Meeting Minutes for Sept. 19, 2011

Present: Eric, Celia, Jen, Ginny (secretary), Katey, Laura (leader and minutes writer)
Absent: Kate TT (fined two points)

1. We discussed Karen's departure from the group and a stupid accounting error that I, Laura, did. The upshot of that was that we used 10 points from the bank to balance out Karen's points. All members agreed to this, and we will also disperse the remaining points from the bank next time we can do it without fractions.

2. The question "how is the co-op working for you?" on the table. There have been a lot of changes for families and the group itself (people leaving and returning from work, children going to school full-time, etc) and with Karen's departure it seemed like a good time to recalibrate. Answers ranged from "it could be better" to "too unclear to tell right now, ask again later."

3. Given that there is room for improvement, it looks as if we will be not starting a recruitment drive so much as asking around. Recruitment is headed up by the Leader, but as we're a co-op and these things are dynamic based on you and who you know, we should all be scouting potential victims and chatting them up subtly. If you know anyone who you think would work well in the group, and whose children would, please let them know and refer them to our public website for interested potential members. http://babysittingcoopinfo.blogspot.com/ Potential recruits named were Abigail, the Dads, and Allura. Start networking/chatting! Workable geography is helpful - Jackson Heights is, sadly, probably a bit far.

4. Basic reminders to everyone went about responding to sit requests in a timelier fashion, as we've all be dragging a little on it. Please remember to leave a comment in the sit request when you are responding "undecided" so that it's clear you've responded.

5. We postponed any major conversations or decisions about reducing our "administrative costs" by eliminating a secretary, but we did basically all agree that our goal wouldn't be to be to ditch the person who oversees/cheerleads/facilitates so much as merge that position in with the Leader's. Laura promised to have more concrete proposals on the table by the next meeting. That is good, because after Ginny finishes her term at the end of October, we have no more secretaries scheduled. If we follow precedent, it will revert back to oldest-serving member first, so the new cycle would be two month consecutive stints in this order: Eric, Celia, Jen, Katey, Kate, Laura (I can't do it between Eric and Celia b/c I will still be leader then.)

6. Small note: please remove Karen from your buddy list in 30boxes, to avoid confusion.

7. The next meeting is slated for Monday, Nov. 21, which is Thanksgiving week. Please note it in your calendars now, as it will likely be a busy time for us all.