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 North Port Coalition for Homeless/Needy Children, Inc. General Meeting Minutes

October General Meeting Minutes

October 6, 2026

The general meeting was called to order at 10:10 by Naomi at the Shannon Staub Library.  

The mission statement was read by all.

Introductions:  Everyone introduced themselves.

Minutes: 

The September minutes were approved yesterday at the Board meeting.  The minutes will be on the website.  

Financial Report:

Jeanne read the financial report for August.    Total Direct Income was $639.09, Grants were $8,500.00.   Expenses were $5,472.88.

Board Positions Needed:

 We still need a Volunteer Coordinator and a Fundraising Chair.  Susan explained what the Volunteer Coordinator position entails.    Naomi met a woman at the Chamber who might be interested in the Fundraising position. Naomi also suggested co-chairs would work well for Fundraising.  

Fundraising:

Applebees:    Judy secured January 9, 2027 for a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser.   Tickets sell for $12, and we get $6 on each.  We also have a 50/50 raffle and a gift card tree to raffle.  Volunteers are needed that day from 7:30 -10:00  Susan will coordinate volunteers.  Judy will have tickets available at our November meeting.

Bunco:  March 10, 2027  We will soon need a committee to organize this.  Also need a theme, if anyone has any suggestions.  

Dream Vacation:   Judy is in touch with Ed, who she met at the Chamber about this fundraising idea.  It’s a raffle for either a 2-3-4-5 night cruise.  Ed will come to our November Board meeting to explain how this works, and we will discuss it at the next General meeting.  

Nothing Bundt Cakes:  Judy has been in touch with Stacie at this new store in the Coco Plum shopping center.  They offer several ways to fundraise.  

1.  Sell the cakes

2. At an event, they sell, we get %

3. A one day event at the store – we get 20% of the day’s sales

Kim Cahill had a question about our name.  She feels it would be easier to just use BPA as North Port Coalition for the Homeless doesn’t always bring you to our information.  And people don’t know that name.  She would like to see it cross-referenced differently so it’s easier to find.  Frank explained that as a non-for-profit, that is our legal name, and we often need to use it that way.

Bags:

Small – 799     Large  - 207   Total  -  1006   The high school bags would be another 16.

All products are ordered.  Judy will not be there Packing day.  Jeanne will oversee small bags, and Judy Dionese will coordinate large bags.  

There are several new schools in Wellen Park.  Although we have heard there may be some students there we could assist, we have contacted the Principals and have not heard back.  Naomi has contact person and will follow up.

Volunteer Coordinator:

Sorting day is Friday, October 16th at 9 am; Packing and Delivery Day is Monday, October 19th at 9 am.   

Susan said she already sent out the email and would appreciate if everyone would respond.  We always have need for drivers and men to help.  Last month we had some high school students, and Judy will contact Shannon to see if they will be here this month.  

Website:

Frank said website is up to date.  We have updated the names of some donors.     We have about 10 listed now.  There are also 2 companies who pay for a yearly sponsorship and are noted.  

Frank will be working on new brochures.  One of the changes will be to eliminate where we meet, but this information is always on the website.

We have 3 new Donation boxes:  Health and Body I Venice; Healing Center in Pt. Charlotte; The Gallery in North Port. 

Publicist:

Donna and Carol put together a new Welcome folder for volunteers. Donna said there is a sheet on the front table to sign to indicate what ways you would like to volunteer.  

Jenny asked where the drop off would be if she picked up from donation boxes.   She feels she could help with this within about 5 miles of her home, and the drop off at the storage building would work.

Everyone agreed the reporter, Daniel, did a great job on his article.     

Scrapbook:

Linda apologized for giving us the 2024-2025 scrapbook that wasn’t quite finished.  She said it is now complete.  She will start the 2026 book.  She also plans to do a Memory Book of just pictures. Everyone agreed she does a great job!                                         

Old Business:

Gallery:  Naomi met with some of the resident yesterday.  Cheryl Doyle, one of the founders of BPA, also spoke quite emotionally about the beginnings of the organization.  Several of the residents will put labels on the bags for us.   Naomi also gave them a donation box.

General Meeting Location:  

Our November meeting will be held at the VFW hall  on Trott Circle.  in North Port.

New Business: 

Parking Situation:  Several people from last month’s second shift had difficulty with parking at the Storage place.  Frank said both sides of the building have parking, which is not marked, but you could park there diagonally.  Susan suggested the 1st shift leave at 10:00 and the 2nd shift arrive at 10:15.  We will see how it goes this month.

Newcomers Day: 

November 7th from 10:00-Noon at the Morgan Center.  Frank and Donna will arrive at 9:00.  Jenny may also help out.

Poinsettia Parade & Festival Day: 

December 5th from 3:00-7:30.  Judy said there would be 2 shifts – With set up 2:00-5:00 and with break down 5:00-7:30.

Name Badges:  

New ones available for about $12.00.  Give your name to Judy if you’d like one.

T-Shirts:  

Jeanne has some extra ones she will bring to our next meeting or you can order one.  Price is approximately $18.00.    

                               Naomi adjourned the meeting at 11:25                                              OUR NEXT GENERAL MEETING IS

                                  TUESDAY November 3, 2026 @ 10:00 am                              

at the VFW Hall

4860 Trott Circle, North Port