Connections Weekend Planning Agenda                                5/23/2018

In Attendance: Jen Allerding, Kyle Baughn, Terry Gribble, Jim Grubbs, Miranda Jones, Joe Kleinknecht,  Steve Melchoir, Sandy Powell, Beth Rutledge, Dave Spraw, Chris Stone & Brian Treisch

Financial Report: Dave reported that the investment account has approximately $31,000 and the checking account total is $15,080. The income from the investment account was $543.73 and was rolled back into the investment account; No major financial changes have taken place since the April report;

Minutes:  April 25th minutes were approved;

Committee Updates:

Bonfire/Pep Rally - The 2018 Connections Weekend will be October 11 - 13th; Booster Club will host a hot dog fundraiser; the Pep Rally event will begin @ 6:45 pm; Kyle shared that the football coach would be interested in conducting a pie auction with proceeds going to the Football Parents Group prior to the actual pep rally, details to come;

Pancake Breakfast - Joe announced that the Kiwanis has coordinated with Food Service to use the Intermediate School on Saturday morning 10/13;

Alumni Band - Brian assured that the band will continue their performances 2018; a news release will be generated soon regarding the Alumni Band rehearsal;

Hall of Fame Nominations - For 2018, applications will be accepted beginning March 1st and the deadline for applications is June 1st. Paul Kim is already approved for 2018, Horace Freese, George Guins, William Wisler were also recommended but nomination forms have not yet been received; the Selection Committee will meet on June 19th @ 7:30 a.m; NEW entries include: Michael Jokerst - 75 (posthumously), Mark Stepro (2000); PREVIOUS entries (prior to 2018) include: Gail Baldinger - 1971; Michael Evans - 1978; Joan Bradner - 1947; Linda Kidwell - 1976; Charles Neal - 1970; Dr. Sandra Powell - 1972; Richard Powers - 1951; Chad Scott - 1990; JoAnn Swain - 1956; John Swain - 1955; Lucinda Voss - 1979; Teri Covert Williams - 1975; Van Wagner - 1979;

Dinner Banquet - Sandy will continue to work w/Wade Cramer @ AVITA, selecting menus in July;

Fund Raising & Promotion - Miranda shared that Judi Dickinson from Donley Ford would still be interested in supporting schools w/"Drive For" promotion; Fundraising update - Joe will share the Chamber's list for a mailing (300+) to ask for support of the weekend;  Miranda shared that the Chamber will help with the mailing using the CC Ambassadors and Beth will prepare the letter; the mailing will be completed prior to the June meeting; Jim also offered support from the Admin. Center;

Program - Dave will coordinate w/the committee members to build the program as in previous years;

Awards - Miranda will coordinate awards with Schillings again this fall and Dave will again arrange with Dean's Trophies;

Career Day - October 12th will be this year's Career Day at the Middle School; Jen already has new names for the fall MS speakers; Sam Maddox and Heather Shifley were recommended; Joe also recommended having military representatives speak to the students;

Capital Planning Updates - Jim reported that the drawings are soon to be completed & presented at an upcoming meeting of the City's Zoning & Building Committee; Kyle and Jim worked with the city to secure Freese funds to help build a handicapped area at the football stadium; Terry announced that the Freese Foundation supported the rebuilding of the tennis courts @ Heise Park;

New Business:  The committee welcomed Beth Rutledge to the committee; Beth will assist w/a variety of marketing and communications functions for the committee; Chris Stone is working on an alumni video series and shared an idea for reaching out to past inductees; he recommended adding a HS Leadership Day in conjunction w/the current MS program to include current and former inductees as speakers, the committee appreciated his ideas and will look forward to further reports re: this project; 

Next Meeting - Wednesday, June 20, 2018 @ 7:30 am @ the Galion Schools' Administrative Center.

Meeting adjourned @ 8:25 a.m.