08-549
CITY OF MCKINNEY
MCKINNEY ARMED SERVICES MEMORIAL BOARD, INC.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
6:00 P.M., Conference Room, 1550-D College Street
The McKinney Armed Services Memorial Board, Inc. of the City of
McKinney, Texas, met in regular session at the Parks, Recreation and Open
Space Conference Room, 1550-D, South College Street at 6:00 p.m.
Board members present were: David Allevato, Kay Clifton, Bill Dowdy, Jr.,
R.D. Foster, Elias Ramirez, Natalie De La Rocha, and Bruce Tiff. Staff member
present was Parks Development Superintendent Stephen Brainerd. Guest
present was Gary Beckham, Writer for Frisco Style Magazine.
Chairman Dowdy called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
08-20 – Approval of September 11, 2008 Minutes
A copy of the Minutes of September 11, 2008, were distributed and
discussed. On a motion by Mr. Foster, seconded by Mr. Allevato, the Board
unanimously approved the Minutes.
08-21 – Discuss Veterans Day Activities
Chairman Dowdy opened the discussion regarding Veterans Day 2008
activities. Parks Development Superintendent Brainerd stated he would like to
set some parameters for a Veterans Day event, but would like to leave the date
open at this time. He indicated he had contacted several speakers, but had
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received no confirmations, although he expected confirmation in the next few
days. Mr. Foster said he would like to have the event at the Veterans Memorial
Park in McKinney site similar to the Groundbreaking Ceremony and in a similar
format. Mr. Brainerd indicated that the City of McKinney now has a portable
stage for use in such events. Chairman Dowdy indicated that we should discuss
specifics of the ceremony at the next meeting when speakers have been
confirmed.
08-22 – Discuss Fundraising
The Board discussed fundraising.
Mr. Brainerd updated the Board on the expected cost of building the
memorial and the donations that have been received by the City of McKinney for
the project.
Finance Committee Chairman Foster said that fundraising contacts are
being organized and are ongoing.
Mr. Foster said McKinney high schools and middle schools are conducting
a fundraising effort with the goal of presenting a check to the McKinney Armed
Services Memorial Board at the Veterans Day 2008 ceremony. Mr. Brainerd
suggested that the Board attempt to schedule a McKinney High School Choir or
something similar to perform at the event and this should be discussed at the
next board meeting.
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Chairman Dowdy opened the discussion of ways to recognize
contributors. Mr. Foster suggested a designation of corporate sponsor levels, as
well as types of commemorative items that could be included at the memorial site
or for presentation to substantial sponsors. Mr. Brainerd said it has been
discussed in the past to never let the contributors overshadow the idea of the
memorial and felt any contributor items at the site should be apart from the actual
memorial. Appropriate corporate sponsor levels were developed. Mr. Tiff and
Ms. De La Rocha indicated that they would draft a memorandum for inclusion in
the solicitation packets that includes donation corporate sponsor levels, tax
information, and other specifics and would present it to the board for discussion
at the next meeting.
Mr. Allevato indicated he had been approached by one of the service
clubs in McKinney and would be available to speak about the memorial to other
service clubs. He said that he did not expect to solicit donations from the clubs,
but to further information about the project.
Mr. Ramirez provided copies of a spreadsheet he developed to record
contributor contacts.
Mr. Foster suggested the Board set a schedule for board members to sell
bricks at the McKinney Oktoberfest, Saturday, September 25, 2008. A schedule
was developed and decoration of the booth was discussed.
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Mr. Brainerd provided the board an invoice for printing of solicitation
packets. On a motion by Ms. Clifton, seconded by Mr. Tiff, the Board
unanimously approved the expenditure.
08-23 – McKinney Armed Services Board Member Comments
Ms. De La Rocha asked about an expected completion date for the
memorial. After consideration of the different phases of planning and
construction, the Board set an estimated completion date of Veterans Day 2010.
Chairman Dowdy said that, as previously approved, the next board
meeting will be held October 8, 2008, at 6:00 P.M, in the Conference Room of
the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Administrative Office, 1550-D South
College Street.
08-18 – City Council Liaison Comments
There were no other comments by City Council Liaison.
08-29 – Citizen Comments
Garry Beckham stated he is a retired military officer and a freelance writer
for Frisco Style, a magazine distributed by direct mailing to approximately 50,000
households. He said he wishes to write an article regarding the Memorial to be
included in the November issue of Frisco Style. Mr. Foster said he would
coordinate with Mr. Beckham on the article.
On motion by Secretary Clifton, seconded by Chairman Dowdy, and
unanimously approved by the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
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____________________
BILL DOWDY
Chairman
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