SHINING LIGHT FOUNDATION

 

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD:       September 8, 2003                                               

LOCATION/TIME:                                 Salomon Smith Barney office, 400 E. Kaliste Saloom,

                                                                               Lafayette, La.    5:30PM to 6:30PM

 

 

ATTENDEES:

 

Carolyn French, President                                   Julie Eaton

Ruh Duhon, Treasurer                                                 Bruce Snow

Melissa Douet                                                            Lou Montgomery

Michelle Izzo                                                               John Broussard

Carol Mehegan                                                           Robert Hodge

Mike Huber – Scribe                                          

 

Carolyn French, President, presiding.

 

Copies of minutes of meeting held August 4th distributed, reviewed and approved.

 

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Patsy Williams and Mary Corban are associated with Homeless Children and Youth Education – Lafayette School Board.  Patsy runs the program.  Mary is a case manager.

The Louisiana Homeless Children and Youth Education Program ensures that homeless children and youth have access to free, appropriate public education on an equal basis with other children.  They support 1,400 children yearly in Lafayette Parish, and total of 3,000 children in 10 parishes.  Definition of Homeless Person is one who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

 

There was discussion of ways Shining Light might support their program on a continuing basis, and how it might procedurally be implemented.  Motion and second to table discussion until future meeting as there are some fairly significant issues.

 

Did learn that these children may not be identified using the normal Shining Light procedures, as the teachers may not be aware the child is homeless and unable to come up with the funds.

   

 TREASURER’S REPORT:        

Ruth Duhon, advised the account balance is $$7,737.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

A)    Bachelor Auction – Check from Danny Izzo coming.  Shining Light’s thanks to Danny for allowing us to use his credit card machine.    

B)       Promotion of Shining Light on Channel 10’s  “CONCERNS”.  Carolyn, participated with Denna Denney from the school system’s Information Technology Division.  Carolyn has connected a local prominent company with Denna to sent their desktop computers that were being replaced.  Denna is thrilled to get them.  CONCERNS aired the piece twice. 

After that they participated in a photo session with Julie and Mike.  May put the photo in the newsletter.

   

C)     Website – Bruce has made significant progress toward development of a website for Shining Light. 

The website is a reality.  Bruce advised Shining Light should buy a domain.  The cost will be about $70 for 10 years.  Carol suggested that let providers know that for non-profit organization.  May waive the fee.  Carol will get name for Bruce

 

D)       Have picture and Thank You letter from Boucher Elementary for the Back To School Bags of School Supplies.  Will try to get picture in  Newsletter.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A)    Will participate in the Gumbo Cook-Off on October 14th at Acadian Village.  Carolyn/Mike will act as judges.  Shining Light will get one-third of the proceeds.  Van Eaton Romero spoke with Carolyn about this. EVERYONE INVITED TO  PARTICIPATE! 

B)    Requests for assistance -

 

NEXT MEETING

 

The next Shining Light meeting is scheduled for October 13th  at 5:30 p.m. at Salomon Smith Barney office, 400 East Kaliste Saloom Road.