January 2023 Meeting
FOM 2022 - 2023 Board Meeting
January 18, 2023
6:30pm - 8pm
Attendance:
- Julie Schulhof
- Chris Ring
- Rowena Dumes
- Al Haber
- Frida Brooks
- Roona Shah
- Jen Jones
- Rhyan Sperling
- Nell Kolpin
- Sarah Roche
Not in Attendance:
- Kaye Muench
- Jacki Van Hout
- Erin Hickey
- Molly Sundby
- Danielle Drayton
Introduction – Julie Schulhof
Minutes –Christina Ring
Minutes Approved for December
Open points to discuss.
Budget – Al Haber
Biggest changes in the budget are related to increases to the pledge drive money deposited 12/31/22, Approximately $231,000 donated so far, probably will end up 240,000 total
Sale Kaye ran brought in 2,000 there on spirit wear
Teacher wish list $15,000-$16,000 total when all orders are in
Communications – Roona Shah
We met last month to set up communication events and these now have been put in place.
Pledge Drive Recap – Julie Schulhof
Total rev 240K (once all company matching is deposited)
Overall percentages:
-EC 72%
-EL1 68%
-Inter 52%
-MYP 41%
3rd slide: Very close to last year in regards to participation but the amounts were smaller overall
The beginning was slow but once participation prizes were added the participation increased.
19 Classes will receive participation prizes.10 classes earned a pizza party (top prize at 70% participation), 6 classes won the dance party (at 60% participation) and 2 won special day and one extra recess (at 50% participation).
Company matching last year was 50k compared to this year, company match was only 4K (so far, likely more matching to come.)
The number of people that gave the asking amount of $1800 was about the same amount of people but the average amounts this year were down in all grade bands. Overall the average donation is less than last year.
Comments/questions on pledge drive recap:
Al Haber:
Suggestion has been made to do a survey to find out why people are giving less and why we are on a downward trend.
Sarah Roche:
-Times are tough with inflation
-Historically Mayer has competed with private schools bc of a level of prestige
Nell Kolpin:
What if we connected with other schools to find out what they are doing and share ideas?
Teacher Reps – Jen Jones
Teacher rep lunch planned for next thursday, will confirm the date, Typically Jen and Julie sat with teachers as they dropped in.
Topics for Jan meeting:
-Get teacher thoughts towards pledge drive, do they think the prizes help?
-Ask teachers about the projects they want FOM to tackle
-What else would help everyone? Is there something specific that could help and support the teachers?
-How do we increase benefit participation from staff
Walkathon committee should come to meetings to collaborate their committee with the FOM. Nice to see new parents getting involved with the walkathon and leading, they will need a lot of support. Stacy, Vikki, Andrea, Ryan, so far doing a great job.
Spirit committee is thinking of doing a spirit day each month and a pep rally. Include Mayer cheerleaders. Allowing the MYP kids to have some fun too.
School Engagement – Rhyan Sperling
Next meeting for house and grounds is this Friday at 9am. We have 8 people on this committee
The guiding reading library is approved. Thank you! The work has started and looks good so far.
Lost and found system is getting organized and starting to push labeling and getting older kids to deliver items to the younger kids' classroom.
Big items will go up to MYP. Will get a nice system going so it is organized.
Bulletin board up and running. Please add flyers and will change over in February.
Cafeteria sound proofing is not a priority now. We will have pricing available in case we have to get them in future.
Starting a sub committee for litter and trash pick up every other week and clean up the yard.
Potential projects 1. outdoor garden space/old chicken coop—Mayer parent and landscape designer working on a scaled plan to share for community feedback, consideration on priority list. 2. Vestibule/Moving sidewalk storage
Mayer Spotlight—Dec/Jan edition went out on time, and Jan/Feb target date is Feb 9 or 16.
Benefit/Auction – Rowena Dumes
Update on benefit tickets, decided to keep them the same price as last year which was $125 per person. Also, again the teachers would get a discounted rate of $75. Considering incentive to win a free ticket to benefit if you help procure auction items.
Social/Events - Nell Kolpin
Mayer Mingle is next Thursday 1/26, 7-10pm at Barcocina (same location as Fall event).
Communications have been sent and a flyer has been added to the bulletin board.
Skating Social is on Saturday 2/4 at McFetridge. The price is $7/person again this year (skate rental $3). We can have 60 people/shift (only 50/shift last year due to COVID).
Reached out to Ms. Hooker to see if Ambassadors of Change would like to have a bake sale at the event.
Kaye will sell Spirit Wear.
Sponsorship – Erin Hickey
December Update
-Lou Malnatis on 1/25
-New sponsor at $500 SAM
-Chipotle sponsorship
-Jersey Mikes is looking to partner with the school in March for their opening.
Spirit Wear – Kaye Muench
Will ask her committee to staff sales of spirit wear at the upcoming ice skating event. Bring samples and make orders to allow bringing in limited items.
Philanthropy – Jacki Van Hout
30 slots for cradles to crayons on 2/11 with clothing drive beforehand.
Meeting adjourned
Next FOM Meeting: February 1st, 6:30 pm