Minutes from Wednesday's Meeting

[Jessi Miano]

Cortelyou Community Group Meeting at Qathra

 

Monday, October 4, 2010

 

 

 

A meeting was held and attended by members of the proposed Cortelyou Community Group. The attendees were comprised of those who pledged money toward the first months rent at 1022 Cortelyou, those who expressed an interest in moving forth with the development of a non-profit community center/for–profit café, and those who wanted to ascertain how things were developing and determine how they could become involved.

 

The meeting was attended by: Glen Wolin, Debi Ryan, Jessi Miano, William Cerf, Hagan Linss, Kyle Robert Nelson, Susan Seigel, Robert Feinstein, Alan Hawkins John Webber, and Joanne Mosley.

 

The following issues were discussed:

 

Current Monies Raised:

 

·      $1,150 pledged-to-date.

·      Money is not to be collected until it is determined when we could gain access to the premise, and negotiate some understanding and commitment from the landlord to work with us. How the money would be physically held was discussed, and it was determined that an escrow or trust account should be established once money is collected. 

·      Discussion regarding who will sign the lease and who will guarantee the lease was tabled for future discussion.

 

·      We have informal commitments from at least two potential tenants who would rent office space in the basement for about $300 each. 

 

·      Costs of build-out and renovation were discussed but it was determined that it would be best to get a professional estimate.

 

Discussion was held on when the group would have accessibility to the premise.

 

It was stated that the State had informed Debi that they had mailed the keys.  The state was not able to confirm whether they had mailed the keys to Debi’s home or if they mailed the keys to 1022 Cortelyou.  Debi was to follow- up on this issue to confirm that the key had been mailed and where they could be located.

 

Next steps were discussed:

 

·      Determination of the form the organization will take

·      Creation of a Mission Statement and Vision Statement

·      Formulate a budget that includes initial start up costs (build out/equipment purchase/utilities deposit)

·      Formulate budget that addresses ongoing operating costs (fixed overhead/staffing and administration/insurance)

·      Formulate an income projection based on sub-rental income, sales and admission fees

·      Pro Bono Accountant and lawyer must be retained

·      Establish a Board of Directors

·      Once a working plan is established, a time line for raising funds can be set and various fundraising efforts can be explored.

 

Overall purpose and mission of the new organization was discussed at some length.   Consensus was to develop an arts-based program that would service the community at large. 

 

It was decided to create a committee consisting of Susan Seigal, Joanne Mosley, Debi Ryan, Jessi Miano and Kyle Roberts to develop the mission statement.  That committee is scheduled to meet October 13^th.

 

William Cerf will be exploring the pros and cons of operating as a for-profit and a non-profit entity and will get back to the group.

 

 

Discussion was held on how/who would be heading the Community Group.

 

It was determined that during this start up period, Jessi will serve as the point person regarding the collection and dissemination of information.  Leadership needs and roles will be established once the form of the organization is determined.

 

Attendees shared their backgrounds and life skills, and discussed personal assets they felt they could volunteer and contribute to the development of the proposed venture.  It was determined there were talents amongst the group that could enable the development of both the proposal and the business plan. 

 

Joanne was to contact her new neighbor, who is a NYS licensed architect, who was inquiring about how she could get involved in community development, and ask her to assist and become involved.

 

Susan Siegel, former Executive Director of Flatbush Development Corp. stated that she attended the meeting to determine how she could assist the group in developing its vision.*

 

Kyle Robert Nelson stated that he had a great deal of experience in community development, organizing, and fund-raising, and agreed to host a fund-raising event. 

Kyle advised the group that he would be out of town, but would develop an informal basic event model and get it to the group in the next couple of days.  (Which he has since done)

 

 

[ssiegel]

Jessi, You Rock! This is a fantastic account of the meeting.. clear
and concise . I love the dedication and committment of this group.
Susan

On Oct 7, 10:32 pm, Jessi Miano <jessi.mi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Cortelyou Community Group Meeting at Qathra
>

> * *
> Monday, October 4, 2010
>
> * *
>
> * *
>
> * *

>
> A meeting was held and attended by members of the proposed Cortelyou
> Community Group. The attendees were comprised of those who pledged money
> toward the first months rent at 1022 Cortelyou, those who expressed an
> interest in moving forth with the development of a non-profit community
> center/for–profit café, and those who wanted to ascertain how things were
> developing and determine how they could become involved.
>
> The meeting was attended by: Glen Wolin, Debi Ryan, Jessi Miano, William
> Cerf, Hagan Linss, Kyle Robert Nelson, Susan Seigel, Robert Feinstein, Alan
> Hawkins John Webber, and Joanne Mosley.
>

> *The following issues were discussed*:
>
> * *
>
> *Current Monies Raised:*
>
> * *
>
> ·      $1,150 pledged-to-date.

>
> ·      Money is not to be collected until it is determined when we could
> gain access to the premise, and negotiate some understanding and commitment
> from the landlord to work with us. How the money would be physically held
> was discussed, and it was determined that an escrow or trust account should
> be established once money is collected.
>
> ·      Discussion regarding who will sign the lease and who will guarantee
> the lease was tabled for future discussion.
>
> ·      We have informal commitments from at least two potential tenants who
> would rent office space in the basement for about $300 each.
>
> ·      Costs of build-out and renovation were discussed but it was
> determined that it would be best to get a professional estimate.
>

> *Discussion was held on when the group would have accessibility to the
> premise.*

>
> It was stated that the State had informed Debi that they had mailed the
> keys.  The state was not able to confirm whether they had mailed the keys to
> Debi’s home or if they mailed the keys to 1022 Cortelyou.  Debi was to
> follow- up on this issue to confirm that the key had been mailed and where
> they could be located.
>

> * *
>
> *Next steps were discussed:*
>
> * *
>
> ·      *Determination of the form the organization will take*
>
> ·      *Creation of a Mission Statement and Vision Statement*
>
> ·      *Formulate a budget that includes initial start up costs (build
> out/equipment purchase/utilities deposit)*
>
> ·      *Formulate budget that addresses ongoing operating costs (fixed
> overhead/staffing and administration/insurance) *
>
> ·      *Formulate an income projection based on sub-rental income, sales and
> admission fees*
>
> ·      *Pro Bono Accountant and lawyer must be retained*
>
> ·      *Establish a Board of Directors*
>
> ·      *Once a working plan is established, a time line for raising funds
> can be set and various fundraising efforts can be explored.*
>
> * *
>
> *Overall purpose and mission of the new organization was discussed at some

> length.   Consensus was to develop an arts-based program that would service

> the community at large.  *
>
> * *
>
> *It was decided to create a committee consisting of Susan Seigal, Joanne

> Mosley, Debi Ryan, Jessi Miano and Kyle Roberts to develop the mission

> statement.  That committee is scheduled to meet October 13th.*
>
> * *
>
> *William Cerf will be exploring the pros and cons of operating as a
> for-profit and a non-profit entity and will get back to the group.*
>
> * *
>
> *Discussion was held on how/who would be heading the Community Group.*
>
> * *

>
> It was determined that during this start up period, Jessi will serve as the
> point person regarding the collection and dissemination of
> information.  Leadership
> needs and roles will be established once the form of the organization is
> determined.
>

> * *

>
> Attendees shared their backgrounds and life skills, and discussed personal
> assets they felt they could volunteer and contribute to the development of
> the proposed venture.  It was determined there were talents amongst the
> group that could enable the development of both the proposal and the
> business plan.
>
> Joanne was to contact her new neighbor, who is a NYS licensed architect, who
> was inquiring about how she could get involved in community development, and
> ask her to assist and become involved.
>

> *Susan Siegel,* former Executive Director of Flatbush Development Corp.

> stated that she attended the meeting to determine how she could assist the
> group in developing its vision.*
>

> *Kyle* *Robert Nelson* stated that he had a great deal of experience in

[Jessi Miano]

Credit for the minutes go to Joanne for taking the initial notes, and Alan and Debi for editing them.

[freckl...@aol.com]

That's generous of you, Jessi, but my ego doesn't require billing.  My minutes were much too detailed.  Thanks for your help in editing. 

 

We move and work as a team.  I think we are moving at a commendable rate of speed given our obstacles, level impromptu necessity, and lack of funds.

Be Well!

 

 

Joanne

[Pablo]

Thank you Jessi, Joan, Alan & Debbie!

It's great to see that this group has the talent and vision to move
things forward.

Well done!


P.

[Kyle Nelson]

Group,

Are we still meeting tomorrow evening? 7:30 p.m. at Connecticut Muffin?

If so, then I'll see you tomorrow. If not, then when are we meeting?
Kyle

[freckl...@aol.com]

I have that time calendared and designated.  I am operating on the assumption that unless someone notifies me otherwise that we are on.  If we are not, would someone please let me know?

 

 

Joanne

-----Original Message-----
From: Kyle Nelson <kyle.robe...@gmail.com>
To: cortelyou-com...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tue, Oct 12, 2010 11:32 am
Subject: Re: Minutes from Wednesday's Meeting

[Jessi Miano]

*Note to the group*

This meeting we are discussing tomorrow is going to consist of a select group of people with experience in writing proposals. We will be turning our outline and ideas into a viable proposal, with which we can use to get investors interested. Although everyone's continuous input is welcome and encouraged, we figured we'd keep it small so that more work can get done. We will use what we discussed at the last meeting, which everyone has had a chance to read over and add to, as an outline for our proposal. All notes and documents created at tomorrow night's meeting will go up as soon as they are ready.
A potential investor wants to sit down some time soon and have a meeting, so having this proposal done will be a great step.
Also, we will be getting the keys for the 1022 space tomorrow morning/afternoon, so if anyone would like to stop by, my mom and i should be busy trying to pick up the pieces before the meeting.

Thanks for all the continued support. I hope to see you all soon!

~Jessi