Village Rovers
Meeting Minutes May 3, 2023
Club President Sharon Grin led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, then called the meeting to order. Other officers present were Laurie Anderson, Treasurer.
Presenter: The meeting began by introducing Pat Wenning from Dogs4Vets. She shared her 15-year history with Dogs4Vets and what the program provides for our veterans. The program involves training the veteran’s and their own dog, so they become a certified Service Dog in three potential areas: Service, Therapy or Emotional Support. There is only a $25 registration fee and training is free. They are located in Gilbert at Pecos and Lindsay.
Treasurer’s Report: Laurie Anderson reported we had a total of $7,551.75 in the bank and she had an additional $400 to be deposited for a total of $7,951,75. Motion to accept the report as read was made by Darla Fehlandt and seconded by Barb Reinsch.
Laurie: Shared, if you would like to sponsor a Memorial Bench for $625 she had a few forms or email Jim at jim@cactuscreative.net to request a donation form.
Secretary’s Report: President Grin advised; in Bertie Wehr’s absence the minutes may be read online.
Jim Varner: ~ provided a dog park update
~ meeting results with Katie Ross and Mike Lauer.
~ new watering schedule of the proposed dog park
~ Fund raising: Jim shared that so far there has been a positive response to the idea of having a farmers’ market. Discussion ensued on other fund-raising ideas that included sponsoring a vendor Home Show and a Golf Tournament.
Maggie King: presented her custom greeting cards and advised a portion of her sales will be donated to the club.
Dawn Milburn: presented her Custom beaded wine bottle neckers with a photo of your dog. She too will be donating a portion of her sales to the club.
2024 Calendars: Sharon shared that she is collecting photos of our dogs over the summer to prepare for the 2024 Calendar. If you have a photo of your dog for consideration, please email or text it to her.
Waste Station Volunteers: Sharon thanked the current volunteers for their efforts and asked for additional volunteers. A volunteer would be required to maintain 4 stations twice a week requiring 30 to 45 minutes each time. Brenda Wile and Maggie King will each do 2 weeks in May.
Meeting Times: Sharon shared our meetings have been approved through the HOA for the first Wednesday of the month starting October, 2023 through May, 2024 in the Rosewood room from 2 – 4 pm. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday October 4th, 2023, from 2 to 4 pm.
Meeting Adjourned 3:50 pm
Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy McGrorty in Bertie Wehr’s absence
Village Rovers Dog Club
Meeting Minutes March 1, 2023
The Village Rovers Dog Club met at 2 pm in the Rosewood room at SVE. There were 29 people attending the meeting. Sharon Grin, the club president, called the meeting to order and led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
We started our meeting with a program by John Sparks, certified trainer at PetSmart, who presented interesting and helpful information on dog training. John presented the information in a lively, humorous way, and the members enjoyed what he had to share with us. We can get in touch with John by calling PetSmart, going into a PetSmart store, or logging on to PetSmart.com. Group training is offered for $139 for a 6-week course. Individual training will cost $45/half hour. or $89/hour
Because of the lateness of the afternoon, Jim Varner moved and Janice Ballantine seconded to suggest members read the February meeting minutes and treasurer’s report online. The motion carried.
The following comments were made:
Vote for the approval of a dog park.
Dog calendars are still available. Contact Sharon to order.
April 7 could work for us to sponsor a dog adoption event.
Clothing with the Dog Club’s embroidered logo were modeled. They look super neat. $25 for shirt; $40 for jacket.
Contact Laurie to order.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 5, from 2:00 – 4:00 in the Rosewood Room.
Bertie Wehr, Secretary
Village Rovers Dog Club Meeting Minutes February 1, 2023
The Village Rovers Dog Club met at 5PM in the Rosewood room at SVE. Sixteen people attended the meeting. Sharon, the club president, called the meeting to order and led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our speaker this month, Linda, from Follow your Heart dog rescue in Gilbert, told us how the rescue group got started and about the Follow your Heart facility and services of rescuing, fostering, and adopting dogs—10 to 30 adoptions each month. Most of these fosters and adoptions are the result of groups holding events to introduce eligible dogs to interested people. It was noted that we could host an event here at SVE where we bring together dogs and interested people. Sharon has the details for such an event, including the contacts for agencies which would bring us the dogs. There are many ways in which people can volunteer to help with the care and placement of rescued dogs. If you would like more information, view the website: followyourheartanimalrescue.org.
Minutes from the January 5 meeting were read by Secretary Bertie Wehr. Lisa Brudvik moved to approve the minutes; Jo-Ann Flick seconded the motion; the motion passed.
Treasurer Laurie Anderson presented the report for January. The ending balance was $996.00. There were no expenses in January. Barb Reinsch moved to accept the report; Judi Morack seconded the motion; the motion passed.
Examples of locally provided, lightweight jackets and shirts with our logo embroidered on them were presented for viewing. The teal logo looks especially nice on black! Jackets are $40 and shirts are $25 as a fundraiser for the club.
Jim Varner reminded us that we are on the February SVE Ballot for “permission to build in the Southwest basin for the purpose of creating a Dog Park”. Sharon will be at the pancake breakfast on February 4 to answer questions. Paper Ballots will arrive on February 4th or shortly thereafter, with voting possible until March 14. For passage, we need a majority of those who vote. Results will be posted March 16. The election manager reminds us that if you are voting electronically, you need to re-register each year to vote this way. Funds for the dog park could come from the Project Fund; however the Project Fund has a current balance of $0.
Jim also reminded us that we should model good behavior when using our green spaces for dog exercise. In general:
1) Use at your own risk, dog owners are legally responsible for their dog’s actions
2) Dog waste must be picked up immediately
3) Owners must monitor their dogs at all times
4) Aggressive dogs must be removed immediately
5) Dogs not permitted are: aggressive, in heat, sick, or puppies under 4 months.
Hosting a dog placement event at SVE was discussed, to be held in March, complete with the sale of dog cookies. However, no definite plans were made at this time.
Sharon stated that we have donated some items from our “dog library” since items have been accumulating faster than diminishing. She also announced that, if you are interested in joining the dog club, dues are $20 per household per year and can be paid to the treasurer at the meeting. Please bring correct change. To pay remotely (cost of $20.90), please go to the website www.villagerovers.com.
Sharon also talked about our meeting time. In a past meeting we voted on meeting from 5:00 – 7:00 pm; however, as an exception, it is necessary to change our meeting time in March to coincide with the availability of our March speaker from Pets Mart. Therefore, our March meeting will be Wednesday, March 1, from 2:00 – 4:00 in the Rosewood Room.
Respectfully Submitted
Bertie Wehr, Village Rovers Secretary
Village Rovers Meeting Minutes 1/5/2023
Treasurer’s Report
$695.85 in the bank account
42 paid members
Treasurer’s report was approved.
Secretary Bertie Wehr read the minutes from the Dec. 7 meeting. Minutes were approved with no changes.
The members present voted on possible meeting times that were provided by the office.
Wednesday 2-4 received 8 votes and Friday 2-4 also received 8 votes
Sharon will submit request to the HOA office.
Sharon volunteered to host a table at the Feb. 4 pancake breakfast. Laurie will ask the organizer to have a table available for the dog club.
Betty Placone gave an overview of the Ambassador Program.
Opportunities can be viewed at svehoa.com. click on activities, volunteer link.
Examples include: outdoor concert help (police the area), pick oranges, painting of curbs, etc.
Judy Morack volunteered to take a shift doing the waste station patrol.
Jim Varner gave a quick update on Dog Park Project
No significant updates, Permission to build in the basin is on the ballot. Laurie and Jim will present the ballot item at one more board meeting.
Town Hall/informational meeting is scheduled on Jan 19th in the Mesa Verde room.
Jim will print additional brochures.
Several members completed pledge forms for donations to the dog park.
Meeting adjourned
Village Rover Dog Club
Meeting Minutes Sunday, December 7, 2022
Club president, Sharon Grin led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Secretary Bertie Wehr read the minutes of the October meeting. Nancy McCrorty moved to accept the minutes; Judith Emerson seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Treasurer Laurie Anderson reported a club balance of $594.98 and said that any dues paid now are good until the end of December of 2023. Also, she mentioned that she and Jim Varner talked to a lot of people at the pancake breakfast about the dog club and the proposed dog park and signed up one more person. Julie Marsh made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report; Edith Fendel seconded. The motion passed.
Jim provided an update on the dog park plans. He said that we are just asking for just permission to build the park, and right now it is unfunded. We have been advised to keep the dog park money separate. As an organization, we don’t have to go to the board for expenditures.
The approval to create a dog park is on the upcoming February ballot. Now we are in the next stage, that of marketing the dog park. We have a web site, submitted two articles to the Outlook, and now we have a flier for marketing. It is suggested that we hold a town hall meeting to answer questions.
Other items which were then discussed were:
A water source for the park
Fobs for entry to the dog park
Liability Insurance – We have been told that as long as we have park participants sign a waiver, we should have no responsibility.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 5 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Rosewood Room. Future meeting days and times were discussed, with Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings receiving equal interest from the attendees.
Appreciation was extended to the waste station maintenance workers.
Sharon talked about the dog calendar, and pictures for the calendar were shown. Cost will be $21.00, of which $5.00 will go to the dog club. Calendars will arrive about December 14.
Sharon pointed out the proceeds from the silent auction will go to the dog club. These items can be viewed on the web site. Sharon’s telephone number is on the web site.
Maggie Palmer’s king cards will donate $1.00 for every card sold.
The meeting was concluded, and participants viewed a picture show of dogs which are featured on the calendar.
Respectfully Submitted
Bertie Wehr
Meeting Minutes October 30th
Dog Club Meeting minutes
Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022
Next meeting is Wednesday December 7th at 2PM in the Rosewood room. We are working with the office to get a regular time/place for the meetings—with first choice being the first Tuesday of every month. We will not meet June through September. Discussion of dog parade, Christmas party for the December meeting—dog club officers will discuss details further.
Bios -We are encouraging members to submit a bio of you and your dog (along with a picture of you both!) We would like to use these in the Outlook where we might highlight a different story each month. We can also use these other methods of outreach to get the word out about our Club!
Dog Library - Sharon mentioned the ‘Dog Library’ of miscellaneous leashes, collars, and other paraphernalia. Please feel free to take or contribute!
Laurie Anderson and Jim Varner had a Village Rovers table at the recent volunteer event. They presented a slideshow of dog photos to generate interest in the club and answered many questions. Signed up a couple new interested people and collected one membership fee. Good opportunity to ‘market’ to a new audience.
Financial status – Treasurer Laurie reported that 34 member households have paid dues ($680) plus we have had $45 in donations. Expenses for the past month were $140.92 reimbursement to Jim Varner for 6 months of web hosting and copies for HOA BOD meetings. Bank balance is $543.08
Jim V – Dog Park Update
Working with Doug Spencer to create language for the ballot item. Since the meeting, I have received word from the office of several options going forward. Details will be posted on the website. VillageRovers.com
Jim V is working with a Mesa City engineer to develop a site plan for the dog park that will meet city requirements. A modified plan was re-submitted to the engineer and will next go to Planning and Zoning.
Dog Park ideas -Lots of discussion regarding the Dog Park , fundraising ideas, etc. Jim emphasized the need for everyone to solicit comments regarding the dog park. We especially want everyone to understand the possible objections and some clear-headed responses where appropriate.
Ambassador Program – Currently 2 of our members (Sharon Grin and Paul Flick) are doing the Poop Patrol twice a week of eight waste stations around the neighborhood. Four members have volunteered to be on the list to receive training and take over soon—Maggie Palmer, Dee Power, Nancy McCorty and Barb Reinsch.
The Dog Costume event was a great success. Jim V took lots of pictures and will post them on the website. There were dogs of all sizes and shapes in the courtyard outside the Mesa Verde room. Everyone behaved!
Meeting Minutes 9/15/22
Village Rovers Organizational Meeting Minutes 9/15/22.
28 in attendance (+2 via zoom), $460 collected in club dues ($60 via online payment), $25 donation.
Village Rovers Organizational Meeting Minutes 9/15/22.
25 in attendance (2 via zoom), $460 collected in club dues ($60 via online payment), $25 donation.
1) Intro/Pledge of Allegiance (5:30pm)
2) Sharon Grin (acting President) asked for nominations from the floor for any of the board positions. None were presented. (Club by-laws/officer terms are available on the website).
3) Nancy McGrorty - Motion to accept the slate of officers as presented, JoAnn Flick 2nd
Pres – Sharon Grin, VP -Paul Flick, Treasurer -Laurie Anderson, Secretary -Bertie Weir (Jim Varner filling-in)
No discussion, Motion passed
4) Barb Reinsh - Motion to solicit annual meeting space in mid-January from HOA office. 2nd Linda Cerf
Motion passed
5) Laurie Anderson (treasurer) presented donation by Jim Varner ($1400) for development of logo, website creation, photo gallery, and development of initial content.
Laurie also presented ongoing fees to the club for web hosting ($20/month), and annual domain name registration
6) Connie Rodger – motion for club pay fees as presented, Leslie Randall 2nd
Brenda Wile mentioned that this seemed high for hosting. Jim explained that the fee was for a plan that also included online surveys, and a variety of additional services.
Motion passed
7) Meeting attendees can bring reusable, prewashed dog-related items for a free table at meetings.
8) Discussion of fundraising ideas, activities that club could sponsor, and possible speakers (see separate list).
9) Jim Varner (Dog Park Project chair) gave a quick overview of the Dog Park status. Mentioned September 30th as the deadline for submitting the formal budget request. Original bids are being updated per HOA guidelines. Current (old) fencing quotes ranged from 16k – 22k. There was discussion regarding the overall size of the budget request – whether to go low or shoot high. Consensus was to proceed with current budget proposal as approved by the board.
10) Question was asked regarding pet waste station patrol. Paul Flick (VP) described the current process/volunteers (Paul/Sharon) and asked for future volunteers
11) Question was raised as to whether the budgeting process was being rushed. Paul Flick (VP) mentioned that the process has been in development for several months (since April).
12) Adjourn 6:20
Activities mentioned for Dog Club consideration
1) Sponsor an adoption/foster event
2) Host a photo day for creating owner/dog portraits
3) Offer a 50/50 raffle at meetings
4) Create a doggie calendar
5) Sponsor a look-alike contest
6) Presenter to discuss/offer dog training in the community
7) Outing to watch the annual AKC dog show
8) Create Dog theme t-shirt for fundraising
9) Nov 20th 9-1:30 Woofstock
10) Service dog discussion
11) Look at asking PetSmart to be a sponsor
12) Participate in Christmas Golf Cart parade
13) Vet to talk about diet/nutrition
14) Bake sale -Nov. 19th the day of SVE Craft Day from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
