Thursday, March 22, 2007
Thursday, March 1, 2007 Meeting Minutes
WEBSITE NETWORKING
The idea of linking with sixdegrees.org was presented. This information will be passed on to Orinne and Pastor Mark for approval. Our understanding is that there would be a one time $25.00 fee to link our website to theirs, opening up the possibility of outside donations. Carolyn as offered to pay this fee as her personal donation.
We also discussed creating a donation letter and garage sale postcards that would be attached to the website so that the congregation could download them and use.
POSSIBLE TEAM CATEGORIES
Organizing
Steve and Anita have a past list of bike repair volunteers that they will contact. At this time we will have those willing/able to participate pick up bikes from Steve’s house to work on from their own homes.
Bookkeeping
The church will work with us to track and save all donations for Grace4Tanzania
Packing
Next meeting, March 27, 2007, we will discuss setting up a packing date at Steve’s and a possible bike repair date for those who will work at Steve’s house.
Bike Maintenance & Repair
(see ‘Packing’ above)
Fundraising
At this time our main focus for fundraising will be “Keep on Truckin’”. This fundraiser will allow the congregation to personally sponsor a square foot/feet of the packing container. The container is 2560 square feet (40x8x8), which means each square foot would require a $5 donation to almost meet our secondary money goals ($12,800 out of $13,200 needed (see goals section below for further explanation)).
Street team
We will revisit this idea is the need arises.
Donation tracking/compiling
As we begin collecting items a team will be needed to document all items for shipping purposes.
DONATION ITEMS FOR COLLECTION
We discussed that creating a donation list will help keep unwanted items to a minimum and will make sure that we collect items that will be of the most benefit to the people of Tanzania.
Immediate items that could be collected are: lawn and garden garbage bags for packing and zip ties for attaching pedals to the bikes as they are prepared for shipping.
We also discussed contacting stores/corporations for damaged stock, as well as contacting Goodwill.
Clothes
Winter? Though it gets cold enough for sweatshirts and fall/spring type jackets, there is not a need for actual winter outerwear.
Plus Sizes? Though plus size people are not abundant, there is still a need for clothing of all sizes.
Hygiene/Medical
Toothbrushes
Cotton balls/swabs
Gauze/band aids/medical tape
Alcohol/Peroxide
Aspirin/Ibuprofen
Soap
Hair brushes/combs
Bikes
We currently have 20-30 bikes that are ready for packing, and 50-100 bikes that are in need of repair. Adult bikes are most likely of more value, but bikes for all ages will be collected. Until the bikes we currently have are ready for shipping, we will not be asking for further bike donations.
Miscellaneous
Linens/blankets
Hand tools
Material/sewing supplies/manual sewing machines
Gardening tools
Backpacks
Five gallon pails w/lids
School supplies
Computers?
Generators
Rubbermaid containers
GOALS
Set goals and track progress regarding:
Bike collections
Goal amount undecided at this time
Monetary collections
Our primary goal is $10,000, which will cover the cost of shipping the container to port and then inland.
Our secondary goal will be $13,200, which will cover the cost of shipping the container, purchasing the next container (which can also be used as a start-up fund should we decide to focus on micro banking or internet installation next), and 10% to tithe to other missions projects at Grace.
Time line
Our goal for shipping is December 2007.
FUNDRAISING BRAINSTORMING
We discussed several fundraising options, but will focus on “Keep on Truckin’” at this time. Should more funds need to be collected, we will then look at other options.
After services dinner/brunch
Krispy Kreme donuts
Discount Cards
Native Choir/’Taste of Tanzania’
Raffle(s)
Silent auction
Car wash
Bake sale
Garage sale(s)
Round Robin parties
Game night (bunco…bingo…)
Parents night out
Cookout/bonfire
Daily planner
Cookbook
Guest speaker
Sponsor a square foot of container
INVOLVING THE CONGREGATION
Sunday School skits during service
Help in serving after service dinner/brunch
Tanzania/Navajo Missions car wash
Health Partners/Group Health…warehouse medical supply collecting and packing
Bike clean up
QUESTIONS FOR PASTOR MARK
The following items were discussed at the meeting, but need to be discussed with Pastor Mark for permission to proceed.
“Keep on Truckin’
We discussed displaying a large banner or cardboard cut out that would represent the shipping container. It would have separate sections representing the square feet that the congregation can sponsor/purchase. This would provide a fun opportunity for the congregation to write their names on the squares in show of their support, it would create an awesome visual effect and would help track our progress allowing the congregation to see how close we are to meeting our monetary goals. Carolyn’s husband works for a printer – first we will se the possibility of a banner and its cost. If that is not doable, then we will construct our own cardboard display.
Designated area for monthly easel/bulletin board?
We discussed setting up a bulletin board on an easel in the Narthex during services one Sunday each month to keep the project visual and fresh.
Account for collected funds through church or separate?
Our understanding is that all funds/donations will go through Grace earmarked for Tanzania – no separate account is needed.
Monthly insert into church bulletin?
We discussed the possibility of inserting a monthly ‘Grace4Tanzania’ newsletter into the church bulletins to keep the project visual and fresh, as well as to educate the congregation on Tanzania and its people.
Overall, we had a great meeting that seemed to generate enthusiasm and excitement. Thank you to everyone who participated!
