Steering committee

Thank you to Frank Skala for providing these meeting notes about the monthly steering committee meeting.   In attendance were Barb Holtz, Carolyn Suguichi, Lou Drasler, Frank Skala, Judy Dearden, Ginny Aveni, Gary Bloom, Kathy Schaefer, and Fran Mensch. Also attending was Tom Romito, invited guest of Barb Holtz. The meeting was called to order by Barb Holtz at 7 o'clock.  Barb recognized Kathy and Fran and Fran's request to speak although they had not reached her prior to the meeting to ask to be on the agenda. They spoke about their request for support to oppose the moving of the South Euclid library from the present location to a new construction site on Green Road across from Notre Dame College. They requested $2000 from Friends of Euclid Creek to pay for a mailing campaign. Next Carolyn Suguichi read a letter from Meg Martinez, Manager of the South Euclid Community Center, inviting Friends of Euclid Creek to participate on September 8, a Saturday, from 11 to 3 in the first annual Fall Harvest Fest.  Barb reviewed the members' comments written onto the wall posters at the August 7 meeting. Barb then introduced Tom Romito, an expert consultant in strategic planning. Tom then addressed the group. He stated that he is retired from the military and also from the federal government, and has done extensive pro bono consulting in strategic planning for nonprofit organizations. He is also the president of the Audubon chapter in the local area for the past nine years.  Tom presented flipcharts addressing the key elements of strategic planning. He stated that there are two important questions that an organization must answer before they can undertake the strategic planning process. The questions are: are you ready to commit to taking the time to develop a strategic plan? And what are the key issues facing our organization?  At the conclusion of the presentation, Barb asked if the board was prepared to agree to work with Tom on the strategic planning process. Several people commented, and Barb said that she would follow-up by contacting those board members that were not at the meeting and getting their input also. At the next month's board meeting we would make a decision.