October 6, 2015 Minutes
CALL TO ORDER: Ruth Umbel called to order the October 6, 2015 meeting of the Garrett County Commission for Women (GCCW) at Garrett College, McHenry, MD.
ATTENDANCE: Ruth Umbel, Joanne Harsh, Robin McGill,Terry Riley, Judy Carbone, Sherri Fredlock, Linda Carr
PRAYER: Sherri Fredlock offered the prayer.
PLEDGE: Terry Riley led the Pledge to the Flag.
MINUTES: Minutes from the August 4th meeting were approved as submitted.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance in the account remains to be $777.54. Sherri has met with Elizabeth Huxford and the bank to update the account. Signature cards will need to be signed by those who will have access to the account – Sherri, Judy, Joanne and Terry. A discussion was held regarding reservation payments received for the HOF. A motion was made, seconded and was carried that there would be no refunds for the HOF.
WELCOME: Judy introduced Kitty Lauer to the Commission as a potential member. Kitty retired after a career at Johns Hopkins University, most recently as Dean of Finance and Administration at the Homewood Campus. She has been a full-time resident here for eight years. Kitty has been active in Garrett County since retirement as a previous board member of HART for Animals, Mountain Laurel Medical Center, and Garrett Institute of Lifelong Learning and is currently a volunteer for Garrett Mentors, the Nearly New Shop, and the Garrett Area Agency in Aging.
OLD BUSINESS: Judy reported that she has not heard from the Commissioners regarding the letter that was sent to them about the effects of fracking on the health and well being of women and children. It was also noted that the letter had not appeared in the Letters to the Editor section of the Republican or as an article. Judy will check back with the Republican. Ruth will make an appointment with the
Commissioners to ask where they stand on the issue. An economic study was discussed at the last Commissioners meeting and our letter deals with that and is timely.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
EDUCATION: Robin will serve as the Education Chair as well as the Scholarship Chair.
LEGISLATION: Sherri and Linda will work together as Legislation Co Chairs.
WEB: BJ emailed the following report:
Additions to the website have been updated to include:
Main Page: Meeting Minutes for June 4, 2015
HOF: Photos and descriptions of 2015 HOF inductees
HOF: Listing of past honorees
Contacts: Updated listing of GCCW members
PUBLICITY: Joanne shared a recent contact with a past Scholarship recipient who has graduated and is now working at WVU. It was decided that an interview with her would make a good PR piece. Robin will touch base with Dorothy.
MEMBERSHIP: Possible new Commission members were discussed.
MENTORING: Linda reported that mentoring has begun in the middle schools. There are six current mentors who are in the process of doing background checks. If you know of anyone who may be interested or you are interested, contact Linda.
HISTORIAN: Joanne checked with the Library regarding a window display. She will check the schedule for 2016 when it becomes available. April was discussed as a good month to showcase the GCCW Scholarship Program or HOF. Joanne will need help with the window.
SCHOLARSHIPS: We need to know how much money we will have for 2016 Scholarships. Terry will contact the Commissioners’ Office to request a check.
HALL OF FAME: Judy and Ruth will work on the 2016 HOF.
NEW BUSINESS:
The 2016 Hall of Fame was discussed. It was decided to hold the event on April 23, 2016. Joanne will continue to send invitations to past HOF Inductees.
Judy share information about The Empowerment Project. Maureen Myers is a young local woman who has wonderful ideas about our community and would like to bring the movie and several of its producers to Garrett County as a celebration of women and the amazing things they do. Maureen was able to get the support of Garrett College to include the Empowerment Project as the subject of one of its Power of Possibilities programs. It will take place on January 28th. However, funding is still needed to cover the $650 licensing fee and the speaking fee, travel, and room and board of the producers (estimate at about $4000). Joanne made a motion which was seconded by Linda to sponsor The Empowerment Project in the amount of $200. The motion carried. The Empowerment Project will be put on the December agenda. Discussions are being held about the possibility of showing the movie to the middle school girls and also about doing a Garrett County movie.
Judy shared information on The Women’s Networking Luncheon which is held the 1st Wednesday of the month at Aces Run. Joanne spoke at the September luncheon about the Soup For Seniors Food Pantry which operates through Meals on Wheels. Many donations were received.
The revised GCCW By Laws were approved.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 5 p.m. at Garrett College.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Terry Riley, Secretary