MINUTES
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
ELISHA D. SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FEBRUARY 12, 2015
Called to order at 5:03pm by Crawmer
Present: Crawmer and Wicihowski
Absent: None
Also Present: Director Lenz and K. Dreyer (Administrative Assistant)
Public Comment/Communication: None
Action Items/Fundraising Efforts
A. Approval of Minutes: Wicihowski moved, Crawmer seconded to approve the Fundraising Committee minutes from November 13, 2014. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Restaurant Fundraiser: The Library Night at Luigi’s raised $300.00 which was more than 10% of the night’s proceeds because of the help that was provided. Luigi’s and B. J. Clancy’s have agreed to hold this event. It was difficult to read at Luigi’s because of the space and everyone came at different times. Athos and Officer Matt Spiegel were a big hit. It was questioned as to what would be the next attraction and if the event was worth holding again. Wicihowski suggested a dine out and book exchange. This discussion was tabled.
C. Can Collection: The committee decided that the can collection was a lot of work for the little money that is received and that the library will no longer collect aluminum cans. Crawmer will check with Paper Valley Recycling to see if we can suggest to our patrons to recycle their aluminum with them and receive the proceeds. We could try this for a few months to see if it is worthwhile.
D. United Community Program: An email was sent inviting patrons to sign up for a cash back program with United Community. When a patron purchases something with their credit card from a list of business owners, the library would receive cash back from the purchase. People in their 20’s prefer to give to nonprofit organizations in this manner. At least one board member questioned as to whether this is appropriate for the library and if this is a legitimate organization. There are other organizations from the community such as schools, churches and the Fox Valley Warming Shelter that are using the United Community program. The committee will bring this to the board.
E. Formal Fundraising Campaign: Former board member John Nebel has met with Lenz to discuss the importance of developing a formal marketing campaign. He feels that we need to determine what the library is to people and build a campaign around it. At the last board meeting, Eisen suggested the committee determine a fundraising goal. It was decided that, while it is necessary to step back and work on a mission for the committee, we are not ready to move forward with a formal campaign. Committee members were asked to draft mission statements for the next meeting.
A draft of a brochure was developed by Dreyer that describes how people in our community may give to the library through life insurance, securities, bequest in a will, etc., with the intent of placing these brochures in attorney’s offices, around the library, and other venues. This brochure will be presented to the board.
Friend’s volunteers are willing to be more involved in fundraising efforts. Lenz will ask a volunteer to join the committee.
F. Future Fundraising Projects: No new fundraising events are planned.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:40pm was made by Wicihowski and seconded by Crawmer. Motion carried unanimously. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 4:00pm
Respectfully submitted, Kathy Dreyer, recording secretary
