Living Local

Steering Committee Meeting July 2, 2013 A meeting of the Living Local Steering Committee was held on July 2, 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 Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman, Christina Rinaldi Lalime, Deb Mehle-Connor, Jim Moran and Nancy Shepard-Holloway. Minutes The minutes for May and June were approved with changes. Ms. Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman will make said changes, resend to the Committee, and place them on file. Mr. Jim Moran reported that he will start posting the minutes on the Living Local Facebook page. Treasurers Report Ms. Deb Mehle-Connor reported that there is $1,950 in the bank account and so far there are 19 paid members. She has received the bills for Envision and Go Graphics and will pay them. PR Position Chair Joy Leavitt reported that she has placed a called to Ms. Carol Leary at Bay Path College but she was away on vacation. Ms. Leavitt to follow up accordingly. Domain Name Mr. Jim Moran reported that Living-Local.net is available. A discussion ensued regarding the proposed domain name change and the Committee agreed that Our Living Local.com was too wordy. The Committee agreed to have Mr. Moran secure Living-Local.net. Mr. Moran stated that he will start working on a web page as well. Tax Identification Number Chair Joy Leavitt reported that she has secured the Tax Identification Number with the help of Attorney Christopher Mahoney. A discussion ensued around changing the group name on the identification number from Our Living Local to Living Local. Because of the cost and time it would take to make the change, it was agreed to stay with Our Living Local and use Living Local as a DBA.

Logos Chair Joy Leavitt reported that Envision uses a five step process starting with black and white, and then they go back and tweak the look to the customers specifications. It was noted that Envision and Go Graphics were chosen to work on this project because they both knew how to tell a story. A discussion ensued about the logos and a review was made of each logo presented. It was agreed to have each company tweak their logos to see what they can come up with. Membership Chair Joy Leavitt asked the Committee if they would be willing to split up the list of interested businesses and contact them individually. The Committee agreed this is a good idea. Ms. Christina Rinaldi Lalime presented an updated membership letter. The Committee agreed the letter looks great. Ms. Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman will add the names of businesses next to the Committee member names and send the updated letter to the Committee. Ms. Leavitt asked the group if names of prospective businesses should be requested at the next membership meeting. The Committee agreed this is a good idea. Ms. Leavitt will print the form and bring it with her to the meeting. Ms. Leavitt reminded the Committee that the membership criteria needs to be finalized. AMIBA Chair Joy Leavitt discussed AMIBA (American Independent Business Alliance). She stated that this may be a good speaker for one of our fall Membership meetings. The Committee agreed this is a good idea. Ms. Leavitt to find out more information (how long are the presentations, cost, etc.) and report back to the Committee. Chair Joy Leavitt adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m. The next meeting will be Monday, July 15 at 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 SEE NEXT PAGE FOR ACTION ITEMS!

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

ACTION ITEMS! May, 2013 Ms. Joy Leavitt to look into Mass Appeal Ms. Joy Leavitt to contact Ms. Carole Leary at Bay Path regarding PR position Steering Committee asked to reflect on member candidates for PR and Membership Chairs July, 2013 Ms. Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman to make requested changes to the May and June minutes and resend to the Committee Committee asked to contact businesses that would be a good match for our group Ms. Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman to add business names next to committee member names on the Membership Letter and resend to the Committee Ms. Joy Leavitt to print form for members to record possible interested businesses and bring to next membership meeting Ms. Joy Leavitt to contact AMIBA for possible speaking engagement