Butler Committee Meeting Dec. 8th, 2008
Submitted by Andrew Owen, Webmaster Committee Members present: David Jorgensen (Chair), Bronwyn Smith (Community Room Coordinator), Dante Ricci (GSG Rep), Anna Frost (Dolly Coordinator), Patrick Ross (Treasurer), Andrew Owen (Webmaster), Nicole Jui (Garden Co-Coordinator), Chin Jou (Social Chair), Tao Long (Garden Co-Coordinator)
Community Members present: Olivia Martel, Nancy Jones, Rachel Galvin, Bo Xu, Lauren Neilson; Sophia Aptkar; Ed Matteo, Jens Klener, Kristan Flynn, Jeff Domanski, Rodrigo Casassus Coke Meeting called to order at 9:07 pm.
Patrick (Treasurer): Passed out the latest updated budget. We are generally under-budget on all events. We are still waiting on money from the 'events board' for the wine and cheese. We have around $2,000 left to spend and $1,500 which we have committed to spending on specific funds. The garden report is on the back. Patrick reports that there is a giant new spreadsheet with all our finances reported in a fantastic fashion. Conclusion: we have money to spend on things that community members think we need.
Anna (Dolly Coordinator): We have updated the move-in website page with new links and new information. We now have a google calendar that indicates future dolly reservations. Chin (Social chair): Wine and cheese was a success and under budget ($150). The next event is Chinese New Year which falls on Mon Jan 26th. Chin proposes we hold our event on January 29th. After a quick vote on the date, we agreed to hold the event on January 29th. We have budgeted $300 from us and a submission to the GSG for $400. The event will be held 6-8pm.
Tao & Nicole (Garden Coordinators): They are working on composting now. They have a large amount of dry leaves for composting that need to be stored. They are planning to improve the current composting information boards. They are also considering handing out fliers on composting to the whole community. They are also preparing to send out an email publicizing garden plot sign up. They are also interested in software that would ease the sign up process.
Andrew (Webmaster): Various updates to the website
Bronwyn (Community room coordinator): new signup process to book the community room. The new link is now on the website. The community room has new locks and Bronwyn has the new keys. Patrick asked whether it was a good idea to allow groups to book the community room on a consistent basis (yoga, capoeira). Discussion ensued. We might ask for two types of community rooms when we move to Stanworth (a playroom and an event room). Rodrigo mentioned that we requested a second playroom in Butler and got nowhere. Olivia reported that there have been discussion of the type of amenities that will be available at Stanworth. Bronwyn reported on the progress of a resident's request for more kid friendly stuff in the community room including mats, gates, and a crib. Research into the gates suggest they will not be sufficient to protect little kids from big kids. There are some mats that might create a suitably resistant shield to protect little ones. The estimated cost would be in the neighbourhood of $50. A crib doesn't appear feasible. A pack and play might work but there is a risk of lice and infection so we might not want to go there. Residents are welcome to bring their own pack and play. There's some question about whether the blocks will be kept clean.
Olivia (CRC): No updates! Olivia, Chin, and Dante discussed receipts for past events and who will provide recipts to whom. Dante (GSG rep): GSG is restructuring its executive committee. Dante told them about our new bylaws. Next Wed Dean Russell will take questions from students. If you have questions, send them to Dante. David (Chair): Jeff reports that there will be a Wed night meeting of the housing committee on the topic of housing priority. Olivia explained that the distribution of housing priority slots has not yet decided so anyone running tonight may or may not receive housing priority. Jeff also reports (thru David) that there will be a shuttle committee meeting on Dec 11th at 1:30. Olivia reports that the office of parking and transportation has been great at listening to the various graduate student committees. The office is working on a new plan. David mentioned the on-going challenge of the Butler Apartment listserv (emails from the administration to Butler residents). One residents who is on Butler Res did not receive the email from the administration. That resident will be added to the list.
Elections:
David emphasized that you must have attended a meeting in the previous year to vote. We went around the room to confirm that everyone had attended a meeting in the past 12 months. Candidate eligibility was then discussed. Patrick read the relevant sections of the bylaws. Those at the meeting agreed that the final vote count will be in the minutes but will not be read allowed. David reviewed the voting procedure.
Candidates made their statements.
David announced the election results. The Social Chair position resulted in a tie. The position must therefore be decided by a random draw (or coin toss). Chin withdrew her name from the competition. Rachel was elected social chair. Ed is the new treasurer. Nancy is the new secretary. Bo is the new webmaster. All other committee members ran unopposed and were elected.
The election results were
The meeting adjourned at 10:45.