Together for Trillium (TFT) Meeting Minutes, April 2012

[Johanna Norton]

Together for Trillium (TFT) 

Meeting Minutes, April 2012

4/10/12

Attending:  Johanna Norton, Nikos Tzetos, Em Winokur, Kotie Threlkeld, Kirk Ellis, Ken Gadbow, Kimberley Bonder, Leigh Ann Kennedy, Christina Aucutt, April Door-Jorgenson, James Rohl, Linda Horsfall, Juli Maus, Christine Moody, Stephen Abbott, Caffeine Jones.

Agenda for April 2012 TFT Meeting

I.   School Updates 

A. Constitutional Convention

B. Playground

C. Bugsy musical

D. Bullying

II.   Fundraising

III.  TFT By-laws

IV.  TFT Grants

1. School Updates

• School Updates

A. Constitutional Convention

• See Constitutional Convention blog http://trilliumconstitution.wordpress.com/ 
• Original constitution on board in lobby 
• Currently working on the third version of the constitution. There seems to be a lot of support for this process currently from all parties
• Committee includes delegates from all grade levels: 4 students each from HS, MS, Intermediate, and Lower School. The committee will meet on Fridays for couple of months, and then a draft will be presented. Two-thirds of all-school meeting voting members will have to agree, in order to ratify constitutional changes.
• Some language in the constitution is written for teachers; some for students. Will clarify language and define some elements and structures. 
• Constitution and the convention process designed to give “authentic sense of empowerment to community members” 
• B. Playground 
• Kimberley has talked with staff, and has approval to move forward with a number of proposed changes
• Donated materials: logs, airplane tires
• Will have a Playground Equipment Drive (ropes, balls, etc)
• Check with Metro Metals; may be able to recycle the boat for cash
• Offer gravel to community for free (to be picked up & hauled by recipient)
• Work party on Saturday, 4/14: 1:00 till it’s done!
• To-do for Saturday:
• Remove gravel
• Remove / recycle boat
• Retrieve and place log segments
• Make teepees from bamboo
• Build sand & water table 
• parent Ben Riemer created design; need $210 for materials



C. Bugsy musical

• Drama presentation for upper and middle school students. Trillium has had nine presentations in last ten years. 
• NBC program iTheatrics grant helps to sponsor; NBC also documenting the process of preparing for the performance
• Partnering with Ethos for space: 21 hours free + 8 hours $50/hr + fee for performances
• Performances on June 1 & 2 at 7:00; dress rehearsal; 90-seat house
• April Door-Jorgenson recommends talking to Overlook Neighborhood Association to promote, and solicit advertisements for program.



D. Bullying

• Trying to coordinate all groups & ideas re: bullying
• Play After Play 
• students already participating in year-long grant-funded program, with performance and play events for upper & lower school buddy groups
• Ties into bullying theme, because style of play “focuses on cooperation and empathy rather than on competition and resistance” and is “rooted in safety and trust, and communicates kindness and belonging” (http://www.playafterplay.com/)
• Preschool teacher Sara has experience with One with Heart martial arts school
• offer practice in role-playing and body language
• Some parents have had good experience with “No, Go, Tell, Yell” self-defense classes
• maybe free group classes at the school?
• focuses on what to do when bullying occurs; some other programs may help to prevent bullying

II. Fundraising

• Run for the Arts - Fri, 4/20
• Brian Porter needs volunteers for each class to mark laps 
• Nikos Tzetos agreed to procure popsicles for participants following 
• Plant Sales for Microscopes - orders due Mon, 4/23; plant delivery Thurs, 5/17
• New Leaf Greenhouse offers annuals, perennials, veggies, herbs, hanging flower baskets, planters
• Johanna Norton helping to organize this fundraiser
• volunteer assistance from middle and upper school families needed 

III. TFT By-Laws

• TFT now registered as an Oregon non-profit; to complete registration for federal non-profit status, some changes to by-laws required
• Need a “Conflict of interest” policy, including a signed statement from officers
• Clarification of student members vs. regular members
• Language in mission statement changed from “will” to “may” to reflect that these are values and goals, not legal requirements 
• Propose to accept draft of new by-laws by Leigh Ann Kennedy now, *and* send email notification to Trillium community that we will discuss changes more depth at May TFT meeting. Additional changes can easily be proposed and voted upon at that time.
• Moved, seconded, and passed by a vote of 11 of 12 present
• Current by-laws list parents, staff and students as TFT members, but does not specify Board members, who do not always fit into the other categories. 
• Proposal to add Trillium Charter School Board members as members of TFT
• Moved, seconded, and passed by a vote of 11 of 12 present

IV. TFT Grants

• April TFT Grant Monies = $975
• Request: Drama program space rental fee, for $1000
• The drama program has partnered with Ethos for performance space: 21 hours free + 8 hours $50/hr + fee for performances. Also have iTheatrics grant (NBC program) to cover some costs for the drama production.
• If space rental is covered by a TFT grant, then all the money that comes in from ticket sales, program ads, and other fundraisers will be seed money for next year’s presentation. This will help make drama a more sustainable proposition for future Trillium students.
• Request: Microscopes
• Of $2,470 total, science program has received $585 from TFT; $400 from middle school, some money from high school coffers, and possibly some money from from Trillium general fund. Berry sale and plant sale fundraisers are also dedicated to the microscope purchase this year (total profits not yet known). Amount not already covered is unknown.
• Moved, seconded and approved to grant $975 to drama presentation

• In February, grant was approved to buy a CD player and accessories for emergent reader program for 3-4-5 students. Can Lauren receive the money as scrip cards in advance, instead of check reimbursement? This will provide a small monetary benefit to TFT. It was agreed that this was acceptable if an estimate is provided; details of process to be determined by scrip coordinator and treasurer.

-Minutes submitted by Johanna Norton