PUSH ATTENDS SECOND SEA COMMUNITY
FARM WORKER RETIREMENT PROJECT MEETING
APRIL 26, 2010
Attending: Malinda Peeples, Corrine White, Mary Lawrence, Margaret Murray, Ben Comey, Ken Bryan, Katherine Tiller, Joanne
Short term goals: food, clothing, supplies
Long term goal: 50 bed retired farm worker housing and community services center. It was noted Angel Food would like to get involved.
Minutes from the last meeting were approved.
Volunteers were needed for the Cabbage and Potato Festival booth. Corinne offered to do the morning, Katherine will work and other members will cover the afternoon.
Corrine explained her plan for submission of paperwork for incorporation by the end of June. Approval should take 4-6 weeks. She noted the need for a mission statement. Once established, work can begin on fundraising and grant applications. The community must show it can cover about 40% of costs to sustain operation; 60% is better. Nancy O’Byrne has offered to sign on as diocesan support. Ken Bryan mentioned United Way as an oversight body. Malinda noted she has an accountant on the Board. An audit will be needed every 3 years.
Water and septic were discussed as was the need for jobs in maintenance and administration. It was estimated 150k to 200k annual operating costs. The community center was mentioned as having a training center component.
Malinda mentioned Parks and Rec as a partner. Corinne noted local colleges potentially offering satellite courses. Ken noted Americorps, which is in the OUR Center in Hastings and Corinne also mentioned Seniorcorps. Ken also noted the Womens’ Farmworkers Association.
Malinda stated there is a pesticide training class currently scheduled for 5/5/10. She also mentioned Green Cove farmers ministry supplying food and lunches. Both Ken Bryan and Tom Crawford will review the 501 c 3 paperwork before submission.
Corinne spoke with Sandra Parks who is interested in getting Willie Nelson to participate in a fundraiser. She also thought a weekly column in the local paper would help educate the community at large about the farmworkers’ issues.
Notes taken by Mary Lawrence
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