February 15, 2024

1) CALL TO ORDER/ESTABLISH QUORUM (2/15): called to order 7:01, Quorum established

Mark Alexander

Diane Decker

Grace Johnston

Diane Kelly

Marc Miller

Shannon Turlington

Meg Stouffer

Nancy Crews

Tess Tessier

William McLean

Jody Smith

Melissa Bourbon Ramirez

Absent:

Wendy Scott

Jen Tolliver

2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING- approved

3) TREASURER’S REPORT- $37,620 Total in both accounts

1. $2000 was spent on furniture purchases
2. Interest rate in Money Market was increased from 1% to 4%
3. Grace Johnson was added to the bank account

4) MEMBERSHIP REPORT- 146 active members. 4 gifts totaling about $100

5) LIBRARY REPORT

1. Any NC library has access to the UNC college libraries for free, with a few exceptions. OCPL inter-library loans are resuming. They will be free for patrons.
2. Sensory-friendly Browsing hour will begin March 22 and will continue the 4th Wednesday of each month
3. Black Church Roots: Fil Viewing with Dr. Freddie Parker, Hon. Beverly Scarlett, Horace Johnson is happening on Saturday, February 17th
4. Author event on Feb 18th. Tess will be there representing the Friends. Diane Decker will fill in if necessary

6) BUSINESS -

1. Audit report. Jen and Diane K completed the audit. They reported that everything looked good.
   1. First Horizon only provided statements for Jan-May and Dec
   2. The checking account increased from $15462.80 at the beginning of the year and ended at about $19,000 at the end of the year. The savings account was essentially the same.
2. Bylaws committee update: Met last week. Proposed changes will be sent out after the meeting.
   1. Grace shared the minor changes. Discussion of whether or not to include
   2. Hillsborough in the identification.
      1. Jody reported that the suggestion will be to have one friends group for the library, with a Carrboro/Southern branch chapter.
      2. The decision to take out ‘Hillsborough’ was decided, voted on and passed
   3. The committee section was revised. Membership, finance, and others were eliminated. The president can make ad hoc committees as needed. Only the executive committee remains.
   4. Added for compliance that virtual directors can vote and can be part of the quorum.
   5. Audit committee parameters were established.
   6. Legal responsibilities of directors researched. Loyalty, care, and obedience… The director will meet these expectations.
   7. Worked to make the bylaws a general overview of the organization eliminating the smaller details that could become outdated or irrelevant.
   8. Review every 5 years
3. Vote of Funding Request
   1. Discussion on how the “Book Walks” will work. Damaged panels will be replaced at cost. Replacement money is not requested at this time. Maybe in the future.
      1. FOCPL is a full funding request, voted and passed unanimously.
      2. Efland Park was chosen as the Book Walk location as they are trying to grow community services. The location is also behind an elementary school.
      3. This project will stay funded by Friends, with installation and maintenance by Parks and Rec.
      4. The expectation is to fund annually, roughly $4000 based on changing stories quarterly.
      5. Discussion about how to add a sponsorship opportunity. The decision was made to offer a $250 member/$500 for business sponsorship. Sponsors’ names will be on the final panel.
   2. $8305 unanimous funding for Book Walk
      1. Additional storyboard ideas for $285 will be explored
4. SA Cosby and Eryk Pruitt Author Request
   1. Discussion on whether an author event is part of our mission.
      1. Review of our mission: grant-giving org that conducts fundraising activities to fund activities requested by the library
         1. The main purpose is to raise money or to raise awareness
      2. Discussion to possibly tie into an event–to launch
      3. Discussion ensued about what it means to change the mission and add to the bylaws, and the commitment that means
      4. Event tabled for now
5. NC Public Library Directors Association request of $500–Approved
6. Book Sale
   1. Library Sale Signs–3 people are needed to distribute signs
   2. Discussion about not blocking doors to the parking lot during the event, yet still preventing people from entering/exiting
   3. Shannon will set up Sign Up Genius
      1. We need help to get the books out and set up–10 people suggested
      2. Diane D will post prices on the whiteboard before books are set up in front of them
      3. Add additional signage near the kids' section–each kid gets 3 free books
      4. Friends member only on Thursday before
      5. Bring paper bags to book room
7. Library Appreciation update, Monday, April 8
   1. Corniccione catering again. Approval of $1300 funding for meal and prep
   2. Everything is to be finalized at the next meeting

8) ADJOURN 8:23 pm