UCityUnited

In attendance: Anne Marie Kiddon, Stella Hughes, Shelley Welsch, Jesse Swanigan, Margaret Johnson, Acme Price, Lisa Greening, Michael Donovan,

Excused: Bronwen Zwirner, Dave Olander, Mark Siegel

Guest: Maggie Stanley

Agenda approved.
Minutes approved.

“Town Hall Forum” discussed
• Overall consensus by members was that the last forum was good. There was no time to talk about other topics at the forum. Presenters were excellent. Dr. Williams did not state what everyone expected – that race does matter. He was a very powerful speaker.
• 70 people attended
• Crowd was diverse
• 4 people joined as new members
• Acme suggested we stay with the same topic next time. Others thought about how to support new superintendent and schools.
• Most difficult aspect of the forum was “quieting down” audience members who had great concern about their issues. Stella suggested that people are restricted on the amount of time to speak. Margaret suggested that people write questions on index cards and we ask the questions.
• Need a stronger relationship with media.
• For the September forum, UCC board members need to set up a subcommittee.

Treasurer’s Report: Lisa Greening
• Balance is $628.55
• June 28 social board get together is still on. Margaret and Bronwen are organizing the social.
• Lisa will schedule fundraising committee meeting
• Michael will refocus on 501© 3. It was suggested that Rose Jenkins and Cynthia with Boeing can help. Michael will have an active website for us by the next meeting, July 17. Maggie Stanley, a member, can help with the website.

Issues Committee Report: Margaret Johnson
• School group and cool cities groups are still meeting
• Race group abandoned last meeting because nobody from the board attended.

Leadership Development Report: Shelley Welsch
• Three sessions of the Leaderships forums ended last month. It went very well. The first forum may have had too many speakers. And, attendance needs to be greater.
• Next year, the candidate forum will be scheduled in November, 2007 and the three leadership forums will take place in January and February, 2008
• Shelley would like someone on the board to take over the leadership committee work. Anne suggested we find a leadership person among our new members by the end of the summer.
• Publicity for leadership seminars needs to be done better. Need help spreading the work from other members. Jesse suggests communication/monitoring committee set up a step-by-step guide to promoting events – and maybe we need a PR person
• When the website is up, Jesse will send a letter to members asking them how they can get involved.

Old Business
• UCityUnited business cards were printed and distributed.

New Business

• New Members need to be sent a member card or thank you letter. Jesse will speak to Bronwen about sending thank you letters to new members and keeping an excel document of members and their interests.

Next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17 at 7:00 pm at Acme’s house. August board meeting will be announced later.

Respectfully submitted by Lisa Greening, UCU Treasurer
6/11/07

May 23, 2007 and beyond

Get out your running shoes!
The 32nd annual Memorial Day Run will be held on Monday, May 28th. You can still sign up to run in the 10k, 5k or Fun Run. Drop by the library or call 314-727-3150 for more information. On-line registrations can be made at www.active.com . This run benefits the Green Center, the University City Children’s Center, U City in Bloom and the library. It’s a great event - lots of fun meeting your neighbors. And afterwards? Head to the Heman Park pool which will be opening for the season later in the day.

Organizers might still need volunteers. If you can help, contact Jan Oberkramer at the Green Center at 725-8314 or joberkramer@thegreencenter.org .

Want to help some U City trees?
University City resident Rose Jenkins is forming a “Friends of Trees” group to help work on the trees along the Midland Boulevard median. Rose has been in contact with St. Louis County, who manages the trees, voicing her concern about the ways the trees have been mulched. She is looking for people willing to help “de-mulchify” the trees, which have been mulched too high
for the trees’ health. She has the support of St. Louis County, which has supplied her with safety vests and gloves. Some additional volunteers would help the work get done more quickly. If you are interested in helping contact Rose at plasma@brick.net or call 863-2241. Ms. Jenkins has been in touch with University City’s forester James Crowe about this project.

Sutter-Meyer house archaeology dig
The Mound City Archaeological Society opens its 2007 dig at the Sutter-Meyer farmhouse this Saturday, May 26th. If you are interested in the archaeological work going on at the oldest building in University City, feel free to stop by from 9am-3pm. The Sutter-Meyer farmhouse is located at 6826 Chamberlain Court, which is off Ferguson Avenue just north of Olive. For more information on the dig, contact Greg Paulus, the President of the Mound City Archaeological Society. He can be contacted at 314-704-3507 or bgpaulus@archaeologist.com.

Want to work on the Sutter-Meyer farmhouse?
The newly-formed Sutter-Meyer Society is looking for people interested in working to renovate and utilize this building for the benefit of University City. The Society meets on the third Tuesday of every month in the library at Pershing Elementary School, which is within walking distance of the building. The meetings start at 7pm. If you would like more information call 314-727-6852 or e-mail suttermeyersociety@ucitymo.com.

Like to play golf?
Plan to take part in the University City Parks Foundation Golf Tournaments on June 23rd. The Parks Foundation is now looking for sponsors and players. For more information contact Ruth Park Golf Pro Ron Akin at 727-4800.

It’s time for the summer reading club!
The following is from the University
City Public Library. GET A CLUE @ THE LIBRARY” SUMMER READING PROGRAM. The Youth Services Department is gearing up for another great Summer Reading Program which will
run from June 3 - August 3. A complete schedule of weekly activities and special programs will be available in the department. Teen Volunteers are needed for the 2007 Summer Reading Program as well. Volunteers listen to children report on their reading, award prizes, assist with special events and attend fun “volunteer only” events. Volunteers also participate in the program by reading and reporting and earn “volunteer only” prizes. Volunteering at the library is a good way to earn Community Service hours required by many schools. Applicants must have completed 6th grade, enjoy working with children, have a U.City library card and be available to work one or two times a week for at least 4 weeks of the program. Attendance at a training session is required. For more information visit the Youth Services Department on the second floor.

And speaking of books….
A plug for a University City author who has written a book for children. University City resident and retired professor Allan Richard Shickman has published a novel entitled Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure. In it the hero, Zan-Gah, seeks his lost brother in a dangerous world. Encountering suffering, conflict, love and victory, he passes from an uncertain boyhood
to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people. Zan-Gah is an exciting, thought-provoking, and beautiful story. It is intended for readers age 11 to 111. The website is: www.zan-gah.com

UCityUnited work continues throughout the summer
UCityUnited has completed a very successful first year of programming - with a Candidates’ Workshop, two town hall forums, and the inaugural three-part Leadership U City series. And the work of the group continues throughout the summer through its three working groups.

Cool Cities Initiative Working Group
This working group wants to work with the city to develop ways to combat global warming on a community level. In 2006 University City Mayor Joseph Adams signed the Cool Cities Initiative, joining dozens of other mayors in doing so. For more information on the Cool Cities Initiative check out http://www.coolcities.us/. The group is discussing a strategy for presenting and enacting proposals for curtailing global warming and promoting energy efficiency. For more information contact Leslie Lihou at leslielihou@brick.net.

Race, Class and Culture Working Group
Group members are working together to determine how to begin an on-going community discussion on the issues of race, class and culture in our community. For more information about this group contact Margaret Johnson at johnsonmk@aol.com.

Schools Working Group
The Schools Working Group is composed of people interested in working to improve student achievement in the University City schools. If you would like more information about this group, please contact Therese Siegel at pfpactt@sbcglobal.net .

News from the School District
YES, there are still plenty of open slots in our first ever Summer Sports Camp. This camp is held the week BEFORE summer school starts. Kids can take only one clinic or as many as four clinics. If you have kids currently in grades 4 - 7, then please encourage them to try a few new or favorite sports at the Summer Sports Camp on June 11 - 15. This program is sponsored
by the UCHS Athletic Department and the Booster Club and features a full variety of sports taught by our high school coaching staff. Sport clinics are held for 1 1/2 hours for 5 days, and you can take only one or up to 4 clinics. At $20 a clinic or $85 for the week it’s the best deal in town.
Sports featured include basketball, tennis, soccer, baseball, field hockey, wrestling, swimming & water polo, and cheerleading. For more information or to register contact Nancy Mozier, evenings only at 314-721-7554 or via email at nancymozier@sbcglobal.net.

WATER POLO ANYONE?
There are many opportunities for boys and girls ages 6 - high school to learn and play water polo this summer. For children aged 6 - 14 there will be a program at Heman Park Pool during the week of June 25, and at other area pools throughout the summer. For high school students there is an intensive and well-coached program at Shaw Park pool weekdays from 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.

For more information about the School District programs contact:
Daphne J. Dorsey
ddorsey@u-city.k12.mo.us

UCHS Athletic Boosters Golf Tourney to be held Friday, June 29, at Forest
Park.
Join in some fun for a good cause! The UCHS Athletic Boosters hope this tourney grows to include lots of Alumni, Community Business Owners, Parents, area Golfers, and, we hope to make lots of new Friends too. The day will have something for everyone! Golf and dinner or just dinner and laughs with great people! Sign up early, space is limited!! We are in need of donations for prizes and awards as well as hole sponsors and donations of beverages and lots of goodie bag gifts. This tournament is always fun and this year we will play 18 holes at Forest Park with dinner to follow. Please pass the attached flyers around and let’s really make a difference for the student-athletes of University City! I’m kind of partial…but, we have lots of great things going on at U. City High and lots to be proud of. All funds raised through this tourney are used to benefit the athletic programs at the U. Come early, play hard, stay late! See you at Forest Park on Friday, June
29th!

School District starts E-Blast to share news about the district.
The following is from Daphne Dorsey, the head of PR in the district….. “Our goal is simple - we want to ensure that you, our school community, is aware of the great things that occur within this district. The School News E-Blast will provide a snapshot of building events and activities. If you
have questions regarding the news items listed within the attachment, please contact Daphne Dorsey, Public Relations Coordinator at 314-290-4016 or via email at ddorsey@u-city.k12.mo.us. Thank you.”

If you have any events you would like included in a future University City Bulletin Board, please send them to me at billandshelley@ucitymo.com And, please share this bulletin board with anyone and everyone you think may be interested in what’s happening in University City.

Ciao.

Shelley Welsch
7141 Delmar Boulevard
University City, MO 63130-4304
P: 314-727-6852
F: 314-727-6466
E-mail: billandshelley@ucitymo.com

UCU Board of Directors
May 1, 2007 meeting Minutes

In attendance: Jesse Swanigan, Anne Marie Kiddon, Acme Price, Shelley Welsch, Bronwen Zwirner, Mark Seigel, Margaret Johnson
(Absent: Michael Donovan, Lisa Greening, Miriam Wilhelm, Stella Hughes)

Minutes of April Board meeting were accepted (Margaret moved, Acme seconded, passed unanimously)
Minutes from April 13 special board meeting were accepted (Margaret moved, Shelley seconded, unanimous)

Planning for May 2 Town Hall Forum:
Agenda was developed
The speakers will be contacted again for a confirmation of their participation.
Mark offered to develop an evaluation for participants.
Margaret will facilitate the Q&A part of the session.

Treasurers Report
Lisa is out of town.
Agreed that a fundraising meeting will take place after UCU does some longterm planning.

Social gathering first (Margaret & Bronwen)
Board will get together for a social evening in May or June for purposes of getting to know one another better

Begin long term planning
Long term planning needs an experienced facilitator (discuss at June meeting)
Budget development
Fundraising

Committee Reports:
All committees should increase active membership by looking at the membership list.

Communications: Mark & Shelley
Monitoring needs to be re-visited
Web site is priority
News outlets such as Post, St. Louis American need more work so that they will carry our announcements.
Bronwen will call a much-needed Communications Committee meeting

Issues Group: Margaret
Education is meeting every two weeks
Race, Class and Culture is meeting regularly
Cool Cities seems to be working

In general there are problems with these meetings being properly facilitated (by someone who can manage flow of discussion as opposed to participate in decision making). We might re-visit decision that it isn’t our job to facilitate these groups as they are not UCU official arms. We might provide facilitator training or board members NOT involved with a particular issue might be the facilitator.

Jesse reports that, on the issue of Loop development, Streetside records has been sold and two franchise restaurants are moving in. There is no move to involve ourselves in that issue as yet.

Leadership Development: Shelley
The series has been quite successful

New Business:
Acme suggested – and board agreed - that we get UCU business cards to assist us when we are talking to people about UCU. They should have UCU address and web site with a space for individuals to write their own names and contact information. It might be good to have a brief summary of the mission on the card as well.

Next Board meeting June 5th at Shelley’s 7141 Delmar at 7:00PM (NOT 7:30)

Final Leadership U City seminar on May 12th. Topic? Economic Development
in University City
UCityUnited is also holding the final seminar in its Leadership U City
program on Saturday, May 12th. The seminar topic is Economic Development in University City. Speaking will be Lehman Walker, the Director of Community Development in University City, and Larry Marks, Principal and Executive Vice President at Development Strategies. The seminar will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Crown Center at 8350 Delcrest Drive. The seminar is free and open to anyone interested in attending. Pre-registration is encouraged. You can pre-register at 314-725-9094 or ucityunited@ucitymo.com.

UCityUnited Issue working groups
Three groups of University City residents have come together to work on issues that have been raised at UCityUnited forums and meetings. They are:

Cool Cities Initiative Working Group
This working group wants to work with the city to develop ways to combat global warming on a community level. In 2006 University City Mayor Joseph Adams signed the Cool Cities Initiative, joining dozens of other mayors in doing so. For more information on the Cool Cities Initiative check out http://www.coolcities.us/. The group is discussing a strategy for presenting and enacting proposals for curtailing global warming and promoting energy efficiency. For more information contact Leslie Lihou at leslielihou@brick.net.

Race, Class and Culture Working Group
Group members are working together to determine how to begin an on-going community discussion on the issues of race, class and culture in our community.

The next meeting of this group is scheduled to be held on the evening of May 16th at 6:30 p.m. in room 124 of Goldfarb Hall at Washington University. (Goldfarb Hall is also known as the School of Social Work and faces Forsyth Blvd. closes to Skinker than Big Bend.)

Schools Working Group
The Schools Working Group is composed of people interested in working to improve student achievement in the University City schools. If you would like more information about this group, please contact Therese Siegel at
pfpactt@sbcglobal.net/ The next scheduled meeting for this group is on Monday, May 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the Flynn Park Elementary School library.

Interested in University City history?
Well then, consider becoming a member of the Sutter-Meyer Society. This newly-formed group is working to raise funds to renovate the Sutter-Meyer farmhouse, the oldest building in University City, and use it as a
cultural/educational center. The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7pm at Pershing Elementary School. Lots of help is needed. The next meeting is scheduled for May 15th. If you want more information contact suttermeyersociety@ucitymo.com.

Like to play golf?
Plan to take part in the University City Parks Foundation Golf Tournaments on June 23rd. The Parks Foundation is now looking for sponsors and players. For more information contact Ruth Park Golf Pro Ron Akin at 727-4800.

From the library
The Gallery of the University City Public Library is seeking applicants for juried shows for their 26th season. The space is only suitable for wall-mounted work. If you are interested in being considered contact Lexine
Pranschke at 314-727-3150 or lexine@ucpl.lib.mo.us. The deadline for applications is May 15th.

From the School District of University City….
School District and City of University City Will Hold Youth Safety Forum
The Community Partnership for Safety will hold a public forum on Wednesday, May 16 to seek input from University City residents on summer youth safety. The City and School District of University City are jointly sponsoring the event. Representatives from the school district as well as the police and fire departments will be on hand to listen to concerns and answer questions about the issue. The forum will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Julia Goldstein Early Education Center, 737 Kingsland Ave. For more information call 314-290-4020.

University City High School Sponsors Summer Sports Camp

Students interested in either learning or improving their skills in such athletic activities as basketball, baseball, track, field hockey, soccer, tennis, pom-poms, cheerleading, water polo or wrestling should consider enrolling in University City High School’s Sports Camp.

The one-week camp is open to University City students who have completed fourth through seventh grades. Sessions will be held June 11-15 beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4:45 p.m. The deadline for registration is May 15. All sessions will be taught and supervised by University City High School athletic coaches and players. Fees range from $20 for one session to $80 to participate in all day camp. A non-refundable registration fee of $5 per camper is also required. For more information or to register contact Nancy Mozier, evenings only at 314-721-7554 or via email at nancymozier@sbcglobal.net.

UCHS Athletic Boosters Golf Tourney to be held Friday, June 29, at Forest
Park.
Join in some fun for a good cause! The UCHS Athletic Boosters hope this tourney grows to include lots of Alumni, Community Business Owners, Parents, area Golfers, and, we hope to make lots of new Friends too. The day will
have something for everyone! Golf and dinner or just dinner and laughs with great people! Sign up early, space is limited!! We are in need of donations for prizes and awards as well as hole sponsors and donations of beverages and lots of goodie bag gifts. This tournament is always fun and this year we will play 18 holes at Forest Park with dinner to follow. Please pass the attached flyers around and let’s really make a difference for the student-athletes of University City! I’m kind of partial…but, we have lots of great things going on at U. City High and lots to be proud of. All funds raised through this tourney are used to benefit the athletic programs at the U. Come early, play hard, stay late! See you at Forest Park on Friday, June 29th!

School District starts E-Blast to share news about the district.
The following is from Daphne Dorsey, the head of PR in the district….. “Our goal is simple - we want to ensure that you, our school community, is aware of the great things that occur within this district. The School News
E-Blast will provide a snapshot of building events and activities. If you have questions regarding the news items listed within the attachment, please contact Daphne Dorsey, Public Relations Coordinator at 314-290-4016 or via
email at ddorsey@u-city.k12.mo.us. Thank you.”

If you have any events you would like included in a future University City Bulletin Board, please send them to me at billandshelley@ucitymo.com

Please share this bulletin board with anyone and everyone you think may be interested in what’s happening in University City.

University City Finances / Sunday April 22nd

The UCityUnited Leadership U City series continues on Sunday, April 22nd
with a seminar on University City Finances. The seminar will be held at
Bais Abraham Synagogue at 6910 Delmar Boulevard from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Assistant Collector of Revenue in St. Louis County, Tim Lee, will be
discussing the various taxes collected by St. Louis County and how they are
distributed to the 92 municipalities in the county. He will also be talking
about the pool and point-of-sale cities and how that system of tax revenue
collection works. He will be followed on the program by Janet K. Watson,
the new Deputy City Manager and Director of Finance in U City. Watson will
talk about University City finances specifically - where does the money go
and how is the budget developed. Watson will also be discussing other
aspects of the University City financial picture.

The Leadership U City series is free and open to anyone interested in
attending. Pre-registration is encouraged. You can register by calling
314-725-9094 or by e-mailing ucityunited@ucitymo.com.

The final program in this series, Economic Development in University City,
will be held on May 12th at 9:30 am at Crown Center.

Speaking of the University City budget…..

The City Council will be holding a Public Comment session on the city budget
on Monday, April 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Council chambers. If you would
like to share your thoughts on where our money should be used, please attend
this session and give the Council your input. Comments will be limited to
three minutes for each speaker.

Panel discussion on energy and the environment

Missouri State Representative Maria Chappelle-Nadal is sponsoring a panel
discussion on energy and the environment on Sunday, April 22nd from 2:00 pm-

4:00 pm. at the University City Public Library. Representatives from the
Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Ameren UE will be on hand to
answer questions. The program is free and open to the public. To register
e-mail maria.chappellenadal@house.mo.gov.

Spring is here, so it is time to get some plants in the ground…

And what better place to get them than the U City in Bloom Perennial Plant
Sale. The sale takes place on April 28th and 29th from 9:00am -1:00 pm at
the Heman Park Community Center, at the corner of Pennsylvania and Vernon.

U City in Bloom needs volunteers to help set up on the 7th - anytime after
7:00 am. And they can use volunteers on the two days sale. Contact
727-4232 if you can help.

Events for the School District of University City

Kindergarten Round Up at Delmar-Harvard - from the Delmar-Harvard PTO

Delmar-Harvard is having a Kindergarten Open House this Thursday, April
19th. The program will start at 6:30 pm, in the school library. If you have
a
kindergartener starting this Fall, please come. Also, if you know of anyone
who might be interested, please would you pass this information
on to them. The registration requirements have changed a bit, here’s the
link:
http://www.ucitysch
ools.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=19

Any questions may be directed to our Principal, Chauna Williams at 290-4390
or Marty Walter at 726-5417.

U City’s own high school musical

University City High School presents the musical Phantom from April 19th
through the 21st. For more details contact Daphne Dorsey at ddorsey@u-city.
k12.mo.us.

Are you a garage sale type of person?

If you are, you should know about two upcoming sales, proceeds from which
will benefit our schools.

FLYNN PARK GARAGE SALE
April 21, 2007
7:30am-2:00pm
7220 Waterman

BRITTANY WOODS BARGAIN GARAGE SALE
April 28, 2007
8:00 am-12:00pm
8125 Groby Road

(Donations accepted until 12noon on Friday, April 27th.)

Need more information? Contact School Board member Ellen Bern at 721-1841

Dine Out In The Loop!

Would you like to know where you can enjoy entertainment by an award winning
high school jazz band, spend a relaxing moment with good friends, enjoy a
delightful meal in one of a variety of good restaurants AND support the PTO
of U. City High School? C’mon down to the Loop Dine-out from 5:30 to 8:00pm
on Tuesday, May 1.

Participating establishments include:
Big V’s Burger Joint (6655 Delmar)
Blueberry Hill (6504 Delmar)
Cicero’s Restaurant and Entertainment Plex (6691 Delmar)
Crazy Bowls and Wraps (6329 Delmar)
Loop’s Subway Shop (6633 Delmar)
Riddles (6307 Delmar)
St. Louis Pizza Haus (6602 Delmar)
Saleems (6501 Delmar)
and nightcap with Ben and Jerry’s (6380 Delmar)

Tell your server that you are eating out to support University City High
School and the restaurant will donate a percentage of your bill to the PTO.

Come to the Market in the Loop and enjoy the award winning UCHS Jazz Band.
Purchase raffle tickets for chances to win many valuable prizes. (Winners
drawn at 7:45 p.m.) For more information, please call Linda Fried at
314/727-4232.

Celebration of Learning Night!

On April 25th there will be a Celebration of Learning night in the cafeteria
of University City High School. For more information contact Daphne Dorsey
at ddorsey@u-city.k12.mo.us.

Have an old tire to recycle?

The Public Works Department is accepting old tires for recycling behind the
Heman Park Community Center by the recycling area. Tires accepted from
8am-4pm Monday through Friday and from 8a,-12noon on the weekends. They
will not be accepting oversized tractor tires or tire rims.

Town Hall Forum on Race, Class and Culture: An Educational Perspective in
University City

UCityUnited is sponsoring its second town hall forum on May 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
at Brittany Woods Middle School. The forum is on Race, Class and Culture:
An Educational Perspective in University City. Speaking at the forum will
be University City resident Dr. Robert Williams. Dr. Williams is Professor
Emeritus at Washington University in African and Afro-American Studies. He
is the author of the book Racism Learned at an Early Age. However, at the
forum he will be talking about the latest research on race and class in our
society. Also speaking will be Assistant Schools Superintendent Joylynn
Wilson, and Assessment Coordinator Bridget Cochren.

Following the program there will be an open microphone. You can ask
questions of the speakers, share your thoughts about the program or anything
else that concerns you in University City.

Interested in the history of University City?

If you like history and would like to work with other interested folks in
renovating and utilizing a piece of old University City, consider joining
the Sutter-Meyer Society. This is a newly-formed organization of people
interested in renovating the 1873-era Sutter-Meyer farmhouse which is
located on Chamberlain Court. We need all kinds of help o this exciting
project. If you want more information e-mail
suttermeyersociety@ucitymo.com.

The Sutter-Meyer Society meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00
p.m. at Pershing Elementary School.

Like to play golf? Well then….

Plan to take part in the University City Parks Foundation Golf Tournaments
on June 23rd. The Parks Foundation is now looking for sponsors and players.
For more information contact Ruth Park Golf Pro Ron Akin at 727-4800.

If you have any events you would like included in a future University City
Bulletin Board, please send them to me at billandshelley@ucitymo.com

Attendance: Anne Marie Kiddon, Stella Hughes, Bronwen Zwirner, Acme Price, Jesse Swanigan, Lisa Greening, Shelley Welsch

Agenda – to finalize program for May 2nd Town Hall Forum

Race, Class and Culture – An Educational Perspective:
Speakers, Dr. Williams (Washington University), Ms. Joylynn Wilson (School Administration) and Ms. Bridget Cochren (School Administration)

Margaret & Anne Marie will contact the speakers with very specific requests for what they should cover. Dr. Williams will give an overview based on his research; Ms Wilcon and Ms. Cochren will talk about specifics of UCity schools (test scores by schools, library resources by schools, GATE and other programs – steps to access them, etc.

Important that we have a strong facilitator. Agreed that Margaret will facilitate.

It was agreed that the School Board should be asked to send a representative who can answer school policy questions if they come up. Bronwen & Jesse will write a letter and send to Ms. Coley.

PTO’s, Ward associations, neighborhood and block associations need to be contacted about the Forum.

Bronwen will contact the High School about a link-up session on May 8th .

One non-forum issue arose: UCU Board needs to consider a way we can assist facilitators in issues sub-committees to ensure that those committees are successful.

Respectfully submitted, Bronwen Zwirner Secretary

In attendance: Anne Marie Kiddon, Stella Hughes, Shelley Welsch, Jesse Swanigan, Margaret Johnson, Acme Price, Lisa Greening, Bronwen Zwirner
Excused: Miriam Wilhelm, Michael Donovan, Mark Seigel, Dave Olander
Guest: Najah Haqiqah
Minutes were approved (Shelley moved, Stella seconded, unanimous)
Leadership Committee needs to appoint another member to be on the Board.

UCU member Najah Haqiqah asked for a few minutes of the Board’s agenda to discuss concerns about procedures in the issues sub-committee on schools. She also asked that the Board and the issues sub-committee on race, class and culture view a movie “Growing Up Racial” made by a former UCity school student sometime and consider sponsoring a public showing/discussion.

After Ms. Haqiqah left: Shelley moved and Lisa seconded: The motion - UCU Board members will not be chair/facilitator of issues sub-committees. Discussion centered on the potential conflict of a board member with leadership interest in a sub-committee that might eventually come to the board for endorsement. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report Lisa Greening
Balance is $937
Received $400 from an anonymous donor

Acme, Margaret & Anne Marie did recruit new members as discussed at last board meeting
Budget committee will meet in the next month to begin process of developing a budget and fundraising goals.
Communications Report Shelley Welsch filled in for Michael Donovan
Web site is most important work committee is focusing on now.
Press for UCU events isn’t getting picked up by the Post or The St. Louis American. Citizen Journal has published some info.

Leadership Development Report: Shelley Welsch
There are people registering (13 so far) and the programs are in good shape

Issues Report: Margaret Johnson
Schools, Race, class and culture, Cool Cities sub-committees is are all active
Next Town Hall Forum
Anne Marie, Acme & Shelley will meet to develop final design for program

New Business
There is a new issues sub-committee concerning UCity economic development in the Loop. The Loop Business Association is looking at ways to ensure that the unique look and fee of the Loop is maintained.
There is some talk that bus routes to UCity are going to be cut. UCU may want to consider looking at the implications, especially with the construction on I-64/40 starting.

Special Board meeting April 13 noon at Shelley’s house to discuss May 2nd Forum.
Next Board meeting May 1, 2007 7:30 at Bronwen’s house 7031 Waterman Avenue

Respectfully submitted by Bronwen Zwirner, UCU Secretary

UCU Board meeting March 6, 2007
Mark Siegel, Lisa Greening, Dave Olander, Margaret Johnson, Stella Hughes, Anne Marie Kiddon, Jesse Swanigan, Shelley Welsch, Acme Price, Bronwen Zwirner
(Absent: Miriam Wilhelm, Michael Donovan)

1.) Evaluation of Town Hall meeting
(Secretary arrived late to meeting and missed beginning of discussion)

General consensus:
-Turn out was encouraging
-Moderator did a great job
-It will always be difficult to avoid scheduling at the same time as other meetings
-Presentations were okay, Jeannette Mott Oxford helped a great deal with her honest and revealing presentation
-Inviting manner of opening and facilitating was very positive
-Open mike worked, people were open & honest

Discussion points:
-Much is to be learned and explored about the Asian community and its relationship to the African American community and the white community and the cultural differences
-The fact that the participants were 80-90% white is an issue for UCU; UCU has a big task to build trust and relationships in the African American community

Lessons:
-Must do more massive marketing of Town Hall sessions and other programs
-Need to produce a simple evaluation form for all Town Hall meetings

2.) Treasurer’s report
16 new members from the Town Hall meeting/ brings us to 80
Report accepted.

3.) Fundraising Committee report

Recommendations:
-UCU board needs to develop a budget to present to members as a basis for assessing and developing a fundraising strategy
Lisa will call a budget meeting. Jesse agreed to serve.

-Each Board member will find 3 new members by next board meeting
Discussion: board agrees to try (Lisa moves, Shelley seconds – 8 yes/1 no)

-Board meets in an evening social way that would include getting to know each other a little better and some time to do some brainstorming about long term goals for UCU
Discussion: disagreement about purpose or usefulness of brainstorming AND get-together. Maybe a party for board members and spouses instead. Membership Committee will take this idea on for next Board meeting.
-Board members donate something to UCU above and beyond membership dues (any amount) so that when we ask others to donate we can say 100% of Board already donates.
General agreement but no vote was taken.

-Plan some kind of public fundraiser
Discussion that a public event should be fun and family friendly. No decisions.

4.) Communications & Marketing
Mark suggested that UCU needs new system for recruiting monitors

5.) Issues:
Following a lengthy discussion a format for the March 8 follow up session at Flynn Park was agreed upon. (see separate report below)

6.) Leadership Development
Committee reported schedule for seminars in April & May.
-Child care:
Follow lengthy discussion it was decided that we need to explore further the need for and liability around providing child care. (Lisa moves and Acme seconds that UCU should not provide child care – passed 7 yes/1 no)
It was suggested that we should let parents know that they can bring their children if needed but that we won’t at this time provide anything formal.

The next Board meeting will be 7:30 Wednesday, April 4th at Jesse Swanigan’s 1519 Lyndale Avenue

Submitted March 22, 2007
Bronwen Zwirner, Secretary
——————————————————-

Board meeting notes regarding the March 8 follow up session
Format for follow up discussion meeting:
1. Everyone will be asked to go to the classroom for an introduction
2. Mark or Jesse will welcome them
a.)Outline the list of 7 issues that have come out of the last few town hall forum we’ve held
b.)Outline reason for this follow-up meeting:
In order to ensure that people interested in exploring topics raised at the town hall meetings can find each other and start working together we have provided a time and place for beginning the process of exploring their issues.
It is our NOT intention to be in charge of these small issue groups but rather help pull people together tonight and help find others in the future who want to be involved but couldn’t be here tonight, so…in the small groups we ask that they:
-Pick a facilitator who will lead tonight’s discussion and is willing to be the contact person
-Pick a reporter to write a sentence or two about the key points tonight’s group decided to explore further. If they choose a date, time and place for a second meeting on their own be sure they include that so we can let other interested people know. (the reporter should give a UCU board member a copy of the report)
-Have everyone in the small group sign in with email and phone contact info.

c.) A UCU board member will sit it on the small groups, not as a facilitator but as someone who can answer questions about process within UCU. (Some board members are also interested in the issues and may join in on that level as well)

The small groups will then split up into areas of the classroom and the library and be given until 8:25 to explore their issues. They need to be sure that UCU gets the contact name, list of participants and the reporter’s notes before they leave.

The meeting was called to order about 7:20 p.m. by the president, Kristin
Sobotka.The entire Board was present - Ms.Maryanne Coley, V.P., Mrs. Joy
Lieberman, Secretary, Ms.Ellen Bern, Mr. Rober Elgin, Ms. Meg McClelland,
Mr. Avery Watson, Ms.Charlotte Tatum. Student representative, Galvin Alfred,
was also present.

Superintendent Dr.James Victory,Mr. Charles Nicastro, Assistant
Superintendent/Operations, Mr. Scott Hafertepe, Chief Financial Officer/
Business & Financial Management, Dr. Judy Sclair, Director/Human Resources,
Ms. Joylynn Wilson,Assisant Superintendent/curriculum & Instruction
were also present.

Dr. Victory recognized two parents for their help to the students and
teachers at U. City schools. They were Mr. Michael Miller for Nathaniel
Hawthorne School and Mrs. Nicole Adewale for Flynn Park and Brittany Woods
Middle School. Mrs. Adewale was absent.

Several teachers, parents and a teacher/Union president spoke to the Board
during Citizens Comments, against the plan to discontinue the ROTC program
at the high school. They felt it gave students structure in their lives that
they would not have had otherwise. They did not feel the program was about
recruting students for the military.

Two parents and a teacher spoke out against the reorganization of the
Central office and moving staff around there and in the schools.

Ms. Wilson gave an undate on the “No Child Left Behind Update.” She stated
three of the elementary school are currently functioning below the Adequate
yearly progress. One is behind in math and one is behind in Communication
Arts. One did not meet either. She also stated the calendars are ready for the 2007-2008 school year. They are also on line.

The Board is having a public forum on 3/26/07,at McNair Administration
Building, 8136 Groby Rd., and one on March 31, at Goldstein Early Education
Center, 737 Kingsland, to solicit community input on is long Range planning
goals.

Registration has opened for the 2007 Leadership U City program. This
program, a series of three seminars designed to educate participants about
University City and its government, will be held in April and May and is
FREE and open to all University City residents, new and old. The scheduled
seminars and speakers are:

1.) TOPIC: University City: Its history and government
Monday, April 9, 2007
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Nathaniel Hawthorn Elementary School
1351 N. Hanley Road

SPEAKERS: (Partial List)
Esley Hamilton, Histories, St. Louis County
John Lamb, long-time resident
John McDonnell, long-time resident
Elsie Glickert, long-time resident
Ilene Murray, University City author and genealogist
Marvin Boisseau, former City Judge
Sylvan Robinson, former member of Charter Committee
David Harris, former School Board member
Rick Reynolds, former School Board member

2.) TOPIC: University City Finances
Sunday, April 22nd
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Bais Abraham Synagogue
6910 Delmar Boulevard

SPEAKERS:
Janet Watson, Deputy City Manager and Director of Finance, City of
University City
Tim Lee, Assistant Collector, St. Louis County

3.) TOPIC: Economic Development in University City
Saturday, May 12th
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Crown Center
8350 Delcrest Drive

SPEAKERS:
Lehman Walker, Director of Community Development, City of University City
Richard Ward, Senior Principal/Chairman, Development Strategies

The Leadership U City program is being sponsored by UCityUnited, a new
independent, non-partisan and non-governmental body committed to shaping the
future of University City by facilitating communications among the diverse
groups of the City on matters of mutual concern, whose members believe great
cities are created by informed and involved citizens. This inaugural
Leadership U City program is an effort to inform interested residents about
our community.

Participants may take part in one or all of the seminars. Space is limited,
though, so pre-registration is required. To register or for more
information please e-mail ucityunited@ucitymo.com or call 314-725-9094.
Register with your name and all contact information, and let us know which
of the three seminars you would like to attend.

The Leadership U City program is FREE. Light refreshments will be served.