8/15/05

Hughes-Carnegie Center  Meeting

Plymouth Congregational Church, RM 201N,  4:00

In attendance : Reta Cosby, Mike Caron, Hans Fischer, Nancy Hiebert, Barb Watkins

Reta suggested that the group support and partner with the Kansas One Book, One State program opportunity to celebrate Children’s Book Week, Nov. 14-20 (www.kansas readsto kids.org) to establish a partnership with the library, create more reading opportunities for children, and to gain visibility for our group. In this venture, we would partner with existing community organizations

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Mike suggested that the Doug. Co. jail might be interested in collaborating to include its dads’ program.

Hans advocated involving local daycare centers and senior citizens residences—Brandon Woods, Presbyterian Manor, Drury Place, and Pioneer Ridge.

Mike suggested that since the building won’t be ready until 2007, at the earliest, the Americana music group might lose interest. (maybe not—see the message at the bottom)

Hans suggested that we apply for grants to help cover some of the project expenses.

Barb commented that without staff or a facility, it is difficulty to write grants and to be competitive in the grant environment. Who will write the grants?

Reta suggested that it is important to start by sponsoring and organizing programs to make our group more visible She also suggested that we work with local churches on the One Book project.

Barb suggested that local agencies—Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc--might be willing to fund small amounts toward the One Book project.

Nancy believes that our future depends on getting City Commission support and the time available for programs form our volunteer group.

Mike and Nancy both asserted that it is important to get Dolph Simons behind our work and maybe this project (One Book, One State) is a good place to start.

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Barb described the 2.5M Kellogg proposal that was just submitted in partnership with the Arts Center and the KU School of Education. The HCC could be a site for programming in the future. Van Go will be an initial program site.

Hans asserted that the HCC needs to demonstrate its viability and potential.

Mike followed that we need to create a track record.

We agreed to take on individual tasks to prepare for possible participation in the One Book program before we meet again Aug 29 to make a firm decision.

Reta will talk with Linda Clay at the Library to see what the Library has planned already and to explore how to get senior citizens involved in the reading.

Barb will contact Vikki Jo to tell her of our interest and to see what others in the state are doing.  (Vikki Jo will attend our Aug. 29 meeting).

The group agreed that we need to get broad-based HCC supporters involved.

It was also suggested that it might be good to have the City Commissioners  do individual reading groups with kids and to ask  Ch.  6 involved to have a photo op.

Nancy suggested that it is important to get CC members informed about the Kellogg proposal.

Reta, Nancy, and Hans reminded us of the parallels between our start-up period and the arts center.

Barb suggested that Sandy Wiechert would be a great addition to the program team to help with the One Book project.

Meeting adjourned at 5:20. The next meeting will be at Plymouth Aug 29, 4:00.