[Advocacy-outreach] Coordinating Meeting Minutes for January

[Lorraine Kells]

Hello all,

It's easier for all to have the minutes sent just before the meeting so
everyone is more likely to read them before Tues. Feb 20.  Please see below
and also  attached.  I hope everyone will try their best to be at this
meeting, there's lots of good news and information to share. It may be our
last zoom until the fall. Remember we have to have some meetings again in
person.

CCGA Coordinating Committee Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2024 - 6pm on Zoom

Attending:  JW Glass, Barb Dennis, Gina Jamison, Mamie Gray, Melissa Petty,
Kathy Figel, and Lorraine Kells. Guest Elizabeth Berkeley of Chicago Grows
Food**

Motion to accept November minutes with necessary corrections for the
website made by JW, Seconded by Gina.
Meeting called to order 6:10pm

Project/Event Updates are now given at the top of the meeting as per draft
agenda sent 10/15

RE: LVMH grant to update website, Mamie is working on identifying potential
interns.

JW Screen shared an email CCGA received from Lucy Contreras, the Illinois
Community Advocate for GreenLatinos in Chicago. Green Latinos is a national
network of Latino/a/e environmental and conservation champions fighting
against climate change and environmental degradation that intensifies
systemic social, health, and economic injustices in our communities. They
are launching a grant to help community-based organizations create parks,
gardens, and outdoor community hubs. The initiative targets Chicago, and
through this initiative, GreenLatinos aims to advance urban greening
planning, advocacy, and implementation. They are looking for local leaders
to join our Chicago Community Advisory Board.  Everyone expressed interest,
and Kathy volunteered to contact Lucy.  Gina pointed out that we need to
begin with contact with the group get the nuts and bolts to create a
narrative and ask for a graphic, then post of FB and our website, and put
something in our Winter Newsletter to send out to all CCGA.  Kathy will get
back to JW.

Gina brought up the topic of a conference in 2024. Mamie stated we may want
to review the HDYGG project before making suggestions for an event in
2024.  Discussion followed briefly whether a hybrid or in person events is
preferable, or even a mini conference in the fall. JW spoke to the
preferable in-person networking, energy, and lively connection that we want
in an event.

Kathy Figel chimed in with a strong endorsement for a fall event in Oct or
Nov. when gardeners would be finished or nearly done with most of the work
of their gardens.
Melissa made the motion: CCGA will place a date on the calendar for a
potential event in October or November of 2024. Gina seconded.
This means some ad-hoc group should be created before the February meeting
and possibly begin discussion.

There is a continued call for the next newsletter, possible Winter
Newsletter—please send topics/articles. JW stated we have the intent to get
a Newsletter out in Feb.

There were no other topics/projects to discuss

Committee Reports
Resources and Distribution
Barb mentioned a GoFundMe donation to Resources. Lorraine interrupted to
point out, unless dedicated to a committee, donations go to CCGA general
fund. Barb spoke of Resources and Distributions activity Jan 3 when 20,000
bulbs were made available at the SW corner of Douglas Blvd and Central
Park, Love Blooms Here Plaza. The bulbs were available in crates over two
days. All the bulbs were taken, but the hope was expressed that this could
be done earlier in the season next time.

Open to all, Resources and Distribution will host an event at the Garfield
Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., in the community room.
Carolina Ara will give tips and a demo on how to grow salad spouts
indoors.  Eve Venable will demonstrate how to grow gourds to make luffas.
>From 1-3 pm, must RSVP by Feb. 2. There will also be a give away of house
plants. The event is limited to 40 people, and there is an option to tour
the Conservatory afterward.


Advocacy & Outreach – No Report

Education – No Report

Communications – JW described some technical work that needs to be done to
adjust the map.  Pointing out that you won’t get a garden name until you
click on the map. Mamie and JW will get together. JW is looking for story
ideas, and photos from the CEGA awards + copy.

Finance – Angela was not available.

A reminder, the next meeting is February 20 ma
7:03 Motion to Adjourn made by JW; seconded by Kathy

***Elizabeth attended the meeting although on mute and not using video.
She was active in the chat, stating she would be getting back to CCGA.
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