Home | About RNA | My Ravinia | The News | Blogs | Business District |
Board & Governance |
Meeting Agendas & Minutes |
Advertising |
Bylaws |
History |
Events Calendar |
Photo Gallery |
Local Map |
Newsletter |
Business Directory |
TIF Project |
RNA Blog |
Living in Ravinia |
Down The Drain |
1.
Notes from RNA board meeting November 2, 2017,
called to order at 7:03. Board members present: Mike Stroz, Doug Purington,
Michael Babian, Brett Tolpin , Amy Lohmolder, Jeff Stern. Board members absent:
Carolyn Cerf (without notice) and Dan Baigelman Justin Kee, (both with notice).
A quorum was present. The RNA thanks Design Quartet for hosting our November meeting
2.
President Report: (given by Mike Stroz with
Justin absent)
2.1.
Justin is taking over the newsletter on a
temporary basis. He is looking for content so Board members need to think about
submitting articles for next newsletter.
2.2.
With schools closing their will be new
boundaries, perhaps Lisa Hirsh could write something, Mike Stroz will approach,
note: I was unsuccessful.
2.3.
Perhaps an article about the recent crime at the
nail salon, and what to do if a situation like that arises.
3.
Treasurer’s report by Mike Babian:
3.1.
Reporting on over $50.00 expenditures:
3.1.1. Check
to Doug Purington for $192 for recent Facebook boosts.
3.2.
Account Balances:
3.2.1. Checking
account $6621
3.2.2. CD
$5288
3.2.3. Total
$11,909
4.
Publicity/Membership/Business District Update
from Doug:
4.1.
Membership
4.1.1. Membership
unchanged. About 50 who have not renewed.
4.2.
Newsletter
4.2.1. Content
need urgently.
4.2.2. Ads
– have started soliciting ads for winter newsletter. Nine are leftover with 6
new ads. 6.25 pages of ads so cost of newsletter is covered.
4.3.
Business update:
4.4.
Whittey & Ravinia Brewing now plan on
opening in early March.
4.4.1.1.
A bit of redesigning going on as a wall dividing
Whittey’s and The Brewing operation was not load bearing and has been removed
and they will now share a kitchen.
4.4.1.2.
Commission voted 6-0 to approve changes except
for two wall sized murals facing Walgreens that still need to be voted on.
4.4.1.3.
Projected opening date for both operations is
March 1, 2018
4.5.
Mike S asks if there was a presence at the
recent Historical Ravinia event at Braeside. There was no table, so no new
members, hopefully this will be rectified for future events.
5.
Vote for Board Member at Large Replacement
5.1.
Replacement for Carolyn Cerf as she has missed 5
meeting without notice and has been unresponsive to repeated email.
5.2.
In her place the Board has recruited and she has
agreed to serve, Jean Meier who has played a role in supporting the RNA in the
past.
5.3.
Doug makes a motion to remove Carolyn, Brett
seconds, vote is 6 to 0.
5.4.
Mike Babian makes a motion to add Jean to the
RNA Board member at large, Doug seconds, vote is 6 to 0.
5.5.
We welcome Jean and express our thanks to Carolyn
for her past contributions.
6.
Presentation by group working with Curt’s
(cultivating unique restaurant training) Café
6.1.
Helps youth in crisis. Planning on opening a
café in downtown Highland Park next year.
6.2.
Volunteers working to make this a reality would
like RNA’s support.
6.3.
Would like RNA contribution as $250,000 needs to
be raised (much has already been but
more importantly they want RNA us to communicate to our members educate and
advocate the benefits of Curt’s Café.
6.4.
Doug suggests that we might want to use RNA
Facebook to promote.
6.5.
Discussion ensues that perhaps we might want to
have an article written or a free ad.
6.6.
Doug make a motion to support Curt’s Café in an
informative but non-monetary method. However, motion is not seconded and no vote
occurs.
6.7.
Consensus is we want to be supportive but are
concerned if something negative happens.
A poll is suggested but since Curt’s Café is not within our geographical
area this may not make sense.
6.8.
Justin to contact Andy about content for a
newsletter article. Andy Amend andyamend@me.com
and/or Rich Amend rich.amend@gmail.com
7.
Discussion: Holiday Night Out Event – December
14
7.1.
The Board at the instigation of Mike B would
like to have an event in December for the entire RNA membership.
7.2.
Jeff Cohen has said is space is available,
Thursday, Dec 14 6:00 to 9:00. Theme is Hippy Holiday, a 60’s Holiday Party.
7.3.
A separate Children Photography session will be
held on Saturday morning, Dec 16 at Jeff Cohen with Santa.
7.4.
There will be Drawings and Prizes (Gift
Certificates & Baskets). Mike B to coordinate.
7.5.
Expected attendance 50 to 75
7.6.
There will be Beer and Wine and Food. As much as
possible donated by the merchants. RNA contribution, if needed.
7.7.
Tables could be made available by Design
Quartet.
7.8.
Contest for best Costume?
7.9.
Amy and Mike B to come up with signs and tag
lines.
8.
Discussion of RNA working with the Ravinia
Farmer’s Market. Ed Kugler
8.1.
Ravinia Farmer’s Market needs to be sponsored by
a non profit organization in order to get maximum support from City and RBDA.
They won’t give the same support to a for profit organization. The City does
not want to support two Farmer’s Markets but if both were run by nonprofits
perhaps we could get some City support, especially in the way of banners, signs
and printed material.
8.2.
Mike B, Contacted lawyer, no issue with us as
the entity “apply to run the Farmer’s Market’ , even with our 503c status.
Attorney will attend next meeting.
8.3.
Application needs be submitted in January.
8.4.
Proposal: RNA becomes the official sponsor of
the Ravinia Farmer’s Market.
8.4.1. RNA
fills out the paperwork and the name on the City Permit would be RNA.
8.4.2. RNA
can hire Ed Kugler to run the operation. Ed would join the RNA Board.
8.4.3. Vendors
would register to the RNA with Ed facilitating. Each vendor would give RNA the
money and insurance info.
8.4.4. RNA
would pay Ed and Ed’s company would be the operating partner. Currently the
farmers and vendors pay approximately $195 for the season, in the past it was
about $110. This amount is contemplated in the future or perhaps just a bit
more.
8.4.5. Ed
would like the RNA and other sponsors to create a cloth bag as a goodwill give
away. This should be investigated.
8.4.6. It
is proposed that the RNA attempt a trial of one year of being the non profit
sponsor of the Ravinia Farmers’ Market.
8.4.7. A
vote on this is expected at the Dec 7th Meeting
9.
Transition to Nation Builder – This issue was tabled
until December meeting
10.
Historic Ravinia Update – This issue was tabled
until December meeting.
11.
Other Business
11.1.Jeff Stern has copies of
minutes from previois years and would like the RNA to file them somewhere.
12.
Adjournment at 8:48 PM.