Ciao tutti -
I've attached below the Minutes of the Members' Meeting held at the Farewell to Garden House Get-Together on October 24.
Thanks to Pat Hoffman for taking notes and writing up the minutes. There are a number of Action Items from the meeting:
First, we looked at the meeting at a number of possible venues. Some others were suggested at that time. If you would like to submit other venues for consideration, please email the venue info to me (ddematteis@danteseattle.org) and I will add them to the list.
Second, if you are willing to volunteer to visit potential meeting places and review each site using the criteria in the minutes below, please indicate which site you would like to review by emailing that information to me (ddematteis@danteseattle.org).
Third, the suggestion was adopted to form a Search Committee of members who would review the evaluations of the possible venues and make a report to the Board with recommendations for Board action. If you are willing to serve on such a Search Committee, please indicate that by emailing me (again, ddematteis@danteseattle,org).
As always, thanks for volunteering. I think we were moved by the amazing turnout at the last meeting and by the heartfelt desire so many of you expressed to help us find a new home. I should point out that the antipasti e dolci were exceptional that night!
Forza e coraggio -
Dan DeMatteis
Venues Suggested
Church Halls
Mt. Virgin
St Patrick
St James
Christ the King
Good Shepherd Center
Knights of Columbus
St Catherine of Siena
Ethic Clubs
Swedish Cultural Center
Il Punto
Polish Home
Russian Community Center
Community Centers
Alki Masonic Center
Queen Anne Masonic Lodge
Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club
Highland Park Improvement Club
Other
Seattle U
Public Schools
UW Waterfront Activity Center
Dante Alighieri Meeting Minutes
October 24, 2018
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by President Dan DeMatteis. After a toast to celebrate Dan’s birthday, Dan’s opening remarks included his appreciation for the turnout of so many Dante members.
Dan provided some detail regarding the sale of the Garden House. Dante membership (and others who rent space in the Garden House) must be out of the house by October 31, 2018. This includes taking all stored items.
The November and December 2018 Dante meetings will be held at St. James Cathedral in their reception area (804 Ninth Avenue). Free parking is in the O’Dea High School parking lot.
Dante needs help from the membership for suggestions of potential meeting spaces and individuals who will volunteer to visit these spaces. See the attached list of Potential Venues with notes.
The membership proposed these criteria as the most important:
Availability the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month September through May
Ability to maintain the same meeting format
Free parking
Alcohol may be served
Food may be brought in
Chairs and tables provided
Central location and close to I-5
Key access by Dante membership
Secure storage for Dante items (cooking items, food stuffs, etc.)
Capacity of ~50 – 60 persons
Audio video screen for projection
Price within Dante budget (subsidized by the umbrella organization of CASA)
The membership also suggested that the meeting place be centrally situated for ease of access from all directions.
A poll of the meeting attendees (approximately 65 – 70 members) indicated that homes were located in:
North of the Ship Canal – 20
Central Seattle – 7
East of Seattle – 6
West of Seattle – 2
South of Seattle – 8
(note – couples who attend were given a single vote)
It was suggested that Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club (approximately 1 mile away at Spokane and Beacon) might give Dante a good deal for renting space, especially since Dante has been renting the Garden House for ~40 years and is recognized as part of the Beacon Hill Italian community. They gave the Garden Club a good rental rate.
Action Items:
Send an email to Dante members requesting:
Additional input of potential meeting places.
Volunteers to visit potential meeting places and review each site for the criteria above. Provide review to a Search Committee.
Form a Search Committee which will coordinate the search.
This committee will read all reviews.
This committee may make recommendations to the Dante Board.
The Dante Board has decision making authority to decide a new venue.
Put Jefferson Park and Il Punto at the top of the list and review these venues quickly.
