Living Local

Steering Committee Meeting June 20, 2013 A meeting of the Living Local Steering Committee was held on June 20, 2013 at the offices of Attain Therapy and Fitness in East Longmeadow, MA. The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. by Chair Joy Leavitt. Present at the meeting were Terry Ditmar, Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman, Mary Flahive-Dickson, Christina Rinaldi Lalime, Chris Mahoney, Deb Mehle-Connor, and Jim Moran. Membership Chair Joy Leavitt reported that the group is progressing nicely in just a short amount of time. We have received a lot of checks so far. Ms. Deb Mehle-Connor reported that we have about $1,400 in the account. We are at a really good juncture. Now we have to be really good about stating at the meeting Please remember to send your check in. Ms. Leavitt reported that we are in need of a Membership Chairman. We need someone who will appeal to everyone and will have direct contact with the group. Maybe we have it that under the chair we have a committee where each member handles each type of business (restaurant, service, retailer, etc.). The Steering Committee agreed. Web Domain Mr. Terry Ditmar reported that he secured the web domain OurLivingLocal.org. Sidewalk Sale Chair Joy Leavitt reported that the Reminder is now distributed on Thursdays. The sidewalk sale advertisement made it into last weeks edition. Communication about the advertisement was difficult with members and some people felt left out. Ms. Leavitt will be calling them individually. Another advertisement about the group itself will be published in next weeks edition. Logos Chair Joy Leavitt reported that she spent some time looking at logos online for similar groups. She reminded the group not to make any decisions today, to let the designs resonate for a couple of days. Ms. Leavitt reminded the group that not everyone has a store front, that the logo has to appeal to all different types of businesses because our group covers a broad base. Please ask yourself Does the logo really represent what the group is trying to do?

Envision Graphics and Whitestone Graphics were invited into the meeting for their presentations and a discussion ensued around same. Ms. Leavitt asked the Committee to pick their top three choices. After reviewing the logos, the Committee was asked to think about the word live to see if they can come up with a replacement word. Facebook Mr. Jim Moran reported that he has set up a Facebook page for our group. Its a basic page right now, but it will help get the word out. Mr. Moran asked the group to take a look at the page when they have a chance and to like it. Chair Joy Leavitt adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 2, 8:00 a.m. at the offices of Attain Therapy and Fitness, East Longmeadow. Please enter through the double glass doors in the front of the building and proceed to the conference room on the right as you enter the doors. Respectfully Submitted,

Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman Secretary

Living Local Steering Committee Joy Leavitt, Chair Terry Ditmar Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman, Secretary Mary Flahive-Dickson Christine Rinaldi Lalime Christopher Mahoney Deb Mehle-Connor, Treasurer Jim Moran Nancy Shepard-Holloway

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ACTION ITEMS! May, 2013 Ms. Joy Leavitt and Ms. Deb Mehle-Connor to set up bank account Ms. Joy Leavitt to obtain P.O. Box from Longmeadow post office Steering Committee members asked to bring membership check on 6/5/2013 Ms. Joy Leavitt to look into MassAppeal Ms. Joy Leavitt to contact Ms. Carole Leary at Baypath regarding PR position Ms. Joy Leavitt to follow up with Mr. Jeff Cieuferda at the Chamber of Commerce Mr. Terry Ditmar to follow up regarding Living Local website Steering Committee asked to reflect on member candidates for PR and Membership Chairs June, 2013 Ms. Joy Leavitt to call individuals about the sidewalk sale Steering Committee to review logos for next meeting Steering Committee to review Facebook page