Minutes from the BRAGTS Board of Directors Meeting

October 8, 2007

 

 

In attendance:  Michael Kearney, Gideon Carter III, Richard Truman, Sherry Scardina, Anita Haywood, Donald Jennings, Lannette Cohen, Jennifer St. Cyr, Julie Sheffield, Carlos Sam, Sherry Brock, Judy O’Dell

 

Treasurers Report (Gideon Carter)

       Previous balance = $10,352.84

       Expenses this month:

o   $448.70 for pencils

o   $51.80 for brochure

o   $82.88 for 5th grade fall activity (Anita)

o   $44.70 for Fall General Meeting (so far)

       Resulting balance = $9724.76

 

Membership/Website (Dick Truman)

       Mailbox was cleared out, resulting in 5 new email addresses

       New total is 627 email addresses

       In September, there were 414 visits to the website (slightly higher than last year)

       Links to the Fall 2007 newsletter and Lannette Cohen’s recent letter to the Advocate were sent out today via list-serve

       Michael suggested that Julie Sheffield’s email to School Board also be put on website

           

Programs (Anita Haywood)

       Fall general meeting will be October 23rd at the Instructional Resource Center.

o   6:00 - 6:30       Social

o   6:30 - 7:00       Business Meeting

o   7:00 – till         Presentation by Gifted Office + discussion of dedicated gifted sites

       Michael will send an “official” email to Sherry Scardina asking school principals to publicize via phone tree

       Meeting will also be publicized via list-serve

       The logo contest winner(s) will be announced at the meeting.

       Michael will discuss the need for dedicated gifted sites.

 

Public Relations (Don Jennings)

       The pencils are in.  Don brought several to the meeting.  They will be available at Fall General Meeting and EBR mania

 

Logo Contest (Don Jennings)

       148 logo contest entries were received.  Attendees each selected up to five favorites by secret ballot.  This exercise resulting in 32 total entries that received at least one vote and 13 that received more than one vote.  The 13 were presented for a second vote.  This time, each attendee selected up to 3 (?) favorites, which resulted in 2 entries tied with the most votes.  The winner was selected with a final vote on these two 2 entries.  Many beautiful items of artwork were submitted; unfortunately some were too detailed for a logo.

 

Update from GT Office (Sherry Scardina and Carlos Sam)

       Latest (October 2007) G/T and scholastic academy detailed enrollment numbers were distributed as well as October 2006 and March 2007.

       Sherry brought posters for EBR Mania, which will be October 27th from 10-4 at Cortana Mall.

       Promotional outlets for EBR Mania include:  225 magazine, Clear Channel radio, WBRH, postcards, phone calls

       St. Luke’s Episcopal School invited G/T (and magnet?) to their 8th grade “high school day”

       McKinley High visitation day for 8th graders will be November 16th.

 

New President Elect

       Don Jennings agreed to be our new President Elect with the understanding that Julie Sheffield (and others) will provide legwork as needed because of Don’s concern about his job demands and travel schedule.  

 

Budget

 

       After some discussion the following budget passed unanimously:

Academic Competition for 5th grade (spring?)                       $100

Fall activity for 5th grade                                                        $100

Fall (or spring?) activity for other grades                               $500

Spring and Fall meetings                                                        $200

Logo contest winner(s)                                                           $150

Brochure and other promotions                                              $1000

Teacher of Year (TOY) awards                                              $350

Website                                                                                   $130

 

       We may need to ask for dues again in the future, or at least one-time donations

       Dick suggested that we consider abandoning surface mail for disseminating information

 

Dedicated Gifted Sites

       Much discussion about our campaign for Gifted sites and upcoming meeting with Charlotte Placide and Bob Stockwell (10/16/07, Conf Room A of School Board Bldg) and Fall General meeting.