Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

Present:

Rocky Burnett, Debbie Campbell, Kevin Dallaire, Ernie Emond, Janice Hughes, James Ireton, Dexter Lunsford, Mark McIver, Cindy Pilchard, Michael Poremba, Michael Pretl, Shanie Shields, Connie Strott, Dorothy Truitt, David Wharton, Richard Widdowson, Mary K Davis
James Fineran, Rick Pollitt

Absent:

Rosemary Weiland

Guests present included:

Mary Ashanti, G.A. Harrison, Shawn Tucker, Francis Hooks, Stan Benson, Phil Moreno, T.J. Maloney, John Bonas, and Mary Jane Marine

The meeting convened at 7:00 with introductions of those present, led by Debbie Campbell and Rocky Burnett. The committee immediately approved the agenda for the evening following a motion by Connie Strott and a second by Dexter Lunsford. The next item on the agenda was the consideration of new members to the committee. It was reported that Bruce Webster had resigned from the steering committee and that Mary K Davis was acting as secretary, but was not a member of the committee. The prospective new members introduced themselves and explained a little of their background. The four prospective new members in attendance were: T.J. Maloney, Mary Jane Marine, Phillip Moreno, and William Smith. Shanie Shields presented information about Starr Purnell and Lena Wallop, who were not able to attend that evening. Ernie Emond made a motion to accept the six new members, seconded by Dexter Lunsford. The new members were welcomed to seats at the table. Shanie Shields resigned from the committee because she is an elected official of the city of Salisbury. This brought the total number of steering committee members to twenty.

The committee then proceeded to the selection of a Chair. Jim Ireton and Mike Pretl were nominated and the nominations were closed. Each man spoke to the committee about his relevant experience. Jim Ireton expressed the importance of deciding how much more time this committee would need to do its work and asked the committee to work using consensus. Mike Pretl stated that he felt that a co-chair situation would be best suited to the work of the committee. The nominators withdrew their nominations. Ernie Emond nominated James Ireton and Michael Pretl as co-chairs, seconded by Connie Strott. The committee agreed by a voice vote consensus. Rocky Burnett and Debbie Campbell stepped down, passing presiding duties to the new co-chairs. Rocky addressed the group, telling them to allow the Congress to evolve and to make it inviting and enticing.

The minutes from the March 27th meeting were reviewed. Mike Pretl asked that they be amended to include his remarks that Rick Pollitt's letter, which was read at that meeting, was not to be misconstrued that Mike had accepted the chair position previously, nor had he been given it by Rick. Mike Pretl made the motion to amend as stated, and it was seconded by Connie Strott. Connie then made the motion to accept the amended minutes, and it was seconded by David Wharton.

At this point it was entered by Rocky that Rick Pollitt had joined the meeting's guests.

After each member was given copies, Mike Pretl presented four documents which he had prepared for the committee to consider. The first document was a Suggested Structure. He suggested immediately beginning the process of incorporation as Maryland nonprofit, tax exempt under Sec.501 (c ) (3). He briefly reviewed the benefits of this plan and reminded the committee that as such it may not participate in any political activity. He suggested requesting seed money from the Community Foundation and volunteered to speak to Spicer Bell about it. However, it was suggested that he wait before speaking to Mr. Bell. The next document presented was Articles of Incorporation of Wicomico Neighborhood Congress, Inc. He then explained various parts of the articles and provided clarification of other parts. The introduction of the Draft Bylaws of the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress, Inc. was presented next. Mike Pretl read or explained parts of this document which he said will be discussed in detail during the next meetings. The group also looked at another document, An Application for Membership.

In a recap by Jim Ireton, all members were requested to read these documents carefully and to come to the next meeting prepared with suggestions, criticisms, etc. Each part of the documents would be looked at, critiqued, changed, reviewed, and accepted by consensus before moving on. Time limits may be placed on discussions. If consensus could not be reached, that part would be tabled and revisited.

Questions from members and guests followed. It was asked whether the NAACP would be allowed to join the Congress. No answer could be given because membership had not been defined yet. It was also mentioned that the committee needed to decide whether individual membership was going to be allowed. The difference between the steering committee and the Congress itself was reiterated. It was hoped that the Congress will be convened in 2008 and would include all groups from throughout the county. At this time, the work of the steering committee would be examined by the whole Congress and accepted or changed as the members saw fit. It was stated that once the structure is in place, the steering committee will go out and recruit organizations to become members.
Mike Pretl said that the use of sectors as outlined in the Draft Bylaws would be important to effective recruiting of neighborhood organizations. The issue of sending tentative bylaws to the IRS with the application for incorporation was questioned. It was believed that bylaws could be amended, but are very hard to change. Mr. Pretl assured the group that bylaws are submitted yearly and changes can be made when necessary. The comment was made that the Neighborhood Congress had been presented to the community as a grassroots organization, but that the current emphasis on structure and bylaws is not conducive to a mass meeting or grassroots organization. Mr. Ireton said that these comments will be taken into consideration at a future time.

Rick Pollitt, Wicomico County Executive, addressed the group. He reminded them of the old fable called "Belling the Cat". In the tale all the mice agreed that they needed to tie a bell around the cat's neck so that they could track its whereabouts. But none of the mice could agree on who would actually tie the bell on the cat. He told the committee that the members were "belling the cat"--doing the hard work. He said that the energy exists in the county to make it all that it can be, that people are coming together willingly to be part of something bigger than themselves. He recognized that structure is necessary, but that there should not be too much emphasis on bylaws. This should be designed to bring people together in a collective way. He complimented the group on its dealing with lack of diversity. Shanie Shields had stepped up and worked to clear the diversity issue, so that the steering committee could move ahead with its work. He clarified his remarks about leadership .Mr. Pollitt didn't want his letter from March 27th to be misconstrued as that he had appointed Mike Pretl as chair. Rick told the group that he was expressing his appreciation to Mike for his willingness to assume leadership. Mr. Pollitt wants all citizens to step up and take responsibility for solving problems. He reminded everyone that the way will be bumpy and somewhat discouraging at times, but that the goal is a sense of neighborhood.

A few announcements followed. Delmar's Yard Sale is Saturday April 24th. The NAACP will have their meeting at Mills Memorial on April 26th at 7:00. University students will be cleaning up the Village of Hope property at 9:00 on Saturday. A donation of rakes or other yard equipment would be welcome.

Connie Strott made the motion to adjourn at 9:00, seconded by David Wharton.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary K. Davis
Secretary to the Committee