Inputs to minutes of (FoFTSP), Inc. at 2:00 pm TUES. July 22, 2025
carte...@aol.com
Below and also attached in a Microsoft ® Word document (that can be listened to by using Review>Read Aloud) are
Inputs to minutes of (FoFTSP), Inc. at 2:00 pm TUES. July 22, 2025
A meeting was held of the leadership of The Friends of Fort Trumbull State Park (FoFTSP), Inc. at 2:00 pm TUES. July 22, 2025 In FTSP Conference Room / Gift Shop Building
The meeting was productive albeit with several challenges. These are inputs to the minutes based upon our planned agenda while we continue to seek a replacement for our dedicated and long serving secretary.
As to the encouragementFor those absent, explore option to TRY to Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86576326195?pwd=fQoDrqKeoCzupYlfPhfQEvfLx7CYsa.1
Or Dial +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 865 7632 6195 we continue to learn by our mistakes; sorry about that. First the passcode was not included and attempts to send it out early on in the meeting apparently failed. Second, the meeting was being held at 2 pm and not at 2 am; my apologies to anyone who got up for a 2 am meeting as we did not meet then. Third, while it is apparently vital for the meeting sponsor to be present, he was diverted to another critical FoFTSP task of helping accept the delivery of the diorama at the FTSP visitor center. We saw it at the end of our meeting and it looks great but I did not take a photo of it.
Moving on at about 2:05 PM after struggling with zoom, Cliff Called the meeting To Order (Masks optional, follow your Doctor’s recommendations), Cliff
Cliff Thanked all who are active contributors including those in attendance and stated the
Meeting purpose: 1. listen to leader accomplishments AND what could be done with more resources; 2. discuss our major event , namely 250th celebration 1776+250= 2026 , 3. Welcome two new members Joy and Janice (sp?). I have an email for Joy but not Janice and I checked unsuccessfully for their contact info in the latest version of the membership excel spreadsheet. Cliff and others including Ira welcomed them and provided them opportunities to explain their interests)
Cliff reminded all that We seek and welcome more volunteers in areas of their interests and ours.
Park Supervisor News, Brian explained that we have several upcoming events including cruise ships visiting and docents lined up to take them on tours. He said the pizza lunch went well as did the fireworks albeit with a low fog ceiling that put a damper on things. There was a lower than expected expanded fireworks turn out. He said that the diorama was being installed as we were holding this meeting; indeed we stopped by to see it after our meeting.
Park Electronic Infrastructure Improvements, Aldo B. was absent pershaps due to timing.
Treasurer’s Report, Joan
Ramparts & Minutes (we are still seeking a replacement for secretary), Mary Ellen (absent)
Gift Shop, Kathy (absent) / Joyce (absent) but reported new file cabinet arrived
Publicity, June (absent)
Membership , Blair (absent but reported on membership numbers and FB boost efforts)
Social media marketing imitative, Blair / Joe L. (both absent)
FoFTSP new Web Site status update, Joe L. (absent)
Member at large comments, Alan G.(absent)
Member at large comments, Jim G. (absent)
Vice President comments, Ira suggested that we delay purchase of non-profit zoom license until we are more confident that we know all of the ins and outs of making it work. Ira suggested the treasurer investigate moving some of our cash into money market funds; Cliff wanted these to be FDIC insured and later, Roy reminded us that we might have expenses up to $3,000 or $5,000 for celibrating our 250th national anniversary.
Author and history advisor, comments on loan of historical material Roy
TRHP (Thames River Heritage Park), Roger R. (absent working on installing the diorama)
Docent status update, Roger R. (absent see above)
Speaker program (note we are pausing our speaker series until 2026), June / Kathy (both absent)
Old Business:
Leaders have a low priority action item to develop ~one page” job description
https://america250.org/ national. Or for state https://ct250.org/, we need more attention to this and need to see if we can get the City of NL more involved as a key part of our history.
Diorama displays for the visitor center, indeed arrived today as we held our meeting
Replacement secretary and event coordinator, Cliff
Reduced scope “sail fest” fireworks evening July 12, 2025, Joe/Roy
Steven Caldwell delivered successful FTSP band performance 6:45 PM Monday July 14, 2025
Regarding Framer’s Market initiative some initial info, Cliff learned that many artists will not set up unless it is for multiple days, so we need to learn more about food events; Janice recalls that someone (from Groton?) is trying to set up at L&M parking area for selling food and thought maybe that they would prefer FTSP. We need someone to follow up on this and also to see what paper work is required to obtain a special use license if we are going to do it at FTSP.
We had a Successful Volunteer and worker appreciation pizza luncheon noon Friday 18 July 2025
New Business:
Any other suggestions ??? … make sure all volunteers are heard …
Picked TIME for next leadership meeting: 2 pm TUESDAY Aug 26, 2025.
At about 3:00 pm Adjourned meeting at our One Hour after start.
We walked over to the FTSP visitor center (normally closed on Monday/Tuesday) and saw the diorama of the Fort as it likely existed about 250 years ago based on available historical records. Roger explained some of the challenges that were overcome to deliver both the volunteer product and the professional case. Eric was present in support of this effort.
Regards, Cliff
G. Clifford Carter
Replies to G.C.C...@IEEE.org will forward to my current email
Visit www.forttrumbullfriends.org (Click Join Now)
Also visit www.forttrumbullfriends.org (Click Special Events)
Or visit our Friends of Fort Trumbull Facebook page for upcoming events
Visit CT/DEEP’s Fort Trumbull site at www.ct.gov/deep/forttrumbull
Visit https://ctparks.com/parks/fort-trumbull-state-park