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Parent Booster Club

The Community Schoolhouse Parent Booster Club was officially formed in February 2003 to assist with and coordinate fundraising projects, coordinate school events and activities (such as the graduation/year-end celebration), generate in-kind contributions (such as equipment, supplies and services), and provide additional staff support. (Please see School Needs List.)

A member of the Community Schoolhouse staff and Board of Directors are assisting the parent group, which normally meets the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the school. 

The following Parent Booster Club officers were elected at a February 25 meeting:

Co-Chairs: Tami Smisek and Tami Bingenheimer
Secretary: Valerie Pascal
Treasurer: Brad Bingenheimer
At-Large Representative: Mitchell Austin

The Parent Booster Club is initially focusing on two events: the Silent Auction Fundraiser on May 7 and the Graduation/End-of-Year Celebration on June 27.  Co-Chair Tami Bingenheimer is leading the parent effort of the Silent Auction.  Co-Chair Tami Smisek is leading the parent effort for the Graduation/End of Year Event.  Community Schoolhouse Board members Barbara Kauss and Louisa Silva are assisting with the Silent Auction.

For more information about the Parent Booster Club, please contact Tami Smisek (503-393-8813)  or Tami Bingenheimer (503-378-9053).  The Club's meeting minutes and project updates are regularly posted on this Web site.

Parent Booster Club Meeting Minutes

• March 3, 2003

• February 25, 2003

March 3 Meeting Minutes

People Attending:  Lori Newcomb, Lori & Kenny Killebrew, Kathy Hook, Brad & Tami Bingenheimer, Barbara Krauss, Tami Smisek, Tom DeJardin, Alison & Valerie Pascal.

Barbara Kauss, Parent Board Member Liaison, introduced the Parent Booster Club leadership members, Tami Bingenheimer-Fundraiser Task Force Leader, Tami Smisek-End of Year/Graduation Task Force Leader, Brad Bingenheimer-Treasurer, Valerie Pascal-Secretary. 

Barbara talked about the need to raise about $100,000 in order to keep the school at its current level. The one idea that kept coming up from the potluck brainstorming session was an auction. The board proposed that we have a silent auction May 7, 2003 at the Downtown First Wednesday celebration.  The plan is to have a verbal auction of celebrity baskets at the school and then have company sponsored and miscellaneous baskets in the downtown stores.  Students would be downtown with maps of where the baskets are and possibly percent off coupons from merchants.  Tami is to talk to the Downtown Association and the Salem Centre about our proposed plans. 

Tami Smisek met with Molly Kellar about the End-of-Year Graduation Celebration.  The teachers want to cook breakfast for the senior students.  A meeting with the teachers, parents group and senior students is planned for Tuesday March 11, at 1:45 at the school.  We need to raise about $1,000 to cover costs. Mitch Austin suggested a bottle drive for a fundraiser at the last meeting. He is willing to organize it.

The purpose of this meeting was to break into two groups: Fundraising or End-of-Year Celebration. Other information items:

• Pizza coupons are being sold at the front desk.

• All money raised is to go through Charlene Lawry, School bookkeeper..

• Tom said that a Web site link will be set up so we can post the minutes and other information on the site.

The next Fundraising meeting will be at Tami Bingenheimer’s house on March 10^th at 5:30.

The next End-of-Year Celebration meeting will be at the Marco Polo restaurant, 210 Liberty St NE at 5:30 p.m. on Monday March 17^th.

Parent Booster Club meetings are held the first Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the school. Both groups will give progress reports.  Due to spring break, the next meeting will be held at Brad Bingenheimer’s office, Boldt Carlisle & Smith LLC, 480 Church St SE (behind SAIF) April 7^th at 5:30 p.m.

February 25 Meeting Minutes

The parents in attendance elected the following officers for the Parent Booster Club:  Tami Smisek and Tami Bingenheimer, Co-Chairs; Valerie Pascal, Secretary; Brad Bingenheimer, Treasurer; and Mitchell Austin, At-Large Representative 

It was decided the Parent Booster Club will initially focus on two events including the Graduation/End of Year Celebration and the Silent Auction Fund Raiser.  Co-Chair Tami Smisek will lead the parent effort for the Graduation/End of Year Event.  Co-Chair Tami Bingenheimer will lead the parent effort of the silent auction,  Barbara Kauss and Louisa Silva will work with the Silent Auction. 

Mitch Austin proposed a small scale bottle drive to support the Graduation Event.  Tami S will work with Mitch on this effort.  The goal is to raise $1,000 for the event.

Regarding the Silent Auction,  Barbara and Louisa have started developing an idea for a Tour of Downtown Silent Auction.  The concept is to have both a silent and a celebrity verbal auction to coincide with the first "First Wednesday" of the year.  The idea is to have "baskets" to auction off that contain donated items and gift certificates.  Additionally, baskets would be placed in businesses downtown.  Students, acting as downtown goodwill ambassadors will pass out maps to the retailers who have baskets the evening of the event.

During the evening for 30-45 minutes there will be a celebrity verbal auction with celebrities competing to see who's basket will get the highest bid.  We can see rivalries such as the Police Chief vs. the Sheriff, competing law firms, competing college presidents, competing politicians, etc.  The winners would get some sort of "trophy."  All celebrity participants will get a certificate of appreciation, as will all vendors displaying the baskets and bidding sheets.

We have contacted Carole Smith and she is supportive of the idea.  Carole contacted the Salem Downtown Association, but we haven't heard back from them yet.  Tami B. has a contact at SDA also and will pursue it this week.  

The parent group is going to meet again on Monday evening (March 3). At that time they hope to have a date for the Silent Auction and a flyer explaining the donations they would like.  Tami S. will also bring an update on the Graduation event and talk about what is needed on that effort.  She will contacting the staff for information.

contact: school@communityschoolhouse.org