Grand Mound Rochester Horizons Project Steering Committee Meeting, April 21, 2009

Grand Mound Rochester Horizons April 21, 2009 Meeting @ Rochester Community Library

The meeting was called to order by Joe Baisch at 7:00 PM

Those present were: Joe Baisch, Joy Baisch, Suzanne Brown, Joan Hitchcock, Sheila Gray, Gene Weaver, Donna Smith, Marty Paterson, Stacy Winters, and Bill Liddle.

Joe summarized the Grand Mound Rochester Horizons Activities during the period of the Fall 2008/Spring 2009 by stating we have finished the “Study Circles” and “Leadership Plenty” phases. Additionally, the Rochester Water Association has agreed to have the Grand Mound Rochester Horizons Project as a sub-committee of their organization. They are a IRS designated 501(c)6 non-profit. Joe also explained that our next step is the “Visioning” phase where we must survey at least 15% of the community asking for their input. This task is already underway with the survey questionnaire being sent by the Rochester Water Association.

The following people were selected/volunteered to serve in these positions for the coming year as the Grand Mound Rochester Horizons Steering Committee. Susanne Brown, Co-chair; Bill Liddle, Secretary; and Joan Hitchcock, Treasurer. The positions of Steering Committee Vice-chair and Board Members remain unfilled at this time.

A discussion of the “Visioning Event” which will need to occur soon after the survey results have been received and analyzed. This event will bring the entire community together to select/propose projects to help reduce poverty in the area. It was tentatively agreed this event would be held at either the Rochester Middle School or the Rochester Community Center on Sunday afternoon, June 14, 2009. Donna Smith agreed to research a food caterer (possibly Bar-B-Que sandwiches & salads). Marty Paterson will check into location availability and promotion of the event with-in the community.

Joe mentioned one of the “Reduce Poverty” tasks already being initiated is a “Basic Computer Literacy” program for adults. Course materials are already in place and much of the preliminary planning has been done. This program will be for adults to help them become more employable.

No follow-up meeting was scheduled at this time because most, if not all, of the immediate issues can be transacted by e-mail. The next formal meeting will be set later and all interested individuals will be notified by e-mail.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM

Respectively submitted
Bill Liddle, Secretary
Grand Mound Rochester Horizons Project

Tuesday Evening, April 21st Meeting Moved to Rochester Community Library

The meeting tomorrow evening, April 21, 2009, has been moved from the conference room at the Rochester Community Center to the Rochester Community Library. The library is in the same building as the conference room but the entrance is across the courtyard. As you enter the courtyard from Bend Street the Library is across the courtyard and slightly to your left.

Also, to those who hve received questionaires in the mail please complete and return them in the provided envelope as soon as possible. Those answers will form the basis of our discussions about the "Vision" for the future of the Grand Mound Rochester area. Your input is a vital part of this discussion! Come out to be a part of the discussions because everyone has something to add.

Remember the meeting Tuesday, April 21st

Remember the next meeting of the Grand Mound Rochester Horizons group is this coming Tuesday, April 21st. We will be meeting in the conference room at the Rochester Community Center from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. All area residents are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings.

Turn north onto Bend Street from Hwy 12 just one block east of the traffic light. The building entrance is to your left as you enter the courtyard.

This meeting will be the first of several looking at the vision for your community. Every one has something to offer and your input is not only welcome but is also vital for deciding the future of the Grand Mound Rochester community.

New Meeting Time & Date

We will meet again on Tuesday evening, April 21, 2009 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the conference room at the Rochester Community Center. Enter the building from the Bend Street side of the building. The door is to your left as you enter the courtyard.

Your continued participation in this project is needed for it to be successful - everyone has something to contribute!

Below is a copy of the message I received from Joe Baisch this afternoon bringing us up-to-date information.

Hello Folks.. We have not forgot about you....We meet with the Rochester Water Association last week to discuss placing the Grand Mound Rochester Horizons Project under their Non Profit Corporation. We brought with us the Horizons Community Survey that was used last year. Lowell Deguise offered to send out the survey if we would print it.....It was dilivered to him on Monday April 6th. If you recall...We needed to attempt to contact at least 15% of your community to introduce the Horizons Project and during the Visioning Phase, bring the community together to introduce projects, add projects to the list, establish working committees and get going with all the great ideas community folks have offered. On Tuesday April 21 we will disucss when and where we will hold the Community Visioning Meeting. Bill and Susanne have co chaired the project thus far...We will talk about what the steering Committee responsibilities will look like after the Visioning Meeting and what will happen during the Action Phase of Horizons....Please contact everyone who has participated thus far and invite them to the meeting. In addition, let everyone know that the Horizons surveys will be comming in the mail soon and to please return them ASAP. More Later...Thanks Joe