[Crewlist] SVI BoD meeting notes 3-13-09

[Sequatchie Valley Institute]

SVI Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 3-13-09

BoD Present: Asha Ironwood, Patrick Ironwood, Bradley Jones, Chris  
Gilligan, Trey Henson, Jeff Rogers
Aux Board Present: Trish Woolbright
Staff Present: Randall Tomlinson
Guests: Michelle Kimmons, Joel Kimmons, Nada Jones

1.	Bradley – Schedule of building workshops at Ulinawi- discussion of  
dates- a block of 2 weeks (maybe). Tabled to discuss with Patrick.  
(Patrick present, busy at the moment)
2.	Jeff- Epple Seed Arts:
a.	Would like to develop this non profit with the help of SVI for the  
first year-
b.	SVI as an umbrella for art exchange/ development/ activism etc.  
with Haiti- using “open space” for causes.
c.	ASA- would be it’s own non profit – 501  (c)(3) in another year  
but until then wants to work out a way to work under SVI for now –  
with % of $ going to SVI. This would also benefit SVI – extended  
outreach in audience for SVI and doing some ag/food projects in Haiti  
– exchange of information and education.
d.	ASA would need help from SVI for – Grant purposes, for the group  
to filter $ for trips etc. And he would make a report for SVI.
e.	Jeff has done this before and in the past he had a gallery, now  
maybe he will do a show with Ava, and an idea to expand on a mobile  
bus gallery.
f.	Difficulties in the past with volunteers has been less about the  
project and more about the culture in Haiti and how it affects  
project success. This trip would be more of an exchange than trying  
to do a big project there.
g.	Apple Seed Arts would also like to create a website and video etc.  
and so SVI’s “Media Rights” will collaborate as well as other groups  
on this part.
h.	Michelle and Bradley and the group asked questions and discussed  
with Jeff:
i.	The purpose for the group is more of an exchange and  
transformation for the individuals and not so much to enact change in  
Haiti on large scale. Mostly to learn from Haitians to promote self  
confidence and cultural confidence.
i.	Other ideas that came up –
i.	for after the trip, the artists and activists that go on the trip  
could put together a show 6 months later “inspired by” – and also  
bring positive attention to Haiti as well as share in selling art … etc.
ii.	Possibly collaborate with Art in Transit as well.
iii.	Using “Open Space” with homeless in Chattanooga
j.	Bradley asked about specific financial or administrative costs  
needed- Jeff will put together a proposal to detail these needs, and  
exchanges. Chris stated since its still in the planning phase, it  
would be good for Jeff to also apply to other groups simultaneously.
k.	A person from SVI could be a representative for us on the ASA board.
l.	By the next board meeting, Jeff will have more of a proposal  
together for the BOD – SVI and advisory committee info.
m.	Bradley asked if Jeff has done this type of exchange trip + art  
buying and selling before-
i.	Jeff worked with Beyond Borders and has done the whole thing on a  
smaller scale which has helped many people and has been successful in  
the past. He will continue to partner with Beyond Borders in the future.
n.	There is potential funding for this trip and buying art: $10,000  
from a will that is still being discussed. This may be available but  
that won’t go through SVI.
3.	NEXT SVI Meeting was discussed- People have asked for it to be  
located in Chattanooga.
a.	May 6th at 5pm – location to be determined.
4.	Financial Report from Asha:
a.	Chris and Asha finished the end of the year finances –  
Moonshaddow/ SVI expenses & income from events.
b.	In the past – there were different book keepers and this resulted  
in not keeping the division of SVI money and the functions it was  
related to- so there is currently a negative $4,000.00
c.	We have not been running some fundraisers and we want to be doing  
these things more.
i.	Workshops, membership drives, fundraisers of all kinds.
d.	Mountain Justice recently put moreny toward the SVI fund- plus  
they gave us 25 people and a days worth of work. We want to hold more  
of these and more meetings etc.
e.	General report was made- Spent more than brought in and that’s the  
first time that’s ever happened. Not overdrawn but the financial  
report states a negative $427.
f.	Asha went over the various categories- and can provide a document  
to reference.
g.	Education brought in more money than anything else.
5.	Fundraising Ideas:
a.	Idea from last year- Auction (online and/or live)
i.	Donations, businesses, gift certificates etc.
ii.	Internal donations from SVI –like B&B or seedlings etc.
iii.	Chris said he is happy to do letters, getting the web stuff  
started etc, but the logistics of accepting and sending out items  
would need to be someone else.
iv.	It was expressed that an auction might be a lot of work, a 1 time  
silent auction at an event might be easier. But the audience reached  
might be our own people.
v.	Other auction ideas- We could auction off a “local food dinner” or  
time @ SVI.
b.	Last years big money makers were events and we could tie an  
auction to FFL, or wildflower hike etc.
c.	All open houses should include art/ crafts sold by SVI members.
d.	Opening up Mud Dauber as a bed and breakfast space, we would have  
to pay someone to cook and clean for that- but it is an option.
e.	Meetings and groups that use Shakoon / SVI for their activities  
bring in money and also expose the public to SVI – and require less  
work than most fundraisers.
6.	Food For Life – we will have the agenda by end of March.
a.	Trish & Asha gave a report on speakers contacted and speakers  
confirmed for FFL.
b.	Suggestions on potential food donors was discussed.
7.	Wildflower hike is March 28th / 29th – so a pre-hike scouting trip  
to locate and identify flowers is on March 26th. The Second Hike is  
on Easter.
a.	A raffle, auction, sale or other fundraiser during these events  
would be great.  50/50 to artists / svi for work donated  for the  
fundraiser.



Next SVI BoD meeting Will be Wednesday, May 6 at 5pm in Chattanooga  
(location TBD)




Chris Gilligan
Board of Directors
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sequatchie Valley Institute
1233 Cartwright Loop
Whitwell, TN 37397
(423) 949-5922 tel
svionline.org




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