Community Outreach Committee Meeting Notes
Attendees: Renate Rikkers, Bruce Black, Chris Pelly, Rick Fornoff, Christina Quetel, Michelle Decker
Unable to attend: Cindy Appleby, Sandra Krzewinski
Reviewed recent events
Cookie Exchange was a great success, well attended, Recipe cards must be more user friendly, Awards and raffle were well received, 2 Firemen were invited to be judges, Next year book for 3 hours as more setup time was needed, attendees showed up early.
Reviewed upcoming scheduled events
Chili Cook-Off 2/18
Set up - buss bars provided by Bruce, Renate will recruit Bakers for bake sale table, Condiments, awards, paper goods, cups & plates, napkins and drinks provided by Michelle & Don
Final Email will be sent out as a reminder of bake sale and donations will be appreciated. Banners will be positioned at the Commons to welcome attendees.
Haw Creek Hustle 5/17
Discussed the need to beat last year's net income. Total Revenue $5680 Net: Entries:
This year we have better organization and starting earlier with marketing.
Banners will be positioned 1 month out of race, Emily, Chris and Michelle working on sponsors.
Fire Safety Program - This was brought up at the Clean & Green Committee after concern of recent fires and preparedness for disasters. Doug and Michelle were appointed to put together a presentation for the community at the East Asheville Library. Outreach Committee to work on getting this program off the ground.
Rain Garden - Michelle will organize this program working with local programs and local resources.
Gardening for Birds - Renate is heading this program. She is working with Tom Tribble for an April Presentation.
BBQ July - Suggestion Creekside for a joint event. Michelle will reach out
Yard Sale $1238 - Start earlier we had early arrivals - Increase revenue with food sales
Logging Road Hike - Rick will get back to us on his availability to get this going again this year.
Suggested Events
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Beautification - create more of a continuous landscaping of Haw Creek
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Potluck - Asheville Gospel maybe to use their parking lot for hosting
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Community Conversation Program - Rick will reach out to Groce Methodist (Jill Reinhart) for hosting
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Travel Club - This idea came up through Rick’s story telling of his recent trip to Patagonia
Attendees: Michelle Decker (Chair), Renate Rikkers, Rick Fornoff, Cindy Appleby, Christina Quetel, Storms Reback
Unable to attend: Chris Pelly, Leslie Morris, Debbie Francis, Bruce Black
Notes/Next Steps
Reviewed Past Events
Property Appraisal - Not a high attendance other than committee members. There was sufficient interest with registration, but many did not show. Discussed why low attendance.
Reviewed Scheduled Events
5K Haw Creek Hustle - Banners ordered, discussed how to get more registrants to enter. Posted on Nextdoor and Facebook. Greg will do a radio announcement. Flyers are to be distributed. Issue with lack of volunteers. Michelle will reach out to her firm for volunteers. Glory Hound has t-shirts designed and prizes ordered.
Park Clean up 4/21 - Meet at Crockett Avenue 9:00 am.
Wildflower Hikes 4/26 & 27 (Bernie leads this event. Michelle will reach out to him for updates.)
Yard Sale - 5/4 Leslie is lead and not in attendance.
Planned Events/Programs
Logging Hike - Rick is lead, 12 max in participants for each hike.
Treasured Trees - Asheville Greenworks. Discussions led to creating a map of Haw Creek identifying each “treasured tree.” Call for action to neighborhood anyone who has a tree that they would like to have on the treasured tree list. Create a Haw Creek calendar to feature a treasured tree per month, with the map showing location on the last page as a guide. Charge a fee for the calendar.
Community Pie Contest - Renate is lead. Discussed Beverly Hills success with their pie contest. Discussed low attendance, always the same participants. Need to increase participation.
New Ideas for Events/Programs
Dark Sky Neighborhood Program - introducing this idea to Haw Creek, Bernie has connections for speakers. Reduce unnecessary lighting in the neighborhood, which provides a better environment for plants and animals.
Environment Program - Adopt a Storm Drain - Renate - We need to get traction going.
Movie in the Park - Film night at the ball field. June, July & August. Need a 20ft blow up screen and projector. This event will bring the community together. The ball field may want to partner with us by opening the concession stand for refreshments.
History of Haw Creek Program “Heritage” - Rick would be interested in building on what he has done in the past.
Outreach
The issue that affects all of the above is how do we get more people involved in planned events/programs and keep the energy up so that they stay committed to events that they have registered for. Christina suggested Facebook invite, which will put it on their calendar.
Safety
We touched on the subject of increasing crime awareness in Haw Creek.
National Night Out - contact for more information.
APD - contact to get Neighborhood watch and a patrol car.
Next Meeting May 1st