Save our Gale School Committee

Organizational Meeting

Date: August 9, 2006

Location: Belmont Fire Department Training Room

Time: 7PM

Present: Diane Marden, Magnus McLetchie, Jane McLetchie, Brad Corriveau, Helen Corriveau, Cathy Hooker, Jeff Marden, George Condodemetraky, Wallace Rhodes

Diane Marden chaired the meeting and requested that Wallace Rhodes record the proceedings.

A general discussion then took place regarding the apparent determination of the Shaker Regional School Board to dispose of the Gale School. It was concluded that the group should first formally organize itself into a body called "Save Our Gale School Committee". The following officers were then unanimously elected:

Chairman, Diane Marden

Vice Chairman, Helen Corriveau

Treasurer, Jane McLetchie

Secretary, Wallace Rhodes

A discussion was then held about the legal status of the organization and it was concluded that to apply for 501-c3 status under the Internal Revenue Code would be costly and time consuming. The suggestion was made that if the committee could function under the Belmont Historical Society as a distinct, but complimentary group, the procedure of obtaining separate 501-c3 status could be avoided. Wallace Rhodes agreed to poll the Directors of the Historical Society to obtain their permission to do so. It was the unanimous opinion that any funds raised and not utilized for the purposes of this group would be turned over to the Belmont Historical Society.

The Chairman told the group that she had been in contact with the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources and that the Gale School might well be included on the list of the "Seven to Save Program"

The Chairman then explained that she had opened and account at Franklin Savings Bank with money borrowed from the Belmont Historical Society and she explained what she had done so far to raise money to fund the organization. She showed the group an oil painting of the Gale School building which was donated by artist Donna Manning as well as a frame donated by Brock Roberts. She has obtained the necessary paperwork to apply to the town to conduct a raffle and will start selling tickets on Old Home Day. She also displayed T shirts which will also be sold. It was concluded that raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each or 6 for $5. and that the T shirts would be sold for $10. each. In addition orders for photographs of the painting will be taken which will sell for $10. each. A discussion followed about when the raffle drawing would take place and it was concluded that the sale of tickets should continue for several weeks with the drawing to take place on November 11, 2006 at the Veterans Day commemoration ceremony if that is acceptable to the American Legion which would be conducting the event.

George Condodemetraky suggested that the group obtain donations of $2. each from sponsors who would be named in a newspaper add promoting the cause which would be published before the crucial September 14 meeting of the School Board. . It was concluded that this would be an effective way of gaining public support and the Chairman was authorized to proceed and obtain sponsors.

Jeff Marden volunteered to take charge of publicity for the group and also to attend the Shaker Regional School Board meeting to be held the following evening to invite members to attend the next meeting of this group to explain their position and answer questions. It was the consensus of those attending that members of the group should also try to meet with the Belmont Selectmen to get their input as well.

The Chairman indicated that she was investigating what the costs would be to install fire sensors in the Gale School in that one of the criticisms voiced by the School Board was that the building created a fire hazard.

Next Meeting: The group concluded that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday, August 22 at 7PM at the Belmont Fire Station.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM

______________________________

Secretary