Minn-Kota Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale, Inc.
General Board Minutes
April 10, 2010, 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln Hills Bible Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 

 Opening: Bobbi Waltner called the meeting to order, and opened with prayer.

  Secretary's report:  We approved the November 7, 2009 minutes.

Treasurer's report:  Anita Neufeld reported we have raised about $12,500 towards our $27,000 budget.

 Introductions:  Executive Board members introduced themselves.  Everyone present was asked to sign an attendance sheet and notify the board of changes in church representatives.

 Approval of recent appointment:  Sandy Robertson  moved and Peter Preheim seconded a motion to approve Emily Doughty to complete Juli Leaman's term on the Minn-Kota Executive Board.  The motion carried.

 Items to pick up:  Elizabeth Janssen  brought MCC materials  and encouraged us to contact her at the MCC office in Freeman, South Dakota with questions.  The Advertising Committee brought newly designed brochures. Cowboy boots are this year's Penny Power containers.  There are five different cookie recipes to take.  Peter Preheim asked us to distribute donation forms to churches.  They are available at the Et Cetera Shoppe in Freeman.  Items sell for a significantly higher price if they are listed in the auction booklet, so make sure donation forms are in by June 20. Sticky-backed labels are available.  Edie Tschetter brought instructions for theme baskets.  Posters will be available later.  Lynette Preheim brought organizational lists (a listing of who is responsible for each booth, with contact information).

 Ideas and questions:  For the Children's Festival (Shaking in our Boots With Fun: Helping Earthquake Victims) Sandy Robertson needs unusable boots and shoes.  Please email her regarding how many and what kind you can contribute.   Contact her about the booth your church is planning; her goal is twenty-four booths.  She is arranging $10 sponsorships for children of foster parents, so tell her if you have sponsors.  Also, if you know a place children would like a gift certificate from, tell Sandy and she will request a donation.

The Board is bringing Bob Vortruba (onemillionactsofkindness.com) to speak at the sale Friday night. He will stay several days and is open to more speaking engagements.

There will be some floor plan changes from last year, such as moving the booths in from the lobby.  Those preparing food outside noted problems with the wind. The new brochure (designed by Bobbi Gaukel) looks terrific. Reserving a block of hotel rooms by the arena would help those who need to stay Friday night.

Planning for 2011:  Peter Preheim noted that the sale is always in flux.  What will the next big sellers be?  Suggestions included antiques, an art gallery, and an expanded farmers market. 

The Executive Board is discussing whether we need to change the location of the sale.  The Convention Center and the Multicultural Center were suggested.

Marketing to women, through Facebook, and through Twitter were suggested.

 Melvin Koehn closed with prayer.

 Maryann Harder, recording secretary

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