Heifer Volunteers: Sonoma - Napa

Heifer U @ Hidden Villa

2012-01-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

Minutes - January 14, 2012 - Napa

2012-01-21T09:59:00.000-08:00

Persons in attendance: Ann, Marolyn, Jessie, Jacquie, Carol, Keni, Marlene, Linda Lucas, Betty, Janeen, Emilia, Linda Ditiker-Yolo.
Meeting facilitated by Evie, who gave us a quick recap of her almost 3 months in Santa Fe and surroundings. Minutes recorded by Nancy

Treasurers report by Ann. We currently have a balance of $428.37.
Linda McBee, Sonoma Area Volunteer Coordinator, has asked us to inquire of our total membership about whether or not that they might have friends or acquaintances in Sonoma County who might become active volunteers for Heifer. If you know of anyone please call Linda McBee at 707-875-3177.
Linda Lucas gave a brief report about her attendance at Volunteer Day at Hidden Villa in November.
- This was hosted by Eliza and Jill, from Heifer International. Linda emphasized that she felt that our group was very well informed about Heifer and that compared to many areas that we have an exceptionally large, active group.
- Hidden Villa is now a Regional Park and a very beautiful place to visit. Linda received a DVD from Eliza that is a brief over-view of Heifer International, which might be useful to anyone giving a presentation about Heifer. It is available in our resource library of Heifer DVD’s kept at Nancy Evans house.
Eliza and Jill, from Heifer International, will be in Napa on Tuesday, Feb. 7 and most of the people at the meeting indicated they would like to meet with them. Betty mentioned that she and Jacquie might be able to put together a power point of our activities for this year. Evie will talk further with Eliza about the time and place of the meeting. Carol and Keni volunteered to have the meeting at their house, and a few other possibilities were also discussed.
Nancy gave a summary of a very large Heifer project in Thailand, as a way of discussing some of the nuts and bolts of the way that Heifer operates.
Linda Lucas passed out the book Hungry for Change: Food, Ethics and Sustainability published by the Northwest Earth Institute. This will be our next study project. Members who were not at the meeting, and are interested in buying the book can call or email Linda Lucas. Different members volunteered to facilitate each of the six chapters of the book. Ann will do chapter 1 at our next meeting.
Discussion was held about the difficulty that some members were having in filling out “time sheets” for Heifer. Marolyn is going to work up a form, and we can discuss this when we meet with Eliza and Jill.
We brain stormed about possible local Heifer projects for 2012. They are listed below. Feel free to add more ideas at the next meeting where we will discuss them.
- How to share about our development as a local Heifer group with other groups & Heifer.
- Live animal market perhaps at Connely Rance or Vintage Farm.
- Earth day tabling, April 21st.
- Farmer Market tabling…add St. Helena?
- Barn Dance with Sonoma
- Reading Heifer books at the Napa Valley Museum. Marlene did this in December.
- Alternative Gift Fairs in November & December.
Meeting adjourned at 11:50. (Another Methodist group needed the space.)

Sonoma Volunteer Group

2012-01-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

I used to feel like a deer in the headlights....so many things going wrong in the world! So much pain and suffering! Since joining with other Heifer volunteers to end world hunger, promote peace and so much more, I feel much better. It's so good to do something positive and actively work for a better world! The people doing this work are fantastic, positive, energized!

We are seeking members for the Sonoma Volunteer Group. Our group, thus far, has been meeting jointly with the Napa group. We would like to establish a strong group in Sonoma County. The Napa volunteers and the Sonoma volunteers will combine efforts for any large events either group may sponsor. I invite you to join us.

The Sonoma County group will meet in Sebastopol on the third Saturday of each month, beginning in February. Join us! Please email heifersonoma@gmail.com. I'll give you a call.

Meeting - United Methodist Church in Napa - January 14th - 10am

2012-01-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

Agenda

Happy New Year and Check in ~ All
Treasurer's Report ~ Ann
Report on Volunteer Day at Hidden Villa ~ Linda L and Dal
Napa meeting w/ Eliza and Jill from Heifer Regional in February ~ Nancy/Evie
Distribution of study books from Northwest Earth Institute ~ Linda L
Please be prepared to purchase your copy, at a cost of $17.30, with cash or a check.
Information on Heifer International projects in Thailand and Oregon ~ Nancy
Member Input ~ All
Please bring forward any questions you have about Heifer and/or share any recent info you've gleaned about Heifer from the web site, World Ark, etc.
Let's begin talking a bit about our thoughts on what Heifer could be doing locally in the year ahead

*The Napa Valley Register will feature an article by Napa Valley Can Do on our local Heifer organization, next Monday, January 16. Betty and Nancy assisted in the development of the article. Thanks to them.

Sebastopol United Methodist Church Benefits Heifer International

2011-12-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

Ernie Bohn, Karen Bohn, Violet Moir of Sebastopol UMC mission team.

Sebastopol United Methodist Church selects Heifer International as a beneficiary of their alternative giving program. Each year the church's mission team offers three options for making donations in honor of friends and family as an alternative to material gift exchange. The Sebastopol Church is a long time supporter of Heifer International and currently provides meeting space for Sonoma County Heifer volunteers.
Heifer volunteers have a rich supply of educational materials, gift cards, and catalogs, which they are pleased to provide for alternative giving events. Contact: heifersonoma@gmail.com

Napa News Alternative Gift Fairs

2011-11-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

On Nov. 13 Napa Heifer volunteers staffed two gift fairs--one at the First Presbyterian Church and the other at Convent Presbyterian Church. The events raised funds and awareness for Heifer and were very successful with numerous animals (both real and stuffed), books and ornaments purchased, and information presented.
Another alternative gift fair will be on Sunday, December 4, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the First Methodist Church in Napa.
Also on Saturday, November 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. there will be a Heifer display and book sale at Copperfield's Books, 3900 Bel Aire Plaza, in Napa.
Monday, December 5 through Saturday, December 10 there will be a Heifer Book Display in the Children's Room, Napa County Library, 580 Coombs St., Napa.

Living Gift Market @ Green String Farm

2011-11-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

Are you starting to think about holiday shopping? Holiday shopping will not only be made easy but also benefit a good cause at the Heifer International Living Gift Market Saturday, Nov. 19 at Green String Farm in Petaluma. This free, fun family event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.
There will be refreshments and farm animals to pet and admire such as mini-cows, mini-goats, a sheep and chickens, and bees to observe. We will have some down-home music provided by Tony Robinson Music. There will be information about Heifer’s work to help end world hunger and to transform entire communities. The idea is to make a donation which will give a gift of an animal from chicks to goats, from cows to pigs, trees or bees, for example, through Heifer’s programs around the world and also in the United States, programs which also include training. You can honor family and friends with a gift that goes on giving. Gifts are acknowledged with a gift card which you can then present.
Green String is a sustainable farm located at 3571 Adobe Road, Petaluma.

REACH - Rural Entrepreneurs for Agricultural Cooperation in Haiti

2011-10-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

Nor Cal Volunteer Meeting

2011-10-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

About 25 volunteers from Northern California met as Hidden Villa in the Los Altos Hills on Oct. 22, 2011.
We were expertly led through a full agenda by Eliza, the Northwest Community Volunteer Coordinator, Jill, Heifer's liason at Hidden Villa and Pat the National Volunteer Coordinator for Heifer International.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch in the beautiful Hidden Villa setting. It is always uplifting, inspiring and fun to meet the great volunteers. We're a great group (if I do say so, myself)! My hope is that we can do this often!

Minutes - Oct. 8, 2011 - Napa

2011-10-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

First United Methodist Church, Napa
Meeting facilitator: Evie
Notes: Betty
Attending: Evie, Nancy, Emilia & Janeen, Ann, Jacquie, Jessie, Linda D-Y, Linda L. & Dal, Betty, Marolyn, Carole & Keni, Carol L.

Check-in:

Evie - Nancy will assume responsibilities while Evie is away. Marlene will be back up.
Janeen - Methodist Church has been provided with Heifer information.
Marolyn - now keeper of volunteer activity forms, all are urged to record and send in volunteer hours. Can be sent by email.
Betty - PR report: 12 Stones is now on Napa public access tv
Ann - has extra Heifer money cans.
Jacquie - now keeper of Heifer materials & "stuff", please give 24 hours notice if you need to obtain for an event or tabling, can call or email her.
Nancy has list of materials that Kathy has; Evie will do list soon.
Jessie and Linda D-Y and committee are working on alternative gift fairs.
Jessie - provided coffee/tea for meeting.
Carole & Keni - brought vegetables to share.
Carol L. - talked about Food Matters DVD, can register online to see, gave web address www.FoodMatters.tv/ScreeningEvent.

Agenda:
Treasurer's report – Ann reported money sent to Heifer International and our balance was circulated. Alternative gift fairs - Linda D-Y

First Presbyterian 9:30 - 2 on 11/13
Ist United Methodist 12/4
Covenant Presbyterian - Date TBA
Other possibilities (need more info) - Lutheran Church at Jefferson & Elm.
Center for Spiritual Living , no fair but may donate.
Nancy said synagogue may be receptive to a speaker.
Marolyn announced a Yountville Winter Fair at Community Center 11/5, she will check to see if we can do a table there.

Other:

Linda D-Y sent around sign up sheets, for tabling and making fudge.
Copperfields may do table in which we can display books and receive animal donations.
Napa Library children's librarian will do animal books/Heifer display first week of Dec.
Teacher Resource Center now has Heifer materials that teaches can check out, K-6 kits. Linda DY will keep them stocked with kits.
Flyers for Food Day in Yountville 10/24 were handed out. Nancy - can order books and ornaments for fairs.
Evie - reminded group to please take photos at these events for record, blog and possible Shutterfly book.
Napa High School - Nancy talked to Stephanie, teacher advisor of Heifer group at Napa High. Students are active, have been giving talks in their classes and have possible volunteers for Shearer.
Shearer - Nancy took materials to Shearer.
Betty will see if Cathy Waechter needs help with publicity.
Evie - Very positive, great effort!
Green String Farm event 11/12

Evie - It's a live- animal fair. Sonoma Heifer volunteers need our help with displays, clean up, thank-yous, baking cookies etc. Sign up list went around.
Betty will check with Linda McBee to see if publicity help is needed.

Travel to Hidden Villa -10/22 - Evie reported - Janeen & Emilia, Jacquie, Jessie and Renee going. Nancy will confirm with Renee who is driving. (Note from email: Those of you from the Napa area, if you are planning to attend, please contact Renee Austin at dancing-rider@sbcglobal.net to let her know, as she is coordinating car pooling.)
Carol L. - announced Bag It movie at Napa Valley Opera House end of Oct., (Napa Valley Opera House on Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Read more: http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/local-group-touts-reusable-bags/article_1af9ac6a-ee40-11e0-9c9b-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1aE9whpXr
Drug "take back" Clinic Ole will accept unused medications but not controlled substances, Janeen said; discussion followed with Ann giving info on drug types. QVH will take on Oct. 29, drugs & sharps, Jacquie announced.

New study topic

Evie proposed starting in Jan. or Feb. Good idea - consensus of group. Possible idea: Northwest Earth Institute's "Hungry for Change."
Suggestion to report back on Food Day, visit to Hidden Villa in Jan. and revisit study topics then to start in Feb.

Heifer International news

Evie reported on monthly conference call. Nancy has some small catalogues she will leave in her bike basket for pick up (on porch at Seminary & Oak)
Study tours to change format, focus
National Heifer Day March 24, 4th Sat. in March. Goal to recognize and keep local supporters engaged, thank donors. "Spring Into Action," - Evie suggested "Heifer Springs Into Action."

Meeting Schedule

NO November meeting since we will all be busy with alternative gift fairs, Green String event etc.
Dec. 10 next Napa meeting, in Napa at United Methodist Church, 10 AM.
Sonoma Group will not meet in October. Hopefully, there will be new members to join the Sonoma Group after the Green String Event on Nov. 12th.

Study

Wonderful report by Linda L. and Dal on Lithuania Heifer trip - they shared information, photos and gifts they had received. Everyone was very touched by their report. It was suggested that they might think about an article for the Napa Register. Betty will help if they decide to do it.

Monthy Meeting - 2nd Saturday - Napa

2011-10-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday - October 8 at 10 AM Methodist church - Napa
Agenda:

Plans for the upcoming local alternative gift fairs
An update on plans for a Sonoma event this fall at Green String Farm
Plans for attending the Volunteer Workshop at Hidden Villa October 22
Reports on activities at Shearer Elementary and Napa High schools
Discussion of what topic to choose for our next study group
Latest news from Heifer International, including a nationwide Heifer day on March 24, 2012
Presentation by Linda and Dal Lucas re their summer travel, including a visit to a Lithuanian Heifer
project this summer

2011-09-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel peace prize, died on Sunday night of cancer. She was 71. A feminist, social activist and an environmental crusader who showed no fear, her Green Belt Movement, founded in 1977, planted tens of millions of trees. She came into the GRITtv studios in September 2009, where she talked about the responsibility of all countries, industrialized and developing, to live within their means. Asked about resource wars, she spoke powerfully about equity and human rights, comparing the society to a forest, she said, "the canopy and the mushrooms both need light." It's powerful stuff. She'll be sorely missed. Maathai was in New York at the time for the UN summit on climate change. There have been promises from the major industrialized nations, including China and the United States, to take action, she said, but they've mostly failed to follow through. She looked ahead to the Copenhagen summit with caution. Caution that proved disastrously well placed. In the last two years, the industrialized nations have slowed, not sped, their progress towards change. Maathai's death, as activists around the world marked "Moving Planet Day, a global mobilization "to move beyond fossil fuels" underscored what she taught, namely that action on climate change will be driven, not from the top, but from below. Plant a tree for Maathai?

Minutes - September 10, 2011

2011-09-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

Meeting called to order by Evie at 10: am Napa Methodist Church.

Following members present: Linda McBee, Kathy Mawer, Caroline Bonnet, Linda Dietiker-Yolo, Keni and Carole Kent, Janeen Breyman and Emilia Garcia, Mary Blom, Jessie McDermott , Marolyn Roberts, Jacquie Eigen and Renee Austin.

Minutes of the meeting recorded by Nancy Evans

We were delighted to meet Stephanie Lamarka, a counselor at Napa High who is student advisor to a Heifer group which is beginning there and to June Maroney who presented a program from the Marine Mammal Center Art Exhibit. We also welcome Diane Beere as a new member.

Evie expressed current Napa needs: Coordinator for October meeting; Evie will meet with and work with whoever is willing to facilitate the meeting. Materials Storage; Carol and Keni Kent believe they have enough room; Computer reports to Eliza, at Heifer will be done by Marolyn Roberts; and Ann Schwartz will be the Recorder for the next meeting.

Members expressed their gratitude and happiness at having Sonoma Members Caroline, Mary and Linda McBee present.

Evie presented a brief overview of Heifer’s mission which is dedicated to ending hunger and poverty and caring for the Earth, and also The Heifer Model of planning which has a continuing sequence of four steps: Define the Situation, where are we at now? Envision the Future, Where are we going? Plan the Project, How will we get there? Monitor and Evaluate, How are we doing?

She also reiterated an important philosophy of our group, which is that we want to be a No Guilt Organization…Members, should decide what activities they want to be involved with and work on what brings them joy.

Kathy Mawer gave a brief report on the summer’s Farmers Market tabling…and thanked all the members who helped out. It was a successful action which provided information to many market goers…including their children.

Linda Dietiker-Yolo summarized the meeting of the alternative gift fare meeting and presented the idea that the group had discussed about perhaps having our own Alternative Gift Fare which would include donations of lightly used toys to be resold to other children. It was agreed by the group to pursue instead the idea of seeing if we could fit-in with existing church and community alternative gift fairs.

The Alternative Gift fare committee will meet to decide how to proceed. Nancy served the “five minute fudge” so that members would be acquainted with it to see if we want to do anything with it when trying to "sell" animals at the church fairs.

Linda Dietiker Yolo reported on the continued involvement of Heifer in the city of Napa’s Sustainability Program. She also let the group know that Heifer resource kits for teachers will be displayed in the county’s teacher supply center. The director of the center will email teachers to let them know of the availability of the materials.

Linda McBee reported on the Sonoma Group’s Plans to have a Living Gift Market. We are hoping that it will be held at Green Strings in November and that the Green Strings Interns will be able to help with the event. Napa members are also encouraged to help out.

It was announced that the Local Food Advisory Council would be meeting in Yountville on October 24^th. Tickets are $10. and volunteers are needed.

Carol and Keni talked about the upcoming Ice Cream and Swimming Party at their home, Wombats Farm at 2059 Curry Lane from 1 to 4 on Saturday, September 17^th. Members and friends are invited and are asked to bring either ice cream, or toppings. We have the opportunity to buy locally for it as much as we can.

Renee Austin is going to coordinate carpooling for the Volunteer Gathering at Heifer’s Hidden Villa Location October 22^ndfrom 9 to 4. Please email her if you are able to attend and want to carpool.

June Maroney presented a very informative slide show from the Marine Mammal Center Art Exhibit which can currently be seen at the center located in the Marin Headlands. The Art Exhibit consists of BIG creations made from plastic refuse washed up on beaches. A group from the Methodist Church will attend the slide show on October 9^th. You are invited to go with the group from the church. If you are interested please email June at: maroney.june@gmail.com.

Meeting adjourned shortly after 12: pm.

Read to Feed®

2011-09-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

Read to Feed is a reading incentive service-learning program that offers global education opportunities and will foster in your children a love for reading, a passion to help others and a way to help create a better world. Heifer's Read to Feed resources makes the program fun for the students and easy for the leader.

Children (individually or as a group) get sponsors for each book they read during a time frame set by his or her Read to Feed leader. At the end of the program, the group pools its funds and donates them to Heifer International to help Heifer assist millions of families around the world feed their families and reach self-reliance through the gifts of livestock and training.

The Read to Feed program encourages reading skills, while teaching students how they can empower families around the world with the gift of livestock, heightening awareness that their actions are making a difference in the lives of others. There are many ways to incorporate global education throughout your Read to Feed program. View Heifer's global education opportunities.

Minutes-August 13th-Sebastopol

2011-08-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Present:

Evie, Anne, Jessi, Linda L., Linda M., Janeen, Emilia, Marolyn, Mary, Carol, Kenni and Linda D.Y.
*via phone during check in: Caroline reported that she has written a letter to our new CEO Pierre Ferrari saying she has seen several full page ads about Heifer fighting for Peace and asking if there isn't a better way to express that? We all agreed that is a strange way to describe the work Heifer does for peace.

Follow Ups:

Pool Party - September 17th - 1 to 4 for family and friends. Eat lunch before and come prepared with toppings and ice cream. Please, RSVP to Carol and Keni.
Garage Sale - We had talked about having a garage sale after finishing the study of "Voluntary Simplicity" from NWEI
- Talk of a garage sale transformed into a discussion about a "Living Gift Market" event that could include young people giving their "old" toys to someone else less fortunate. We like the idea of combining Education about Heifer, Sustainablity and Giving combined in an event.
  Ideas were flowing. We formed a group to meet and consider the possibilities and venues.
  Committee: Jessi, Janeen, Marolyn, Linda D.Y. (chair), Carol and Keni.
There has been no response as yet from Chris Marino about having an event at Cline Wineries for the Holidays. Linda M. will continue to try and contact her.
Napa/Sonoma division.....coming soon.....maybe.....the ice cream social is planned on the same day as the newly scheduled regular monthly meeting time for Sonoma...the third Saturday of each month. Hmmm. We (Mary, Caroline and myself) will figure it out.

AVC Report:

There will be a Heifer University 3-day workshop on local and global food systems, sustainable partnerships. The cost is $225. Click here for the pdf flyer.
There will be a one day workshop for all Northern California volunteers at Hidden Villa on October 22nd. No charge for this event!
Several items from AVC conference call:
- Jill Kilty-Newburn has joined Eliza to work with the Bay Area volunteers. Jill will continue to work from the Heifer office at Hidden Villa in the Los Altos hills. She is also working with schools with a curriculum which will be available soon.
- New t-shirts will be available soon that will be just for volunteers (at a special price).
- Coming soon... an AVC (yearly) Workplan form to help us to start thinking strategically about the year ahead.
- There is now an internal calendar on which Eliza and Jill can place all events, meetings, etc. that will feed to a national calendar & social media outlets to help get our local events to a larger audience.
- the 2010 Annual Report is now available.
- Municiapl Library Systems are a good place to get the Heifer word out. In Anchorage the library system and the Heifer group have formed a great working alliance.
- Linda sent around a paper to collect the info about what everyone did this month for Heifer. She'll send this info on to Eliza.

Future ideas of what to do as a study:

talks from those who have been on Heifer Study tours to partner countries. At this time, Linda L. has been to Lithuania, Mary to Hondurus, and Nancy & Jackie traveled to Nepal.
There is enthusiasm to continue some sort of book study.
Report from people attending the Napa sustainability workshops.
There is a possibility of a National Spring Event hosted by numerous groups across the nation all on the same day!
Marolyn told us about this most interesting interview with Maurice Lim Miller (click that link).

Next meeting: September 10th in Napa (see calendar and map over to the right side).

Agenda - August 13, 2011

2011-08-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

Sebastopol Methodist Church...
see calendar to the right for time and directions.

Follow Ups:
- Carole Kent - ice cream social, pool party in Sept. Date TBA
- Future of our joint Sonoma-Napa group
- Garage Sale
- Anything else?
AVC report:
- Conference Call
- 9/29 there will be a Heifer U - 3-day workshop on local and global food systems, sustainable partnerships. Cost is $225.
- 10/22 there will be a one day all Northern California volunteers session at Hidden Villa; details to come. No charge for this event.
Future plans
- Living Gift Market @ Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Wines
Study??? What's next? Maybe some reports from members about their travels.

Next meeting - separate locations? 2nd and 3rd Saturdays.

AND THEN by Judy Chicago

2011-07-26T13:56:00.001-07:00

And then all that has divided us will merge

And then compassion will be wedded to power

And then softness will come to a world that is harsh and unkind

And then both men and women will be gentle

And then both women and men will be strong

And then no person will be subject to another's will

And then all will be rich and free and varied

And then the greed of some will give way to the needs of many

And then all will share equally in the Earth's abundance

And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old

And then all will nourish the young

And then will cherish life's creatures

And then all will live in harmony with one another and the Earth

And then everywhere will be called Eden once again.

Minutes - July 9th, 2011

2011-07-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

First United Methodist Church, Napa
Facilitator: Evie
Attending: Evie Trevethan, Betty Malmgren, Mary Blom, Marolyn Roberts , Linda Dietiker-Yolo , Janeen Breyman , Emilia Garcia, Linda McBee , Linda Lucas, Kathy Mawer, Marlene Zimmerman , Terri Linn, Carol Lilleberg, Carole and Keni Kent.

Check in For follow-up: Linda L. will get a copy of a slide show from her Heifer Study Tour--may be possible to plan an event around that.

Agenda

Follow Ups:
Farmer's Market: Kathy reported on Farmer's Market tabling success and new interest cards. She passed around the signup sheet for the rest of the season. Good networking, energy with other peace groups.
Betty distributed PSA for local radio station and DVD to local public access TV (with local contact information). Continued publicity work to increase Heifer visibility. Meeting notice on Patch.com, for example. Will get info on Sonoma Co. public access to Linda M.
AVC report: Linda M. reported on DVDs she has and asked people to take them and use them, new pledge action form, and gave monthly report of conference call with Eliza that she now participates in with area volunteer coordinators.
• Hidden Villa: plans have changed due to zoning issues.
• Jill will work with Eliza developing contacts in the bay area.
• 9/29 there will be a Heifer U - 3-day workshop on local and global food systems, sustainable partnerships. Cost is $225.
• 10/22 there will be a one day all Northern California volunteers session at Hidden Villa; details to come. No charge for this event.
• Linda and Caroline have passed out "read to feed" brochure at libraries in Sonoma County and invited help with that in Napa. More brochures are available.
• Next conference call for AVC’s the first week of August.
• Future of our joint Sonoma Napa group Brief discussion was held on the future of the Sonoma-Napa group; more discussion to come. Napa meetings will continue on 2nd Saturdays and Sonoma may hold separate meetings on 3rd Saturdays. We plan to continue to work together on events and similar activities.
Cultivating Peace
Evie reported on Cultivating Peace Workshop she attended at the end of April at Hidden Villa. The workshop provided a stronger sense of the roots of Heifer and how agriculture, social justice and peace issues have been linked in Heifer’s work since its inception. She gave insights into the founder (West) and his activist background. Noted that "peace begins when the hungry can feed themselves"...food security and personal safety are needed as a foundation for peace. Talked about conflict areas, long history of Heifer in those areas, and how Heifer works with both sides. When working with a community, Heifer starts with values training based on the Cornerstones first before beginning training related to care of animals, etc. Sustainability is a key concept in all of Heifer’s work. Noted links with our "Voluntary Simplicity" discussion.
*Shared ways for cultivating peace:
show up and be present,
pay attention, be receptive,
tell truth without judgment or blame,
be unattached to particular outcome.
*Choose healthy response, don't feed fear, listen first and seek to understand.
*Ann Lovejoy - "non-toxic" problem solving in Voluntary Simplicity reading is similar to interest based problem solving which focuses on finding collaborative solutions that are sustainable over time. Find what makes you happy and work from that space.
Future plans
• Linda M. discussed desire to plan another fundraiser (and fun event).
• Alternative gift fair mentioned--we have been invited to participate at 2 wineries. Linda M. said she will make contact, get more information from Green String Farm.
Study
"Voluntary Simplicity" Mary led final discussion on "Voluntary Simplicity." Group appreciates this discussion.
Next meeting
• August may be final joint meeting, second Saturday in Sebastopol. *See Calendar on the right side of this page for a map. • Carole Kent volunteered to host ice cream social, pool party in Sept. Date TBA

Minutes - June 11, 2011

2011-06-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

10am to 12 noon at Sebastopol Methodist Church, Sebastopol, CA

Evie Trevethan - facilitator
Caroline Bonnet - minutes taker

Present: Caroline, Nancy, Mary, Linda M, Marolyn, Linda D-Y, Jeaneen, Emilia, Evie, Lynn Austin, Carole and Keni

Introductions: Emilia graduated from 6th grade. She showed us a copy of her school newspaper that she worked on, which included a bit about Heifer and some very intelligent questions. Good going Emilia! Jeaneen will email a copy of the paper to Evie who will send it out to the group.

Previous Meeting Follow-ups:

Caroline said she had contacted Chris, the event planner at Green String Farm about a date for our annual Barn Dance and also a November Alternative Gift Fair at one of their Wineries. So far she hasn't heard back from Chris. Linda McB. will take over communicating with Chris.
Betty was absent, but told Evie she will try to get a Heifer film on Public Access TV in Napa. Caroline gave Evie Seeds Hope and Concrete and the short Heifer PSA DVD - The Money that Grows to give to Betty.

Treasurer's Report: Ann was absent due to Gina's up-coming surgery. No treasurer's report.

Process for Reporting Volunteer Activities: Linda passed out a new volunteer report form and said Eliza is working on a new format. It is a work in progress. Caroline handed out copies of the old form. She and Linda will work on expanding Linda's, maybe combined with some of the old form. Carole turned in a report from an event in the past, and Nancy filled out the new form listing her recent activities.

Using our Member Email List: If members want to send out notices about Heifer or things related to Heifer's work, they should send it to Evie to decide if it should be sent out. Evie just created the new updated Member Email list. There shouldn't be too many mailings going out. Evie will keep the membership list current and updated. Linda will accept and create items for the agenda for our meetings. Caroline and Evie will work on typing them up and getting it out in a timely fashion.

Handout for Making Presentations: Caroline handed out a Heifer Agenda for making presentations. She said it's not written in stone, but some suggestions for how a presentation should flow and what resources you can use.
Linda talked about the 7 Ms that our project participants get from the animals we give them, a good thing to mention at presentations. She handed out some Volunteer Handbooks to those present who don't already have one and pointed out some things of interest in there. Linda handed out Cornerstone bookmarks.

Discussion of Personal Interest/Skills: Evie handed out Linda's forms for us to think about ways we want to serve in our group and skills/interests we have in presenting Heifer in the community. For instance how to help the group - securing a meeting place, providing beverages/snacks at meetings, keeping the volunteer list up to date, serving in various positions within the group, rotate duties. Linda DY said she found it helpful and motivating. For the community, tabling, speaking to groups, talk about issues within Heifer that are dear to you - social justice, women's issues, etc. Speaking about Heifer to those we are in contact with, friends, relatives, co-workers, etc. Mary said she is in a group called Be the Change and they discuss issues related to Heifer's work. Do what you want to do for Heifer. Linda Dietiker-Yolo wants to get Heifer in the River School - a charter school in Napa. She works on their newspaper River News.

Evie handed out copies of 2 papers she brought back from her Peace Workshop at Hidden Villa. One on Financial issues and one on a peace project in the Philippines. She said she'd wait and give her report on that weekend at the next meeting, as we had to vacate the room a bit early and we needed to save time for our discussion of Chap 4 of the Voluntary Simplicity course. She also handed out copies of Brain Storming for Napa Events/Activities.

Here are some of her notes from her Peace Workshop:

"Peace begins when the hungry can feed themselves."
Behaviors to Educate for: Caring for the earth, being responsible consumers, encouraging others to change behaviors, encouraging others to take social action, volunteering, donating.
"Everything is always OK in the end and if it's not OK - it's not the end."

Study: Discussion of Voluntary Simplicity Course, Chapter 4
Mary read some writing from Annie Dillard to segue into the course. Then we went around the table and everyone spoke briefly about how they were effected by the course.
Some volunteer responses to the course:

"Do less better."
"You have all the time there is."
"Have a should free zone - don't should on me."
"Take a whole day to focus on one thing rather than running about distracted from one thing to another."
"Having awareness of unlimited time equals happiness."
"Because I can do something well doesn't mean I'm responsible for it."
"Our Heifer meetings provide a place to address issues that are important to our values - all in one place."
"Being defined as a mother, teacher, or whatever, gives me an appreciation for a simple structure of my life. "
"That friend speaks my mind."

Agenda June 11, 2011

2011-06-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

1. Introductions
2. Follow ups from previous meeting:

 Betty: Public television airing of Heifer video:
Caroline: next Barn Dance….talk with Chris @ Green String Farm

3. Treasurer's Report
4. Volunteer Reports from May activities
5. Updated Volunteer member list - What to send and not to send to the group
6. Format for presentations - Caroline
7. Personal direction forms ---- Discussion of Our Interests and Strengths
8. Presentation about Peace Workshop at Hidden Villa

Voluntary Simplicity Course Chapter 4

Matching Grant Opportunity

2011-05-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

We have a new exciting matching gift opportunity -- and we need YOU to help us meet this challenge!

A small group of donors recently visited Heifer projects in Honduras. While there, one couple was so impressed by the transformation they saw that they have volunteered to fund half the cost of three new projects, $1.5 million in all ... IF we can meet that challenge through you, our faithful supporters!

$1.5 million+$1.5 million=Thousands of Hondurans moved from poverty to self-reliance.

Help meet the Honduras matching challenge now and your gift will be doubled!

Your generous support will enable thousands of families in Honduras to improve their nutrition and livelihood through gifts of seeds, bees, cattle, sheep and many more animals.

These gifts, and the training Heifer provides, help families diversify their income and have a steady supply of food throughout the year.

Join these generous donors by giving today. Together, we can all provide the funds necessary to spark life-changing transformation in these communities.

One family who knows how much Heifer’s projects in Honduras matter is Celso Pineda's. Since receiving their heifer, Celso's family has had plenty of milk to drink, which is rare in a remote part of the country where malnutrition is especially high.

In fact, the Pinedas family will soon Pass on the Gift, offering another family the opportunity to build a brighter future.

No one is more eager for this next step than Celso. "My dream is, just like the project gave us a cow, that we can give the calf away and help another family," he says.

Ignite this transformation today with your doubled gift and invest in the future of Honduras! It's a challenge with the best outcome possible -- helping families find hope.

Sincerely,

Ashley Michael
Heifer International

Tererai Trent - Oprah - Heifer International

2011-05-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

Tererai worked for Heifer for many years. She gave presentations at Heifer University courses, spoke at events and at many venues. We brought her here from Africa to speak at our African Children's Choir event in 2007. Some of us had the great pleasure of being with her at a Heifer U course at Hidden Villa a couple years ago, hearing her incredible stories, seeing her dance with a container of water on her head and hanging out with her during and after dinner, she's a lot of fun! She did a lot of work with Heifer in evaluating our projects in the field, and now has her own business evaluating works other non-profits are doing in the world. She appeared on Oprah some years ago and is now one of Oprah's favorite guests of the past 25 years of her programs. Check out this segment of Terarai with Oprah.

Regular Volunteers Meeting May 14, 2011 Napa, CA

2011-05-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

Evie Trevethan - facilitator
Jacquie Eigen - Note taker
Present: Evie, Betty, Lenora, Ann, Linda Lucas, Mary, Dottie, Caroline, Linda McBee, Kathy, Jessie, Marlene, Jacquie, Nancy

Check In Comments on the event one comment per person - Evie 10 min

Ann began, with 2 copies of budget report from Barn Dance, which were passed around. A great success! $4255.00 raised! She said she could have used more catalogs and could have sold more books!
Lenora, a first time volunteer, who drove from Crockett, thought the event was classy, impressive and she will be getting involved more.
Linda was happy with event and dance. She was pleased that the chili was hot, given the heating and stove issues.
Mary had electrical issues with the coffee, wants to do event again and she enjoyed watching everyone have a good time.
Dottie Lee thought caller was great and guest were gracious, especially around the food, all were patient and thankful and enjoying being there.
Caroline mentioned it was a “fun” raiser.
Kathy Mawer, was in Mexico and will be tabling at Napa Farmers’ Market.
Linda McB loved the beehive of activity at the dance, a real sense of community, which is what Heifer is about. She never had been to a Barn Dance, enjoyed watching people having fun and wants to do it again next year. She would like a written report from every point person, so next year the event will flow even better.
Jessie worked check in, it flowed easily and helped to have 3rd person as a greeter.
Jacquie was not there, she had a wedding and is glad it was a success.
Marlene was the salad person, enjoyed the sense of community, was thrilled and smiled going home.
Nancy said the dance exceeded her expectations. She did the chili and said it flowed easily and that everyone she asked made chili, some more than 1 gallon.
Evie, handled the Heifer info table, it went well and Isaak arrived in time to answer a challenging question. The dance was fun, the caller was exceptional and non-intimidating.
Caller info: Celia Ramsey she owns Rasmussen Winery, lives in St. Helena, is a great teacher and might be willing to do it again next year.
Betty enjoys the great group of people, women, community who can pull off an event like this.

Ann provided the Treasurer Report.

We began with a balance of $103.09 and ended the period with $ 182.50, after donating an additional $150 to Heifer. See report for details.
Caroline is pleased with low expense amount and the partial reason is because we go to stores and “beg”, they provide us with the item or a means to get the item and it makes the businesses aware of us, too.

Linda McB addressed the changes in the Sonoma Napa group.

Caroline is now an official volunteer “only”. Linda is now the Area Volunteer Coordinator. She wants to get a stronger group going in Sonoma and eventually to have monthly meetings in Napa AND Sonoma. She suggested Evie continue facilitating in Napa and Mary in Sonoma. She said it was “ridiculous” to think she could follow in Caroline’s shoes. We will continue alternating meeting places until Sonoma group gets as big as Napa group.
Next Meeting: @ United Methodist Church in Sebastapol. It is always the second Saturday of the month. We may need to change meeting day to continue to get the room here in the Napa Methodist Church…which everyone likes.
Ann said if the group changes, the checking account has to change. She and Linda McB will talk outside of the meeting.

Using our own interests and values to plan future Heifer activities

Linda McB handed out worksheets re: possible Heifer Activities and Tasks. Evie asked us to take some time and thought, and if we are willing to fill them out, bring to the next meeting. The purpose of the worksheets is to build a viable and sustainable group with no burn out. If we are to be effective, we have to spend more time doing the things we want to do rather than gritting our teeth and becoming resentful. These forms will help us to assess how each of us want to invest our time into Heifer.
Recent examples: Nancy and Marlene did a presentation at an AAUW meeting.
Kathy organized tabling for Earth Day. Linda L will be leaving for a Heifer study tour to Lithuania in June. We can present to colleges, PUC, community centers. We can become advocates of sustainability, hunger, empowerment of women. The only way we can do such a variety of activities to support Heifer is if there is interest and individual members put time into the activities that address their interests.
Through the years, members have spoken at several churches, visited Heifer projects in Honduras. Nancy and Jacquie went to Nepal. We need to focus on what we can do as a group and as individuals.
Less exciting but necessary for maintaining our own group (see sheet): distribute World Ark in offices, etc.; preparation for meetings; agenda writing, coffee set up, etc.
A great beginning in Napa was when Caroline and Linda McB cooked a meal at Carole and Keni’s house which started the ball rolling to do the 12 Stones screening event at the church, which led to the fall Harvest Dinner and then the Barn Dance.
Re: asking for money. The more comfortable people become with asking for money, the more money we raise. Many people do not like to ask for money. It is important to become comfortable with making pitches for Heifer. We can practice at meetings, to become more comfortable.
Caroline mentioned that for Heifer, monthly donations are best, for budgeting purposes. More money comes in at the holidays. Heifer needs a cash flow year round.
For our group, when people send in money, put on the bottom of the check the Sonoma Napa chapter. This will insure credit for our area.

Napa’s Farmer’s Market

Kathy organizes tabling at Napa’s Farmer’s Market. We have 9 days this year. It is a Peace Table which is sponsored by the Quakers, Heifer and the Unitarian Universalists. She passed around a schedule to sign up for 2 hour shifts: 8-4 10am and 10am-12noon, Tuesdays and Saturdays. They hand out brochures and pencils, which were a big hit!

Presentation on Heifer Caroline

As we were getting ready for Caroline’s presentation, she mentioned re: the dance: almost zero waste. Mary said the Costco plates were from sugarcane waste. Evie said the charting paper we use is also from sugar cane. (hooray for us!)
Next meeting: Evie will present “Cultivating Peace” from a workshop she took this month. In September, 2011, Heifer U will be at Hidden Villa that all are invited to. More details to come.
Caroline started her presentation and we viewed it on Linda McB’s small laptop screen. The presentation was impressive. All the images she used are available to use in our own presentations.
Highlights: We begin with Dan West, “not a cup but a cow” and move into more than just a cow: community development in many countries where Heifer is now involved. (Marlene mentioned one of the brochures lists the countries where Heifer has and is supporting projects.) Passing on the Gift. Cornerstones of Success.
Images from different countries: Cows for guns in Albania, Nepal women’s groups, Honduras women’s group, the “calendar lady” displaying her photo from a Heifer calendar showing her and the cow she received through Heifer, before and after photos of project members’ houses, a bee project, a coffee nursery, the use of hog waste to provide methane to power stoves and lights in project members’ homes.
Caroline mentioned that Heifer’s overhead is higher than some non-profits because they provide extensive training prior to presenting animals to a community. Also Heifer receives no government grants.
Betty suggested putting the presentation on local public access stations.

Linda McB acknowledged Caroline for her 10 years of service as Area Volunteer Coordinator. She presented Caroline with a Heifer cup and reviewed highlights of events she spear headed in the last 10 years for Heifer. Very fun to see what we have done with Caroline as chief spark plug !! A big thank you to Caroline.

Study on Voluntary Simplicity.
Mary suggested we postpone until nest meeting the discussion of Chapter 4 of the study on Voluntary Simplicity.

We plugged our blog address as a good source of current info as well as the place our minutes and agendas are posted and then adjourned. The blog address is sonomanapa.heiferblog.org.

Minutes for May 14th meeting

2011-05-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

Check In Comments on the event (going around the table) one comment per person Evie 10 min
Treasurers Report Ann 5 min
Changes in how Sonoma and Napa will work together Linda McB 5 min
Using our own interests and values to plan future Heifer activities Evie 10 min
Presentation on Heifer Caroline 20 min
Tabling at Napa's Farmers' Market Kathy 10 min
Study Discussion Simplicity Mary 60 min

The church is at 625 Randolph Street in Napa. The parking lot is on Randolph Street. Park in or adjacent to the lot and enter the door with the Heifer sign. Follow Heifer signs to the Kagawa Room ( a new room for us). (check calendar to the right of the page and see the map)

Heifer Ranch - Tornado Damage

2011-04-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

Heifer Ranch sustained significant damage in the strong storms that moved through the state Monday night.

Several buildings, including the horse, dairy and lambing barns, were destroyed, as well as a pump house and yurts, felt-covered dwelling native to Central Asia, in the Ranch’s Global Village section. Several roofs were damaged, including the main conference center, an office building and a vacant residential facility. Heifer employees and volunteers are working to clear many downed trees and to cover exposed structures with tarpaulins.

All Heifer Ranch employees, residents, volunteers are safe and guests who were participating in activities at the Ranch have returned to their homes.

The Ranch will be closed to the public for the remainder of the week, and Heifer Ranch staff will contact groups affected by this closure. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

2011-04-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

This Spring, we continue to celebrate the women Heifer works with and the donors who help provide the resources for these women to come out of poverty. These WiLD (Women in Livestock Development) women are quite an inspiration. Take, for example, Phy Phol from Camodia.
Phy Phol is a courageous mother of five and a shining example of a WiLD woman. Before Phol started working with Heifer, her family was one of the poorest in the village. She worked as a laborer to make ends meet, but it was never enough.

Many nights, Phol had to put her children to bed hungry.

When Heifer started a project in her village a few years ago, Phol's life began to turn a corner. Soon she saved enough money to purchase an ox to help plow land, reducing the cost and time of rice production. She grew a flock of five chickens to more than 60 to further boost her monthly income. Then, with simple techniques learned from training, Phol started raising healthy pigs.

With increased income from her farm, she has bought more land. More important, she now is able to not only feed her children, but also invest in their education so they can have a future of limitless possibility.
Phol's life circumstances were enhanced by Heifer's work, but the successes she's achieved come from a place deep within her. Long before Heifer came along, Phol demonstrated daily courage, fortitude and dedication to her family. That is the WiLD spirit!

When Heifer works with women's groups, we often find strong women like Phol, who demonstrate intense bravery in the midst of challenging circumstances. And, when given the opportunity, these women create unimaginable change in the world.

This Spring, we offer you the chance to exclusively support WiLD projects around the world. We all know someone who demonstrates strength like Phy Phol's. Celebrate that special person by making them an honorary WiLD woman. It's a way we can all celebrate the spirit that ties us together and makes the world a better place.

Supporting WiLD dreams together,

Images of a Magic Barn Dance

2011-04-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

Maybe all barn dances are magic. To tell you the truth, this is the only one I've ever attended! But, somehow a barn dance lives in my hard wiring. Perhaps, all of the westerns I watched as a kid; maybe because my relatives are Okies - a name I use with pride. My mother came from a family of women. Her father died when she was just 10 years old. Her mother and four sisters supported themselves on a subsistence (not sustainable!) farm/ranch in a place called Moyers, Oklahoma. You can take the Okie out of Oklahoma but you can't take her out of the barn, or something like that. I was born in California and raised in Hawaii but somehow the barn dance spoke to something deep.
The (excuse the much over used expression) "sense of community" was strong. I am so impressed with how the community of volunteers pulled this together and how the larger Heifer-community-supporters came and danced their asses off! We had the thought before hand that we would have to encourage folks to dance. No. It was wonderful!! It was fun!

Green String Farm and the interns were amazing! We are thinking this dance was the "First Annual Heifer International Sonoma County Barn Dance". The first of many!

I need events like this to keep-on-keeping-on. They work like a vitamin pill; an antidote for what seems at times to be a world of trouble. The world is also full of amazing people, many of them connected to Heifer International.

The magic begins as the volunteers arrive in a steady flow until the event's official opening time......5pm. The interns from Green String Farm hung the overhead globes and the brave Heifer volunteers climb to string Holiday lights.

In other areas around the space busy workers do their jobs. It was like an ant colony or something! Everyone seemed to know what they were doing (or at least gave a good imitation) and it came together beautifully.

I come in peace, little cow.

That is a young miniature cow (the one on four legs). The want-to-be cow is Caroline Bonnet, the only one of us brave enough to wear the cow suit... or maybe she's fulfilling some sort of inner need.

Five pm! Let the fun begin!

I'd like to donate to Heifer International....


Pre-dance pep talk.

Garret and Mary...best dressed!

Isaac Egge awards runner up for best dressed.

A brief history of a Sea-going Cowboy

Don Emmel, one of the original Sea-going Cowboys!

Yummmmmm!

Chili-stirrers extordinaire.

Thirsty!!

You put your left foot in....not...way better than that.

Music and movement....yeah!

My left or yours?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQ5QF2O_oE (Contra Dance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj5tWvqfTBM (Line Dance)

Barn Dance A Great Success!

2011-04-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

The barn dance was successful and fun! I was encouraged and impressed by how everyone transformed the barn into such a beautiful space and created a great party! My faith in humanity is again restored by the group that put in so much effort to pull this off and by the great people who attended.
The barn looked wonderful after everything was in place: lights strung, paintings hung, pots of chili bubbling over big burners, beer flowing, wine pouring, slide-show glowing, tables covered with pretty cloths overflowing with good food. Other tables staffed with intelligent and friendly people, musicians tuned.....it was a beautiful thing to see everyone dancing and having a good time!
I heard that the folks at Green String Farm want us to do it again next year.
I'll post some pictures later this week. I'm playing catch-up with the rest of my life.
Thank you so much! I am humbled by what wonderful people are attracted to Heifer International and grateful for the opportunity to work with all of you.
Our next meeting will be in Napa (First United Methodist Church Napa Address: 625 Randolph Street), on May 14th at 10am to 12pm.

Important Links for Barn Dance

2011-03-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Important links:
This & That List - items we still need and stuff to "bring with" to the event.
Task List - overview of event tasks.

MINUTES MARCH 12, 2011

2011-03-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

SEBASTOPOL METHODIST CHURCH - 10AM

Evie Trevethan - facilitator
Caroline Bonnet - note taker

Present:
Ann, Evie, Janeen, Amelia, Mary, Nancy, Linda L, Marlene, Linda M, Carole, Keni, Marolyn, Jessee, and Susie

Up and coming events:

Earth Day - in Napa 4-23 - Tabling schedule -Jeneen & Amelia 11-1, Marlene & Nancy 1-3 and Ann & Marolyn 3-5
Himalayan Fair in Berkeley 5-14 and 15 - Jacquie would like to go. Caroline is checking with Pedro to see if he's setting up for it.

Tickets for Barn Dance:

We discussed how the tickets are being sold and tracked. Caroline said we need to keep track of names and addresses for futures events. Ann said she will make copies of checks of people who pay that way, and we talked about needing addresses of those who purchase online. Also tracking how many tickets are sold, so we know when to stop selling. Linda said she has asked Eliza about this and hasn't heard back. There will be 3 lists - Paypal, Check/Cash list, and non paying. We need an accurate head count of volunteer, helpers and staff. It was decided that volunteers who have contributed to the event but are not working at it should pay for tickets. Volunteers working at the event do not need to pay, but are invited to do so if possible.

Flyers for Barn Dance:

We will send online flyers to our friends and post the printed flyers around about. Caroline has covered Cloverdale, Geyserville, Healdsburg and Windsor. Linda and Mary will cover Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Cotati, Rhonert Park and Petaluma. Jessee will cover Sonoma town and Carole will cover Napa. If anyone needs more flyers, contact Caroline.

Finances:

It was asked for some volunteers to make checks for the event out to our volunteer group to help defray costs of putting on the event. Caroline also asked for volunteers to bring spare change to the meetings for our petty cash or as a donation to Heifer, your choice. We now have $103 in our account. As of now we have $150 costs we need to cover farm staff and musicians.

Donations:

We still need for the event:
serving gloves - Evie
50 corn bread muffins - Gina
8lbs cheese and sour cream - 1 gal - Mary will get with a $25 gift cert at Costco
butter - undecided how much, if any
salad dressing - Marlene
glassware - Linda M
table cloths - amount?
ice - we need two versions, one for cooling bottles of wine and apple juice in a tub - we need a volunteer for this ice chest with ice for putting into pitchers of water - Carole and Keni will provide this. Linda is bring a tub to hold the beer keg.

Food Serving

There will be two serving lines with 4 servers at each table. Chili, condiments, corn muffins, salad. There will be two runner-stirrers at the big pots to keep the chili hot and from sticking to the bottom. They will replenish the serving table.
Cookies will be served at the light refreshment table or tea/ coffee table.
Susie and Ruthann will serve the corn muffins.
Ann and Marlene will make the salad and Janeen and Amelia will serve it.

There was a discussion about how to dispose of our waste products after the event. Linda McBee is checking with the waste disposal companies in Sonoma county to find out if we should use disposal paper products or not. We will leave our compost (food and drink waste only) at the farm and take away everything else. Carole and Keni will take corn made plates if that's what we use, to Napa to be ground for compost, if Napa Re-cycling will do that. Evie will check.

For the next meeting

Critique the Barn Dance event
Streamlining the event planning process
What do we want to do next? Presentations in schools, service clubs, churches, etc.?

Addendum

Some of us will arrive at the barn on April 9 at 3pm to set up. If you feel your projects might take longer, you are welcome to arrive earlier.
Still waiting to hear if we will have the interns with us to help and if so how many. We also want to find out what time the tables and chairs will be delivered to the barn. I'll keep you informed as I hear.

Signs:

We need signs for the following:
Donor list - large sign by welcome table listing all donors
Bathroom
Suggested donation $4 (for beer and alcohol after the first free drink)
Compost
Trash
Recycle

Great news! Matching Gift Grant from Danone Corporation

2011-03-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

Your next gift to Heifer International can go twice as far if you act right now to take advantage of a special matching gift opportunity.
Every dollar you donate will be matched with another dollar from the Danone Corporation – parent company of Dannon yogurt. The combined gift will be used to fund a very important project to empower thousands of families in Ukraine.

With your help, we hope to fully fund the remaining initiatives of this project, including:

The Milk Communities Initiative, Phase 2 will provide heifers and training to help over a thousand smallholders and family farms in 20 Ukraine communities increase the quality and quantity of their milk production;

The Cooperative Farm and Services for Smallholders and Farmers Initiative will help participants achieve financial independence by cooperating on collecting, cooling and selling milk directly to dairy factories; and,

The EcoFruit Initiative will provide strawberry plants to project participants to help diversify income and improve strawberry production.

Your gift will support this exciting project and make a lifelong impact on behalf of families in Ukraine. Plus, because of Pass on the Gift, your support will continue to multiply as one family passes on the gift of livestock and training for another family to lift themselves out of poverty.
click here to donate

Congress To Vote on Humanitarian Aid

2011-03-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

Heifer International works in partnership with and stands for the too-often voiceless poor around the world and is committed to doing all we can to help bring about the end to hunger and poverty and to ensure protection for the earth's resources.

The U.S. Congress is poised to vote on a budget that puts at risk critical humanitarian and development programs, which save millions of lives every year. And recent rises in world food prices have caused food riots and violence in places like Tunisia and Algeria, and threaten to push hundreds of millions of families back into poverty.

America's international affairs budget is a critical component of feeding millions of families who daily suffer hunger and poverty and ongoing efforts that target disease, hunger, poverty, climate change and programs that help build sustainable futures for all. It's also a critical component of global security, which becomes very unsettled with a potential rise in famine and disease.

At risk in these cuts is the forward-thinking anti-hunger and poverty program Feed the Future, which aims to bolster poor countries' food production capabilities. This isn't a question of charity; it's an issue of life or death for millions of people—especially women and girls who produce most of the world's food but suffer the greatest hunger and poverty and derive the fewest benefits.

Failing to fund these programs thoughtfully and responsibly threatens not only the health and welfare of hundreds of millions of families; it threatens the security of individuals and the world.

America faces an unparalleled budget deficit and it's clear that Congress must scrutinize spending in every department at every level. But it's critical that human health and progress not be sacrificed by shortsighted cuts to an international affairs budget that provides life-saving results with low-investment interventions.

Heifer International implores Congress in its deliberations to consider the costs of its actions on the world's most vulnerable populations—the poor, the hungry—left hopeless without the kind of help provided by these essential funds. We must all work together to end hunger and poverty, to keep our global commitment to the poor and hungry.

For more information or to learn more about what you can do, please visit www.heifer.org/TakeAction

Pierre Ferrari

Agenda for March 12, 2011 Heifer Volunteer meeting.

2011-03-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

Saturday, March 12, 2011
10am - 12pm
Sebastopol Methodist Church

Evie - facilitating
Caroline - note taker

Up and coming events. Earth Day - Downtown Napa, Saturday, April 23 Please sign up for staffing this event.
Himalayan Fair - May 14-15, Live Oak Park, Berkeley. Schedule pending.

Volunteer Report Forms and should go to Linda monthly to post on the
computerized VRF. Any donated money should go to Ann. She will report amounts to Linda monthly, list on her records and mail in to headquarters.

Update on our April 9th Barn Dance.
Where we are.
What's still left to do.

Ann - give Linda names and addresses of people who are buying tickets with checks. Please also keep a record of our Barn Dance expenses.
$75 to musicians
$75 to farm security
$25 for ABC license

Check task list for updates - access thru the blog
Check This and That for what's left to do/ gather/bring - access thru the blog. Contact Linda McBee for instructions.

All Point People, please send the Eflyer to any of your people who should receive one.

Things to bring to the meeting:
- Marlene, please bring the box of ceramics to the meeting or give to Ann, you've kindly stored at your house. We'll use them for donation items.
- Linda, please bring the box of the latest World Arks to share with Evie for her materials table and the Earth Day tabling. Also bring the knitted items of Julie's, and any other items for donations.
- Mary requests that we bring our coffee cups to the meeting for our coffee or tea. Also please wear your name tags if you have one.
- Everyone bring any forks and spoons you're donating - (loaners not included)
- Playing cards for Marlene
- Jars for Linda beverages if you are not attending the event.

Future agenda items:
Streamlining our process for planning events.
What do we want to do in the future in addition to events.

Discussion of Chapter 3 of Voluntary Simplicity course - Mary facilitating

Thanks everyone, see you then.
Caroline

Minutes: 02-12-2011

2011-02-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

Important links:
"This & That List" - items we still need and stuff to "bring with" to the event.
Task List - overview of tasks
Guest List - please, make sure you and your guests are on the list.

Asbury Room Methodist Church.
The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by Evie Trevethan. Nancy Evans took notes. The following people attended the meeting: Dottie Lee, Linda McBee, Linda Dietiker-Yolo, Mary Blom, Janine Breyman, Emilia Garcia, Linda Lucas, Marlene Zimmerman, Betty Malmgren, Jessie McDermott, Terri Linn, Caroline Bonnett, Jacquie Eigen, Carol Lilleberg, Marolyn Roberts, and Tada Darsie.

Welcome Terri Linn to our group and Dottie Lee, good to have you with us.

Evie had posted a Task List and people were asked to sign up.

Linda McBee reminded us that we can also check the Task List (click that link).

Evie will email the financial report prepared by treasurer Ann Schwartz to all members.

It was decided that we will have a table at Napa Earth Day. Marlene, Nancy and Janine volunteered immediately and other names will be added at the next meeting.

Kudos: Marlene Zimmerman volunteered to be Point Person for Salad and Carol Lilleberg volunteered to be point person for Clean Up.

The following people signed up specifically for clean-up and of course all members present at the event who are able are invited to participate: Betty, Marlene, Janine, Emilia, Tada, Linda McB, Dottie, M. Robak, Linda Lucas and Nancy.

Regarding Salad: If Veritable Vegetables doesn’t have “prepared” lettuce Marlene and Evie will confer as to the next step.

Evie is researching compostable plates, cups and plates and Betty Malmgren will check at Napa College for the same.

Carol Lilleberg is heading the search for non-throw away utensils. Anyone who has spare spoons and forks that they are willing to donate please let Carol know. Carole Kent has utensils to loan and Linda Lucas has utensils to give.

Evie will check with Whole Foods Petaluma to see if they will donate cardboard soup cups since the cup does offer advertising and is a good size for us.

Mary has possible access to a Big Pot to keep chili hot or perhaps a large sterno tray. Nancy, Linda Lucas, Linda Dieteker-Yolo and Roni Wilson will serve the chili.

There was a consensus agreement that one drink ticket would be given to each ticket holder and that further drink tickets would be available for a donation, suggested amount of $4. Playing cards will be used for drink tickets.

The pros and cons of drinking vessels (paper/mason jars) was discussed and no decision was reached. Members were asked to begin rounding up needed items for the event. *As of the posting of the minutes, it has been decided to use Mason Jars 16 oz and 8 oz jars. If you have some to lend for the event, tell Linda M.

People signing up to bring table cloths were: Nancy, 2 cloth table cloths for the donation table, Mary , Jessie, Tada will bring several, Dottie 2 or 3 vinyl, Betty 1 oilcloth and several cloth, Marlene perhaps 3.
Marlene will bring a lantern. Nancy, Marlene and Mary (2) will bring extension cords. I think that Dottie will bring some lights.

Caroline has two small tarps, and other coverings for hay bales are needed so that people can sit on them.
We want to get a very firm idea of who is bringing what, and how much by the next meeting.
Mary, once again served as moderator for our Voluntary Simplicity discussion. Marlene offered a reading to close from the book: Awakenings by Mark Nepo. We will read and discuss Chapter 3 next month.

After the meeting Caroline, Mary and Linda M. met with the event planner for Green String Farm. We met in the barn and laid out where the different activities will take place and decided what we needed.

The farm is being very generous and offering all the tables and chairs we need. There will also be straw bales and picnic benches to sit on. This will not be a sit-down dinner, bur more informal eat on your laps, but there will be tables for those that want one. There will also be wine barrels for gathering around to eat or drink. The farm will provide two outdoor light stands.

The farm will have some interns for the spring quarter and we may be able to use some of them for bringing in and setting up and breaking down tables, chairs, barrels. Chris (the event planner is checking on that). They also may be able to serve as parking attendants or help in other ways. There are two gas burners one 14” and one 18” that we may be able to use to heat the chili and keep it hot. Chris will confirm these things with me. She also offered to put our event on their website as well as the two winery websites that are connected with the farm. She said we could leave the straw bales there if we wanted to.

Below is a list of things we need and the people who volunteered to bring them. By the next meeting we’ll need to know exactly how many of each item and what things are left to gather. It will be our last meeting before the event.

4 doz cookies - Marolyn Roberts will make them
Cardboard cups for chili – should be pint size - Evie will check into this
Decorative small white Christmas lights - Caroline, Dottie Lee need more
Extension cords - Caroline -2 plus power strip, Dottie Lee, Mary -2, Nancy , Marlene
Name tags – Evie and Nancy
Big Chili Pots – Mary, Nancy, Caroline
Table Cloths – Nancy 2, Mary, Jessie – 1, Tada – fabric, Dottie Lee – 2 or 3, Betty 1 plus fabric, Marlene – 3, Linda M. – 2 oil cloth. need enough for at least 10 tables
Desk lights – Caroline-2, Marlene 1, Terri – 1
Cards for alcohol chips – Marlene
Table utensils – Carol, Carole need more
Serving utensils - Caroline need more
Cushions for sitting on straw bales - need 6 or 8
More corn muffins so there are seconds - Ann?
Large thick/sturdy garbage bags for hauling away trash - 8 needed
Large ice chest with ice for chilling white wine & Keg of Beer - Caroline

Thanks everyone for all your help. This is going to be fun!

Agenda for February 12

2011-02-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

Our new Napa meeting location will be at the United Methodist Church in the Asbury room. Please, use Google map feature for directions. Enter from Franklin Street and look for the sign on the door.

We'll meet as usual the second Saturday, Feb 12 at 10am. Anyone coming from Sonoma and wanting to car pool please contact Caroline. After our regular meeting we'll be studying the 2nd chapter of the Voluntary Simplicity course, Mary Blom facilitating.

Facilitator - Evie
Note Taker - Nancy

Earth Day Events - April 22nd
Financial Report
Barn Dance Event Plans -
Where are we, what we still need. Please print out your task lists and bring them to the meeting.
Some people could not print out the version of the task list that Linda sent out. Try this link to a web page where you might have better luck printing it. > Task Lst
Voluntary Simplicity Course - 2nd chapter discussion

We Need You!

2011-01-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

We still need help with the Barn Dance (see calendar to the right). If you've got some time and energy to volunteer for the event email me. Thanks! Linda

Minutes: 01-08-2011

2011-01-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

We met at the Sebastopol Methodist Church at 10 am.
Mary provided goodies to eat and tea and coffee.
Evie facilitated.
Ann took the minutes.

Present: Caroline, Ann, Jessie, Jacquie, Carol, Keni, Nancy, Linda D, Linda L, Renee, Linda M, Janeen, Amelia, Evie, Mary

Business:

Email Eliza names and city and state of donations from people that we have caused to donate
Get your Volunteer Report Forms in - important. Copy to Caroline and Eliza
Ann needs totals of donation amounts from all sources
Presentations - If an opportunity for a presentation comes up and you can't do it, contact other volunteers to find someone who can.
- Barn Dance event: Co Chairs - Caroline and Linda M Nancy, Linda L, and Marolyn are on the planning committee with Caroline and Linda M
- Contract signed, insurance forms in, musicians and caller confirmed most will volunteer except one who wants a $75 honorarium
- We need to set up a PayPal account for purchasing tickets to the event. Jacquie said she'd do that
- We decided to call the event Barn Dance & Dinner - Saturday, April 9, from 5 to 9pm
- Linda presented some task lists and will email it to volunteers. Please look at the list and sign up as Point Person for tasks. Email your choice to Caroline and Linda.
- Evie will field questions about the event from the Gmail account and email to appropriate person
- As a general rule kids attending should be 12 and up
- Straw bales for effect and sitting - Carole and Keni volunteered to get them, and deliver them.
- Marlene is looking into getting the miniature cows again
- Caroline will check with farm about tables and chairs they have that we can use.
  Caroline will check with farm about a license to serve alcohol
  She will also check with the farm to see if we can meet there Saturday, Jan 22 at 10 am for a look see and a special event planning meeting.
- Nancy and Linda L will be Point People for the Chili
- Evie will ask Betty if she'll help design the flyers, invitation cards and E-flyer and do the PR, Linda M will help with the design.
- Ticket price is $25, that includes 2 drink tickets, charges for beer and wine after that.
- Carole will take inventory of wine from previous event
We cut our event planning short to have time for the Nepal presentation, so Caroline and Linda will send emails with the task list and details of what/who/how many volunteers we still need.

Nepal Presentation:

Nancy and Jacquie showed us a DVD they recorded of their trip, passed around photos, and handed out stories of their trip. They narrated their DVD. It was so wonderful and inspiring, we all wanted more.

Voluntary Simplicity Course:

We stopped our regular meeting at one hour to leave the last hour for the course discussion. Mary facilitated. We had all read the first chapter and went around the room discussing what we found relevant and impactful to our lives.
Next month's meeting will be on the second chapter.

Agenda for January 8th

2010-12-30T10:19:00.000-08:00

Our next Heifer volunteer meeting will be held at Sebastopol Methodist Church on Saturday, Jan 8 at 10 am. (Look on the calendar to the right to get directions). After the business part of the meeting we will have our Voluntary Simplicity Course, beginning with discussion of the first chapter. Mary Blom will facilitate the course.

Agenda

Report on Christmas tablings from volunteers - please bring in your Volunteer Report Forms
Business - Caroline
> Volunteer report forms
> Donations you generated
> Send donation amounts from any source to Ann our treasurer
> Ann - we'll need our bank account information for a PayPal account for Barn Dance
> Report Heifer events to Linda M for posting on the blog - photos, description, place, time, etc.
> Napa/Sonoma volunteers attending meetings in both counties
> Importance of sharing opportunities for presentations with the group
Barn Dance Event - Co Chairs - Caroline and Linda M
Planning committee - Renee Austin, Marolyn Roberts, Linda Lucas

> Contract with farm signed, insurance papers in, donations letter available
> How many volunteers do we need and have? Ask friends to help
> Look at Task List - a work in progress
> Committed volunteers take heavier tasks
> Flyer creation - Linda M, Betty?
> PayPal Account - Jacquie?
> Answer Gmail account for event - Evie?
> Little Cows? Marlene?
> Hay bales?
> Point People - coordinate with your team, point people only email Caroline with questions
> Silent Auction? Do we have enough volunteers for this?
Wrap up.......So who's doing what, when?
Nancy and Jacquie's Nepal presentation
Volunteer Simplicity Course

Thanks everyone. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Directions to church......look at Google map w/in the calendar on the right of this page.

Minutes: 11-13-2010

2010-12-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

Members Present: Janeen, Emelia, Linda Lucas, Marilyn, Linda Mc Bee, Caroline, Marlene, Carol, Evie, Renee, and Ann

Treasurer’s Report (There was a request that money reports be sent out via email. This will be done.)

Wombat Farm’s dinner expenses and money raised.
Our direct contributions are over $7500
Our help at the Shearer School event helped them raise $1000.

What’s Next?

Heifer Peace Event in May - Workshop at Hidden Villa
Members are encouraged to attend.
Sonoma Area Event - Will occur in early April - ??4/9

Barn Dance at GreenString Farm - Barn usually costs $1500 per event to
rent but they will give it to our group for free. Plans are to have a dinner
(Chili beans and salad), a presentation and English line dancing.

Discussion re: alcoholic beverage service.

The Co-chairs are Caroline Bonnet and Linda McBee. Committee members are Marolyn, Renee, Linda Lucas.
Members given handout about Brainstorming for events. • Question of having 1 major fund raiser and 1 major educational event was discussed. Decision was made to focus on the Sonoma Event until it is firmed up.

Little Rock AVC Conference

Caroline and Linda McBee went. Small gifts were passed out as we discussed Heifer’s Goals. Some items of interest are: more money is coming in to Heifer from individuals than congregations. All are asked to give monthly instead of one big donation annually. Linda reported that the facilities in Arkansas is amazing and so are the people.

Closing

Caroline read the story re: Matthew (a Heifer partner) and Heifer.

* Something to consider: being for peace instead of against war.

Next Meeting: Jan. 8, 2011 in Sebastopol at the Methodist church
We will start the Voluntary simplicity study course from NWEI.

P.S. The next Napa Meeting will probably be at the Methodist Church

New CEO sees Heifer's brand as a ‘love mark'—doing what's right for others

2010-10-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

Pierre Ferrari, Heifer International's chief executive officer, was born in Africa in what was then the Belgian Congo (Zaire from 1971-1997 and today the Democratic Republic of Congo) in a French-speaking family that had been in Africa for three generations on his father's side. His mother was also born in the Congo, the daughter of Belgian colonial administrators.
Click Here to Read More

Agenda for November 13, 2010

2010-10-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

10 am at Whole Foods Conference room in Napa

Evie Trevethan - facilitator
Caroline Bonnet - Note taker
Ann Schwartz - Treasurer

This will be our last meeting for the year. We'll take a break in December and enjoy the holiday season.

Winding down the year 2010 - What we've accomplished. Report from Treasurer. Report from Napa committee to suggest future Napa events.

How to order your Voluntary Simplicity for our 5 course study beginning at the January 8th meeting.

Report from the First National Area Volunteer Coordinator Conference in Little Rock - Caroline and Linda

Progress report on the hoped for Barn Dance Fund Raiser in late winter/early spring in Sonoma County

Power Point presentation by Caroline

Check out what one young man in Portland is doing for Heifer http://portland.heiferblog.org/2009/12/cards-for-cows.html

And don't forget to check out our own blog: http://sonomanapa.heiferblog.org/

Hope to see you all there!

First National AVC Convention

2010-10-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

92 Area Volunteer Coordinators (AVC's) from across the nation had the joyful opportunity to gather in Little Rock, Arkansas October 14th thru 17th to be part of the first-ever national AVC gathering! Four days of jam-packed activity and inspiration focused on the incredible work done by the Heifer community; the staff, volunteers and amazing people who gather around Heifer International. What an amazing and impressive community!
The overarching message: "Heifer is what it is because of the volunteers". Our work is vital to the mission of Heifer and without grassroots groups like ours the life changing work that Heifer is able to perform would not be possible. It was a time to renew our understanding of Heifer's work, to make connections with others doing this work and to explore ways to reach even more people to expand our ability "To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth".

The World Food Prize

2010-10-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, Jo Luck was the third woman ever to receive the prestigious World Food Prize. Jo Luck, who has helped lead Heifer for more than twenty years, shares the prize with Bread for the World president David Beckmann. The World Food prize, an award likened to the Nobel prize, was awarded at a banquet honoring Jo Luck and David Beckmann at the Iowa State Capitol.
Video of 2010 World Food Prize

Minutes: October 9, 2010 - Sebastopol United Methodist Church

2010-10-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

Evie Trevethan - facilitator
Linda McBee - note taker

Check in and Introductions

Caroline Bonnet - AVC - 9 years with Heifer She is our resource person. Send questions to her. Today we have a rule that no one leave empty handed. Please, take some literature and place at doctors’and dentists' offices, libraries, friends, senior center, teacher lounges, church halls, etc. They do no good sitting in our closets/garages. Let's get them out there.

Nancy Evans - From Napa...volunteered for about one year. Asked that we really focus on distributing literature thru the Holidays.

Linda McBee - Does the Blog...came on board in 2007 with the& African Children’s Choir.

Janeen Breyman & Emelia Garcia - From Napa...met Evie at the Food Forum in Napa 2010. Brought coupon for Organic Milk (www.organicvalley.coop/future) go to this url to sign up for drawing and they donate $1 for Heifer.

Jessie McDermott - volunteered at Wombat Farm fundraiser in 2010. First meeting, to find out more with intention to join.

Mary Blom - two years here in Sebastopol. Took a Heifer trip to Honduras and became connected with Heifer’s work.

Evie Trevethan - Involved with Heifer since 2006. After retiring she got more and more involved with encouragement from Caroline.

Marolyn Roberts - from Yountville joined us late because of a BIG traffic jam.

Evaluation of Harvest Dinner Event (aka Local to Global at Wombats' Farm)

Evie presented a very detailed list of categories evaluating the event. This will be helpful for future events.

Caroline: asks the question “Would we do an event like this again?”....i.e. was the amount of work worth the result? ($6000 and outreach).

Mary read a wonderful thank you gift from someone who will have Heifer in their life from this point forward.

Master Gardeners that attended were all mostly new to Heifer.

Does this formal event represent Heifer?

Evie would like a committee to meet with the hand out details and come with a recommendation to the larger group before our next large event.

Linda suggests using professional servers if we do another formal event.

Thanks to Evie for the heroic job she did in co-chairing the event. - is still.

Study Group on “Voluntary Simplicity”

Mary presented - The Northwest Institute has several study books for groups. She suggests we study their book “Voluntary Simplicity”.
She read a few excerpts from the book. The “Voluntary Simplicity” course has five chapters. The book costs $20. Each month we would devote one hour to the discussion of the chapter. The chapter would be led by a different person each time. Opportunity in each session to form personal intentions and share them. When we did the “Menu for the Future” we had a potluck at the end of the study made from food that was grown or gathered within 10 miles of where we each live. The meal brought it all together and strengthened us as a group. We will start this study in January with the first chapter. Mary will lead the discussion. To order go to the Northwest Institute website: http://nwei.org/discussion_courses/course-offerings/voluntary-simplicity

Holiday Presentations and Tables

Ideas for the holiday season. Tabling and presentations at: schools, churches, clubs, businesses, libraries, senior centers. Also these are good places to place Heifer materials - gift catalogs.

October 28th: Shearer School will be doing a fund raiser for Heifer in Napa, their second annual benefit for Heifer.

Nancy: Will give a presentation at AAUW (American Assoc. of University Women) and will show the 12 Stones movie in Napa

Jacquie: Gave a presentation to the Kiwanis club last week in Napa

Mary: Will be doing three tables at her church Gift Fair in Sebastopol

Linda: Will have a table at Silk Moon and Summerfield Waldorf School in Sebastopol

Marolyn Roberts mentioned 4-H and asked how to connect with 4-H in terms of her grand children. Previously in 4-H, Evie informed us, there formally was the option to donate their animal to Heifer. Now, someone could donate the money from their animal to Heifer.

Nancy took "Our Time is Now" booklet to give to her granddaughter who is interested in making a difference in the world.

Ideas for Sonoma Co. Event

When? In early spring/late winter.
Farm or barn with animals, a simple meal in the barn?
We might want to do a dinner this winter that would generate more volunteers and have the event in the spring.
Brain storming:
music...fun....simple food...bbq....dance....choir to do a charity event...
State County Park?
Place where we housed the African Children’s Choir? - Ranch in Santa Rosa
Tera Firma might work....Linda will check it out. She will see if they have non-profit rate. In Petaluma area.

Next Meeting: November 13th at Whole Foods in Napa at 10am

Agenda - October 9, 2010

2010-09-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

10 am, at Sebastopol United Methodist Church
500 North Main St 95472.

There will be a gift fair going on at the church that day, Heifer Volunteers will have a table there after the meeting. If you can help staff the table, contact Mary Blom who will be coordinating that effort. (ehfarms@aol.com or 823-6616.) Parking is very limited at the church, so the church is requesting we park in the Safeway parking lot across the street for our meeting.

Agenda Items

Evaluation of Sept 12 Harvest Dinner event. What worked, what needs improvement for the future.
The Great Quilt Story -- Our quilt is going to Nepal !!
Study Group - Mary Blom presents info on a possible study group on Holiday presentations in schools, churches, clubs.
Ideas for an event in Sonoma County - late winter

After Local to Global Event

2010-09-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Heifer People ~ We did it !!! We had a very successful event. Great volunteers, panoramic views, educational farm tours and exceptional food. We should all feel proud of our contributions to Heifer. At this point we know we've made at least $5800 and we'll do better than that by a little, once we've paid the bills, I think. That's more than enough to have donated an Ark of animals and consequently to be able to donate our quilt to an outstanding Heifer women's group. Yea for us !

I am so happy to be involved with such an enthusiastic and hard working group of people, willing to give of our selves to make a difference. Such fun and such caring.

I'd like to ask one last favor in connection with this event. Would you please email me your comments of what worked well and what we can improve upon for future Heifer events. I'd like to receive your comments soon, so I can review them and use them for discussion at our October meeting, details of which will come along after a brief respite.

I hope you're enjoying the satisfaction of a job very well done. Love, Evie

Minutes - Final Touches for Local to Global Event

2010-08-31T14:35:00.000-07:00

Please everyone read this and let your Point Person know of any changes/corrections/additions. Point People please contact Evie, Nancy or Caroline if there are significant changes/corrections/additions.

We will have updates on food and wine needed as time gets closer.

Facilitator - Evie Trevethan
Note Taker - Caroline Bonnet

Present - Mary and Gerrit Blom, Evie Trevethan, Caroline Bonnet Carol and Keni Kent, Marlene Zimmerman, Betty Malgren, Linda McBee, Ann Schwartz, Renee Austin, Jacquie Eigen, Linda Lucas, Marolyn Roberts, Linda Dietiker-Yolo, Dottie Lee, Mike Robak, Karoline Hall, Mimi Formosa, Carol Lilleberg, Tada Darsie

We are sold out and there is a small waiting list, for the Harvest Dinner

Donations we have so far:
Target - $50
3 Twins Ice Cream - 2 gal
Wal-Mart - $75
Safeway - $25
Whole Foods - amount pending
United Methodist Church - 90 chairs - (Evie will check on the condition of these)
Covenant Presbyterian Church - 17 tables
Golden Carrot - amount unknown as of now
Mc Carthy Chiropractic - table linens/napkins/chafing dishes
Paul Grill - $100
Harrington Investments - $200
Ray and Jenny Sercu - $170
Hagafen Cellars - 150 wine glasses EVENT DRESS: White blouses/shirts and Dark pants.

Food: Carole and Keni will provide produce from their garden, if more is needed Tada will get more vegies and also Evie will contact Veritable Vegetables in Oakland. Between all, produce should be covered. Keni will keep a record of what items we will still need to get as time gets closer. We have funds in our volunteer account if we need to purchase anything.

Set Up Point Person: Renee Austin cell: 260-4229, home: 252-4769
Volunteers have table services, flat wear, salt and peppers, cream and sugars complete.

DISHES: 2 PLATES: Dinner + Dessert
SOUP BOWL
COFFEE CUP + SAUCER (or MUG)
FLATWARE: 2 FORKS: Dinner + Salad/Dessert
2 SPOONS: Soup + Teaspoon
1 KNIFE

SALT & PEPPER SHAKERS
WATER PITCHERS

Renee wants all settings there before noon on Sunday.

We will have ice tea in a punch bowl which Carole will provide, for those not wanting wine. Ann will bring water in a large container for water in water pitchers on tables, one for each table.

There will be a staging area to the right of the deck for compost, trash, and our boxes to take home our dirty dishes, and other items we loan for the evening.

There will be carafes for each table - white - rented at $3 each for soup and coffee. The servers will pour soup from these, Linda McBee will wash them out in order to serve coffee in them later. There will be 3 open bottles of wine at each table. Total amount of wine we have donated so far is unknown. Nancy Evans will let us know if we have enough or need more. Wine servers will bring their own cork screws. Marlene and Jacquie will open the wine to be placed on each table 3 bottles for each table.

Wine servers are: Linda Lucas and her husband Walt, Renee Austin, Nancy Evans. There will be a beverage table for iced tea in a punch bowl, and wine. Appetizers will be passed around by servers. Appetizer servers are: Dottie, Julie, Linda Dietker-Yolo and Tada.

Appetizers will be served on cocktail napkins. Betty will provide the trays to be passed by servers. We will start setting tables at noon on Sunday. Tables and chairs will be collected and delivered on Saturday by Evie's team. Carole will provide the helpers to set up the tables and chairs. Folks donating place settings will also bring a sheet to cover the set tables before the dinner to prevent leaves falling onto tables. Carole & crew will provide flowers for each table.

Jacquie will bring "bar towels" for wine table and dinner servers. She and Marolyn will bring solar lights for along the walk way into the dining area. The other lighting is covered by the Kent's crew.

10 table servers are needed, one for each table. They will serve the soup into the bowls on the table from the carafes, when diners are finished, remove soup bowls, get carafes to Linda to wash for coffee, while diners are helping themselves to the main course. Servers will help serve those with disabilities. They will also be aware if more wine and water is needed at each table, and provide those. When diners are finished with the main course, (allowing time for seconds) servers will remove plates, and serve dessert and coffee, removing wine from the tables at this time.

Mary and Gerrit Blom will have their own table of guests and will serve their table themselves. It will be marked Reserved.

Table Servers are: Julie Sparks, Tada Darsie, Karoline Hall, Linda Lucas, Jennifer Miller, Mary Blom, Nancy Evans, Dottie Lee, Mike Robak, Betty Malgren. Back Up Servers: Caroline Bonnet, Linda McBee. Servers and Runners will bring their own aprons. All servers will arrive early - Nancy will let them know what time they should be there - on Sunday to run thru their tasks. Folks donating place settings must know their own sets and be responsible for getting them home. Food Runners : Linda Dietiker-Yolo and Gina Kulik. They will run food from the kitchen to the serving tables as necessary.

Beverage table: There will be a beverage table for creamers, sugars, coffee, hot tea and water. The servers will serve the tables from there after the main course dishes are cleared and dessert is served. There will be electrical outlets available here to plug in the coffee pots and hot water container. Runners are to get cream from fridge to the beverage table and leave it there to refill creamers. Mary Blom is providing coffee, teas, sugars, creamers and pots.

Greeting/Hospitality: Marolyn Roberts, Tada Darsie, Jacquie Eigen and friend. They will have name tags available for the guests if they want them. There will be a sign at their table indicating Heifer Harvest Dinner. They will greet people, take tickets and direct guest to the front lawn. There will be two or three guests lists at the table so people coming in can have their names checked off the list quickly, to prevent a pile up. Ann Schwartz has the list of guests and will provide it to the greeters.

Program: Caroline Bonnet 894-0920

Dinner will be served at 7. Eliza and Isaak will lead a farm tour, partnering with Carole and Keni. This allows E & I to make the farm connection with Heifer's work. There will be two tours, 20 min each. One beginning at 5:20 and the other at 5:40. There will be 4 stops, but we need 5 signs.
Stop 1 - Compost/ worms, Kitchen garden (these are close but not identical locations - so need 2 separate signs for this stop.)
Stop 2 - Bees
Stop 3 - Chickens
Stop 4 - Habitat garden

I'm imagining the signs to have pictures and words on a stiff card, maybe 12 x 14 which can be stapled to a stake in the ground. We'd like to have these at the Kent's by Saturday 9-11. The tours would not necessarily be in the order listed. Good to get there early and go over the tour with Carole and Keni before show time. There will be appetizers, wine and beverages served during this time period.

At 6:30 we will gather the crowd together (80), they will sit in chairs, stand and or sit at dinner tables. Isaak will give a talk standing on one edge of the deck in front of and a bit above the diners. He will have a sound system - already in place there. He will talk for 15-20 minutes and then give them time to go over to the donation table if they, choose to, before dinner is served. (It will be dark after dinner) We have lighting, but perhaps more convenient to make donations before dinner. After dinner, during dessert and coffee Isaak and Eliza or Evie will thank folks for coming and bid them adieu.

Timing is everything, tour guides will need to be mindful to move the tour along to end in plenty of time. There will be lots of questions and comments that could seriously slow it down. Isaak and Eliza will each sit at a table to engage diners with Heifer info. (not Mary and Gerrit Bolm's who have "bought a whole table", they will do the Heifer talk).

OtherSigns: Keni will make the Parking signs. Walt Custer and Mike Robak will help with parking. Jacquie will make signs for the check-in table and the signs to identify where the tours start and the times the tours start. Heifer will provide the Farm Tour Stops signs. There will be signs to honor and thank all the donors/sponsors. They will be placed at the Greeting and Donation tables. Betty and Evie will see to that. Parking will be in the back for volunteers - look for the sign on the fence.

Each volunteer will bring some warm wraps for guests in case it's really chilly.

Mimi Formosa will decorate the Donation table and help Evie set it up. Ann and Helen Pelayo will staff the table.

Clean up: Dirty wine glasses should be placed upside down in the boxes to return to the winery. Folks be sure and take away all the items you've loaned for the event. Provide your own box or plastic bag with your name on it to take your dirty dishes, etc home. Due to water shortage.

The final clean up will be Monday morning, as it will be dark when it's over Sunday night. Hopefully some volunteers will come back Monday morning to help. Housing: Julie Sparks may stay with the Kents. Caroline will stay with Evie.

Addendum: Volunteers please bring your own soup mug or bowl for the volunteer supper.
Caroline Bonnet and Linda McBee will sit at the Heifer materials table.

Agenda - August 28th

2010-08-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

Facilitator - Evie Trevethan
Note Taker - Caroline Bonnet

We will meet again at Wombat's Farm to finalize our plans and get clear on what is left to be done for our event there on Sept 12. This is an important meeting, our last before the Harvest Dinner, so please be there and on time if you're involved with the event. If for some reason you are not able to attend, please let Evie or Nancy know. We will go through the Task List and make sure all tasks are covered and determine what there is left to do, so please print out the updated Task List and bring it with you. This is a link to the current Task List. We'd like to hear from each Point Person on the progress of your task and be sure there are enough volunteers on your team to cover each task and that it's clear to each volunteer what they are going to do. If you have obtained donations of non-perishable food or beverage items, please bring them along to the meeting.

Thank you for all you're doing, we appreciate your enthusiasm and helpful support. All seems to be progressing well and we are looking forward to a beautiful, educational and fun evening on Sept 12.

Directions to Wombat's Farm: From north or south on Hwy 29 in Napa, take Imola Avenue exit. Go east on Imola Avenue approximately 4 to 5 miles. Imola Avenue ends at 4th Avenue. Turn left onto 4th Avenue and proceed for just short of .75 mile to Curry Lane. Turn right onto Curry Lane and proceed to 2059, which is on the right side of the street. (Be sure not to hit any Wombats in the area.) Call if you get lost.

Wombats Make the Napa News

2010-08-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/article_cf5bd6b0-a8e1-11df-be79-001cc4c03286.html

minutes_July 31, 2010

2010-08-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Heifer People ~ the minutes from 7/31/10 are shown below. But much has changed since then, so please review this memo for current information.

Heifer International released their 25 tickets back to us to sell, since our sales were going so quickly. We now just have 10 tickets total left to sell. so tell your friends and contacts not to hesitate. First come, first served. The 2 ways still to buy are by phone, 265-7867, or gmail heifersonomanapa@gmail.com .

We decided not to go to the extra expense of printing invitations, since we were so close to selling out. So as you continue to publicize the event, just use the flyer you were emailed or contact me for additional hard copy flyers. Even though we have few tickets left, this is still a good chance to talk with your friends and contacts about our local Heifer activities and encourage participation. Any ticket requests we can't fill, we'll still add to our event contact list for next time, so please continue to talk up the event.

We are still coming up short with donations for the food needed for our menu, so if you can help with acquiring needed food items, please call Keni Kent for guidance on what is still needed, 255-8404. His computer is down for a couple of days.

Also if anyone has access to tablecloths and napkins we wouldn't need to rent, that would really keep our costs down and help Heifer. Any ideas???

Thanks for all of your energy and support. This is going to be a great event. Evie

Minutes for Meeting held at Wombat’s Farm, Napa July 31, 2010 at 10 am.
Evie Trevethan - Facilitator
Ann Schwartz - Note Taker
Present: Caroline Bonnet, Mary Blom, Betty Malmgren, Linda Lucas, Carol Lilleberg, Linda McBee, Linda Dietiker-Yolo, Nancy Evans, Carole Kent,, Julie Sparks, Jaccuie Eigen, Rene Austin, Marolyn Roberts, Keni Kent, Evie Trevethan, Ann Schwartz
Treasurer's Report: Ann - $114.43 in Volunteer Checking Account
Ticket Sales: Carol has sold 20, Nancy - 3, Evie - 25
          Nancy has tickets & ticket forms.
          Tickets should be reserved and not given out until money comes in.
          Keep track of tickets sold and # of each ticket.
          Phone number on fliers is Nancy’s. She will take reservations
Invitations: Invitations coming. Nancy has a list of how many have been requested by members. When they are available she will notify members.
Flyers: There is Heifer input that is still being negotiated. Nancy sent around sign up sheet for Locations posting flyers.
FOOD DONATIONS: sign up sheet sent around. Those going out to stores
should take a copy of the letter stating our non profit status with them. Copy will go out from Evie.Money donated to our group needs checks made out to
Sonoma Napa Volunteers.
We need donations from stores as soon as possible Let Keni know.
Greeters: Marolyn is the point person. She will work with Carole re: tours Jacquie, Tada
Tours: Six stations: Garden, Bee garden, Chickens, Habitat Garden, Olive Grove, Lasagna Bed
             Tour Guides - Carole, Keni, Marlene Signs will be made by Heifer.
Set Up: Point person is Renee Austin. Valerie Zurich, Dottie Lee
Food Servers (appetizers, soup, dessert, coffee, table clearing)
Marlene, Julie, Jennifer, Jessica, Mary, Betty, Karolyn, Linda Lucas
Wine Servers: Linda Lucas, Marlene Zimmerman
Table Hosts: Each table should have a host to see to that table’s needs. It
would be nice if the host could be for those to whom you have sold tickets.
Food Runners: Linda and Gina
Minimize Rental Costs: Members will bring place settings for eight i.e. dinner plate, soup bowl, desert plate, cup and saucer. Sugar bowls and creamers also need to be brought.
Members Bringing Service: Carole for 3 tables 24 total, For 1 table - Mary, Nancy, Linda Lucas, Linda McBee, Betty,Marolyn, and Julie. Evie will bring back up service.
Glassware: Possibly, Carole, Nancy and Mary?
                    Glasses from the wineries donating wine?
SILVERWARE:   ????
To Rent: Table clothes and napkins, Insulated Carafes for coffee. Coffee Urn
Coffee Service: Urn to be rented. Creamers and sugar bowls and cups and
saucers will come with place settings loaned by members.
NEEDED : CREAM, SUGAR, TEA, SWEETENER.
Information Table: Caroline and Linda McBee
Donation Table: Ann - Animals will be displayed there, also if there is expensive wine for silent auction
Car Parking: Keni is point person with Robak, Walt Custer
Acknowledgement of donors: Caroline will put names on program and
possibly on poster by the check in table.
Feeding the help: Malcom will provide soup.
                              There will also be bread and butter.

Next Meeting will be 8/28/2010 - 10 a.m. - Wombat’s Farm 2059 Curry Lane.

Local to Global Harvest Dinner

2010-08-06T09:46:00.001-07:00

We are very busy planning the Local to Global Harvest Dinner at Wombats' Farm on September 12th. Click here to download a pdf flyer > http://mcb-lines.com/flyer.pdf
Our next planning meeting will be on August 28th at 10 am.

A Brief History of Our Events

2010-08-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

We have been active since 2005 when we did our first big (to us) event; the Beggars' Banquet. Concurrent with these events we have done regular "tabling" at local events like Farmers' Markets, Bodega Bay Fishermans' Festival, Earth Days, etc.
Please, click here to see a brief overview of some of our activities:
http://mcb-lines.com/heifer/events.html

Agenda - July 31st

2010-07-26T11:00:00.001-07:00

Saturday 10am at Wombat's Farm
2059 Curry Lane, Napa.
Phone number 255-8404 - please see directions below

Facilitator - Evie Trevethan
Note Taker - Ann Schwartz

We will meet at Wombat's Farm to go over plans and details for the Sept 12 " Local to Global Harvest Dinner". It will help us to see the layout, where and how events will take place so we can better plan for the event. The agenda will include going through the Task List and filling in the blanks. Progress Report and where we are, what needs to be done. Please print out the Task List Evie sent and bring it to the meeting. We have much to discuss. If at all possible, please try to come to the meeting and be on time.

Directions to Wombat's Farm: From north or south on Hwy 29 in Napa, take Imola Avenue exit. Go east on Imola Avenue approximately 4 to 5 miles. Imola Avenue ends at 4th Avenue. Turn left onto 4th Avenue and proceed for just short of .75 mile to Curry Lane. Once you reach Curry Lane, turn right. Then proceed to Wombats' Farm which will also be on your right(# 2059). (Be sure not to hit any Wombats in the area.) Call if you get lost.
Once you reach Curry Lane, turn right. Then proceed to Wombats' Farm which will also be on your right.

Thank you, looking forward to being together and planning for this fun event.

Caroline Bonnet
Heifer Sonoma-Napa Volunteer Coordinator
cbonnet4@sonic.net
707 894-0920

My First Tabling Experience

2010-07-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

At the Himalayan Fair in Berkeley, CA, a man came up to the table and asked about Heifer, the work they did, etc.. Pablo, a long-time volunteer explained much and gave him the World Ark magazine with the picture of the Nepalese woman and the lamb.

Twenty minutes later, the man returned with the magazine and was pointing to the photo of the Nepalese women from the film, “The 12 Stones” and said he knew some of the women.

He then explained that he was from the same village as the women in the photo. His brother was in Parliament and he pointed to one particular woman and said her husband was also in Parliament. He explained that these women were from the lowest caste and this woman’s husband was the first of his caste to be in Parliament. He, himself was Brahmin.

This man, halfway around the world from Nepal, had tears in his eyes and spoke with much emotion. He was thrilled to tell me about his life, his village, why he was here in the U.S. (medical reasons). This photo brought a little piece of home to him and he was able to share that with me.

My first volunteering opportunity turned into something much bigger than sitting at a table and chatting with people. This was the reason I was there, to connect with this man, at that moment in time and for both of us to feel that connection.

That is what I have always loved about Heifer: the one-on-one connection that transforms the world: one person, one lamb, one village at a time.

It represents on a very personal level how connected we are - local to global back to local....we are connected...and I am glad to have found a local Heifer group to support that connection.

Jacquie Eigen
July 2010

Minutes: July 10, 2010

2010-07-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

Meeting held at Whole Foods conference room in Napa, July 10, 2010, at 10 am.

Evie Trevethan - Facilitator
Caroline Bonnet - Note taker

Present: Kathy Mawer, Nancy Evans, Marolyn Roberts, Jacquie Eigen, Janeen Bryman, Emilia Garcia, Linda Lucas, Julie Sparks, Valerie Zurich, Tada Darcie, Keni and Carole Kent, Betty Malmgren, Carol Lilleberg, Evie Trevethan, Caroline Bonnet.

Introductions: Welcome to the new volunteers! Marilyn Roberts, Jacquie Eigen, Janeen and Amelia Garcia, Linda Lucas, and Valerie Zurich! These volunteers connected with our volunteer group at the May 14 event in Napa.

Jacquie Eigen shared that she volunteered at the Berkeley Himalayan Fair, first time out as a Heifer volunteer. She sat at a table at our booth there with Pedro Barrera and they showed the 12 Stones movie on laptop. Her story about talking with a man from Nepal about people in the movie will follow soon.

Linda Lucas shared that her family is from Lithuania and she is planning on going there on a Heifer Study Tour in June 2011. Julie Sparks joined us from San Jose.

We decided to not address other items on the agenda, but to stick to planning for the "Local to Global Harvest Dinner" at Wombat's Farm on Sunday Sept 12. We decided the ticket price will be $65, and we plan on inviting 65 people, however we said if more wanted to come we could probably accommodate up to 75 people - this to be cleared with the chef.

The time will be from 5 to 9, with outside lighting when it gets dark. Appetizers and wine will be served by volunteers while guests mingle. A farm and garden tour will start at approximately 5:30, led by two volunteers with signs at each stop equating Wombat's Farm agricultural practices with Heifer's work worldwide. The tour might last a half hour. Dinner will be served buffet style at two separate tables - identical food at each table (this to prevent crowding and waiting inline). We will need servers at each table and a runner or two from the kitchen to replenish the buffet. After guests are seated volunteers will serve their beverages and desserts. Before dinner begins there will be a short introduction to Heifer's work by the MC, hopefully Isaak Egge, and after dinner a longer talk by our guest speaker. Caroline will contact Eliza and Isaak about this.

We talked about various guest speakers possibilities but didn't decide.

We discussed how guests can pay for their tickets. Tickets will be numbered. RSVP by a certain date is essential. Caroline will contact Eliza about this. We're hoping they can either send a check or pay online thru PayPal or the Heifer website. We discussed how we would provide dinner for the volunteers - have something simple catered, brought in - sandwiches? Undecided. Jacquie offered to set up whatever online payment we decide on. We discussed various formats for the invitations and what copy we would want. Betty will mock up a sample for us. Carol read the menu to us and we decided to put it on the invitations along with a blurb on Wombat's Farm, and some Heifer info/logo.

As it appears we will need more volunteers than we have to staff this event, we asked that each volunteer bring two friends to help. Tada will check with the Napa Women's Club for volunteers to help. We will need 8 or 9 tables. Evie will ask the Presbyterian church if could borrow them and chairs. Also Carole suggested we use round tables and Janeen said she will ask her Methodist church if we could borrow theirs. Tada offered use of her sound equipment. We will need 2 parking attendants. They will have flash lights to escort guests to their cars after dark.

We need letters for soliciting food for the event, showing our tax exempt number, telling a bit about the event and thanking the donors. Caroline will work on that. We will get a list of the foods we need to have donated. Keni will get that list from the chef and let us know. There will be a display/sign/something at the farm, thanking donors who contributed to the event. Caroline, Betty and Carole will work on images/design for the tickets, invitations, flyers, and signs for the farm tour. We would like to have a few well placed flyers to advertise the event, including an online version.

Kathy Mawer will be sitting at the Farmers Market Heifer/Quaker/Unitarian Peace table on Sat. Aug 7th and again on Tues. Aug 17th, along with Joe Wilcox.
She will advertise the Local to Global Harvest Dinner at those times.
The task list that are assigned at this time include:

Tickets - Point Person - Nancy Evans
Parking Point Person - Keni Kent
Clean Up Point Person - Betty Malgram Helpers - Carol Lilleberg
Set Up - Point Person ? Helpers Julie Sparks, Valerie Zurich
Greeters/Hospitality - Point Person? Helpers - Jacquie, Tada, Carole
Farm Tour - Betty Farm Tour signs
Food Service - Point Person? Helpers - Julie, Valerie, Mimi, Karoline
Food /Wine Donations - Point Person - Keni Kent Helpers - Carole & Keni, Marolyn, Tada
Heifer Donation table - Point Person - Evie Helpers - Mimi, Julie
Wine Servers - Point Person? Helpers - Linda, Jacquie, Caroline
Public Relations - Point Person - Betty Malgram Helper - Evie

Tasks we still need volunteers for:

4 Point People
3 appetizer servers
3 wine servers
2 food runners
3 dessert and beverage servers
2 parking lot attendants
2 greeters
4 set up
4 clean up
2 more food solicitors
1 or 2 to set up lighting for the farm when it gets dark

We changed our next meeting dates to:

Saturday July 31 at 10am at Wombat's Farm
and
Saturday August 28 at 10 am, location to be decided.

Regular Monthly Meeting

2010-07-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Our Heifer SonomaNapa Volunteer meeting will be at Whole Foods in Napa
Saturday July 10 at 10 am.
Evie - Facilitator
Caroline - Note Taker
The primary focus of this meeting will be planning for the "Dinner in the Vineyards" event on September 12, 2010. We will start constructing our task list, get invitation numbers and ideas, and explore various aspects of the evening's activities. Please all come and help us with this fun and lovely event, we need your ideas, suggestions and talents.
We will also discuss the possibility of studying the Northwest Earth Institute's course on Voluntary Simplicity as a group. Please read the course outline before the meeting.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Caroline

Event Planning...a work in progress

2010-07-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

Evie has done some great preliminary work on this.

Questions for Initial Event Planning:

What is the focus of the event?
What is the theme of the event?
Who is the target audience?
What kind/size venue do we need?
What time of year will work best? (re: other events)
Do we want co-sponsors/underwriting?
Do we want donations?
Do we want presentations/entertainment?
What kind of refreshments/food?
Do we need any permits/licenses/liability bond/security?
What kind of staffing do we need?
Will there be parking issues/needs?
What are our resources?

Some major Task Areas:

Tickets (printing/sales)
Publicity
- material development
- advertising/media contacts
- distribution of flyers/posters
Event Recording
- photographer/vidograper
- record of planning areas
Beverage Donations
Food Donations
Any equiptment needed? (sound system...whatever)
Site set-up
Site staffing
Site clean up
Thank you's
Program timing....dry run.

Honey Bees Give Hope

2010-06-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Honey Bees Give Hope

Minutes - June 12, 2010

2010-06-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Facilitator: Evie
Note taker: Linda
Present: Janeen and Emilia Breyman, Joan Birch, Ann Schwartz, Nancy Evans, Mary Blom, Marlene Zimmerman, Linda McBee, and Evie Trevethan

*note fall fund raiser date changed to 9/12/2010

Blog address is sonomanapa.heiferblog.org
email address is *heifersonomanapa@gmail.com

Critique of May Event in Napa
• Quilt to stimulate donations for an ark....the quilt will be sent to a partner women’s group as an acknowlegement of their work.
• There were about 100 people
• Perfect venue
• good P.R.
• Greeting: need far more greeters because of the tendency to get into conversations that are valuable.
• Don Emmel was great and informative
• food preparation and handling by Cathy and her crew was very good
• Isaak sent cudos to the volunteers
• the sound system worked seamlessly!! But, we need to have someone closer to the site to make sure it will work ahead of time. Asking a volunteer from far away is asking too much.
• We need clarity of areas of responsibility
• And clear time lines.
Tabling
• we need to make sure all of the info is available and displayed
The fish weights work well as do the stuffed animals.
Farmers’ Market
Whole Foods - Earth Day
Down town Napa - Earth Day
Bodega Bay Fish Fest

Treasurer’s Report (it’s so great to have a treasurer!)
May 8 - June 11,2010
Ann Schwartz

Section 1: Volunteer Checking Account
Beginning $128.30
No debit amount
Interest earned .03
Deposited 5/26 $ 15.00
Current Balance TOTAL $143.03

Section 2: HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Beginning $233.00
Deposits 5/26 food forum $ 22.00
earth day $ 88.00
Volunteer’s can $ 19.00
5/14 Quilt Event $ 271.00
total--$ 400.00

6/1 Heifer International $633.00
CURRENT BALANCE $0.03

Wine Training for Napa city
One must be trained to serve wine in the city of Napa. There is a training on July 21st at 5 to 7 and one August 20th in City Hall. Marleen volunteered to go.

Volunteer Advocacy
When we consider emailing our local Heifer contacts about items we care about, we need to be aware that we are also representing Heifer International. Don’t send out a Heifer email, to distribute information about related issues or programs w/o checking with Evie or Caroline first to be certain we are congruent with Heifer International perspective.

Fall Fund Raiser
Co-chairs are Nancy and Evie
*Originally planned for 9/11 but changed to 9/12. To be held at the Wombats’ Farm (Cathy and Keni’s place)
Dinner in the Vineyards for about 50 to 75 people on the lawn. Maybe with Terrerai Trent if she is available. We will need to pay her travel expenses. Eliza will be there. Chef maybe someone who Cathy and Keni know.
Betty will do the publicity.
tickets? How much?
Music? What kind? We want to pay an honorarium for the music.
It was decided to not do a silent auction with the event this year.

Activities for next year
• schools: Nancy, Marleen and Janeen
• worship groups: Marleen, Janeen and Mary
• community groups: Ann and Marleen
• gift giving: Evie and Linda (idea with animal cards Linda made last year)
• retail business (Bakshesh, Silk Moon, Spirits in Stone, Wineries)
• literature in offices: Nancy

Skills needed
• Membership chair who knows Xcel to maintain the membership list and keep track of the interest cards people fill out at events, contacts and resources.

Next Meeting: July 10th in Napa at Whole Foods
August Meeting: hopefully at Wombats’ Farm

Best of Little Rock!

2010-06-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

Heifer Project International receives
2010 Best of Little Rock Award
U.S. Commerce Association’s award plaque honors the achievement

NEW YORK, N.Y., June 3, 2010 – For the second consecutive year, Heifer Project International has been selected for the 2010 Best of Little Rock Award in the Associations category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4 percent) 2010 Award recipients qualified as two-time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

Napa May 16th Event

2010-06-07T12:09:00.000-07:00


We had a great time at the Napa May 16th Event. Friends brought these two really cute mini-cows. Yes! They really are tiny little cows that make milk and do all the things cows do. Very fun.



	As well as a presentation of the 12 Stones movie, we had a special treat of hearing about the adventures of Don Emmel, one of the original "Sea-going Cowboys". It was great to hear history straight from the source!

Agenda June 12, 2010

2010-06-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

10am at Sebastopol Methodist Church meeting room.
See directions below.

Evie Trevethan - Facilitator
Nancy Evans - Note Taker
Ann Schwartz - Treasurer

- Critique May 14th event pros and cons. (Isaak was way impressed by the quality of the volunteers) Photos on the way soon

- Report on tabling events - Himalayan Fair, Peace table, April tables

- Treasurer's Report - Ann

- Wine Pouring training dates - Evie

- Plans for "Dinner in the Vineyards" event in Sept
- Program? What do Keni and Carol want to do? How can we help? Do we want music? Silent Auction items?
Speaker?

- Volunteer advocacy - Emails to the group on issues related to Heifer's mission Email send outs need to be approved by
Caroline or Evie

- Tasks - On going "office" help for Evie Who will help?

Directions to the meeting
Sebastopol United Methodist Church at 500 North Main St., Sebastopol
Approaching Sebastopol on Highway 116 West, westbound traffic will be routed onto Petaluma Ave., a one-way street.
When you reach the light at Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy. 12), continue straight, across Sebastopol Avenue.
Go one block and turn left on McKinley, keeping in the right lane for a right turn onto Main Street one block later.
Go 2 blocks on Main St. (the large, Spanish style church directly ahead is your destination).
Bear left at the light onto Healdsburg Ave. and turn right into the church parking lot.
You will see a wing of classrooms behind the main church sanctuary. We will meet in classroom #5. I will place a Heifer sign on the door.

Approaching Sebastopol on highway 12, turn right at second light onto Petaluma Ave.
Go one block and turn left on McKinley, keeping in the right lane for a right turn onto Main Street one block later.
Go 2 blocks on Main St. (the large, Spanish style church directly ahead is your destination).
Bear left at the light onto Healdsburg Ave. and turn right into the church parking lot.
You will see a wing of classrooms behind the main church sanctuary. We will meet in classroom #5. I will place a Heifer sign on the do.

Hope to see you all there!
Caroline

Himalayan Fair in Berkeley

2010-05-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

Ahoy Team Heifer!

We hope be "tabling" at the Himalayan Fair in Berkeley on May 29th and 30th. This is a two day event that needs more volunteers. The booth is now confirmed. It is a very fun fair!

Ciao, Pedro Barrera
cueprofessor@yahoo.com

May 8, 2010: Minutes

2010-05-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Held in the Napa Whole Foods conference room

Details for the May 14th event:

Publicity. Betty Malmgren was commended and thanked for the many venues in which she has managed to publicize the event. Betty will be helping with the written program for the event. Committee members who have received donations are to have a list of donors to Betty by Monday to be included in the program. Betty will also do photography for the event.
Members were reminded that we would begin setting up the event at 3: 00 PM on Friday the 14th.
Greeters will be Marlene Zimmerman, and Mary and Garrett Blom. We will have name tags for attendees.
Program: Caroline Bonnet reported that all arrangements had been made. Isaak Egge will be the main speaker along with Don Emmel. Evie Trevethan will welcome guests on behalf of Napa/Sonoma volunteers and will introduce Isaak. All arrangements for the sound system and renting a screen have been made.
Liaison: Marlene Zimmerman has done yeoman’s duty handling all the details in using Covenant Presbyterian Church. Marlene showed us the wonderful large ark that was painted by Carole Toy. Darlene Evans is going to take care of all arrangements for having two calves at the event before the program begins. Parking matters have been arranged and volunteers are reminded to park behind the church.
Food: Kathy has by dint of much effort managed to receive donations for food from Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Vallergas and both Safeways. The menu will include crackers and cheese, carrots and hummus, strawberries, cookies, coffee, tea and water and Mary Blom is making heifer shaped sandwiches.
Wine: Kenny Kent has arranged for three cases of white wine and Nancy Evans for two cases of red wine. Caroline and Nancy attended the training for pouring wine in the city of Napa and all permits have been secured and will be displayed.
Set-up: Benny Wicks reported that she will not be able to be there but Jay Allar will be there to help in any way that he can.
Clean-up: All committee members will be a committee of the whole to clean up.
Thank you: People who have received donations will be responsible for sending thank you notes. Please let Evie know when your thank you notes have been sent.

Treasurer’s Report: Our dual checking account, which included money for volunteer expenses and donations to Heifer totals $361.34. There is $110 from tabling to be added to this amount.

Tabling Report: Successful tabling was done in Sonoma at the Bodega Bay Fish Fest on April 17 and 18; and in Napa at Whole Foods on Earth Day, On the City of Napa’s celebration on the weekend and at the Local Food Forum at the fair grounds.

Future tabling: Kathy Mawer will coordinate staffing for the Peace Table with the Unitarian and Quaker groups and Heifer at the Napa farmers market this summer. Tabling will only be possible once a month. Sign-ups were taken.

Future Fund Raiser: It was agreed to plan a dinner in the vineyards at Wombats Farm on September 11. It will be announced at the May 14th event and it will be possible for guests to sign up for more information. Betty and Evie will work on the sign up cards. Further details will be worked out, especially when Carole Kent is available.

USDA/Food and Drug Administration food safety regulations were discussed. It is feared that small farmers, organic farmers and farmers who sell at farmers markets will be adversely affected, perhaps even put out of business. Everyone was asked to be alert to any information they come across regarding this to be discussed at later meetings.

Next meeting: June 12 at the Sebastopol Methodist Church

Five people visited the Covenant Church.

Agenda: May 8th

2010-05-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

Heifer Sonoma Napa Volunteer meeting
Saturday May 8 - 10am at Whole Foods
Napa 94558 (3682 Bel Aire Plaza)
Phone 707 224-6300

Evie - Facilitator | Nancy - Note taker

Report on past tablings
Hidden Villa meeting 4/20
Blog and Gmail sites
Financial Report - Ann
FDA Regulations for Food Safety - Evie
Plans for May 14 event
- Hand- out program with list of donors
- MC to introduce Isaak, end with thanks
- Progress report from Point People on task lists
- What's left to be done?
- This is our last meeting before the May 14th event. Everyone please try to be there to finalize our plans. Thanks!

Bodega Bay Fish Fest Heifer Table

2010-04-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Nine loyal volunteers spent time the week end of April 17th and 18th in beautiful Bodega Bay at the annual Fish Fest and blessing of the fleet.
Some of our favorite creature-friends were close by. You gotta "Love a LLama"!

Caroline making eNews!

2010-04-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Our very own Caroline is making eNew! Read about her here.

Heifer International's New CEO

2010-04-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

Hidden Villa
Tuesday, the 20th to meet
Charles Stewart, our interim CEO.
To read more about Charles Stewart, click here.
These are some pictures of the meeting at Hidden Villa. What a wonderful place! And, what a great inspiration to each of us to meet and spend time with each other!
It is always a pleasure to meet the folks from "headquarters". They unfailingly prove to be exceptional people.

New ! Heifer International Blog

2010-04-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

I’m pleased to announce the launch of the new Heifer blog. You can see it here: http://www.heiferblog.org/
Through this blog we hope to lead a conversation about working together to help end hunger and poverty. In the days to come, the social media team will share compelling content from World Ark, commentary about the many issues surrounding hunger, and dispatches from our projects in the field. This week staff member Annie Bergman is posting updates from her trip to India. We hope you’ll check in often.

April is Pass on the Gift Month

2010-04-15T09:00:00.001-07:00

This April, people from Nepal to Kenya will pass on the gift of livestock and training to families in need, and people from California to Vermont will host events to help make more of those gifts possible.

Join the celebration to Pass on the Gift month. Organize a bake sale, host a 12 Stones screening or have a Heifer-themed birthday party. Then put your event on our interactive map below and spread the word to friends and family. Make this April the one you help Pass on the Gift to families struggling to improve their lives.

Everyone on earth should see this!

2010-04-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

This has convinced me to remember to bring my own bags to the market!
Once in the slide show, use the scroll bar on the right side of the
screen to scroll through.

Everyone on earth should see this. It's that important.
And please pass it on: Plastic! Plastic! Plastic!

A picture is worth a thousand words: www.chrisjordan.com

April 10 - Minutes

2010-04-12T17:17:00.000-07:00

We met in our new ongoing Sonoma county meeting place, Sebastopol Methodist Church. Thank you Mary for arranging it and thank you to the church.
Evie facilitating, Linda note taker
Introductions: Evie Trevethan, Marlene Zimmerman, Kathy Mauer, Mary Blom, Benny Wicks, Anne Schwartz, Keni Kent, Caroline Bonnet, Linda McBee
Treasurers Report from Ann:

Ann passed out her report to each of us showing details of our
checking account for local operating cost - $148.02
Heifer International to send to Heifer - $110.00
Total: $258.00

After discussion, it was decided we will add the $110 in our Heifer account to the donations we receive at our tabling events and at our May 14 Napa event. We will then send the total to Eliza all at once to insure that the Sonoma/Napa group be credited. We decided by consensus to keep the money until after the May 14th event.
Further, Anne suggests that we hold any moneys for two months before sending it to Eliza, to avoid sending too small amounts too often.
Ann had a stamp made so we can now stamp the bottom of checks given to us - "Heifer Sonoma Napa Volunteers"

Gmail account, our group name, and our Blog:

Our official name is Heifer Sonoma Napa Volunteers
*heifersonoma@gmail.com* is the email account that HQ set up for us with Google.
Linda will contact HQ to see if we can change the blog and email address to "sonomanapa" not just "sonoma".
The blog url is: http://sonoma.heiferblog.org/
Evie set up an email for our group with Google. It's address is: heifersonomanapa@gmail.com
Until this is worked through, we have two email accounts! Just one blog, however.

Eliza asks: Do we volunteers want to hear directly from her via AVC? This was not decided.
Nepal trip postponed: October is the best month (maybe April or March) .... the year is unsure.

We had a discussion of how Heifer works to empower people. How going to a place and working “hands on” is not how we do it. We work by inspiring people to empower themselves. The people learn to believe in their own abilities. We make human connections with our project partner staff, Heifer educators, other volunteers, etc.

Evie created an updated volunteer list and gave us each a copy.
Plans for our events were discussed:

April 17 Tabling at Fish Festival Bodega Bay
April 22 Local food forum - Napa
April 24 Napa tabling at Earth Day event - Napa
April 28 Napa tabling at Local Foods Festival - Napa
May 14 Napa Welcomes Heifer International event

Evie passed out a sign up sheet for the tabling events to make sure all available slots are covered
Caroline passed out name tags for our events. She also passed out invitations with stamps and fliers to everyone for the May 14 event, and materials from HQ for our events were given to Linda and Evie.
May 14 Napa event:

Kathy is Point Person for Refreshments. Whole Foods in Napa is willing to help donate food for May 14th event. We’re not sure how much. Kathy will email the contact at Whole Foods this week to try and find out how much Whole Foods can donate. Trader Joes may donate as well. Raley’s can possibly donate in the future. She is also going to visit other stores in Napa seeking donations. Kathy will be away for about three weeks starting next week. Asks for Napa help.
Nancy agreed to get wine donations. Keni also has a possibility and will look into it.
Betty is the Point Person for PR:
- she has set up radio interview on April 29th 8:15 to 8:30 on KVON/KVYN
- Submitted to community builders an image of Heifer table.
- New tip to Register’s feature editor
- sent an image of quilt to Market Place Magagazine
- Short release to small local groups
- she will try and get a reporter to cover the event
- Needs someone to write letter to editors of local papers (copy from fliers) PD and Sonoma Index Tribune - Caroline will ask her writer friend.
An RSVP will be added to the post cards announcing the May 14th event.
Benny is Point Person for Set Up and Animal handler if we have animals.
- chairs, tables, decorations, food stuff, animals
Marlene knows someone who may loan us a couple of calves. They would be outside by the entrance as people are entering.
Jennifer Miller will play the piano in the hall while people are coming in and having refreshments and after the program.
The task list has available openings for the May 14th event. Please help!

Next meeting is on May 8th in Napa in the meeting room at Whole Foods on Trancas Avenue

Agenda for April 10th

2010-04-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 10 - 10 am - Sebastopol United Methodist Church
500 N Main St.
Sebastopol (directions below)

Introductions

Treasurers Report: Ann

Gmail account, our group name, and our Blog

Eliza asks: Do we volunteers want to hear directly from her via AVC?

Nepal trip postponed

Updated volunteer list

Plans for our events:

April 17 Tabling at Fish Festival Bodega Bay
April 24 Napa tabling at Earth Day event
April 28 Napa talbling at Local Foods Festival
May 14 Napa Welcomes Heifer International event

Directions:

Sebastopol United Methodist Church
Approaching Sebastopol on Highway 116 West, westbound traffic will be routed onto Petaluma Ave., a one-way street.
When you reach the light at Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy. 12), continue straight, across Sebastopol Avenue.
Go one block and turn left on McKinley, keeping in the right lane for a right turn onto Main Street one block later.
Go 2 blocks on Main St. (the large, Spanish style church directly ahead is your destination).
Bear left at the light onto Healdsburg Ave. and turn right into the church parking lot.
You will see a wing of classrooms behind the main church sanctuary. We will meet in classroom #5. I will place a Heifer sign on the door.

Approaching Sebastopol on highway 12, turn right at second light onto Petaluma Ave.
Go one block and turn left on McKinley, keeping in the right lane for a right turn onto Main Street one block later.
Go 2 blocks on Main St. (the large, Spanish style church directly ahead is your destination).
Bear left at the light onto Healdsburg Ave. and turn right into the church parking lot.
You will see a wing of classrooms behind the main church sanctuary. We will meet in classroom #5. I will place a Heifer sign on the door.

2010-03-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

A healthy diet is good for you and your mother (earth). Eating locally contributes enormously to solving global warming. Green your meals by eating local and organic and sustainably grown foods. If you eat fish, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's website will help you find sustainable seafood that is relatively low in harmful contaminants such as mercury.

The Story of Bottled Water

2010-03-22T13:37:00.001-07:00

The Story of Bottled Water (2010)

March 13, 2010

2010-03-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

Our Heifer volunteer meeting was held at Kathy Mawer's home in Napa. Present were; Evie Trevethan, Caroline Bonnet, Carole and Keni Kent, Kathy Mawer, Mary Blom, Nancy Evans, Ann Schwartz, Carol Lilliberg, Betty Malmgren and a warm welcome to our new volunteers, Karoline Hall and Marlene Zimmerman!!

Nancy recorded the minutes on her laptop, where I think they are now traveling with her in China. So I'm going to try and remember some of the meeting to pass on to you. Consider these "interim minutes" , until we receive the official version from Nancy.

We introduced ourselves and told what had attracted us to Heifer. We're currently working on a list of the skills each of us bring to the group.Kathy charted Who/What/ByWhen.

Mary Blom said we could use her church hall for our meetings in Sonoma county every other month, alternating with meeting in Napa at the Whole Foods meeting room which Evie has arranged. It was previously decided that we need a regular meeting place in both counties, and that we will meet in alternate counties each month.

It was decided to wait until next month's meeting to give our report on the Heifer 201 weekend at Hidden Villa. Evie, Nancy and Caroline attended and look forward to sharing with the group.

Up Coming Events

Earth Day Table - April 24 - Napa
Who: Nancy, Marlene, Ann, Caroline, Carol L.
Local Foods Table - April 28 in Napa
Who: Evie, Nancy, Keni, Kathy, Carol L.
Napa Valley Welcomes Heifer International May 14 - 7 to 8:30
Covenant Presbyterian Church hall
1226 Salvador Ave
Napa, CA 94558

Church liaison - Marlene Zimmerman
- We will show the 12 Stones movie
- Isaak will be our MC/Speaker
- Don Emmel will talk with us about his experience as a Heifer volunteer
- We will display the quilt and hope to raise enough donations to buy an Ark, to donate to Heifer and send the quilt as a gift to a Heifer Project women's group. Plans are under way, a more detailed report on the event and tasks list at our April meeting, including who signed up for what on charts that Nancy now has.
Dinner In the Vineyards - Napa
Proposed event at Carole and Keni Kents in early September
To be planned at future meetings.

Our next meeting will be on Saturday April 10, from 10 - 12 in Sonoma County at:
Sebastopol United Methodist Church hall
downtown Sebastopol at 500 N Main St, Sebastopol 95472

Hope to see you all there!

International Women's Day

2010-03-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

Support WILD Women
Heifer Helps Women in Hondurus

Saturday, March 13, 2010

2010-03-09T13:01:00.001-08:00

10 am at Kathy Mawer's*

Agenda

* Check- in and Introductions
* Who will chart our decisions for this meeting - Who Will Do What, By When ?
* Meeting Places Report - Suggested regular meeting places for Napa & Sonoma
* Up coming events: Tabling at Earth Day April 24th
* Tabling at Napa Local Foods Event - April 28th
* Possible Fall Dinner in the Vineyards
* Planning for 12 Stones event May 14 - Details and Task List
* Report on Heifer 201 Retreat by Evie, Caroline and Nancy
* What skills do we have as a group for events?
* Tabling ideas
* Ideas for the Quilt What do you think?
* Group expansion ideas, etcetera

* Directions

1. From Hwy 29 (the main highway from Sonoma to Napa) exit on the first exit, the Imola Exit. Turn right off the exit ramp onto Imola.
2. Take the next right which is South Minahen.
3. Take a quick right on Bohen St.
4. The Mawer home is the 6th house on the left.
It has a courtyard fence and garden in front of the house.

Minutes: February 13, 2010

2010-03-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

Sebastopol at Coffee CatsAgenda:

CHECK IN

OLD BUSINESS
* further discussion of our group fund guidelines
* update on Heifer postcards

NEW BUSINESS

GROUP'S STRUCTURE
* do we want to have set meeting places ~ one in Sonoma County/one in Napa County?
* should we use committees more often, to get tasks done more efficiently?

GOALS FOR OUR GROUP
* educate about Heifer in our communities
* raise funds and friends to support Heifer projects and participants
* educate ourselves on Heifer-related issues (books, articles, trainings, trips,etc.)

FUTURE EVENTS
* community education meeting in Napa ~ Covenant Presby. Church, April or May, 12 Stones film need to set date, assign tasks
* quilt event ~ target date and place, assign tasks
* passing on the gift month (April) ~ anybody want to sponsor an event ?

STUDY: STONES INTO SCHOOLS
* please bring your book to loan if you can
* possible discussion questions what was most compelling to you about the book?
* how is the work in "Stones" work similar to/different from Heifer's?
* do they "pass on the gift ? how?

Minutes

OLD BUSINESS
* Treasurer’s report presented. Copy will be included with this report. We talked about what a terrific contribution and success Mary Blom’s two fundraisers were.
* Guidelines for reimbursement from “Napa/Sonoma Group Fund” were discussed and agreed upon. We now have $120 in our bank account. Expenses under $20 incurred by volunteers will by and large looked on as a contribution by that volunteer and will not be reimbursed. Expenditures over $30 will need to be pre-approved by Caroline or Evie.
* Heifer postcards will become available from Eliza and will be used in lieu of business cards to provide local contact information. Also, name badges with holders will be available for volunteers. Caroline will obtain both of these items from Eliza.

NEW BUSINESS
* The structure of meeting times and places was discussed. We are considering having set places in both Napa and Sonoma. Evie will continue to explore the Whole Foods meeting room in Sonoma and Caroline also is looking into a possible place in Sonoma.
* Discussion was held about whether or not we need to use a committee structure. At the current time we will use committees for specific tasks.
* Yearly Goals were agreed upon:
o Educating ourselves and others about Heifer and related issues.
o Raising funds and enlisting more friends for Heifer.
o Strengthening support within our group. Having Fun.
* Current volunteers will be surveyed to see what kind of activities they prefer to work on in furthering goals of the group. Caroline will follow up on this preference e-mail by February 19th. We will also let volunteers know about what resources are available to them from Heifer while making contact in the community. Evie wil complete an updated member information roster by the end of February.
* Discussion of Future Events:
o There will be a Community Education Presentation in Napa some time between 4/15 and the end of May. Setting the date will depend on availability of the meeting room at the Covenant Presbyterian Church on Salvador Ave. Evie will follow up on setting the date. Weeknights were discussed as a good possibility. Kenny Kent will host a meeting at his house to plan this event.
o “12 Stones” will be featured at the church presentation and it was hoped that Don Emmel might be available to speak at the event as he accompanied some of the first livestock from the United States to Europe. It was also decided that the Heifer Quilt will be displayed at the church presentation and/or all public events for Heifer and would go to the first individual or group who managed to purchase an ARK for Heifer.
o Kathy will contact Betty Malmgren from Napa College to see what activities are planned for Earth Day. Nancy Evans will staff a table if there will be an event at the college. We will also look at other places we might be able to have a table on Earth Day (40th year anniversary) in both Napa and Sonoma counties.
o Carole Kent would like to explore having a Dinner in the Vinyards event at her home for a future Heifer event. She would like some percentage of the proceeds of the event to help the Napa Food Bank.

STUDY: STONES INTO SCHOOLS

After the business meeting we discussed the book our group read Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson. Each of us spoke to what was compelling about the book to us and how it tied in with Heifer’s work – building community, educating women, having the project be created, built and constructed by the villagers themselves, thereby empowering them and making the school theirs. We all thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.

Minutes: Jan 9, 2010

2010-03-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

Agenda:

1. Study group proposals
2. Process for authorizing local expenditures
3. How to order materials
4. Contact information postcards
5. Reports on holiday events and fundraising we have done
6. Future events

PRESENT:
Evie Trevethan, Ann Schwartz (treasurer), Kathy Mawer, Nancy Evans (Napa contact person, 265-7867), Mary Blom, Linda Mc Bee.

SHOULD WE HAVE A STUDY GROUP ALONG WITH OUR MEETINGS?

Discussion included the following options:
Half the Sky - authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
CornerStones - Heifer International
Stones into Schools - Greg Mortenson

We decided to Read Stones into Schools first and discuss how what we are reading in that book feeds our work with Heifer. Evie will bring some thoughts about how the Cornerstones can be applied to discussing the books we read. We want to finish reading Stones into Schools so we can discuss it at our February meeting.

Click this link for good news!TED.org

PROCESS FOR AUTHORIZING LOCAL EXPENDITURES:

Ann: We have a Volunteer account now. Give receipt to Treasurer and be reimbursed. Up to a certain amount it needs to be approved. We decided that amounts $30 or less could be submitted for reimbursement without prior approval. Amounts larger than that would need approval before committing our local funds.

STEPS TO USE WHEN ORDERING MATERIALS:

1. Check locally first (Caroline/Evie/Linda)
2. Cwith Eliza (888)548-6437 x-8865
Use either of these when ordering to maximize use of materials and minimize freight/fuel costs. If unavailable from above two sources, then:
3. Order from Florida (800)422-0474

CONTACT POST CARDS

Eliza is developing post cards that will have local contact information on them to be used at tables (farmers’ markets etc.) Both Sonoma and Napa contact info will be on the cards. These cards will be used instead of business cards.

REPORT ON HOLIDAY EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING:

* Sonoma-Napa Volunteers bank account. Ann passed out a report with the funds raised over the Holidays. Total of about $3000. This amount reflects monies raised for Heifer through donations and activities we have developed and that we are aware of.
* Mary reported that she and her husband gave a Christmas party for the local bloggers from the Daily Kos. They invited 60 people and made it a benefit for Heifer. They announced thru the invitations that the party would be a fund raiser for Heifer. They had materials out about Heifer, provided a buffet and had a basket out with envelopes for donations. They rented a tent, provided the food, prepared the food, sent out the invitations, set up, cleaned up, and gathered the Heifer materials $1,190 was the total donated.
* Margie Egge staffed a table at One World in Healdsburg that raised $200 from proceeds donated by the store.
* Kathy Mawer printed a thank you to the Shearer Charter School community in a letter to the editor in the Napa Register that “plugged” alternative gift giving to Heifer. Various other members distributed Heifer info and encouraged donations in various ways.

FUTURE EVENTS:

Spring (April or May):
Informational Event in Napa to make Heifer more visible which would include the 12 Stones film and Don Emmel(sea going cowboy).
Nancy will contact some wineries.
Evie will contact Deana Reed at Covenant Presb. Church about a place.

Summer (Quilt Auction):
All of us need to continue to look for an appropriate venue for the quilt auction and make an initial contact.
The quilt will not be the only item to auction....wine, oriental things from John, perhaps paintings, photographs from Africa, baskets of goodies, whatever.
(Hawley vineyards? Linda will ask).

Napa farmers’ market tabling will continue.

December Meeting Cancelled

2010-03-09T12:56:00.001-08:00

As a reward for the past years of hard work and as a special holiday gift from Heifer to you, The DECEMBER MEETING IS CANCELLED. (A number of people were going to be unavailable on the scheduled date.)

The NEXT MEETING will be JANUARY 9 at Jacquie Rabinowitz's home, phone 545-5472 for directions.

Seasonal Heifer Work: Now is the time to get Heifer gift catalogues and brochures into churches, schools, medical offices, hair salons, senior centers, etc -- wherever people gather and maybe wait. Can you commit to taking material into at least 3 venues soon ? If you can help, but don't have material, contact Caroline or Evie and they will provide. Encourage your friends to use this easy and rewarding way to shop for gifts this year too.

Inspirational Event: If you want an inspirational boost, Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, will be speaking the evening of December 12, at Santa Rosa High School. His appearance is being sponsored by Copperfield's Books and tickets are available from any of their bookstores.

OUR Next Group Event: We intend to have a late winter or early spring fundraising event in Napa or Sonoma county. The event will include a viewing of 12 Stones (the video about women involved in Heifer projects in Nepal) and an auctioning of the quilt. We will focus on planning for this event at the January meeting; so PLEASE put that date on your calendar and plan to attend.

Gratitude: We all have much to be thankful for, and a part of that gratitude is the friendship and fun we share working with each other to support Heifer participants and their projects. THANKS to us ALL for caring and continuing to do this important work.

Minutes: Nov. 14, 2009

2010-03-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Hosted by: Evie and Hope

Introductions: Evie, Kathy, Betty, Tada Darcy, Hope, Nancy Evans, Ann Schwartz, Carol, Caroline, Linda

Money:
Ann shared she thought for our volunteer group funds, we need officers, charter, etc. etc. Caroline has different info, and suggests we can have our group funds in a regular bank account that only requires two signatures.

We have two categories of funds:

1. Sonoma/Napa volunteer group money” to be kept in a bank account, for petty cash to be used for operating expenses. For funds to put on events we go to Eliza.
2. Donations for Heifer - When we raise more than $50 in donations, send it in when it reaches that amount rather than letting it accumulate. send it in to Heifer thru the regional office (Eliza)with Sonoma/Napa Volunteer group acknowledged at the bottom of the check whenever possible. When large donations are collected and we send them immediately to Eliza, again with our group name at the bottom so we are credited with having raised the donations. Any donations we raise should be sent to Eliza, our regional office, rather than directly to Heifer headquarters.
Eliza Penick
Community Volunteer Coordinator
Western Zone
Heifer International
5019 Keystone Place N.
Seattle, WA 98103
T: 206-547-5696
F: 206-547:5345
eliza.penick@heifer.org
888 548-6437 x 8865

Receipts for tax purposes - Headquarters will send a thank you letter and receipt showing the tax deductable number.

Revised Volunteer Reporting Form:
There is yet another revised form for reporting what we do. These are very important as it’s a record for reference of where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and amount raised. Please make copies and send one to Caroline and one to Eliza.
We will get a new form from Eliza to put on the website so we can all download it.

Report from Kathy:
The Heifer table at the Napa Farmers’ Market was in conjunction with the Quakers, and Unitarians Peace Table. By combining the three groups a lot of cross fertilization happened.... sharing of resources.... larger contact arena....Heifer materials were the most “eye grabbing”. The buttons were also very enticing. The table was to promote peace and some people left money which was split 3 ways. There was a card/banner saying War is not the answer, one man asked, so what is the answer? Kathy said Heifer, and explained how our work supports peace.

The best thing that came from Kathy’s table was the Shearer Fund Raiser that was generated by a teacher from Shearer Elementary School in down town Napa who visited the table. One of the class rooms presented a play about Heifer to about 600 hundred children. Also there was a family dance held (about 250 people) on Oct 30, as a fund raiser for Heifer. Letters to the editor appeared about this event that mentioned Heifer. Altogether over $1,200 was raised. All from Kathy talking to a teacher at the Heifer table at the Farmers’ Market. She had created a poster of photos from both events for us to see. Great work Kathy!!

She will write a thank you letter to the children at the school and also a letter to the editor of the local paper in thanks.

*A stamp with local phone number of volunteer was suggested to add to any material we pass out at tables and events. We need to ask Eliza if this is OK. Several attendees requested that Sonoma/Napa be stamped or otherwise added to the donation form in the brochure because people send in donations later from home. Caroline suggests giving out our Heifer business cards instead.

More lead volunteers need business cards. Can we order these thru Eliza?

Holiday Gift Giving: Caroline
Caroline: holiday gift giving, remember to add Napa Sonoma Volunteers on the bottom of checks and send them thru our regional office.

Strategies for Spring Fund Raiser:
Evie showed the quilt which we want to live auction. We need a venue! Napa or Sonoma county, big enough for about 100 or more people. Also have a few items for a silent auction and need wine, cheese, finger foods. Please everyone contact your contacts and let’s get something going!

Ordering materials: 800-422-0474 We need to confirm with Eliza about who can order. The online order sheet specifies only AVCs or lead volunteers can order. Plus whoever orders needs to know what the items are called and what they are ordering. Check with Caroline 707 894-0920, cbonnet4@sonic.net or Eliza.

Garden tour field trip in the spring:
Food for Thought has a fantastic garden in Forestville. We want to have a trip there in the spring. One of our volunteers is checking to see if/when we can do this.

Nepal field trip: October 2010
Any volunteers interested in going please contact Caroline

Book - Half the Sky
Evie read a quote from the book about having first hand experience with people in poverty....about how people are moved to donate money to worthy causes.

“Generosity is a right brain activity.” i.e. numbers dull the impulse to give. Feelings need to be touched. People are more willing to give to individual people rather than thousands.

Caroline gave a brief review of the book and suggested that we read it together as a book group study.

12 Stones: We will watch and discuss the movie last hour of the meeting.
Due to technical difficulties we could not view the DVD.

Possible Future Agenda Items:

* Practice Talking about Heifer
* Sea-going Cowboy - Don Emmel Evie will call to see if he can come to a small fundraiser or to our Jan meeting.
* Feedback on event-preparation timeline
* Report of Corner Stones Study Guide.

Agenda - Nov. 14th

* Money
* Revised Volunteer Reporting Form
* Report from Kathy
* Strategies for Spring Fund Raiser
* Holiday Gift Giving - Caroline
* Ordering materials - 800 422-0474
* Garden tour field trip in the spring
* Nepal trip
* Book - Half the Sky
* We will watch and discuss 12 Stones the last hour of the meeting.

For the December meeting:

* Sea going cowboy
* Practice talk about Heifer
* Cornerstones discussion - Evie

We're looking forward to this special Napa meeting. If you need a ride or want to carpool please contact me. I hope to see you all there.

Caroline Bonnet
Sonoma and Napa Counties Volunteer
Coordinator for Heifer International
*cbonnet4@sonic.net *707 894-0920

*for directions contact Caroline or call Evie (707-255-3388).

October 24th at Hidden Villa

2010-03-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills.... Thanks very much to Mary who made the arrangements and to Jill and the staff at Hidden Villa for hosting us. We had our meeting in the lovely living room of the Duveneck home, then had lunch out on the patio. After lunch Jill gave us a complete tour of the grounds, gardens and animals.

In attendance:
Eliza Penick, our Community Volunteer Coordinator for Seattle, Caroline, Mary (facilitator), Ellen, from Santa Cruz, Julie, Linda, Meg, Jennifer and we were joined later by Mav from Berkeley

Welcome to Mav and Ellen for joining us, and we were happy to have Eliza with us, some of us meeting her for the first time.

Agenda:

Money: Ann is our new treasurer and has some suggestions:
Two categories:

1. “animal” donations: to be sent directly to Heifer
2. “our own” money: go to a bank account: North Bay Volunteers?
Idea for funding our own account....Seattle group does sheep pins available from Eliza.....money must be clearly stated as going to the local group not to Heifer directly.
We thought small amounts of donations like a few dollars or change could be saved up to $50 before sending it off to Heifer.

12 Cornerstones: Evy is working on a study guide for the 12 Cornerstones. Eliza requested that it be made available for other groups.

Fall Event in Napa: Canceled due to not finding a place for the event.

- Caroline suggests having a smaller event in the Spring.
(WILD* Women Parties maybe, presentations at Soroptimists, Women’s groups, book groups, stressing Heifer’s work empowering women.

*Women in Livestock Development

Cathy’s table at farmers’ market in Napa market in Napa during the summer resulted in a teacher in a Napa middle school holding a fund raising event for Heifer.

Holiday gift giving: Does everyone have current materials as we go into the Holiday Season? Gift Catalogs, honor cards, etc.

* can place orders with Caroline or
* do it yourself thru email address that Eliza will give us. 1-88-5Hunger or volunteer@heifer.org. Please check with Caroline first, she has a lot of materials on hand.

Peace Rocks: Ellen Manko paints on flat rocks with fabric paint and magic marker and places around for people to take. She has decided to benefit Heifer by adding a message on the back that says:

“Peace is possible when all are fed”
donation: www.heifer.org
Pass on the Gift!

www.plantingrocksforpeace.org

Eliza's PowerPoint Presentation:
Eliza Penick
5019 Keystone Pl
Seattle, WA 98103
206-547-5696

Financial Shortfall ($18 million) - no partners with a program in place suffered from this staff was cut, all of the regional offices were closed, there is no office staff. The coordinators work from home offices with no adm. staff. Budgets were tightened, zones of influence for Area Coordinators (Community Volunteer Coordinator - CVC) was extended, a national coordinator was added to help the Area Coordinators.
(*side note: if info is not in a data base funding for that thing will not be forth coming)

Regional Offices -
Eliza: WA, MT, OR, ID, WY, AD, Nor-Cal
Catherine: So-Cal, NV, UT, Co, AZ, NM, HI

U.S. Programs are concentrating on food sovereignty.

International Programs: places where there are no Heifer offices will be closed over time...as donations improve they will be reinstated.

March 4 - 7 there will be another Heifer U. at Hidden Villa

Organizational Goals 2009-2012

1. Families
2. Revenue
3. Education
4. Advocacy
5. Operational Excellence
6. Branding

Where do we go from here?

Communication:
email/e-newsletters
monthly calls (conference call with other AVC;s
community requests for speakers/presentations (via Caroline)
Heifer news

Reporting:
We need to fill out Volunteer Report forms (they’ve been revised) and send one to Caroline and one to Eliza so we can track where we go, what we do and other important details of the presentation/ event. Headquarters and regional leaders need to see how much activity is in each area to allocate funding because, “no data....no funds”.

How can Eliza support us?

* event invites/ stamps/ mailings
* booth fees
* trainings / visits (once a quarter)
*request for a training for volunteers that is similar to what Heifer partners receive

Notes:

* we need a calendar with yearly events at which we might want to have a presence
* How do we find local events that are appropriate for Heifer?
* Women’s educational events, sustainable agriculture/gardens/farms, green industries, 4 H club events, etc.
* To present to Eliza on her next visit....of how we can use her/
* Heifer will be coming out with a blog template and blog software soon.

Our next meeting: Saturday, Nov 14 in Napa The movie 12 Stones will be shown.

Minutes: September 12, 2009

2010-03-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

Present: Meg, Evie, Mary, and Ann.

Agreements made at this meeting:

* MARY is in charge of the trip to Hidden Villa, Saturday, October 24th.
* EVIE will report in October about a venue for the quilt fundraiser. She will also make copies for the group to look at the Heifer Cornerstones.
* ANN will be our Treasure (her concerns follow).

Introductions: First we had introductions and chatted.

Hidden Villa:

Our first discussion was about Hidden Villa which is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th. So far the people going are: Mary Meg, Julie, Caroline and possibly Ann. If anyone is interested, please call or email Mary Blom at 823-6616 EHFARMS@aol.com Please let her know as soon as possible so she can notify Hidden Villa.

Fall Event:

We have no venue for a fall quilt auction. We still need to connect with the winery in Napa that showed an interest. They are out of the country at present. Evie will connect with them when they return and report back when she can.

Announcement:

ISAAK says that there is going to be some information coming from Heifer concerning the standardization of websites for Heifer groups. More to follow on that.

Nepal:

Who's interested in going to NAPAL? Could Caroline give us a run down on the cost of the proposed trip?

Treasurer:

ANN said she would be our treasurer. She wants us to get a bank account for our group funds. The Heifer donations will be mailed in when received. The $300 we have collected will be sent in to Heifer right away.

Cornerstones:

EVIE has done research on studying the Heifer Cornerstones. She feels that the pamphlet does a great job. It is interesting to study how helping others has evolved throughout the years. How will we consider these cornerstones on our personal lives? What do they mean to us as a group? What do they mean to us in how we live our lives?

Phone list:

EVIE passed out the phone lists. Thank you, Evie! She was going to try to e-mail the list to everyone.

Next meeting is our trip to Hidden Villa on October 24.

Our November meeting will be in Napa at Evie's house.
238 Lakeview Drive, Napa.
Her number is 707 255-3388.

Minutes: August 15, 2009

2010-03-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

August 15, 2009
10am to 12pm
Meg Brown's house
Santa Rosa

Evie facilitated, Linda took notes

Welcome Benny Wicks, a visiting volunteer from Oakland.

Chatted for a while....enjoyed some nice refreshments that Jennifer made

Shared books. Evie talked about My Stroke of Insight Jill Bolte Taylor

In attendance: Jennifer, Caroline, Evie, Ann, Benny and Linda.

Introductions:

Caroline introduced Benny who is visiting from Oakland. She’s trying to infuse some energy into the bay area group. Also working on scripting for speaking engagements to be made available to speakers which can be put on the web site.

We went around and gave brief intros.

Rehashed events we have produced, such as African Childrens’ Choir, dinner at Keni’s and Carol’s and private dinner parties during March for the Passing on the Gift promotional.

Hidden Villa Tour:

Tentatively go on the 3rd of October. Need to know who/how many want to attend. Please, email Caroline we need a quick response to make reservations. Cut off date is September 1st. This will be an all day event. Leaving here around 7:30. We will car pool from Napa and from Sonoma County.

Tabling Events:

* Himilayan Fair - 10/17 & 18 - In Live Oak Park in Berkeley. Please let Benny know if you would like to sit at the table for a while. This opportunity came to us with no charge due to the connections with the Nepali community at the 12 Stones movie event in Healdsburg, May 10. It's an interesting and fun event. Please, email benny@yahoo.com to let her know if you can do this. Omar Hilario or Benny will make a short (very) presentation about Heifer.
* S.F.Green Festival in S.F. 11-13 & 15 - at Mascone Center (?) May possibly need staffing for the table. Alexandria and Evie will be sending out a request for this.

Proposed Napa Fall Quilt Auction:

* The place we were going to use is not available. Imagining around 100 to150 people, with wine and hor d’ouvres, music, show 12 Stones, live quilt auction and a few other silent auction items. Carole will help us find a new site for the event. Evie and Carol will let us know a.s.a.p.

Treasurer:

* Ann was considering it but can’t do it at this time. Will let us know at next meeting on the 12th.
* Managing our money: group money/Heifer money.
* Bank Account? Something to consider.

Update on Cornerstone Study Plans:

* Evie will read the study plans and see if she can glean from it what we could use as a study guide.

Food Safety Enhancement Act: HR 2749:

* Has passed the house. And will go to the Senate soon. There are a couple of things that are problematic to stay on our senators about:
o corporations that process food (peanut butter, spinach, chili peppers).
o None of these problems came from farmers markets, small organic family farms,local growers, c.s.a.’s etc. but from large food processors.
o (look at SFGate for article about this....Carolyn Lochhead, Chronicle Washington Bureau. http://www.sfgate.com/)
* need to impress on our senators that we need food safety but not at the expense of small farmers. Contact your senator! We feel the actual bill is good but we want it to allow organic farmers, small farmers and habitat to be protected.
* Article from Washington Post re: how much not eating meat can have a positive impact on the environment.
* An interesting article on the affects of our eating habits on the environment: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/28/AR2009072800390.html

October/November 2010 Katmandu Trip:

* China Airlines: $1,167 to TaiPei > Bangkok > Katmandu
* Shall we go? 2 weeks, more or less, who's interested?

Other:

* New “starter” brochures for people who may be interested in working with Heifer.
* Meeting Space for September 12: Meg? Jennifer will ask her and let me know.

Evaluation: great meeting!!

Future Agenda Items:

* Practice Talking About Heifer
* Sea-going Cowboy as Speaker
* Feedback on Event-Prep Time LIne
* Decision on Animal Donation & “Seed” money

Next Meeting: Saturday, August 15th at 10am to 12pm:
Meg Brown's house.
518 Nason St
Santa Rosa 95404
545-6885

Jennifer Miller will be hosting as Meg will be out of town. Thanks Meg, for letting us use your house for our meeting.

Evie will facilitate and ?? will be the note taker. Anyone?

Agenda

* Hidden Villa tour Sept 12 or Oct 3 for day tour and Sept or Oct meeting?
* Berkeley Himilayan Fair - Oct 17 and 18
* Green Festival in San Francisco - Nov 13,14,15th
* Site in Napa for our Quilt Auction this fall
* Tresurer needed and how to manage our group money and donations
* Cornerstone's Study
* Update of Food Safety Enhancement Act - now up for consideration in US Senate
* China Airlines from SF to Kathmandu $1,167. Stops in Taipei and Bangkok, can get off either or both stops for a few days at no extra cost.
* And more

Minutes: July 11th

2010-03-09T12:44:00.000-08:00

The July 11th meeting was held at the Barking Dog Coffee Roasters in Sonoma at 10am
Evie Facilitating, Kathy and Linda taking notes.

In Attendance:

* Linda Mc Bee, Evie Trevethan, Meg Brown, Caroline Bonnet, Mary Blom, Kathy Mawer, Carol Lilleberg, Ann Schwartz. Welcome to the new attendees Ann and Carol!!
* We first introduced ourselvse, interesting but unrecorded.

Linda's website presentation

* Linda brought her laptop and gave us a presentation of our website. She's busy creating and constantly upgrading a great website for us. Check it out! Thank you Linda!

Changes in Heifer Organization:

* We discussed changes in Heifer Org. and how we might be effected. Evie will send to her Napa volunteers the notice of changes we got from Eliza and Linda will publish them on the website. Isaak will be in charge of 12 states now and work primarily with big donors. If we need anything, materials, info, we need to check with Caroline first. Our Community Relations Coordinator will be Eliza Penik in Seattle, she is also in charge of 12 states. She will be our contact for the larger organization. Caroline will contact her with our questions. Like how much support can we expect, will Heifer org continue to reserve and pay for our booths at events, create, print and mail out invitations to our events, etc.
* Evie will create a list of active volunteers with names, phone numbers and email addresses. We will merge our Sonoma group list with the Napa group list.

Fall Fund Raiser

* Caroline spoke about wanting to have a fund raiser in the fall to auction off the quilt. She wonders if we can have it at the winery of Dan and Susan Boeschen. They had offered earlier that we may use their winery for events. It is on the Silverado Trail north of St Helena. We might have some silent auction items but hire an auctioneer for the quilt. Evie will check with Carole and Kenni to see if they will contact the Boeschens regarding this. We'd like to have the event between the crush and Thanksgiving if possible. Jennifer might be able to provide music for the event. We'll check about plugs for her keyboard.
Picture of event - Quilt auction by professional auctioneer, wine, cheese, Heifer presenter, (Mary, Isaak)? 12 Stones movie, Sea Going Cowboy?, Silent Auction items, African photos, tapestry, catered meal? Emphasize gift catalog for Christmas gifts.
* Will we charge to attend? Can we get a mailing list of Napa donors? Will Heifer pay for expenses?
Caroline will be in charge of the event.
* Cornerstones Study Group
We explored the idea of using the 12 cornerstones as a study session for our group. Linda is contacting the main office to see if we can get copies of the workbook. Or see about making copies for us.
* What else do we want to do as a group? Field trips: To Nepal? to Hidden Villa? Mary will contact Hidden Villa to see when and if we can come down for a tour/work/overnighter field trip, have our monthly meeting there? Near Palo Alto. Caroline has some information on how we can go to Nepal on the cheap to see the country we've heard so much about.
* Need for a Treasurer
We spoke about our need for a treasurer.
Ann said she would consider it.
We need to keep our volunteer expense money separate from the money we receive as donations to Heifer Intl.
So far we have donations totaling $280.
Do we want to buy a waterbuffalo or wait and get more and buy a heifer?
The expense money is for things our group needs, like making copies, buying supplies, helping someone in the group go to a Heifer U course, etc.
Betty in Napa has donated $50, specifically for our group. Thank you so much Betty
. Caroline will contact Margery about some funds she has for Heifer Intl.

Minutes: June 13th

2010-03-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

Evie will facilitate
Note taker: Alexandria

Agenda:

* Financial Report and need for a Treasurer
$281 in cans, (not only from meetings)
Report on proceeds fromMother's Day event - Caroline
Evie announcement on funds
* Ideas for local project activities
Volunteer fund as in Project groups? Handful of rice? Passing on the Gift - helping others.
Send someone to Heifer U, Finance field trips, study tours.
Study Tour to Nepal - Want to go? How to raise $ to go?
Field trip to Hidden Villa? In the fall? Raise $$ to go?
Vote on these
* Caroline - Thanks to all for help at Mother's Day event.
Feedback and on May 10 Mother's Day event?
Borrowed books and give aways - Life on Two Levels
Make our own poster board?
Arks and brochures, please read and distribute
Report on Nourish
* Mary - Report on Heifer 201 and Napa event
"How to talk about Heifer"
* Miscellaneous
Create an event timeline
Field trip to Ceres changed to June 20.
Need for co - contact person with Evie for Napa group
Linda's web page for us. Useful for task list, what else? Any problems accessing it? Alternate meeting days/times?
Ask Sea-going-cowboy to speak at our next meeting or have an Special evening meeting?
Note taker - Agenda taker - both are posted on website

Minutes: June 13, 2009
Finances:

* Heifer International is giving the option of removing10 to 20 dollars a month directly from your checking account
* Our Heifer group has raises 218 dollars in the change can so far, from Earth Day at NVC, group meetings
* It is ideal to have money pass through either the regional office or through the Sonoma County group. It makes the groups look good. Otherwise, the main office does not know where/how donations are raised. On checks, write Sonoma County Group at the bottom.
* There is a need for a Treasurer to keep track of the can, how much we have made, rolling up and depositing change, keeping track of how much people are donating through the Heifer monthly payments thanks to Sonoma Group.
* We discussed the possibility of a Bank Account. It presents a lot of difficulties, and it may be best to let Caroline keep the money until we buy a gift through the regional office.
* Betty Malmgren, who organized the PR for the 12 Stones event, donated 50 dollars, to the group, to cover any expenses we may come across in any of our functions.
* Proceeds from 12 Stones: $2300. $1500 from tickets, the rest was from donations.
* The Sonoma county group has brought in about $5000— since Oct 08, not counting 12 Stones. Thanks to our presentations. $28,000 has been donated to Nepal from three different donors in Sonoma County.

Reports on Activities

* Everything we had control of in 12 Stones went well. The sound system errors, the sound guy leaving, the stage left as-is was unfortunate. We need to plan for things to go wrong, and have a back up plan. We should probably do a run-through before each event to prevent problems. We should also leave someone at the door to greet late-comers.
* Mary talked about Heifer 201, in Hidden Villa, Palo Alto. This was not about Heifer in general; it was about the environmental aspects of heifer and other similar projects. It was organized by James Hooey, who measures Heifer’s “hoof-print” and reduce it. His job is to keep the projects focused on the environment—whether that be composting to eliminate methane emissions or minimizing the carbon output of the administration portion of Heifer.
o Christian Aid, a global nonprofit similar in size to Heifer, has recently had their carbon output analyzed. Only two items had a large amount of carbon emissions: paper use, and air travel. Paper use made up for 54.8% of their carbon emissions.
o Steve Gleisman, professor of agro-ecology at UCSC, has done local research with conventional strawberry farms and organic farms. He found that in the first years, the organic farms had a smaller output with a greater input cost, but by the third year, the reverse was true.
o ELBA, of Salinas, helps people earn the means to farm organically. They have a six-month course in sustainable agriculture and regulation. At the end of the course, farmers can lease discounted land and equipment and get certification help from the nonprofit—sort of an incubation period while the farmers earn enough to move to their own land, renting or purchasing it at market prices. Sustainable farming is especially useful in Salinas, which has had its estuaries ravaged by “conventional” farming.
* First Presbyterian: a group of seniors had a potluck dinner and 40 min presentation. Many of the people have supported Heifer for a number of years.
o Reverend Dan Emanuel had been a sea-going cowboy in Heifer’s early days, taking cattle to Poland after the war.
o The purpose of the meeting was to:
+ keep people engaged, thank them, and encourage connections
+ look at how we present things and encourage audience involvement.
+ Rev. Dan was potentially a great connection. He can help with publicity in the church newsletter—his recommendation would sound more authentic than ours. He would be willing to speak with us about his experience.
+ Volunteers: we need to communicate different roles one might play in volunteering for Heifer. We need to personalize, streamline, speeches, pulling people in with questions, engage them starting with the history of regions, specific examples, photos.
* Napa Farmers Market: Kathy Mauer works at the Quaker/Unitarian-manned Peace Table at the Napa farmer market. It is on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. She will be at the table for a few dates this summer, but if anyone wanted to sit at the table on a day she would not be there, she would be happy to arrange that. Alexandria will be at the market the days Kathy is, but will gladly go any other day, if someone would like to do that.

Discussion

* If the Sea-going cowboy can come to a meeting, we should have it in Sonoma, so no one has to drive very far. Sonoma Barking DOG café has a room in the back that could be used for a meeting, but parking is a problem. Baksheesh in St. Helena also has a room available, if there is ever a meeting in St. Helena.
* If making a poster for Heifer, prominently feature a slogan like Ending Hunger, Saving the Earth, as opposed to just Heifer. That way, people know up front what Heifer is about.
* If the Sonoma group wanted to arrange a group trip to Nepal, it would cost about 2500 to 3000 dollars. To discuss further.
* If there is someone from our group that would like to attend a Heifer U or other Heifer events and can’t afford to go, we could use our new funds to send at least one representative, who would come back and report to our group.
* We should have an event/dinner in Napa to encourage people who are interested but have not been involved in the past. There are more options than just fundraising open in volunteering
* If any person ever goes on a Heifer Study tour, they are expected to volunteer afterwards, and speak about their experiences to different groups
* We as volunteers should have a better understanding of Heifer Cornerstones. For every upcoming meeting, we will review and learn two Cornerstones. We should incorporate them into everything we do. We will use Menu for the Future as a model. Click to see the 12 Corner Stones
* When/where will the next meeting be?
o Second Saturday in July (the 11th)
o Invite cowboy—if he comes, we will have it in Sonoma
o Contact possible Napa members
o Think about possible group fund.
- How would we do that?
- Pennies in can?
- Do we want to raise big money for a trip?
- How would we counteract the emissions of possible air travel?
- Would we do this through a travel agency?
o LInda would like feed back about the web site.

Minutes: May 9

2010-03-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

Agenda: May 9
Margery Egge's home in Healdsburg

Our very special guest, Mahendra Lohani, who is here to speak at the 12 Stones showing on Sunday will join us for our meeting. A wonderful opportunity for us to meet with him, hear his stories and ask questions. He is the Vice President of Heifer International's Asia and South Pacific regions.

We will finish our agenda as quickly as possible to have lots of time for Mahendra.

* Go over preparations for Sunday's event
* Linda's Heifer Volunteer web page
* "Talking about Heifer" training will be postponed until the June meeting.
* Financial report from Caroline and need for a Treasurer
* Caroline will tell about Alexandria's Earth Day event in Napa
* Mary will tell us about Heifer 201 weekend in Hidden Valley
* Caroline will speak briefly about the Unsung Hero's Awards she attended
* Please have your questions ready for Mahendra

Minutes: May 9

Evie facilitating,
Meg note taker

In attendance: Lisa, Caroline, Jacquie, Mary, Margery, Meg, Kenni, Linda, Donna, Molly, Evie, Carole

* Discussion about up coming movie event. Everyone needs to be there by 3:45 or 4:00.
* Linda has set up a web-site for us. Look for minutes, agenda, e-mails. - mcb-lines.com/heifer/
* Evie has started a Napa group. Go Evie!
* Caroline thanked all for the publicity about Heifer for the up coming event.
* Treasure report will be discussed in June. We have collected $265 in our collection can. What shall we do ?
* Earth Day in April in Napa went well. Alexandria and friend sat at the table for the whole event. They were mentioned in the Napa paper.
* Heifer 201- This was 4 days on Agro-ecology in Hidden Villa. It is a 1600 acre near Palo Alto. The acerage is bing used for agro-education. There were plans for a Global Village on the property. Mary Blom attended and gave us a short report.
* Caroline attended the Unsung Heros Awards ceremony at the Ritz-Caralton in S.F. She had lunch with the honorees. It was a very moving day for her. She had a wonderful day. The Dali Lama said, "Don't look for results now, think about 500 years from now. Do good works because it is the right thing to do."
* Later in the meeting we enjoyed a wonderful presentation and conversation with Mahindra Lohani from the main office in Little Rock. He is the Vice president of programs in Asia and the South Pacific region. He spoke of growing up in Nepal, and his work with Heifer in Asia, particularly in Nepal. It was quite inspiring and informative. We were all honored to have him at our meeting and grateful for his company.
* Our next meeting date and place is unknown at this time. You will receive a notice soon.

Future Agenda Items:

* Practice in talking about Heifer
* Meeting in Sonoma Alternating meeting days?
* Discussion of "Outline of Event planning"

April 11, 2009

2010-03-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

Wombat Farm, Napa

Those present: Evie, Sandra, Carol, Linda, Meg, Keni, Caroline, Alexandria, Kathy, Jennifer, and Betty.

First we introduced ourselves. We had several new faces at the meeting. We were very excited to see people from the Napa area come to our meeting.
Old business:

* The dinner at Wombat Farm was a great success. The food was delicious, the friends very compatible, and they made $1,820.

Upcoming events:

* Napa J.C. has a big celebration approaching for Earth Day. It will be celebrated on April 25th, 10-2. Is it a good place for a Heifer Table?
* "12 Stones" is being shown at the Raven Theater in Healdsburg, 4:30-6:30 on May 10th which is Mother's Day.
* May 16th, Saturday, is a pot luck at the Presbyterian Church in Napa.
* At the Napa Farmers Market there is a Peace Table. Would Heifer be interested is sitting at the table sometimes over the summer months? The market is Tuesdays and Saturdays in the parking lot of the Wine Train. Alexandria was interested in working on that project.

Discussion:

* Evie will bring a "buying" book to the next meeting to show us where to shop.
* Everyone needs to make 3 dozen cookies for the movie event. We need more volunteer booklets. Caroline will order what we need.

"12 Stones"

* Mahendra will be speaking at the event, and at our next meeting. We were given poster and post cards for advertising. Tickets are for sale at Levins, One World, and Copperfields in Healdsburg. Tickets will also be sold at the door. We need to advertise and spread the word. The events success is up to us!
* There was great discussion about the press release for this event. Betty has media connections. Alexandria will help with advertising on some web sites that would be attractive to college students.
* A task list circulated around the room. People were encouraged to sign up. Caroline will send a copy to everyone. Please remember what your job is.

Caroline read a letter written by a young woman from Nepal who had stayed with her years ago. She was thanking the many people who had helped her in her new life in America. Another example of "passing on a gift".

Evie had a draft of an event planning sheet to help with setting up events in the future. She had some great ideas.

Our next meeting will be on May 9th. No location was decided on as yet. This will be a special meeting with Mahendra, hopefully to be held in Healdsburg Please make every effort to be there. We'll make final plans for the event the next day.