Events Committee Meeting Minutes, 5/31/22

Chairs: Michelle Miller and Alix Giannetti
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Also in attendance: Heidi Moesinger, Elizabeth Doyle

Past Events Review

  • Savin Hill Park Tour, May 15
    • Turnout was good, around 20 people.
    • Heidi took photos.
    • Matt the videographer took video. Alix will be in touch with him.
    • Heidi will connect with Taufiq to create a photo gallery for the different events.

New Event Ideas

  • Kayaking at the Beach
    • Heidi will connect with the City of Boston and those in charge of McConnell Park.
      • Could be part of the Grand Opening of McConnell.
      • Could also be a separate event offered by the city.
    • Courageous Sailing is the company that offers this service to UMassBoston.
  • Savin Hill Happy Hour – Aaron “Bear” Berger
    • He did informal weekly music events at the top of the hill last year, which were popular. People have recently asked Alix about this.
    • The chairs will invite Aaron to our next meeting to discuss this further.
    • Look for a sponsor to give Aaron a stipend for this, or factor it into our budget.
    • In inclement weather, perhaps the Beat would be amenable to allowing us to use their community space.
  • Book Swap – July 16th or 17th , 10 AM to noon, or 9 to 11 AM.
    • Michelle will take the lead on this.
    • Possible places: Savin Hill Park, The Daily, Ryan Playground, Edison Green…
    • Easy table set up – have 10-15 books to start with. People bring books to swap.
    • Heidi can possibly get books from UMass library that are no longer used.
    • Include Susan Wadlington, who has the mini library on Grampian.
    • Left over books can be donated to More Than Words.
    • Heidi will help with advertisement.

Upcoming Events

  • McConnell Grand Opening
    • Heidi is in contact with the person in charge at the Parks Dept.
    • Local musicians should be used for music.
    • No set date as of yet.
  • DorchFest, June 4
    • Mostly an Ashmont Hill event.
    • We should consider collaborating with the organizers and expanding it to include our area for 2023.
  • Native American Event
    • We have a commitment from Dorchester Historical Society of $250 towards the $500 fee.
    • We are requesting a vote at the upcoming CSHCA general membership meeting to match that amount.
    • Once finances are secured, Doreen will contact Thomas Green to finalize arrangements.
      • Sunday, July 31, 1-2 PM is preferred.
      • Place: The top of Savin Hill.
      • Amplification – we will test the personal amplifier for range and effectiveness. If it is deemed insufficient, we will request a hard wire hook up from Bill Walczak.
      • Advertising will include flyers, social media, and a notice in The Dorchester Reporter.
  • Beautification Committee Plant and Bake Sale, June 11, 9 AM – 1 PM
    • Make a commitment to help out – man tables, pick up or donate plants, donate and sell baked goods… Let Elizabeth Doyle know how you will help and what time slots you can cover.
    • We need a way to transport donated plants from Home Depot and Star. Does anyone have a pick-up truck, station wagon, or vehicle that can hold a lot?
  • Food Tour – late July/early August?
    • Michelle shared her draft of a 2-sided flyer.
      • Great visuals on the flyer and nice first draft.
      • Try to condense into one-sided for ease of posting.
      • Create a square-formatted one for restaurants to post to their Instagram accounts.
      • Michelle will make edits to the flyer and share with the group.
  • Community Picnic at Patten’s Cove – August 13th , Noon to 2 PM or later
    • Alix will check with DCR about permitting.
    • Alix has emailed Catherine O’Neill (Friends of Patten’s Cove) about the event
    • Live Music
      • The Carney’s?  – Heidi will connect with them.
      • Alix will reach out via Facebook to see what bands are in the area that are willing to take part in community events.
      • Amplification possibilities
        • Get a generator and amps.
        • Use a neighbor’s electricity.
        • Ask The Beat to provide.
    • Bathrooms – PortaPotties, or ask the Beat if people could use their facilities.
    • Games, etc.
      • Cornhole (Michelle)
      • Frisbees (Heidi and Alix)
      • Scavenger Hunt – create a Google doc for ideas for items
      • Volleyball net?? – Who has one?
      • Balloon people (from the Easter Egg Hunt) – Michelle will contact Brie.
      • Boston Police Department ice-cream truck (ask Brie).
      • Bubble Table
      • Encourage people to bring their own games.
    • Fundraising – a 50/50 raffle- Doreen will contact Des regarding the whereabouts of the roll of raffle tickets that were used at the general meetings.
    • Invitations should include
      • Councilor Frank Baker
      • Senator Dan Hunt
      • Mayor Michelle Wu
      • Local business owners
      • Police and Fire Departments

Marketing and Budgeting

  • Heidi started a spreadsheet with the various events and expenses that she will reshare.
  • Budget for CSHCA Events Committee marketing expenses: printing costs of flyers, door hangers, T-shirts, name tags, banner for a table, branded frisbees, etc.
  • Factor in the costs of the events that include fees, stipends, materials, food, etc.
  • Budget Spreadsheet
    • Work together on populating the Google spreadsheet by the end of this week.
    • Discuss and finalize the spreadsheet on Sunday, June 5, 10 AM. Alix will provide the Zoom link.
    • Notify Elizabeth Doyle, president of CSHCA, with a Cc to Des Rohan, treasurer, of our request for a budget, and present the committee’s budget request for a vote at the general meeting on Monday, June 6th.

Other

  • Keep committee meetings on Zoom to accommodate ease of participation and foster greater engagement by community members.
  • Meet socially for coffee or drinks outside committee work to foster friendships.

Next meeting:  Tuesday, June 28, 7 PM on Zoom.