. I think this is a very important discussion to have at our next meeting. In the meantime, we should be thinking about this problem and how to solve it...and can certainly open up a dialog via email, phone...or just seeing each other around the park and neighborhood.

Our next meeting will be held at our regular meeting place at 502 West 142nd street (between Amsterdam Avenue and Hamilton Place) on October 9th at 7pm.