Offices of Blackburn, Maloney and Schuppert, LLC
Meeting of the Historic Decatur Association (HDA) Board of Directors (BOD)
Tuesday, February 28, 2017 6:00pm
Offices of Blackburn, Maloney and Schuppert, LLC
201 Second Ave. Decatur, AL
Meeting Attendees:
Lindsey Faulkner
D. Hall
Jason Terry
Lynn Schuppert
Cindy Upton
Larry Freeman
Craig Baker
Julia Roth
Guests:
Tina Cox
Astrid McIntosh
Lindsey Faulkner called the meeting to order. The first topic was the Treasurer’s report. Larry Freeman indicated that there was $40,784.75 in the HDA bank account. The proceeds from the Christmas Tour were added since last month, along with some donations and dues. Expenditures included payment for greenery, storage unit rental and website costs. Larry asked whether the Board wanted to go ahead and pay for 12 months of storage unit rental since that would provide a discount. Lynn Schuppert motioned that we pay the bill for a 12 month period and Craig Baker seconded. The vote in favor was unanimous.
The next agenda item was a discussion on available grants and opportunities for non-profit organizations such as the HDA. Tina Cox, an Albany resident who has experience with several non-profit grant proposal activities, was the presenter. Tina will lead our efforts to obtain grants which could be used for things like signage or even to purchase historic properties for refurbishment and resale. She has done a preliminary study on currently available opportunities and discussed the cadence for some of the ones which become available on a repeat basis. Tina suggested that we look into proposal activities from similar areas to ours in Huntsville, Chattanooga, Birmingham, etc. to get an idea of what’s possible for us. The Board will continue to work with Tina on strategies as we move forward. The Board is grateful for Tina’s willingness to help and share her expertise.
Next on the meeting agenda was a discussion on membership and the need to both increase the number of dues paid households and to collect contact information in order to better communicate with the neighborhoods. Lindsey Faulkner shared a draft copy of the paper newsletter that she and Lynn Schuppert are developing. Since there is a cost to printing the newsletters as well as labor involved to hand deliver them in order to avoid additional mailing costs, these newsletters will be used strategically. In this case, Lindsey and Lynn are inaugurating the new HDA and providing information on the benefits of the dues, upcoming events, committee activities and opportunities, as well as the collection of contact information to aid in future electronic communications. The newsletter is expected to be ready to distribute sometime this month. As the BOD discussed items mentioned in the newsletter, Lynn indicated that she is continuing to work on a plan to get more replacement trees installed in various locations in both Albany and Old Decatur.
One new activity planned for the HDA is a Neighbors Night Out at Mellow Mushroom, tentatively set for March 16th. More information will be released through Nextdoor. This event will be for dues paid members of the HDA and dues can be collected at the event. Some food will be provided by the HDA, but neighbors are encouraged to support our local Mellow Mushroom by buying drinks and additional food items.
The next agenda topic was a report from Jason Terry on his efforts to find an additional electronic tool for the HDA. TidyHQ will be used by the BOD primarily, and it will have capabilities for email blasts once contact information is imported. TidyHQ has other capabilities not available on Nextdoor for archiving documents, on-line dues payments, etc. Nextdoor will remain as a day to day communication tool for the neighborhood. Jason has also started a new website: historicdecatur.org. Jason asked for pictures (both new and old) of neighborhood events, houses, gardens, etc. to add to the website. Lindsey Faulkner has started a new Facebook page: Historicdecaturassociation.
The next topic was Committees, which is tied to the need for additional communication in order to solicit membership or to arrange meetings. Lynn Schuppert plans to present a budget and plan on behalf of the Tree Committee at the March BOD meeting. Cindy Upton, Garden Tour Chair, discussed this year’s Tour. The date has been set for May 21st. More details will follow soon. The plan is to present a budget and plan for the Garden Tour at the March BOD meeting, as well. In other Committee news, a Social Committee Chair is still needed. Craig Baker has been appointed the Membership Chair. The list of committees and membership will be in the upcoming newsletter.
New Business was the last agenda topic. Lynn Schuppert is still researching insurance for the BOD and has reached out to some local agents.
The next meeting of the HDA BOD is March 28th at 6pm. The location is planned to be the Blackburn, Maloney and Schuppert, LLC offices. The BOD meetings are open to all neighbors.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cindy Upton
Secretary, HDA