Washington County Commission for Women
Washington County Administration Building, 100 W.Washington St. Hagerstown, MD 21740

MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 10, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 6:12 p.m.

Present: Rose Wolters, Vija Kumar-Solanki, Mary Jane Koontz, Kathie Boyce, Ladetra Robinson, Ruth Anne Calaham, Dori Nipps, Erin Minifield, Ellen Maddock

Absent: Natasha Arnall, Bonnie Errico, Sharon Hawkins, Brandi Koontz, Tiffany Arnold (appointment pending)

Guests: None

Minutes: August Minutes were presented and approved with revisions

Treasurer’s Report: Dori Nipps presented the Treasurer’s report. No money has been spent yet. Sharon brought Dori the Habitat for Humanity invoice for our sponsorship, which is still pending payment.

President’s Report: Follow-up on original communication with County Clerk regarding reappointments to the Commission. A response was received today with no update. County Clerk is now requesting attendance for the last three years in order to be reappointed and three recommendations for each open position. Two more positions are open and we must “exhaust” the running list we have before presenting any new candidates. Rose will get phone numbers of candidates on file. Ellen volunteered to make phone calls to see if the potential listed candidates are still interested in serving. Rose went through the list. Some candidates are known by some of the commissioners and they will call the ones they are familiar with.
Maryland Commission for Women is holding its second Community Café. They sent Rose an e-mail thanking her for our participation and attached a questionnaire for the WCCW to complete and return.
Leadership Training. Scottie Dodson, student representative on the School Board and member of the Student Government Association, will attend our October meeting and present her School Board issue to the Commission members.
W-House Update: Rose and Erin met with the ladies of the W-House last Tuesday, September 2nd. They started working on a “scrap booking” project, which the ladies thoroughly enjoyed and got excited about. Rose brought supplies and gave away a scrap booking kit. The ladies at the W-House would like to start meeting more frequently to work on their project and some of the Commission members have offered to donate supplies for future activities. Our time at the W-House has been extended to 2-hour sessions. Erin and Rose will begin working on a “template” for future books.

Minutes from September 21, 2008, continued Old Business, Updates, and Announcements:
1. Vijay needs Bio updates
2. Blossom School’s picnic has been cancelled
3. The next Blossom School graduation is being planned for Hallowee
4. Girls Expo is coming together nicely. Ladetra is pinning down two more speakers and the event will be held at the Grand Venice Hotel.
5. Sharon reviewed everything we would be doing at the Habitat event tomorrow.
6. By-Law Update:
a. Attorney now has asked that he get a copy of the “old” by-laws to compare with the new updated version.
b. Proxy Vote verbiage will be added prior to submitting to the attorney.
c. Electronic vote verbiage was added.

New Business:
1. Nominations of Carolyn Books to the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame must be submitted by October. Senator Munson needs a supporting letter from the Commission to go with his nomination. We really need Carolyn’s resume, etc. to help us in drafting a letter of support. Ellen will work on getting what she can and we will wait to hear back from her.
2. Maryland has a huge deficit. We need to keep abreast of the status. This will affect non-profits.
3. Bon Ton/Goodwill Sale. Dori announced that for every article of clothing a person donates, they will receive a 20% off coupon for items at Bon Ton. Take clothing to Bon Ton between September 10-22. Dori will be there on Friday, September 12th, from 12-2.
4. Committees were finalized and a list was distributed. The Committees and their members follow:
• Government: Bonnie, Ruth Anne, Ellen, Dori
• Nominating: Rose, Ladetra, Erin
• Education: Bonnie Ruth Anne, Brandi, Ellen (Tiffany when she is “official”)
• Health: Kathie, Sharon, Natasha
• Public Awareness/Public Relations: Rose, Ladetra, Vijay, Mary Jane

The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 8th, at 6 p.m.