Sustainable Stockton Meeting Minutes

Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 pm, Stockton Municipal Building (Meeting #18)

Attendees:  Sue Anderson; Donna Literski; Mary Maller; Jeanne Dodge; and Sharon Reichert.

Meeting Minutes.  Minutes of 02-05-09 Meeting were approved with one amendment – under Documentary Series/Advertising for March, the date be changed from Tuesday, April 17th to Tuesday, April 7th).  (Donna/Mary; all in favor).

Website Fees/Other Costs for Group.  So far, the ongoing cost of keeping the SS website up and running comes to about $5 per month.  Donna has already paid $94 for the website.  Sue, Mary, and Sharon will split that cost with Donna, each paying her $25.  In addition to the website, the committee incurs other office supply costs including paper; printing; duplicating/photocopying; toner, ink, etc.  The group has been fortunate so far that the Town of Stockton Board has allowed us to put information in its newsletter and include our directory in its Newsletter mailings which has saved SS considerable postage and other fees.  Also, Jerry Piesik copied our Find it in Stockton Directory for free.  Right now some members have no problem covering some of these costs, but the committee needs to think about how to cover these expenses in the future.  Possible solutions:

·       SS could try to find sponsors (for 6 mos. Or a year stretch) for the website.  The sponsor could be acknowledged on our website and perhaps elsewhere.

·       SS could broaden its website to include similar groups or co-sponsor our website with other groups such as Central Wisconsin Sustainability; Central Rivers Farmshed; ICE; and/or Stevens Point Ecomunicipality group.  The website costs could be shared or perhaps covered by one of the other organizations.

Summer Book Discussion.  James Cook & Holly Petrillo, both Forestry Professors at UWSP, started a book discussion on March 11^th for “Bringing Home Nature.”  With this discussion group already taking place and knowing folks are very busy in the summer, Mary would prefer not to start up a summer book discussion this year. 

Documentary Series/Advertising for April.   Affluenza poster already done.  Mary and Sue will continue to work on PSA’s and News Releases.  Sharon, Sue, Donna, and Mary will get posters up around community.  Judy will facilitate the post-movie discussion. 

Duties that Keep SS Going.  Donna came up with a very thorough list of the duties SS members perform to provide a better picture of what work goes into keeping a citizen group like ours

active.   Those present contributed to editing/adding to the duties list.  Eventually this list can

be used for recruitment of volunteers and possibly training purposes.

Outreach Possibilities. 

Activities:

·       Have a summer tour at White Feather Organics in July (Sue already checked on the best time for this farm owner Tony)

·       Tour of his property and sustainable practices by retired Forestry Professor Hans Schabel in the Fall (Sharon will check to see if Dr. Schabel willing to do this for free).  If we pick a date or either activity—can advertise in monthly update and possibly TOS newsletter.

·       Sponsor another movie series in Nov 2009 and Jan, Feb, March of 2010.

·       Committee members to work with MREA and volunteer for this summer’s Energy Fair (Sue to contact MREA about volunteer opportunities for our group).

·       Tag a SS meeting onto a short Town Board Meeting—addressing perhaps a different clientele.  Maybe make it a potluck meeting.

Media/Communications:

·       Advertise in Town of Stockton Newsletter and website for SS website technical person that can program & update site (Sharon will write up description and check with Town Clerk as to when next Town newsletter going out).

·       Also in Town Newsletter and website include a “Wish List,” sponsor (website, printing for fall directory update, etc.) requests, and volunteer opportunities (putting up posters, hosting movies, etc.) for Sustainable Stockton.

·       Place “Find it in Stockton” Directories at the Portage County Planning & Zoning Office

Committee Business. 

·       Speak with new Business Resource Agent (started this spring) at UW Extension in Courthouse Annex Building for advice and knowledge that may help with our citizen group.

·       Make sure we have a visionary meeting once a year to review structure, goals, mission, etc.

·       Possibly meet every other month and different locations to encourage community participation.

Next Meeting.  Next meeting will be on Thursday, May 7, 2009, for breakfast--to try something new and different.  Place and time will be sent out to members with April monthly e-mailing.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sharon Reichert, Secretary