MFN Meeting Agenda 11-8-25

[Janice Welsch]

Greetings, Everyone. 

Concern over the loss of SNAP benefits is evident in our community and we've included it under New Business, but you may want to know that tomorrow, October 29, at 4:30 pm, the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness is sponsoring a webinar, Changes to Snap: Updates and Impacts. I think you can register through the sponsor's website. 

MFN Meeting Agenda

November 8, 2025, 10:00 -11:30 a.m.

Community Room, Macomb City Hall

 

Chair: Melanie Rawlins

 

Program

Dr. Anne Lefler, the Director of the Western Illinois University Goldfarb Center for the Performing Arts (GCPA), will give members an overview of the current status of the Center as well as lead a virtual tour of the facility. Anne, as an Associate Professor with a doctoral degree in Theatre Studies, is developing a program in Art Leadership in addition to her leadership and oversight of the GCPA, which encompasses "season planning, marketing, audience development, recruiting, budgeting and the day-to-day operations" of the Center.  Anne's background in art center programming includes her work on the multiple campuses of the Community College of Baltimore County. She was hired in 2024 as Program Director of the GCPA when Dean Billy Clow headed the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Her position was expanded and her responsibilities increased at his death while resources tightened. She is committed to working with the college and the larger community to realize the potential of the Center.

 

Treasurer & Membership Reports (Becky Parker)

 

Continuing Business

Writing Women into History 2026: Nomination Criteria & Deadline, WWIH Reception (Elisa Rasmussen)

 

Proposed Programs for 2025-2026

Jan.        24      Brunch: The Wine Sellers (Becky and Jan)

Feb.      14       Director of WIRC (Ruth Kelly)  Confirmed

Mar.     07       WWIH Awards Reception 9:30 – Noon, Wesley Community Center   (Elisa)               

Apr.      11       ?? Multiple-age Recreational Options: Tanya Schmidt, YMCA, and MPD staff.

New Business

Given the anticipated loss of SNAP funding and the number of McDonough County families who depend on this assistance, MFN members are invited to share the information they have about local attempts to meet the needs of the people affected by the loss. Melissa Calhoun, Director of Genesis Garden, has initiated a call for people interested in brainstorming possible local responses. She can be reached at m.ca...@genesis-garden.org. Other agencies that are part of the Interagency Council are also involved in meeting the need for food assistance.

 

If you have additional New Business that you would like considered, please contact Janice Welsch (jrwe...@gmail.com) to have it added to this agenda. 

 

Announcements

Sue Scott, Director of the Western Illinois Museum, is beginning to share information about an upcoming program that may interest MFN members. Details are not complete but we do know that Beth Howard, a regular TSPR Women’s Voices commentator, will be in Macomb on Sunday afternoon, November 16, to show her film, Piowa, a continuation of her long history of promoting the value of pie baking. She will be at the museum for a Q&A between screenings—and pie will be served. If you enjoy baking pies and would like to bring one to share for this event, please contact Sue at in...@wimuseum.org. Sue suggests you make a reservation for this event by calling or email the museum.

 

Sound Off        

 

Additional agenda items? Contact Janice. 

[Carol Scotton]

Thank you for sending this.  I'll tune in tomorrow.

In solidarity crs

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[Carol Scotton]

I really had to hunt to find this, so I'm passing it on: 

to attend a webinar presented by the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness on October 29th at 4:30pm. Please register here at bit.ly/CCHSNAP

[Janice Welsch]

Thanks very much, Carol. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/macombfeminists/CANVFxSu6vrPcu6PeL%3DFGPXFrgMgZ4j0%2BmsHo3yyXuyznU0c_2g%40mail.gmail.com.

[yunke...@comcast.net]

Thank you Janice. I won’t be able to attend.  I have heard her speak several times about the CPA, though I have not seen the virtual tour.

 

Just got in 30 minutes ago.  Great trip but now is time to unpack, do the laundry, check mail and email, etc etc….

 

I’ll be in touch as soon as these tasks are finished.

 

 

 

Penny

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[Martha Dallmeyer]

I will attend. 

Marti Dallmeyer

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