Chair / Review of 2006/7

2006-7 Annual Report from the Chair

April 2, 2007

Many thanks to all the Community Volunteers who made all this possible!!

WACO/Board composition and structure:

  1. All Board members now sit in front of general meetings with representation identified.
  2. Willow Health Organization (WHO) recognized as local community organization.
  3. Willow Parent Teacher Association (PTA) recognized as a local community organization with a seat on the Board.
  4. Willow Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) recognized as local community organization with a seat on the Board.
  5. Willow Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) status changed by Board vote to Special Standing Committee of WACO, Erv Dedeker as chair.
  6. Representatives from the local organizations are identified in writing for the record.
  7. Recognized Willow 2020 as a Special Committee with Erv Dedeker as chair, whose function was to provide education to the community about comprehensive planning. This group has now been disbanded after several education opportunities were provided.
  8. Board Training conducted by Sandra Dillon. This training and Robert’s Rules of Order used to improve processes and meetings.
  9. Held Officers meetings to begin process of creating Board member manuals that will help with transferring policies and procedures as Board members change.
  10. Parliamentarian role not filled. Currently utilizing knowledge of 3 board members with this expertise when needed.
  11. Added Pledge of Allegiance to general meeting agenda.
  12. Added Persons to speak to the agenda.
  13. Agenda’s, minutes, letters sent, forum to discuss current issues, upcoming events, scheduling for Community Center and other communications all available on the website.
  14. Minutes no longer read out at meetings.
  15. Email mailing group developed and utilized for official news to WACO members.
  16. Willow Breeze remains a wonderful communication tool.

Major Actions achieved in last year:

  1. Willow Trails Plan adopted.
  2. Website developed and expanded.
  3. Requested the Borough to support efforts to develop a Comprehensive Plan.
  4. Willow Kash Timber sale opposed.
  5. Game mounts donated to the Willow Historical and Wildlife Foundation.
  6. Automated External Defibrillator mounted in the hallway across from the library; library staff and caretaker trained in its use.
  7. Caretaker contract revised extensively, Library Janitorial contract revised minimally to assure compliance with state Wage and Hour Laws.
  8. Changed caretakers for the Community Center.
  9. Changed janitorial staff for the library contract.
  10. Sold the Old Community Center for $1 to the Willow Historical and Wildlife Foundation for development into a museum. Retained annually renewable lease to the building until it is no longer available.
  11. Efforts to allow Willow Historical and Wildlife Foundation to negotiate to buy the WACO managed land around the old Community Center were not supported.
  12. Community Enrichment program revitalized.
  13. Requested and received DEC review of our kitchen facilities. Minor changes corrected.
  14. Fire Marshall Recommendations implemented fully.
  15. Audit conducted and our books found to be in good order.
  16. Quick Books implemented to upgrade computerized financial record keeping.
  17. Clarified ability for Officers to spend budgeted lines for their functions, e.g. Community Center expenses by Vice Chair.
  18. Kitchen fees for community organizations using the building both rescinded and refunded.
  19. Carnival theme moved to the Annual meeting; Carnival Volunteer Dinner changed to Volunteer Honor Dinner.
  20. Invitation to Candidate Forum refused by Alaska Senate and House candidates.
  21. Any costs associated with the Small Claims action by WACO against Shawn McCray must be approved in advance of expense.

Major Events successfully conducted or supported:

  1. Annual Clean Up Day.
  2. July 4th Parade and Picnic with the Lions and Emergency Management Services (An Old Fashioned Fun Time!).
  3. First Annual Octoberfest and Money Raffle.
  4. Annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair.
  5. Annual Holiday Dinner.
  6. 46th Willow State Annual Winter Carnival.
  7. Family Movie Night.
  8. Junior Iditarod Finish and Banquet.
  9. 2007 Iditarod Restart.

Community Center Improvements:

  1. Stage curtains (fireproof) replaced.
  2. Stage surface refurbished.
  3. Paper off the walls.
  4. Interior painted.
  5. Cage and all storage areas being cleaned out and rearranged.
  6. Electricity extended to the Pavilion.

Finances/Money in and out:

  1. Main fundraiser is Carnival (net almost $19,000).
  2. Octoberfest net almost $5000, to purchase major raffle items for upcoming Carnival.
  3. Iditarod Restart is another major fundraiser (net about $5500).
  4. $6000 anonymously donated to pay for the new curtains.
  5. Trails committee received $10,000 grooming grant.
  6. Almost $5000 granted to WACO by the Borough for grounds and banners improvements to support the Carnival.
  7. MTA provided one year of free website service valued at $180.
  8. Unsuccessfully sought Bed Tax grants (resubmitted last year’s list).
  9. Grants provided to 3 Willow Elementary students for their annual trip to Katchemak Bay.

Processes that will continue into the next year:

  1. Defense against Pralle’s lawsuit against WACO, the WACO Board and the 7 named individuals.
  2. Define ways to shorten meetings.
  3. Pursue any and all appropriate grants to support Willow and Community Center functions.
  4. Lay ground wire to finish electricity availability at the Pavilon.
  5. Siding to the outside of the Community Center.
  6. New carpet inside Community Center.
  7. AED signage posted.
  8. AED and CPR classes for all interested in our community.
  9. Sponsor food handler classes from DEC once regulations and class content finalized.
  10. Address need for hand washing sink in the kitchen.
  11. Review and implement savings options for electricity and other utilities costs.
  12. Vigilance about borough, state and federal plans expected to significantly affect Willow.
  13. Gathering of information about the possibility of buying the land around the Community Center at below market value from the Borough. We have been offered an anonymous donation of $20,000 should we decide to pursue this action.
  14. Pursue information about the costs of postal service.
  15. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WAYS TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN THE FUN AND FUNCTIONS OF WILLOW!!!

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Oxley, Chair

Willow Area Community Organization
Linda Oxley, Chair
Phone: 2615 Email: chair@waco-ak.org
Meets: 1st Monday/Month, WCC, 7:00PM

Powered by PmWiki