Holyoke Local Cultural Council Meeting March 4, 2024

Holyoke Local Cultural Council Meeting Notes
March 4th. 2024
Attendees:
Gloria Caballero-Roca
Tim Damon
Mark Dunlap – Notes
Navae Fenwick Rodriguez
Chris Fournier
Anne Thalheimer – Chair

Agenda and Notes:
Grantee Communications
Positive comments were received on Kickin’ Back with a Former Rockette, Anna Sobel’s puppet show, and Carving Out Your Story projects.

Treasurer’s Report
For 2023, the grant allocation was $87,578. To date, $70,510.28 has been reimbursed. $17,067.72 is unclaimed (including extensions).
For 2024, the grant allocation was $101,905. To date, $6,714.74 has been reimbursed. $95,120.26 is unclaimed.
The grant streamlining process with the auditor’s office appears to be improving.

Review of HLCC-Sponsored Events
…previously mentioned above in Grantee Communications
Also, the Afro-Cuban Cultural Project happening in June 2024 is well underway.

General Announcements
It was also mentioned that credit to the MCC for projects the HLCC has supported has been happening.

Previous Business – Grant Reception, Leadership Positions
Possible grant reception locations were brainstormed and discussed. El Mercado was selected by the group and two possible dates were discussed: Thursday May 9, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 PM being the 1st choice and Wednesday May 15, 2024 being the 2nd choice. A rough budget of $700-$900 is available to lease the space and have the event catered with appetizers and beverages. Each of the committee members were tasked with contacting a local vendor or intermediary to get quotes to potentially cater the event with setup starting at 4:30-5:30-ish PM and clean up from 7:30-8:30 PM and a deadline of April 1st, 2024 (no fooling though!) to follow up with their tasks. Decision will be made at the next meeting.

Gloria Caballero-Roca – Jose Luis Maldonado
Tim Damon – TBD
Mark Dunlap – Fame
Navae Fenwick Rodriguez – Taino
Chris Fournier – Crave
Anne Thalheimer – Ortiz Family Cafe
HLCC members were also tasked with thinking about Community Input Survey questions and providing input at the next meeting. Tim Damon also agreed to contact Kate Sullivan at HG&E regarding adding a community input survey in a monthly mailing to all Holyoke households as had been done in the past with some moderate success according to member Mark Dunlap.

Member Chris Fournier made a motion to adjourn, Gloria Caballero-Roca seconded; a unanimous vote was provided to end the meeting.