Introductions:
NACA GENERAL MEETING
Thursday October 21, 2010 Little Walnut Creek Library
Eleanor Langsdorf called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.
Announcements
The September meeting minutes were distributed and approved.
Brian LaCour stated that NACA has $8,330.20 in beautification funds and $2,035.12 in general operating funds. NACA membership is currently 153. $5,000.00 of the beautification funds is earmarked for matching funds for the Quail Creek Park Trail renovation. After October, membership dues will be taken for 2011. Membership levels; $15 for Regular $25 for Silver, $50 for Gold.
The volunteers who deliver the NACA newsletters were honored. A Lowe’s gift card was awarded to Margie and Woodie Arp who deliver the most newsletters. Mitzi Dentler is the coordinator for newsletter walkers. Streets that still need walkers include; Rutland (West of Parkfield), Kramer, Toepperwein, Golden Meadow, Quail Meadow, North Meadow and Lanshire.
Jennifer Ing and Everett Teng with UT Project 2011 spoke about the February 2011 project which will target Rundberg from IH 35 to Metric Blvd. Litter collection, landscaping, beautification and painting will be done. UT is partnering with Keep Austin Beautiful and Home Depot. Applications for tasks are due October 29th.
Randy Teich gave an update on the community recreation center. The first meeting has been held. Benson and Associates is the project manager. They need a volunteer art advisor by the first of December for the design team. The grand opening target date is September 2012.
Eleanor gave an update on the Quail Creek Park. At the September meeting, MAC Inc was awarded the contract for the Mearns Meadow dam remediation project. Vegetation cleanup is part of the project. On Monday November 1st, reps will walk the park to determine what vegetation will be removed.
Peggy Mays, the NACA rep with the North Austin Coalition of Neighborhoods, said the RV homeless park is being considered in the Burnet and Braker Lane area. She is hoping further dialogue will develop with businesses in that area. Mary is inquiring about establishing a city task force so the proceedings will be dialogued and presented to the City of Austin.
Mr. Moran unveiled the memorial for Stephanie Neely which will be erected at Little Walnut Creek Library. Stephanie was once recognized by the Wall Street Journal as Librarian of the Year. She was instrumental in getting a language center established at the library. With the funds donated by NACA, a Rand McNally World Map with a plaque will be mounted in the library.
Linda Moore stated a holiday decoration fundraiser will be held at her house on Mountain Quail on November 20th from 8:30am to 1:30pm. There will be a raffle for a double size bed quilt.
Ann Teich encouraged residents to walk to homes on their street to encourage people to register and vote at the upcoming election in November. Ann prepared a flyer to be distributed.
General Meeting: Speaker; Carleton Smith; Counselor with SCORE; Starting and Maintaining a Small Business
SCORE stands for Service Core of Retired Executives. The vision is to strengthen small businesses in the community by providing free counseling and advice to new business entrepreneurs in the community. One goal is to help develop 1 million businesses in the next seven years.
Nationwide there are 370 offices and over 12,000 volunteers. Business plans are not discussed with other people.
97% of all employers are small businesses. In 2009, SCORE helped start 68,452 new businesses. SCORE is associated with the Small Business Administration which provides $5,000 in funding each year..
261 workshops were held during 2010. These workshops do have a charge. The most expensive one is $50. 1000 workshop attendees. 641 follow up clients. 5500 volunteer hours. They currently have 47 business counselors.
Web based marketing is important. Social media including Facebook, Twitter and Yelp are very beneficial to small businesses.
SCORE has a five step approach:establish rapport; conduct needs assessment; identify business goals; help develop a business plan; obtain feedback and set roadmap for mentoring.
Business plan are developed for two reasons: to know where you are going and how you are going to get there. Crucial elements include; Managing cash flow; marketing the product or services; financing their business; how to expand business.
SCORE is open five days a week from 8am to 5pm. Their office is located off of Bee Cave Road. Walk in business is welcome. www.austinscore.org is the website. They are associated with the Small Business Development Program with the City of Austin. There are eight locations in the Austin area. There are branch organizations in Round Rock, San Marcos and Harker Heights. Call 928-2425 for more information.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.