August 2016 Monthly Meeting

Sep 12, 2016

Minutes

NBHA General Meeting

August 8, 2016 at 7:00pm

North Brunswick Municipal Building, 710 Hermann Road

Conference Room # 1

Meeting called to order by Cheryl Vitow at 7:05

 

Introductions by membership

 

The July minutes were read and accepted. June minutes will be available for next month’s meeting.

Attendees: Cheryl Vitow; Jocelyn Caffrey; Leslie Earle; Susan Keller; Lisa Coletta; Dan Smith; Mary Ann Santo; Donna Hildreth; Kicia Powell; Jas-Lynn Singh; Katie Burke; Beth Meichenbaum; Glen Brownworth; Jane Prestup; Dave Prestup; Nancy Costello; Jackie Gminder; Carol Paszamant; Michele Andrea

Treasurer’s Report – Our funds are up this year by $1000 compared to the same time last year. Written report is available upon request.

 

PRIORITY ISSUES

Secretary Position is still open. Donna Hildreth and Michele Andrea are covering those duties for now. We expect position to be filled soon. This will be an interim position until the January election.

 

Pet Food Bank – We are still revising the administration of the Pet Food Bank. Some individuals, two rescues, 3 individuals, and a shelter continue to receive food from us.

 

Education Program – The Education Program was discussed. Nancy Costello, Beth Meichenbaum, and Cheryl Vitow will be on the Education Committee. Beth Meichenbaum will be teaching an 8th Grade class in September and will want to engage her students in animal welfare issues.  New members Jas-Lynn Singh and Katie Burke are also interested in the education program. It was noted that Vince Sheehan has made presentations this year and that Donna Hildreth continues to do TNR training at People for Animals.

 

Scholarship – Susan Keller and Cheryl Vitow continue to develop the criteria for the scholarship. A plan is expected to be ready by the fall and will be launched the next school year.

 

Community Cat Program – The CCP subsidized 17 cats in July. We continue to receive donations and offsets for the TNR. The monies set aside for the 50 Feral Fix will be restored to the CCP budget and the 50 Feral Fix will be covered by general funds.

 

  • The second 50 Feral Fix will be held on October 13, 2015 at People for Animals in Robbinsville. There will be a SpayShuttle component with pick up and drop off at Katie’s Pet Depot. NBHA will cover the spay/neuter costs for the feral package of $55, which include vaccinations. Participants will have to cover all extra costs. We expect to open registration for The 50 Feral Fix in September.

 

  • Pizza for Paws Fundraiser – Thursday, October 20, 2016. Tickets sales opened at $25.00 per person. We will not be able to have a raffle because we cannot secure a license in time. However, we will have a silent auction and door prizes. As seating will be limited, several people made reservations at the meeting. When the link for online registration opens, it will be sent to people via email. Many members signed up for tasks and Donna will confirm with them. Thank you everyone who volunteered!

 

  • Barnes and Noble Book Fair & Giftwrapping – Saturday, December 17, 2016. Thanks for all the members who signed up for the giftwrapping – Leslie Earl, Carol Paszamant, Susan Keller, Katie Burke, Jas-Lynn Singh; Jackie Gminder; Nancy Costello, and Mary Ann Santo. Donna Hildreth will be contact the volunteers to confirm time slots.

 

Beth Meichenbaum is arranging for an art class to do a special project to be displayed at our Bookfair. More details to follow include distribution of vouchers to be used at purchase on December 17; a list of books suggested for purchase. An agenda for the day’s events.

 

NBHA will get a percentage of the sales when people present the voucher at the time of purchase. Flyers, emails and vouchers will be distributed closer to the event. For now, save the date to do some holiday shopping on Saturday, December 17 at Barnes & Noble.

 

PROGRAM REVIEW – CURRENT

 

Fundraising Updates

  • Michele Andrea reported that we received $450 for the car wash at South Brunswick Car Wash on July 24. Michele thanked the volunteers – Jackie, Kicia, Donna, Susan, Emily, Nancy, Dave & Jane.
  • Leslie Earle reported that we received approximately $150 at our Dine to Donate at Leone’s. Leone’s was happy to have us and would like to have us back.
  • Other fundraiser in July included $418 Can Shake at ShopRite, which will be used for cat food, and $161 Garden State Cat Show.
  • Cheryl Vitow announced that her charity bowling league will be donating $803. Members are encouraged to join the Friday Night League. Cheryl will have flyers available at the next meeting.

 

Dog Walkathon and Adoption Day – October 2, 2016. Sunday, October 2 (Rain Date; October 16), Michele Andrea and Dan Smith, Coordinators. This is our 13th dog walk. We can use as much help as we can get for this wonderful and fun-filled event. Michele continues to recruit sponsors.  Michele thanked Dave and Jane Prestup for acquiring gift cards for the dog walk. Michele and Dan will continue finalizing the tri-folds and signs. Details to follow at the next meeting. In the meantime, everyone is asked to save the date now! The NJSPCA may be at the dog walk and would like to talk to our membership about their work.

 

Other events:

Thank you Dan Smith and Michele Andrea for representing NBHA at the National Night Out.

 

Future Events Review – Call for Volunteers – Thanks to all who volunteered to help at the following events. You will be contacted with details soon.

  • ACME Supermarket Cat Food Drive – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Saturday, August 20 (Nancy Costello, Donna Hildreth, Michele Andrea)
  • Colt’s Neck Pet Fair – September 10 & 11 – 11:30 am – 3:00 pm (Jane and Dave Prestup; Dan Smith; Michele Andrea; Donna Hildreth. Others to be confirmed.)
  • Heritage Day – Saturday, September 24 (Rain date – September 25) – details to be announced.
  • We will not be doing Arts in the Park this year.

 

We did not participate in the County Fair charity table this year, but hope to do it again next year.

Susan Keller and Donna Hildreth will look into purchasing animal face masks for our tabling events.

 

We thank all our members for attendance at meetings. This was a very productive meeting and we appreciate all the ideas and feedback and volunteering! We welcome the new members and are looking forward to working together to help local animals!