Minutes:  Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC) Meeting
Mainstreet Community Center, May 30, 2014, 10 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

Attending: Jan Costello, Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Phyllis Frierson Joyce Russell, Charlene Taylor

After a brief welcome, we discussed the June 24 meeting. Flyers have been distributed to businesses. Wendall Ervin covered the east side of Hairston/Redan. Jan did some of the north side of that intersection. Nadine covered Panola/Redan. Phyllis did the west side of Covington/Hairston, and Jan did the east side. They both hit Pep Boys! Letters were mailed to the landowners of three strip mall sites (two at Redan/Panola and one at Cov/Hairston). Char is going to the nursery on Covington.

The AJC ran two articles. Releases were also sent to CrossRoads Newspaper, On Common Ground, and the Champion.

Refreshments for the meeting: Joyce is bring 75 small waters, Phyllis is bring cookies, Nadine is bringing nuts and napkins.

Paperwork: Nadine is printing the brochure, membership form, sign-in sheet and surveys; she will bring them to the meeting.

Intro at meeting: Jan will prepare remarks and slides.

We will meet at 5:45 to set up.

Other business:

We decided to try and tour Columbia Residential’s senior living communities on July 12, 19, or 26, if that works for Mr. Khalil.

We need to get a phone to add to our contact info. Jan will look into it.

We like the business card with some changes. The group wants a back/front card.

We continue to work on the 501c3 paperwork. We will set up a meeting with Jerome Chavis in August. Before we meet, we want to answer the question, “What will we have accomplished in five years?”

We will have the next general meeting Sept 23 (or later in the week, depending on the crowd preference.) We will try to have it at APD Solutions if the date works for the firm

Next board meeting: July 26.(If the tour interferes, we will reschedule).

Notes from the last Board Meeting

Minutes:  .Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC) Meeting
Mainstreet Community Center, May 30, 2014, 10 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

Attendees: Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Charlene Taylor, Phyllis Frierson, Jan Costello, Joyce Russell, Lois Dunlap
prepared by Jan Costello

1. Welcome

2. Brief Update from Committees

Marketing and Communication (chaired by Nadine Rivers-Johnson)

Letterhead is done. Information about access to the Gmail and WordPress accounts was given to the Board. Noted a correction to a typo. Corrected document will be sent to the Board by email.

Need more paper for brochures. Char will check with her source. Joyce is looking into retail options.

Finance and Budget (chaired by Secretary-Treasurer Phyllis Frierson)

No changes…still have $98 in the credit union. The $85 expense for the corporate filing fees was donated. Phyllis will work on setting up online access to the account. Jan is working on ordering checks.

Streetscape Committee (chaired by Charlene Taylor)

Char is testing ClickItFixItSeeIt. Jan will work on getting it linked to the website. Right now, the template we are using does not allow a widget for easy clicking.

Membership Development (chaired by Joyce Russell)

Joyce created a membership form using the new letterhead. We had minor modifications. Nadine made them and printed out forms.

Nadine has approached businesses about the GHHCDC and they have expressed interest. We are all going to take brochures and membership forms to businesses and ask them to participate. We are going to approach our own neighborhood organizations to join. We are going to make a concerted effort to raise enough funds to file for the 501 (c)(3).

Nadine will check back with the County about a small grant to fund the October business development seminar. We discussed whether to have it on a Saturday morning or weeknight evening. More business owners may be able to attend in the evening.

3. Zoning Update

Site near LA Fitness – still no more word on what is going on there. The county says it is work for a sewer hook-up and driveway, but much land has been cleared. We have sent another inquiry to the county.

Medical Offices: 6826-6846 Covington Hwy – this development is just getting underway. It is east of the Kroger and Wells Fargo on Covington Highway.

Note: Community Council meeting on June 16, 6:30 p.m., Redan-Trotti Library. This is a good place to find out what is going on. The developers and planning department reps are there.

4. Discuss Kick-Off Plans

The October seminar planning is still underway. We’re looking for a site, and determining the best time.

In the meantime, in late June or early July, we’re going to have an open meeting with a guest speaker. The focus will be on the importance of businesses and residents working together to revitalize the community.   June 24, 7 p.m.   Location and speaker to be announced. One DeKalb Director Bettye Davis is helping us.

5.  Set priorities for next quarter

We will recruit business, neighborhood, and resident members. We will have the October seminar. We will work on the 501 (c)(3) application.

6.  Old Business

Nadine set up a meeting with Jerome Chavis, owner of NTRC Accounting on Rockbridge Road, to give us advice on the 501 (c)(3) process. The meeting was June 2, 7 p.m.

7. Date for next board meeting (public welcome): June 21, 10 a.m., Mainstreet Community Center

8. Open Meeting with guest speaker/expert on community revitalization. Focus on importance of businesses and residents working together to revitalize the community. June 24, 7 p.m. Location and speaker to be announced.

Minutes  — Description of Progress to date, plans for Economic Development Forum, Marketing, and Streetscape

Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC) Meeting
Mainstreet Community Center, April 26, 2014, 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Board Members Attending: Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Charlene Taylor, Joyce Russell, Jan Costello
Absent: Phyllis Frierson

Streetscape committee member Larry Coles joined us at 11.

Minutes prepared by Jan Costello

1. Welcome
In anticipation of Mother’s Day, Nadine shared her original song, Momma, recorded with the Godfather of Crunk, Carl Newsom. Great song. Readers of these minutes may view it on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unIq1o23Yic

Jan shared the news story about the Fair Food Program, which has resulted in tomato pickers in Florida earning more money and getting better working conditions – all as the result of a campaign that began 15 years ago! Now, many major tomato buyers, such as Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Whole Foods, and Walmart (just signed on), are paying a penny per pound more so that the tomato pickers are treated more fairly. Ninety percent of the tomato growers in Florida are participating in the program. The campaign is now branching out to other states. The point – progress takes time but it is achievable.

2. Update from Committees

Marketing and Communication (chaired by Nadine Rivers-Johnson) – Nadine printed 200 copies of the brochure on the paper donated by Charlene. Looks good!

No response on the request for the county grant. We are going to re-draft the request to reflect the Economic Summit (details below).

We plan to retool our newsletter effort and produce an economic development report for the CDC, distributed online and in print. We will sell ads. We’ll start small. The effort is still in the discussion mode.

Finance and Budget (chaired by Secretary-Treasurer Phyllis Frierson) – no change in accounts.

Discuss proposed budget prepared by Joyce Russell. Will finalize it after we consult with the accountant.

Streetscape Committee (chaired by Charlene Taylor). After several requests for information, Charlene learned that the development near LA Fitness on Covington Highway did get a land use permit. Trees were cleared to allow the day care center to get off a septic system and connect to the county sewer line. A driveway will also be installed. The county planner told Nadine that all the clearing was within the guidelines, but that trees would be replanted.

Char continues to make progress on the ClickItFixIt site. This will be a tool for reporting to specific county departments any problems in the community.

Membership Development (chaired by Joyce Russell)

We reviewed the membership form and suggested minor changes. Joyce did a great job. It will go on letterhead that is being prepared by Jan.

Fundraising 

We discussed putting together a half-day workshop to nurture economic development in the community. We would have a motivational speaker. We would offer five or six short workshops for attendees. The offerings could include 1) social media marketing; 2) customer service trends; 3) getting small craft/handmade business off the ground using online shopping sites; 4) building business with appealing storefronts; 5) raising residential property values.

We also discussed adding a school topic – perhaps something from Junior Achievement. Or, we might give an award to a student group that is engaged in business learning.

Tasks: Jan will call the Small Business Administration, DeKalb Extension Service, SunTrust, and DeKalb Economic Development for speaker ideas. Phyllis Frierson said (after the meeting) that she would reach out to Etsy (an ecommerce site) to see if they have speakers or successful vendors in the area. Joyce will contact Publix about the customer service topic. Need a volunteer to check with Redan about business clubs and to contact Junior Achievement.

Target date: October.

Joyce will contact Berean about using rooms in the big facility.

Nadine will revise the grant request.

3. Priorities for this year:

Get corporation filing fees up to date.

Raise money so that we can file for the 501(c)(3)

Give to the community a successful, well attended, useful business workshop.

4. Old Business. Jan reports that the letterhead and transparency/succession documents are in production.

5. The next meeting will be May 31, 10 a.m., Mainstreet Community Center.

Minutes: Board of Directors Meeting
Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC)
Mainstreet Community Center, March 22, 2014, 10 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Attendees: Jan Costello, Calvin E. Sims, Sr., Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Joyce Russell, Phyllis Frierson
Absent: Char Taylor
1. Welcome. We shared pumpkin bread that came from the bounty of a plant growing wild in a Hidden Hills neighbor’s yard. Jan noted that the pumpkin seed travelled here from Tennessee. It brought joy to the neighbors and, many months later, enriched our meeting. The metaphor may be too simplistic, but it is encouraging to think how small things can lead to great outcomes. We cannot know the future, but we can predict that positive action now will incline us towards positive results.
We congratulated Nadine on organizing the successful meeting with law enforcement and county representatives on March 18. More than 100 people from nearby neighborhoods attended it.

2. Finance
Checking account status. We now have a checking account! We are banking at Georgia United Federal Credit Union. We have basic savings and checking accounts. The great news is that there is only a one-time fee of $5. As long as we have fewer than 50 transactions per month, our account is free!
Phyllis provided the Treasurer’s Report. We have $98.22. The report is available at

https://greaterhiddenhillscdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/treasurers-report-march-21-20143.pdf

Accountant status. After tax season, the Board will meet with Jerome Chavis, a partner and CPA at NTRC and a resident of Mainstreet. He volunteered to work pro bono, set up our accounting structure, and provide tax advice. Nadine will work on setting up a meeting for late April.

Budget. Joyce agreed to set up a proposed budget so that we would have it ready for the accountant to review. She will research the annual fees associated with the corporate license. The Board is sending her expense items, such as the $550 for insurance.

Dues. The Board voted unanimously to set a modest level of dues in order to have membership in the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation. Our bylaws stipulate that membership last a calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31). Since we are just getting started, the inaugural membership will last through Dec. 31, 2015 (pending Board approval).
We have two membership classes, each with the following dues:
Residential Members (individuals who reside in or adjacent to the Greater Hidden Hills Overlay zone) will pay $20 per membership year.
Business Members (members with a business in or affected by the Greater Hidden Hills Overlay zone) will pay $75 per membership year.

3. Marketing
Newsletter Seed Money Grant Request. Nadine put together a comprehensive grant request for newsletter seed funds. The money would cover printing costs for the first year (four issues). The request has been sent to the DeKalb Economic Development department and to Commissioners Sharon Barnes-Sutton and Stan Watson. Nadine and other GHHCDC members have discussed the request in person with various parties. We await a decision.
Here is an excerpt from the request:
1. The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, Inc. (GHHCDC) was established in 2013 with a goal of developing the Greater Hidden Hills area.
2. The GHHCDC operates as a not-for-profit business, and it is our desire to seek seed money for a quarterly newsletter to further support this marketing effort.
3. The purpose of the proposed newsletter will be consistent with an objective of informing and engaging marketing in the area and forming partnerships between businesses, schools, and the community-at-large.
4. The proposed publication will serve as the marketing and advertising medium for commercial tiers in the Greater Hidden Hills Overlay District and 19 neighborhoods located in the GHHCDC. Community news is also a vital part of the publication.
5. Currently, there are more than 200 businesses in the area, and this newsletter is a great opportunity to foster commercial growth with a successful, locally specific publication.

Newsletter Update. Calvin said the graphic artist is willing to make changes to the Memo of Understanding he submitted. In particular, he does plan to give us the digital file of the newsletter as well as send the file to the printer. His freelance work with individual businesses will be entirely up to him. The Board is free to recommend his work as well as the work of other graphic artists. The Board voted unanimously to give the graphic artist credit in all issues and to give the artist a business card-sized ad in the first issue. Calvin will send the Board a revised Memo for our approval. Calvin will also create an advertising rate sheet, a Memo of Understanding for the freelance advertising sales people, and a Memo of Understanding for the contributing writers.
The Board will vote on the proposed Memos via email. Once the design artist’s Memo of Understanding is approved, we will vote to ask him for the prototype.
Calvin will solicit articles for the prototype. Jan will create the interior masthead with the newsletter name, the corporation, address, policies, and so forth. She will write an introductory column and a sidebar on what the GHHCDC is.
Nadine will research ways to create “aliases” on Gmail so that we can have an exclusive address for advertisements.

Proposed Festival – Calvin suggested that we stage an annual festival as a fundraiser and community celebration. There was concern about trying to do too much too soon, so we tabled the idea for now.

Kick-off Meeting – We still want to do an economic development-focused kickoff meeting. We will aim to have the kick off on a Saturday morning (8 a.m.) in late June. The idea is to have a light breakfast, a keynote speaker, and representation of our local businesses. It will be timed to coincide with the newsletter. Joyce will check with Berean Church about using the community space. We will discuss the idea further in April. We are soliciting a volunteer to manage the event.
4. Update on Old Business
Board of Directors Insurance. The “Directors and Officers” liability insurance and general liability insurance does include fiduciary coverage. The cost is about $550. When we have employees, Williams Turner & Mathis, Inc., advises that we add Employee Dishonesty insurance.
Brochure. We will print the brochure once Char delivers the paper to Nadine. Char expects to be able to deliver the paper by March 29. A copy of the brochure is posted on the website: http://www.GreaterHiddenHillsCDC.org
Letterhead/Logo. Still in production. Jan visited LogoGuru.com, but the minimum fee is $199, and we do not have the money. Phyllis and Jan are going to work on the logo.
Phone. Jan and Phyllis will work on setting up a Google phone account.

5. New Business
Succession and Continuity Plans. Joyce suggested we start using our Gmail account for all corporation business. That way, we keep records in one place. She suggested setting up a Google Drive for important documents. Jan will work on that project and provide the Board the access code information. In addition, access information to our website and other corporate information will be put on the drive. Only Board members will have access.
General Membership Meetings. All meetings are open now, but we will make a pronounced effort to invite all members to the first meeting of each quarter. The Board voted unanimously to do so, beginning with the 2nd quarter.
501 (c)(3) status. Jan will research and begin the process.

6. The next meeting will be April 26, 10 a.m., at the Mainstreet Community Center. All interested residents and businesspeople are welcome.

With regret, I must pass along the news that Calvin Sims is resigning from the Board of Directors. He gave his notice March 22. His note to the Board stated:

After careful consideration I have made a decision to resign from the Board of Directors of the CDC, and also the newsletter committee. During my short time on the board, it has been a pleasure working with you, and I look forward to continued collaboration.
Rest assured that the Chapman Mill Redan Park Community remains committed to supporting the mission of the CDC.
Sincerely,
Calvin E. Sims, Sr

Minutes: Board of Directors Meeting

Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC)
Mainstreet Community Center, Feb. 22, 2014, 10 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

Attendees: Jan Costello, Calvin E. Sims, Sr., Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Joyce Russell, Erica Weaver, Char Taylor

Absent: Phyllis Frierson (work commitment)

1. Welcome. Jan led off with a reminder about the Atlanta Community Food Bank. It is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year. The Food Bank began with a talk around a kitchen table and grew into a robust food-sharing and advocacy movement. Executive Director Bill Bolling says that at the root of all great movements is “collective imagination unencumbered by any past failures.” He notes that there is still too much “hunger in a land of plenty” and still much to do; nevertheless, his hopeful message and perseverance is inspiring, as is the commitment of hundreds of volunteers.  Jan noted that we are a few steps beyond the kitchen table phase. We are committed and looking for more volunteers. We are following the advice of businessman, author, and motivator Stephen Covey: Live out of your imagination, not your history.

2. Finance

Checking account status. Calvin found out that Georgia United Credit Union charges an annual fee of $10 for an “Easy Business” account, with no minimum and no monthly fees. The Board unanimously voted to open an account. The Board decided that checks would require two signatures: the president’s and the treasurer’s. Jan will get with Phyllis to open the account.  Joyce said she would consider serving as a back up.

Accountant status. Nadine reached out to Jerome Chavis, a partner and CPA at NTRC and a resident of Mainstreet. He volunteered to work pro bono, set up our accounting structure, and provide tax advice. We are planning to become a 501(c) (3), and we welcome his advice so that we create the right reporting structure. He is busy through April 15, but Nadine will invite him to our April 22 meeting.

3. Blueprint for DeKalb County. This initiative by Commissioner Gannon is to slow down the creation of more cities in DeKalb County until we assess the impact. The Board decided not to endorse the effort as a group, but individuals are encouraged to sign the petition. The concern of the Board was that a non-profit must be careful not to take on anything that could be construed as political advocacy because it could affect our future 501(c) (3) status.

Commissioner Gannon held one public meeting on the initiative, and more will be scheduled. If those reading these minutes are interested in getting more information about the Blueprint, please read below:

The Blueprint is the foundation for a community discussion to address the issues facing DeKalb County.  The Blueprint process has been endorsed by more than 60 community leaders to date. The blueprint addresses the Grand Jury recommendations, ethics, government operations and cityhood.

The complete Blueprint is available at www.kathiegannon.com. Citizens are encouraged to visit the site, read the Blueprint, sign on to show your support.

4. Board of Directors Insurance. Our corporation will need “Directors and Officers” liability insurance and general liability insurance. Jan asked Williams Turner & Mathis, Inc. for a quote. It is about $500-$600 per year. The Board asked Jan to get more information about the coverage; in particular, does the quote include fidelity insurance (coverage for theft of cash or goods). Jan will provide information at the next meeting.

5. Marketing:

Newsletter Update. Calvin submitted a proposal for a newsletter. (Background: He met with journalists Donna Lewis Johnson and Leslie Williams Johnson, Jan Costello, and graphic artist Charlie Lundy on Feb. 15 to gather input. The newsletter would be distributed in hard copy and electronically. It would be paid for with advertisements.

The Board suggested that we aim for a 4-page first edition June 1. If enough ads were sold, it would be expanded to 8 pages. (The layout is 11 x 17, folded, so that each sheet has four pages.) We discussed the name and made revisions. We asked that whoever lays out the newsletter be required to meet certain stipulations (such as deadlines and provide the original electronic file). The prototype (the initial design) would have to be provided pro bono. We would work out a payment schedule for the layout of the newsletter. Nadine and  Jan will provide details to Calvin, and he will discuss it with the graphic artist. Calvin has many more details about the launch. If you would like to volunteer for this service, please contact him at cesims@bellsouth.net

Nadine will make inquiries about getting seed money from the county.

Brochure. The brochure has been reformatted to work on the Mainstreet photocopier. We are ready to print copies as needed.  You may see the brochure by clicking here:  Brochure – Copy  A copy of the brochure is posted on the website under “About Us”: www.GreaterHiddenHillsCDC.org

                Letterhead/Logo.  Still in production. Char suggested that we visit LogoGuru.com to bid out the job. Jan will do so.

6.  Streetscape. Char reported on a website that helps neighborhoods get their problems to the right government department. It is called www.SeeItClickItFix.com  Her committee met after the board meeting. She will provide a report. She urged us to review the site.

7. Postponed until next meeting:  Dues analysis. Budget analysis.

8. The next meeting will be March 22, 10 a.m., at the Mainstreet Community Center.

The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation is moving forward with a marketing brochure and plans for a kick-off meeting. The Board of Directors met Jan. 18 (minutes attached). We are working on creating a bank account and a strong accounting system.  If you know of a CPA who would help us set up the financial reporting structure, please let me know: janrcostello@gmail.com

The minutes of our last meeting are attached. The next board meeting will be Feb. 22, 10 a.m., at Mainstreet Community Center.Minutes Jan 18-2014