Message reported on Lake Claire Parents Network: 

All - 

I had a Uhaul truck appear in front of my house. One of the drivers got out and knocked on my door...then started to kick it until my dog came downstairs and started to bark. The individual got into the truck and drove off. I called 911, the police came and are on the look out for it. The driver and occupant are african american males, in their 40's, one wearing a black shirt (heavy set, possibly bald) and another a white shirt (slight build, afro). 



This happened on Harold Ave near McLendon. 

 

Your sidewalks are crumbling and your city schools are in crisis management mode.  Okay, the headline may be a bit of an exaggeration but the truth is: YOUR NEIGHBOROOD NEEDS YOU.   The past few years have left CPNO in the great financial shape but the organization always needs more energy and new energy to push the agenda forward.  We’ve also managed to eliminate many of the excuses you’ve used in the past:

1)     I go out drinking on Monday nights.  Alcohol is served at our General Meetings.

2)     I eat dinner at 7:00 PM.  Food is donated for our General Meetings by a new restaurant every month!

3)     I have to watch the kids.  Free childcare is provided by CPNO on General Meeting nights.

To be eligible for the Board you must:

(1) be a member of the CPNO (free, sign up online)

(2) have attended at least 4 CPNO regular meetings the election cycle (Oct & Nov count!) *

*(note: if you haven’t attended enough meetings but you’re still interested, please go ahead and submit your name.  If all board positions are not filled by election, they can be appointed by the newly elected board.)

A nominating committee has been formed to come up with a slate of candidates.  If you would like to serve in 2012 or, better yet, if you’d like to volunteer one of your neighbors to serve, please contact one of the following:

Dave Aynes – treasurer@candlerpark.org

Jay Sandhaus – president@candlerpark.org

Trey Long – environment@candlerpark.org

Kate Sandhaus – communications@candlerpark.org

Lexa King – membership@candlerpark.org

(phone numbers for these contacts are posted on www.candlerpark.org )

This year, we’re attempting to fill not only each seat on the Board, but also a shadow position (apprentice) for each Board seat.  To get involved as a shadow/apprentice requires only a genuine interest in participating.

The committee will submit our recommendations at the October regular CPNO meeting.  Voting is scheduled for the November meeting and according to the bylaws, nominations can also be submitted from the floor at that meeting.

There are over 1,500 addresses in Candler Park.  Despite free membership, CPNO has about 300 registered members (many pairs of members share an address).  I think CPNO could gain new members by reaching out to our neighbors in a new way so I’m recommending that we send a postcard.  I am hopeful that a new type of announcement about goings on in our neighborhood (childcare and food at membership meetings, movie nights, renew membership online, etc.), will encourage more people to get involved.  Since a member expressed concern over the trees that would have to be killed to send these postcards, I am also recommending that $125 be donated to Trees Atlanta.  At our August meeting, I will propose that CPNO approve funding for the $1,649 to send postcards to the addresses of all non-members in Candler Park.  This cost will cover the maximum that CPNO would spend: $1,524 for 2,500 postcards (minimum order, including postage) and the $125 donation to Trees Atlanta to plant five trees (I think only one tree will actually have to be sacrificed to produce the postcards).  Please contact me with detailed questions by e-mailing treasurer@candlerpark.org

In 2011, CPNO hosted the 5^th Annual SweetWater 420 5K.  Over 2,000 runners participated and the race sold out over a week in advance.  Planning for the 2012 event has become complicated due to the uncertainty surrounding whether the city will allow SweetWater’s popular music festival to continue in its previous form.  I believe that the festival, despite the disruption it causes, is popular in the neighborhood by an overwhelming majority.  I am hopeful that enough residents will post messages in support of this festival (and festivals in general) to illustrate this to the city.

In the meantime, one of CPNO’s two primary fundraisers sits in limbo.  I am proposing that CPNO promote and organize a 5K race on April 21^st whether or not there is a festival.  I am also proposing that CPNO hires Zulu Racing, LLC as its 2012 race director and timing company.  While the timing and management costs will exceed last year’s budgeted cost by 38%, my research into Zulu’s technology and interview with their principals indicate that the increased cost is justified.  In 2011, the race suffered from a lack of volunteers and a few other logistical issues last year but it is a highly successful event.  I firmly believe that last year’s issues can be overcome and the race can be an even bigger success in 2012 but the planning must begin now.  At our August meeting, I will propose that CPNO approve funding for the $3,250 contract with Zulu.  $1,625 is payable upon signing and the remainder is payable within 3 days of the event.  Please contact me with detailed questions by e-mailing treasurer@candlerpark.org

Candler Park Market's 2nd annual New Belgium / Fat Tire bike raffle was held on July 9th.  The effort raised $380 and all proceeds were split equally between CPNO and Lake Claire Neighbors. 

Also, the market is now selling cool Candler Park merchandise.  Mugs ($5), hats ($5) and banners ($25) are now available at the counter (cash only, please).  100% of sales benefit CPNO.

Planning for this year's Fall Fest is well underway.  A budget for this year's festival has been circulated and will be boted upon at the General Membership meeting on July 18th.  A summary version of the budget appears below:

                       2010                           2011  

Income           85,804                        88,784           

Expense         60,665                        66,117           

Contingency                                        3,300          

Net Income    25,139                        19,367                                         

Change from 2010:                                            

Income                              Reason          

Art Market     1,600              More artists’ booths                                 

Expenses                               

T-Shirts          -1,110            Fewer shirts will be ordered                     

Production        835              Last year CPNO paid for stage manager’s hotel due to  lack of hotel sponsorship.               

Talent             1,400             Musicians gotta eat too.

Generators     963                Fuel costs are up.

Golf Carts       1,250            These were donated last year.

Kids Area       1,500             This area was managed by Mary Lin last year.  CPNO has not finalized a plan for this year.

Contingency   3,300          Allows for the possibility of each line item exceeding its budgeted amount by 5%.

To get involved with helping to increase festival revenue or reduce costs by contacting treasurer@candlerpark.org  or visit www.candlerparkfallfest.com

MorePeople = Less Work + More Fun

More People = Less Work + More Fun

This year’s 5K has sold out in record time!  The only way to still get a t-shirt (and raise funds for the hood) is to volunteer.  So come on, take 2 - 4 hours out of your day to help.  To volunteer, please e-mail treasurer@candlerpark.org.

In the subject line, just write “volunteer".  In the message, let us know what Team(s) you’d like to be a part of, your t-shirt size and your phone number.

Registration Team

Need: 8 More People

Registration and all other "Day Of” Teams meet at Epworth UMC – 1561 McLendon Ave
When: April 16^th – 9 AM to 11:30 AM (or stay until 1:00 to help hand out shirts and wristbands)
Why: We need 24 adults to help hand out packets to runners and operate a bag check.  Sixteen people have already volunteered.  Experience being calm is helpful...but this will be lots of fun because all the packets are already stuffed and we're going to have adequate volunteers.

Water Team

Need: 3 More People

When: April 16^th – 9 AM to Noon
Why: We need 24 people (ages 7+) to set up water tables along the course.  Experience pouring water into cups is a plus.  This is a great family activity!  Euclid Court Apartments and a Farview Ave resident have generously donated their water spigots (and front yards) to our cause so there will be no heavy lifting.

Finish Team

Need: 8 More People

When: April 16^th – 10 AM to Noon
Why: We need 10 adults to assist runners as they finish the race.  Remove their electronic timing chips, show them where the bananas are, etc.

Photo/Video Team

Need: 2 More People

When: April 16^th – 10 AM to 1 PM
Why: We need 4 people who can mingle around the event and make runners look like they’re in Chariots of Fire.

T-Shirt / Wrist Band Team

Need: 12 More People

When: April 16^th – 10:45 AM to 1:30 PM
Why: We need 20 adults to help distribute t-shirts, check ID’s and put wrist bands onto runner’s wrists.  The registration team is welcomed to be on this team too…after all, this is where the beer gets poured!

More People = Less Work + More Fun

This year’s 5K has sold out in record time!  The only way to still get a t-shirt (and raise funds for the hood) is to volunteer.  So come on, take 2 - 4 hours out of your day to help.  To volunteer, please e-mail treasurer@candlerpark.org.

In the subject line, just write “volunteer".  In the message, let us know what Team(s) you’d like to be a part of, your t-shirt size and your phone number.

Packet Team (Pre-Event)

Need: 4 More People

When: April 7^th – 2 PM to 9 PM
Where: First Existentialist Congregation – 470 Candler Park Drive
Why: We need 20 people (ages 7+) to stuff up to 2,000 packets with shirts, race numbers and special offers.  No, you don’t have to be there the whole time. 

Registration Team

Need: 8 More People

Registration and all other "Day Of” Teams meet at Epworth UMC – 1561 McLendon Ave
When: April 16^th – 9 AM to 11:30 AM
Why: We need 10 adults to help hand out packets to runners and register any latecomers.  Experience being calm is helpful.

Water Team

Need: 16 More People

When: April 16^th – 9 AM to Noon
Why: We need 28 people (ages 7+) to set up water tables along the course.  Experience pouring water into cups is a plus.

Finish Team

Need: 8 More People

When: April 16^th – 10 AM to Noon
Why: We need 10 adults to assist runners as they finish the race.  Remove their electronic timing chips, show them where the bananas are, etc.

Photo/Video Team

Need: 2 More People

When: April 16^th – 10 AM to 1 PM
Why: We need 4 people who can mingle around the event and make runners look like they’re in Chariots of Fire.

T-Shirt / Wrist Band Team

Need: 12 More People

When: April 16^th – 10:45 AM to 1:30 PM
Why: We need 20 adults to help distribute t-shirts, check ID’s and put wrist bands onto runner’s wrists.  The registration team is welcomed to be on this team too…after all, this is where the beer gets poured!

More People = Less Work + More Fun

This year’s 5K is shaping up to be our biggest ever!  That means we’ll need more volunteers that ever to ensure that the event goes smoothly.  To volunteer, please e-mail treasurer@candlerpark.org.

In the subject line, just write “volunteer".  In the message, let us know what Team(s) you’d like to be a part of, your t-shirt size and your phone number.

Packet Team (Pre-Event)

When: April 7^th – 2 PM to 9 PM
Where: First Existentialist Congregation – 470 Candler Park Drive
Why: We need 20 people (ages 7+) to stuff up to 2,000 packets with shirts, race numbers and special offers.  No, you don’t have to be there the whole time. 

Registration Team

Registration and all other "Day Of” Teams meet at Epworth UMC – 1561 McLendon Ave
When: April 16^th – 9 AM to 11:30 AM
Why: We need 10 adults to help hand out packets to runners and register any latecomers.  Experience being calm is helpful.

Water Team

When: April 16^th – 9 AM to Noon
Why: We need 16 people (ages 7+) to set up water tables along the course.  Experience pouring water into cups is a plus.

Finish Team

When: April 16^th – 10 AM to Noon
Why: We need 10 adults to assist runners as they finish the race.  Remove their electronic timing chips, show them where the bananas are, etc.

Photo/Video Team

When: April 16^th – 10 AM to 1 PM
Why: We need 4 people who can mingle around the event and make runners look like they’re in Chariots of Fire.

T-Shirt / Wrist Band Team

When: April 16^th – 10:45 AM to 1:30 PM
Why: We need 20 adults to help distribute t-shirts, check ID’s and put wrist bands onto runner’s wrists.  The registration team is welcomed to be on this team too…after all, this is where the beer gets poured!

CPNO's core group of leaders and dozens of regular volunteers donate a tremendous amount of their time to manage the organization and its fundraising events.  In order to facilitate that process now and in the future, I am proposing that CPNO hire Small Business Services (SBS), a firm owned by a Candler Park resident, to handle its bookkeeping.  Simply put, this is a big job.  Last year, CPNO's activities generated inflows of over $143,000 and outflows of over $94,000 (350 separate checks and deposit items).  While this function has always been done by volunteers in the past, I think outsourcing will benefit the organization in the following ways:

1.      Checks & Balances - CPNO's treasurer would approve all expenditures.  SBS would actually issue payments and reconcile CPNO's bank statements.  Separating these two functions is a cornerstone of prudent financial management.

2.      Better Reporting - SBS is capable of producing more informative and useful reports for our organization.

3.      Continuity - CPNO's board is elected annually.  Outsourced bookkeeping would ensure that the members receive consistent information regardless of who is elected as Treasurer.  Furthermore, if no one volunteers to be Treasurer, the Board can conceivably operate in his/her absence.

4.      IRS Compliance - As CPNO has grown, so has its responsibility to comply with ever changing guidelines and reporting requirements for non-profits.

5.      Collections - CPNO currently depends on the same volunteers who sell advertising in the Messenger (or solicit Event Sponsorship funds) to collect those funds.  By working as our collections agent, SBS could help CPNO by providing collections administrative support.

6.      Free our volunteers' time - Time spent on bookkeeping and administrative duties is time not spent planning and coordinating fundraising events and selling advertising in the Messenger.

Of course, with any new endeavor, there is always a downside:

1.      Increased cost - These services will cost CPNO approximately $3,100 per year (6.27% of funds raised in 2010).

2.      Collections may not improve and volunteers may not sell more Sponsorships or Messenger advertising.

3.      A company may not perform our bookkeeping tasks as well as a dedicated volunteer (or as well as we expect).

I propose that we vote at the April General Meeting to accept Small Business Services' proposal to manage CPNO's bookkeeping for an annual cost of $3,100 ($350 for the first month; $250 for each additional month).