sign in | print | search
The Women's Alliance of First Parish is ALL women members and friends of the congregation.
The Alliance meets every month for an informal potluck dinner and brief business meeting, either at First Parish or in the home of a member. All women are welcome at any time. Announcements of the meetings are in The Connector and on this page. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Sunday, September 26 from 5-8 pm at First Parish.
Every spring the members of the Alliance participate in a weekend retreat for spiritual reflection, relaxation, fun and time together. The 2010 Retreat was held from May 14 through 16 at he Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, MA. Perhaps YOU will join us next May.
The Alliance holds fundraisers once or twice a year in order to fund the donations we make to other organizations and to pay for special projects within First Parish that would not otherwise be funded. For example, each Spring we hold a Rummage Sale which is also a way to provide a service to the general public. Our Rummage Sale is a little different. We charge a fee to get in, and each customer gets a full sized paper grocery bag to fill up with anything they choose from the piles of rummage. When we start collecting donations, we ask that each item donated be no larger than can fit into a full size paper grocery bag, is clean and in good repair. All categories are welcome: clothing, household goods, office supplies, toys & games, music, and books (no textbooks or magazines, please). The date and time of the next Rummage Sale will be announced on this page and in local newspapers, or you can watch for our sign on the church lawn.
Please contact the First Parish office for further information about the Women's Alliance.
Minutes:
Women’s Alliance Meeting 2/28/10 Minutes
Sue C is president through June 30, 2010. Incoming president, Peg E is transitioning into the role.
In attendance: Eliza K, Donna S, Bev W, Dusty R, Ginny P, Maria v, Carolyn Lee, Cathy M, Alorie P, Peg E, Sue W, Bettie R, Rebecca P, Leslie B, Judith C, Sue C
Agenda:
• Retreat:
o May 14 – 16 at Rolling Ridge
o Actual costs are $200/person
o Last year the Alliance paid for part of this to bring the price down to $165 for 18 attendees. Do we want to do that again? Discussion included questions about current assets – see the financial report section for details. This financial report is not posted to the Alliance web site.
o Because we do not know how many people will attend this year, we do not yet know the exact amount of money the Alliance will need to spend to keep the price at $165.
o Motion to price the Retreat at $165 per person and the Alliance will pay additional costs from the assets. Passed
• Jumble/Rummage Sale
o Saturday June 19
o Sort and set up Friday evening June 18
o Pay per bag: $5 for standard grocery bags; $3 for smaller bags.
o Donna S will start notifying the First Parish community – putting a notice in the Connector, etcetera.
o Although it is too early to make final plans, several members suggested that we think about selling refreshments.
o Donna S has volunteered to head this again. (Thank you Donna!) As we get closer to June, she will let us all know how we can help.
o Start saving bags and wonderful items that you don’t want. Eliza K has again offered her storage shed for pre-sale storage.
• Meeting Locations
o Informal discussions with the president and members outside meetings led to this item. Some members prefer to meet in the church; they cite ease in parking and access as well as the church being a more comfortable meeting place for new members to come to. Other members prefer to meet in homes; these members explained that they prefer the feel of meeting in a home.
o Discussion included a reminder to seek out new church women and talk to them during coffee hour, particularly close to meeting times. Also, if a meeting is to be held at your house, remember to personally invite new members who might feel awkward about joining us.
o Motion to alternate meetings at church and in homes with at least ˝ of the meetings held at church: Passed.
• Bracket Room Refurbishing
o It is obvious that the Bracket Room furniture needs work. Most pieces appear to need repair, cleaning, refurbishing, or disposal.
o There was a discussion of reupholstery vs. slip covers vs. new furniture. Donna agreed to head a task force to gather information and present it to the church council. Members made it clear that we do not want to be considered “responsible” for the Bracket Room, even if Alliance funds might be made available to refurbish it. Donna will gather information, talk to Council and return with more information to the next meeting.
o Cathy mentioned “Please Be Seated” as a possible source of slip covers.
o Carolyn agreed to call Alice (who was involved in the initial decoration effort.)
o The ceiling panels also need painting. Sue and Eliza will do that.
• Meeting Minutes and Past Minutes
o Peg mentioned that there were some great ideas discussed at the October meeting that have not been followed up on. Several members mentioned that they had not received the October meeting minutes. There was a discussion of the best way to distribute minutes.
o Motion to send the October minutes and these minutes to all women on the Alliance e-mail list and for Donna to post the minutes (minus the financial statement) to the Alliance web page: Passed
• Next Meetings
o Sunday, March 21 from 5 – 8 at Sue C’s. No need to RSVP. If you need child care, please call Sue.
o Sunday May 2 from 5 – 8 at First Parish. This will be our official Annual Meeting as required by the Women’s Alliance bylaws.
Revision 20. Last edited Mon 26 Jul 2010 9:12pm by DonnaScalcione