10-24-08

Call to Order- Beth Smith, President

Roll Call- Gloria McKissick, Beth Smith,

Greg Warner, Betty Lou Ratzlaff, Daniel Garcia,

Diane Englund, Annette Dick, Brian Schultz.

Secretaries Report- Daniel Garcia, Secretary

It was pointed out that the secretaries report

should note that it was the Windom ECI

that has not been asked to come to Mountain

Lake. Gloria McKissick motioned to approve

the Minutes with this amendment. Motion

seconded by Greg Warner. All in favor.

New Business-

ECI Community Resource Book-

Sherry Pankratz has not gotten back to Gloria

about the directory.

Channel 7 Broadcast

Matt Anderson has responded to our

request to broadcast a live ad on

channel 7 by stating that text would be

preferred. Noi Harder hasn’t gotten back

about the Spanish and Lao translations.

Beth Smith will try to announce an ad

for the Coats For Kids event, as well as

Mountain Lake Horizons.

Light Bulb Coupons -

Gloria suggested that Mountain Lake

Horizons sponsor an event with Country

Pride Co-op to distribute 4 packs of

CFL Bulbs. The cost for a 4-pack of

60 watt CFL bulbs is $5.99, could increase

to $6.99/pack. Beth Smith suggested that

Mountain Lake Horizons spend $500 on

the bulbs, and distribute information about

Horizons. Beth felt that this action would

have a greater impact than an ad.

Another idea that was suggested would be

to advertise the event through the Food Shelf.

Co-Op could donate the money for the

ad in the Observer. Greg Warner felt

that an ad in the paper could reach a

broader audience, with the possibility of

recruiting more members. Gloria thought

that by advertising through the Food Shelf, we

would be directly reaching lower income

families. Greg Warner motioned for

Mountain Lake Horizons to spend $500 to

work with Co-Op for distributing the

CFL Bulbs with Horizons information.

The money is only to be used toward the

purchase of the bulbs. Motion seconded

by Betty Lou Ratzlaff. All in favor.

There was no set date for this event,

Gloria McKissick will speak with Curt

Wall at the Co-Op for specifics.

Horizons Open House Community Tune-up

Gloria McKissick suggested that Mountain Lake Horizons

host a community tune-up at the Co-Op Garage.

Families could bring their vehicles in to have a

general check-up, with Horizons paying for

things like oil and air filters. Beth smith suggested

that there be a limit on the amount spent on

the consumables. Greg Warner brought up that

things like air filters are the least of lower income

families worries. He suggested that instead,

Horizons start a revolving loan that low income

families could apply for vehicle repairs that would

have little or no interest. Beth asked hypothetically,

what if Horizons gave $2000 to the project,

what would be our next step? Greg Warner stated

that a similar program existed at Western

Community Action and that much of the paper

work exists. Horizons would approach

WCA with the idea and funds. WCA could

administer the funds and leverage the

money with WCA funds. Greg also pointed out

that financial and mechanical education could be

part of the process. This discussion was tabled

until our next meeting, pending Greg obtaining more

information from the case manager, Michelle

Complin.

In other discussion….

Betty Lou Ratzlaff noticed that apartment renters

leave used oil outside the dumpster after oil changes.

It was noted that Country Pride Co Op

will accept used oil and batteries for free.

Coats for Kids-

Volunteer sign up sheets were distributed by Greg

Warner.

Donations are also sought. Pick up is November 3.

Early Childhood Initiative is paying for the bus,

New coats are distributed at intervals throughout

the event, so that every one gets a chance at a new

coat. Donations come in part from Polaris, coats are

purchased locally.

Other notes:

Beth Smith- We have $8500 in total funds

Mountain Lake is now considered a 501(c3)

tax exempt status.

Beth smith motioned to adjourn the meeting, all in favor.

Next meeting will be November 19th at 7p.m. at the Community Center

          Mountain Lake Horizons

          9-24-08 Meeting

          Call to Order- Beth Smith, President

          New Business:

            Motion made and seconded to accept Brian Shultz as

            a board member. Beth Smith to contact Matt Anderson

            to put Horizons messages on Channel 7. Noi Harder

            said that she can have the minutes translated  into Lao

            & Spanish.  It was suggested that  Mountain Lake

            Horizons spend up to $100 to print a directory of

            community assets.  Sherry Pankratz would have one to

            show the board by the next meeting. It was also

            suggested to see if there was another  printer besides

            Windom Quick Print.

         In Other Business-

            Mountain Lake is in need of welcome bags for new citizens.

           A welcoming committee consisting of representatives from the

           Asian, Hispanic, and Caucasian communities would also help.

           Sherry Pankratz mentioned that the Windom ECI Family Fair

           was not asked to come to Mountain Lake. Other county agencies

           have noticed the same thing. Beth Smith suggested that we

           make it a goal to announce our next meeting in Lao and

           Spanish on Channel 7. Brian Shultz may do the announcement.

           The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Brian Shultz,

           Gloria McKissick seconded.

           Our next meeting will be on Wednesday Oct. 29th at the

           Community Center.  

          Mountain Lake Horizons

8-28-08 meeting

Call to Order – Beth Smith, President

New Business:Energy

Efficient light bulbs – 4-pack

The energy efficient light bulbs were purchased at Country Pride True Value hardware store in Mountain Lake, and were brought to the Loaves and Fishes Food Shelf so that they could be distributed to the low-income residents in Mountain Lake who already are signed up at the Food Shelf.Because there was some mis-communication with the volunteers, some residents only received one (1) lightbulb instead of the pack that contained four (4) lightbulbs. Gloria McKissick is in the process of determining who received what and will try and get it rectified before the September meeting. It appears that we may need to purchase a few more packs so that all of the families that are signed up at the food shelf will be able to receive a 4-pack. A request was made to purchase more bulbs so that this extra amount of families would be able to receive the bulbs.Pictured: Gloria McKissick, Horizons, Rheiny and Susie Hofmann, Food shelf volunteers

Pre-school scholarshipJerry Logue presented the need for money to assist families that send their children to preschool. The current cost for preschool for 4 and 5 year olds is $80 per month per child.The current requirements for parents of a preschooler receiving a scholarship are:   

1.the parents are expected to make a financial contribution to the cost of preschool.

2.They have some involvement, ie. volunteer within the community, help at ECFE, etc.

3. ECFE is currently tapped out of funds to help with scholarships, per Sherryb Pankratz. Brian Shultz motioned to match ECFE up to $1500 for 2009-2010.Gloria McKissick seconded, all in favor. There was a second motion by Brian Shultz for $500. The motion was rescinded and the amount was changed to $750 for school year 2008- 2009. Jerry Logue seconded, motion passed.

Micro-LendingBeth Smith proposed that $3500 be set aside to match funds provided by various community sources. The money would then be used to obtain grants. The funds and/or grants received would be used for a micro-lending program to assist existing businesses or for start-up funds for new businesses in Mountain Lake.Greg Warner made the motion that the $3500 would be set aside to be used to match additional funds for the Micro lending program. If the funds are not matched, they are not used. The duration for this would be from September 1, 2008 and end August 31, 2009. If the funds are not used within that time, they will be re-incorporated with the overall Horizons monies. It was voted on and approved.Heritage Fest booth sponsorshipThe Ustellung HeritageFest will be held on September 13, 2008. Annette Dick will check with the Heritage Board president for the exact price for booth rentals. Gloria McKissick suggested that any booths that are paid for by Horizons, under the Cultural events theme, would have a sign noting that Horizons paid for the booth rental.There have not been any groups or individuals coming forward to sign up for a booth at the Heritage Fest. Funding was previously approved to pay for the cost of the booth rental. Gloria McKissick had talked with one individual who had showed prior interest, and she will be in contact with another individual by week’s end. Apparently, they had forgotten about the HeritageFest.    

After 18 months of planning, organizing, great conversations, and hard work, your work plan is complete! Click the link below to find details of the Horizons Team organizational plans, focus areas, and projects.

Mountain Lake Work Plan

So, what have we done?  Come to the picnic to hear about what’s coming up.  One outcome I will share now is that there will be FREE lunches at the school all summer for children and Horizons will provide FREE swimming passes once a week as well.  Call the school for more info regarding the lunch program.  507-427-2323

On a different note, I went to the 10:45 service at Alliance today, wow, Dr. Walzack had them crying at the end, very moving.

As most of you know, we have two future squads up and running.  There is an economic squad, if interested give Beth Smith or Rob Anderson a call to get on the email list for upcoming meetings.  There is also a CCC - Cultural, Civic, and Community Engagement - squad.  If interested in this squad please contact Tara Kleven or Gloria McKissick for more information.

We are definitely in the action phase of this program.  The economic squad is working on a mini grant program for new businesses.  And the CCC squad is working on having more representation from the Lao and Hispanic communities at the Heritage Fair, as well as a “Food for Thought” event at the park this summer.  We are also discussing having music playing downtown everyday, and having movies in the park this summer.  I have talked to Sherry P. about working together with ECI and having a children’s movie night in the park.

If you have any ideas on how to make these possible or better, please let someone know.  Also, if you have an idea that is not listed here, let someone know, get involved, come to a meeting, etc….

We also have a Mt Lake blog, that is not being used.  I will forward that site info, as well as some info for an upcoming free seminar.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.  Gloria is setting up a CCC meeting for the end of March, so watch for details.  Thanks everyone!