Butler Committee Meeting Minutes 1.7.08

Submitted by Jane Phillips, Recording Secretary

Committee members present: Jane Phillips, Audra Pompeani (Bugle Editor), Dante Ricci (GSG Rep), Jeff Dwoskin (Housing Rep), Nicole Jui (Garden Co-coordinator), Shannon Hughes (Chair), Chin Jou (Social Chair), Agatha Lenartowicz (Garden Co-coordinator), Patrick Ross (Treasurer), Bronwyn Smith (Community Room Coordinator).

Community members present: Tara McCartney, Olivia Martel, Tao Long, several other community members.

Meeting called to order at 9:01 pm.

Tara McCartney introduced the Olivia Martel, who will be taking over her position. All members of the Committee introduced ourselves to Olivia.

Shannon (Chair): Shannon said that Office of Public Safety sent writeup of the last meeting, and the transcript is online. She also has a draft of the winterization tips from Home Depot, and she is confirming details with Home Depot. Shannon asked whether any Committee members are leaving in the near future - Agatha will be done by the end of this year. Shannon thinks that she will also not be around for next year, so she asked whether anyone is interested in taking over the Chair position. No one volunteered today. It was agreed that the open Garden Co-Coordinator position would be advertized for the next meeting. Tara mentioned that the names of the Committee members should be sent to Housing by March, and it looks like all members of the present Committee should get priorty in the housing lottery this year. Shannon mentioned that the insulation under her house seems to be deteriorating. Tara will follow up.

Shin (Social Chair): Shin is starting to plan the Chinese New Year party. The Committee decided that the event should not be on the actual day of Chinese New Year. Shin will follow up with Bronwyn to schedule a date for the Community Room. It was suggested that small plates be used so that food can be spread out for more people. Shannon suggested that we have an hour of drinks before food is served to encourage people to mingle more with their neighbors. The tentative time and date of the event will be from 6-8pm on January 31st (may start earlier because of drinks). It will be advertized as a "mix and mingle, then food." Shin emailed Laura Soltesz, and Laura will give her information about past events, including last year's Chinese New Year. Tara and Olivia will help Shin get a cash advance for the event.

Patrick (Treasurer): Patrick says that the Princeton account has $1200. The Committee will apply for funding from the GSG for the Chinese New Year. We need money for two more Bugles plus cable for the Community Room, etc., so we can afford to spend just under $450 for this event. Dante will ask for an additional $500 from the GSG. Patrick reminded Committee members that we should run events to use up the money from the Princeton account.

Agatha and Nicole (Garden Co-coordinators): Agatha and Nicole said that some people have contacted them about renewals for the garden. The mass advertisement will be forthcoming in the next Bugle. Nicole asked whether there has been a garden webpage - it turns out Juan had set one up in the past, but it didn't get used a lot. Shannon suggested that Nicole post a FAQ on the website for garden-related info. Patrick Ross suggested that the Committee have a farmer come to Butler for gardening tips in the near future. He will follow up.

Community member Tao is planning a movie night in the Community Room, as per last month's minutes. Bronwyn will check for availability of the Community Room for the 26th of January. Tao is thinking of having the movie at about 9 pm. Jeff Dwoskin will follow up with picking up a projector from her department for the movie night.

Tara will remind Housing to re-send out their email with winter tips about avoiding burst pipes, etc.

Bronwyn (Community Room Coordinator): Bronwyn will reserve the Community Room for January 31st for the Chinese New Year. Bronwyn mentioned that the chairs in the Community room should be cleaned - Olivia will follow up. Bronwyn also will follow up with Dwight to ask about getting the kitchen cleaned. Bronwyn mentioned that Mark Bianchi promised that the playground should get at least some temporary upkeep in the next few days.

Jeff (Housing Rep): Jeff mentioned that the Emergency phone has been fixed by Verizon. Verizon needs to fix the terminals on the outside of the building in the near future as a more permanent fix. Bronwyn mentioned that many units have bare wires laying around outside. Jeff will follow up. Signage (mainly "One Way" signs) is still an issue in Butler. The laundry listserv continues to be effective.

Audra (Bugle): Nothing new for the Bugle, will email Committee members to get ideas for things to put in the new issue. Shannon suggested putting in info for how to sign up for the Listserv, and Jeff suggested putting in the laundry/computer room codes again.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm.