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

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)

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.

UCityUnited had a very successful Town Hall forum February 22,2007. About sixty people came together to discuss the issue of race, class and culture in University City. The meeting was so successful that the Board of Directors of UCU has decided to continue this discussion at its next Town Hall forum on May 2nd. So please MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Wednesday, May 2, 2007
7:00pm at the Brittany Woods Middle School
for the second in a series of UCityUnited Town Hall forums on
Race, Class and Culture in University City.

UCU Issues Link-up
During the Open Mic portion of the Town Hall meeting a number of issues arose. Other issues have been discussed at previous meetings. These issues will be discussed and explored in small group sessions at the UCU Issues Link-up that is scheduled for March 8th at 7:00 pm at Flynn Park Elementary School. If you would like to work on any of the following issues please drop by this first-even UCU Issues Link-up.

1.) Race, class and culture in University City. How can we continue this community discussion?

2.) What can be done to encourage neighborhood associations around University City to become more active? What can residents do? How can the city government help?

3.) What can be done by our community to increase the academic performance and subsequent success of all students in our public schools?

4.) University City and Ameren UE - what can we do as a community to ensure better service in the future from Ameren UE?

5.) How can we establish a place where the youth of our community can meet to play, socialize, talk, be together off the streets? What should this look like? Where would it be? How would it be funded?

6.) What is the impact of Washington University on our community, financially and otherwise. What could be done to improve the positive and lessen the negative impacts?

This will be the first UCU Issues Link-up event. We don’t know how it will work, but we are hoping interested residents will come together, meet each other, and come up with plans on how to move forward on these issues.

So, do come. Thursday, March 8th. 7:00 p.m. Flynn Park Elementary School.

And be on the lookout for an upcoming notice about the FREE Leadership U City program that will start later this month!

Bronwen Zwirner, Secretary
UCityUnited

Attending: David Olander, Mark Seigel, Michael Donovan, Shelley Welsch, Jesse Swanigan, Acme Price, Bronwen Zwirner, Lisa Greening. (Margaret Johnson & Miriam Wilhelm excused; missing Anne Marie Kiddon, Stella Hughes)

Treasurer’s Report: Lisa Greening
We have an anonymous donor $150
Discussed need for fundraising and for reimbursing board and committee expenditures
Fundraising brainstorming planned for near future (Bronwen, Lisa, Acme, Dave, Mark, Michael)

Committee Reports:
Communications & Monitoring – Michael Donovan & Mark Seigel
Discussion of Cityscape decision not to publish UCU announcements.
Jesse Swanigan: in future when we have a problem lets discuss before responding
Distribution plan for Feb 22 forum
Comprehensive lists of churches, synagogues, schools stores etc. was developed by Shelley & Mark. Volunteers signed up for distribution of flyers.

Leadership - Shelley Welsch for Miriam
Leadership forum have been scheduled, final list of topics, locations, dates will be sent out soon. (March 22, April 22 and May 12)

Public town hall meeting Feb 22 agenda was thoroughly discussed
Some will get there early
Bronwen will develop sign in forms
Jesse will introduce UCU, Board members and speakers, then hand over facilitation to Mr. Hines.
Two people will evaluate meeting at Acme’s invitation; possibly ask them to attend the first 15 minutes or so of the next board meeting on March 6
March 8 – reserved for follow up meeting if there are new issues and new people interested in meeting about those issues that come up during the Open Mike section of the evening.

Next town hall meeting will be May 2 – Bronwen will look for location

Next meeting March 6, 2007 at Mark Seigel’s– 7631 Stanford
(Policies & Procedures Draft will be on the agenda, please review before then)

Submitted by Bronwen Zwirner, Secretary

UCityUnited Board
January 11, 2007
Minutes Submitted by Secretary Bronwen Zwirner
In attendance: Jesse Swanigan, Mark Seigel, Lisa Greening, Bronwen Zwirner, Dave Olander, Acme Price, Shelley Welsch, Anna Marie Kiddon, Miriam Wilhelm, Stella Hughes, Michael Donovan, Margaret Johnson

Jesses asked that Board agree to follow ROPES (respect, openness, participation, empathy, safety) during our meetings.
Additions to the agenda: Shelley has a draft UCityUnited Operating Documents and Policies and Procedures
Minutes for December meeting accepted
Membership report (Bronwen) – no new members; one member resigned for personal reasons which included the wish for UCU to be more involved in issues.
Committee reports

Communication/monitoring: Michael & Mark
_ The new, permanent web site is in process (SEE attached proposal for phasing in features) The basics to be released by February public forum; including Pay Pal so that we can accept donations and memberships on-line; monitoring reports; ways to get involved linked to every committee description and activity; archives; calendar. Eventually the web site would be interactive, a place for people to discuss issues.
_ The board will look at a document that describes many issues of concern to UCity residents for possible inclusion on the web site.
_ Dave Olander has an idea for a logo that he will email out.
_ UCU needs a marketing/PR plan for getting more publicly recognized as a resource and a place to get involved.
_ Filing for 501(C)3 status is underway; it will cost $300 not $150 as originally reported.
_ Mark reported that there are very few monitors right now. All agreed that recruiting will be easier at the forums and when we get better known. Lisa volunteered to do a brief report at the Feb forum to help people understand what is entailed.

Issues: Margaret
_ Based on discussion from the December meeting Margaret proposed that this committee be re-named Issues Liaison, as the only real function is to be a conduit for those who want to bring up issues at the public meetings and for when there is a proposal for official UCU endorsement. (all part of draft UCityUnited Operating Documents and Policies and Procedures)

Leadership Development - Miriam
_ The first series of dates for Leadership UCity are March 22, 7-9 /Hawthorne school (UCity history); April 22 2-4 (UCity budget – where does the money come from, where does it go); May 12 9:30 – 11:30 (UCity development – comprehensive plan, neighborhood plans)
_ The committee proposes to trybthese three different days & times to test what works best for most people
Ad Hoc Forum Committee: Dave, Acme, Shelley, Anne Marie & Margaret
_ The full report is attached, outlining a process for public forums. UCU would sponsor 3 or 4 public meetings a year, each on e focusing on one issue and (1) as much time as possible will be given over to an “open mike” format; (2) we will offer participants a clear opportunity to get/stay involved with all issues (3) initially the issues will be chosen by the Board of Directors but need a selection process in future (4) there be a follow up meeting after each forum to give interested people a chance to really discuss ways to approach the issue presented.
_ PR via the web site and flyers is important (Communications Committee will take this on)
_ Feb 22 will be UCU first 2007 forum on race/cultural differences in UCity. Speakers have been contacted. Board agreed we need to find an African American facilitator. Margaret will ask Rudy Nickens; Bronwen will try Brenda Bobo Fisher if Mr. Nickens is unable to do it. It will be held at 7PM at the Pershing Elementary school.

Treasurers report
Commerce Bank account has been set up. Jesse and Mark are signers.
Balance of $291 in the account
Agreed that we must develop a fundraising plan beyond membership dues. Dave volunteered to donate money to help pay for the federal fee for the 501(c)3 status. Bronwen and Lisa will discuss other funding strategies.

Additions to agenda
Shelley has drafted UCityUnited Operating Documents and Policies and Procedures. They will be emailed to all and this will be discussed at the next board meeting.

Meeting adjourned. Next Board meeting will be February 6, 2007.

The Board of Directors elected officers and discussed process and content for future UCU forums and activities. The officers of UCU are:

Jesse Swanigan – President
Mark Siegel – Vice President
Lisa Greening – Treasurer
Bronwen Zwirner – Secretary

The next general meeting of UCU will take place in early February 2007.

The meeting was opened with a reminder that UCU is a membership organization, with dues at $5.00 per year.

More than 50 people attended this meeting highlighted by a presentation by University City School District Superintendent Dr. Victory and some of his staff. After a thorough presentation of District plans there was a Q & A session.

Committees reported briefly on activities:

Communications & Monitoring – Michael Donovan Chair
UCU’s web site is up and running. Log on at ucityunited.com OR ucityunited.org. Ongoing plans include posting reports from UCity boards and commission monitors listing of UCU and other meetings and events and contact information.

Issue – Margaret Johnson, Chair
The three issues currently being researched are:
Economic impact of Washington University on UCity
UCity School system
Efficiencies in government

Attendees interested in working with UCity government around the Cool Cities program announced their work and invited others to join with them.

Leadership UCity – Miriam Wilhelm, chair
A November 16 workshop at the Julia Goldstein Center on Kingsland will offer basic information about running for office.
A January – March series of workshops are designed to acquaint local citizens with UCity history and present day activities and challenges.
(Check the web site for more information about each of these workshops.)

UCU By Laws and Elections
Following a brief discussion, By Laws were accepted unanimously by those members present.

The following people were elected to the first Board of Directors of UCU

Ward 1 Bronwen Zwirner, Acme Price, David Olander

Ward 2 Lisa Greening, Shelley Welsch, Mark Siegel

Ward 3 Stella Hughes, Jesse Swanigan, Anne Marie Kiddon

The chairs of standing committees of UCU are also members of the Board: Michael Donovan, Miriam Wilhelm & Margaret Johnson.