HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-22 Cultural Council Minutes Town of Reading ^TO' r: CLERK G E I 'Y c U
. I
Meeting Minutes „ - K
iPP+IN(OPr�'
�i@1 GES -7 AM 9� I I
Board - committee - commission - Council:
Cultural Council
Date: 2020-06-22 Time: 6:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Donna Schenkel, Mary Ann Kozlowski, Nora Bucko, Brian Kimerer, Kathy
Natale, Rosemary Lewis, Megan Fidler-Carey, Kerr! Perry, Bharti Joy Parris
Members - Not Present:
Jane Soloway, Nancy Ziemlak
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Katherine Lopez Natale
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was conducted via ZOOM due to theCorona Virus Pandemic restrictions for
social distancing.
Call to order at 6:07 p.m.
Minutes were approved.
Treasurer's report, dated April 30, 2020, reported $1492 paid in grants, $7908.29 in
encumbered funds and $3308 remaining in available administration funds as well as
interest. The report was accepted.
Donna Schenkel sent the publicity and ad for the survey to the library. The library posted
the materials on their social media account with Facebook. The same materials were also
sent to Your Community Connection for publication.
Donna Schenkel who is stepping down from the board at the end of her term reviewed the
duties that committee members have accepted for the coming year. Mary Ann will chair
meetings, reserve the meetings rooms, and continue with press releases as well as
contacting Amanda Beatrice for placement of the ads. Megan will chair meetings when Mary
Ann is not available and maintain Google Drive. Brian will continue to maintain the mailing
list and send out correspondence. Brian and Megan will work together on the survey. Nora
will generate and post agendas as well as help with the notification letters in January. She
also agreed to place and later remove the Council's grant notification on the signboard at
Reading Common's (first two weeks of October). Jane will continue as Treasurer and I
(Kathy) will become Secretary. A decision will be made later regarding the annual reception
for the grantees.
Page 1 1
The regulations allow members two terms of 3 years. Three members - Donna Schenkel,
Rosemary Lewis, and Nancy Ziemlak - have completed their terms and will step down after
this June meeting. We have two new members, Kerri Perry and Bharti Joy Parris, both in
attendance. There is one more opening available on the Council.
There have been fewer responses to the survey this year. The survey extends to the end of
the month.
The Council voted to accept the modifications and date changes of the many grantees
whose programs were postponed due to the coronavirus. Those grantees are:
• Killam School - Susan Hood author visit: Susan Hood's books for school library;
other books, and a possible virtual video conference with the author
• The Pleasant St. Center - Reschedule the Martha Washington performance in late fall
• Parker Tavern: Event postponed until September 10th or spring if necessary
• Reading Community Concert Band - Postponed until October if possible.
• Reading Porch Fest - Virtual event July 3rd
• Downtown Reading Art Walk - Walk and reception postponed until September. If
this is not possible, they will create a virtual art walk/exhibit
• New Repertory Theater - Romeo and Juliet postponed until Spring 2021
• Killam Field Trip - Reschedule field trip to the De Cordova museum in September
• Killam 50th celebration - Plans to reschedule in September
Another vote approved the extension of grants to the Irish Set Dancing done through ZOOM
meetings and the alternate activities of the Science Olympiad.
The Council was pleased to hear through Nancy Ziemlak that the Select Board planned to
continue their support of the Cultural Council. Brian will offer to present the Council's
recent activities to the Board in September or October and thank them for their support.
Meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Page 1 2