Post Oil Solutions
MEETING SUMMARY
 5 December 07
 
PRESENT: Chandra, Frederick, George, Jane, Kiah, Liz, Sherry, Slug & Tim
NEW FOLKS: Deb Robinson, Katy Dutton
FACILITATOR: Sherry
NOTE TAKER: Tim
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
  • 13 November, "King Corn" will be screened at the Bellows Falls Opera House, 7:00, as a fund-raiser for WOOL
FISCAL AGENT:
After discussion, it was agreed that we would accept Vital Communities offer to serve as a fiscal agent for any grant we're successful in obtaining for the Sustainable Food Coordinator position.
Geoge, Liz, Sherry & Tim will visit Vital Communities in the new year to discuss the matter further with them. Sherry learned that their fee would be negotiable, depending on the number of transactions and other business they would have to transact for us.
 
501c3:
Continuing discussion from last month's meeting as to whether or not POS should seek 501c3 status:
  • concerns expressed about gov't control
  • fear expressed about losing our character and nature
  • agreed that we would retain our present non-hierarchical structure, and that any Board we would have to form for a 501c3 would be a formality
  • talk about the WFM applying for 501c3
  • if we were 501c3, we would be more attractive to potential foundation granters
  • we'll need to be more structured when we get grants
  • agreed that Tim would contact Phoebe Mills, a lawyer who is involved with the Windham Energy Group, to do a consultation for us at the January meeting.
KIAH'S UPDATE: FARM STAND DIRECTORY PROJECT
  • is completing her internship through classroom work
  • has contacted every town clerk, but with little success
  • has a data base
  • will contact the MA and NH Ag Dept. to get farm stand listings from those states' nearby farm stands.
FUND RAISING:
  • Scott Ainsle is very interested in doing a fund raising concert for POS, and will talk to other musicians in the Washington St area about joining him sometime in the Spring, perhaps around Earth Day.
  • Chandra will contact Peter Siegel about doing a fund raising community dance
COMMUNITY GARDEN:
  • Kathy Ernst and Mike Bosworth are interestred in pursuing a community garden in West Brattleboro
  • Housing Authority has 3 1/2 acres by Hayes Ct. in W. Bratt.
  • However, Hayes Ct. already has a community garden, so issue is who in W. Bratt would be interested
2 JAN 08 AGENDA:
  • Jane will facilitate the meeting
  • continuing discussion of POS & 501c3; possible consultation with Phoebe Mills 
  • Oct Retreat old business: info for forums on alternative living arrangements & conscious consumption
  • Should POS join Strolling of the Heiffers march, etc. in June?
  • POS postion on meat consumption (George)