Those present:
Franklin Evans
Bob Bruhin
Diana Grayfox
Morgan Beard
Nancy Lebowitz
George Reinhardt 1. Franklin presented the final report for Electra

He loaned the production $4053.41 in sundry expenses, and is requesting reimbursement of a minimum of $2,000. Board agreed in principle that he should be reimbursed. How to raise money to be determined.

Discussion of how to prevent this from happening again. Agreed that Franklin will draft a formal policy on expenses and present it to the board. As part of that policy, budgets for all events will be set in advance. In principle, any production that has not made half of its budgeted revenue in advance ticket sales (where applicable) should be shut down before opening to avoid incurring major expenses.

Phyllis Curott also has approximately $210 in expenses; she would like to be reimbursed, but would also like DVPN to make some money from the event. George will call her, feel her out to see how she would feel about not getting reimbursed.

2. Minutes

Minutes of meetings need to be formally read to the board and conformed (changes made so everyone is agreed on the proceedings). This can be done online, but if so, a note that the previous minutes were read and conformed must be included in minutes of next meeting. Conformed minutes should then be posted on our web site for public access. Not doing this could cause problems with our legal status.

It was agreed that minutes should be read and conformed, but there was no agreement on procedure.

3. Pagan Pride

Seventy pounds of food were added to our total figure. Tony from Thelesis Camp (OTO) held own food drive and donated collection on behalf of DVPN.

Bob is looking for a replacement for himself as local Pagan Pride organizer (he will remain regional coordinator), due to timing conflict with his job at the Fringe Festival. Possibilities for replacement:

a) Franklin
b) Someone not currently involved in DVPN (possibly from Assembly)
Diana volunteered to help but isn’t comfortable taking over as primary organizer.

Some discussion of location. Free Speech Park was a good venue, but too many restrictions, including no vendors. Possibility of closing down street and having Pagan Pride as a block party in South Street area.

Planning for Pagan Pride 2006 to start in January.

4. Newsletter

Current issue just printed, copies given to all present at meeting.

Printing cost for the issue was $503.93 (postage additional) for 8-page self-mailer. Two advertisers: Aphrodite’s Dove and Morgan’s Cauldron, for total revenue of $240.

Discussion of potential new advertisers (Lillian’s Village, Mystic Moments, Passional). Morgan to pass on to Three Blade Jaguar and ask him to ask advertisers about joining discount program.

Potential distribution points: independent bookstores. Suggested Wooden Shoe, Between Books, anyone with other ideas should e-mail Morgan.

Morgan contacted local UU churches about distribution, got about half a dozen responses. Will try Quakers next.

Question of whether to continue subscriptions to newsletter separate from membership. It was decided that we would do away with subscription and gradually phase in a members-only policy for mailing list.

Separate membership appeal letters to go in all issues.

For current issue, Morgan will include letter to people on mailing list who were never members (approx. half the list) and say this is last issue unless they join. Others will get appeal letter.

Newsletter & all other publications to undergo review by board before being mailed to printer from now on.

5. Phyllis Curott

Talk went very well, great response. Drew about 35 people. [Need figure for how much we made] Ethical Society seemed happy with us, is good venue for future talks.

Board members to generate ideas for future speakers and post to list.

George would like to get quotes she gave at speech together and post on our site. Also possibly in newsletter.

Bob suggested in future we make sure speakers link to our web site and also that we put the DVPN logo on all brochures.

6. Winter Solstice

Confirmed locations: West Chester and Main Line Unitarian churches.

Also considering other possible locations:

Rotunda
First Presbyterian in Germantown
Chestnut Hill United Methodist

7. Crystal Ball

Diana reported that they are gauging interest right now, more to follow.

8. Board member recruitment

Possibilities for new members were discussed. Franklin will approach candidates named at meeting; also would like more suggestions of people to ask.

Eventual goal to have executive committee that does work and board of directors dedicated to fundraising.

9. Alternate locations for meetings

Open to suggestions

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