Meruka Child Care Cooperative
Committee of Management
Committee Meeting Minutes
Meeting held: Tuesday 21st April 2015, 7:30pm at Meruka CCC
Attendance – Mel Tait, Paige Macdonald, Julie Morrison, April Anderson, Jane Fraser, Christie McVeigh, Lynda Muscat, Claire Sartori, Narelle Hill, Victoria Metherall, Rebecca Brown, Deb Rewell, An Porter, Lorraine Plail, Henning Kemmer, Sarah Muir, Rachel Castricum, Terri Psiakis
Apologies – Kylie Hammon
Minutes of Previous Meeting: 28th April, 2014
Accepted: Rachel Castricum, 2nd Lorraine Plail
Assignment Log
1. Marketing of Meruka
Correspondence
In:
· 18.3.2015 – Letter from Jess Walsh, Secretary, United Voice Victoria, regarding the re-negotiation of the Professional Childcare Standard.
· 18.3.2105 – Letter from Jenny Mikakos MP, Minister for Families & Children and Minister for Youth Affairs, regarding the placement of a poster in Meruka to promote kindergarten for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
· 30.3.2015 – Letter from Andrea Jenkins, Children’s Services Placement Co-ordinator, Living & Learning Nillumbik, thanking Meruka for allowing Danielle the opportunity to complete her ‘Programming and Leadership’ placement at Meruka.
Out:
· 2.4.2015 – Long Day Care Professional Development Programme, Progress Report 1 submitted to mychild.gov.au
Reports:
Finance: Written report prepared by L. Plail. Report can be distributed upon request.
The following was discussed:
· End of year result was $15,000 loss. Not a surprise – agency costs, cleaning, nappies, food costs all up. Supports decision to increase fees due to increased costs as flagged throughout the year.
Co-ordinator: Written report prepared by K. Hammon. Report can be distributed upon request.
The following was discussed:
· Each room has a photographic camera, two are completely broken – one camera currently being shared between three rooms. Discussion regarding buying new cameras or using Meruka’s two existing iPads to take photos. Rebecca to consult with various staff on Thursday regarding viability of use between new cameras or new mini iPads.
· Concern from educators regarding parents/guardians who are dropping off/picking up kids without speaking to staff – issue of courtesy but also contravenes code of conduct. Terri to draft letter to be sent to parents.
· Another new staff member – Elizabeth – in Babies Room, started yesterday.
· Sandpit work to begin week beginning 4th May.
Maintenance & Safety: Verbal report by H. Kemmer
The following was discussed:
· Another path completed – giving kids new and interesting ways to enter the centre.
· Recurring issue with one of our wheelbarrows, trying to fix it. The other wheelbarrow went missing during renovation. Sarah to ask Bunnings for donation of another wheelbarrow, if they say no we will buy another as it is really needed during working bees.
· Henning standing down – Committee thanks him with much gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the entire Meruka community for all his hard work.
Staff Rep: Verbal report by C. McVeigh
The following was discussed:
· Nothing to report
Staff Liaison: Verbal report by R. Castricum
The following was discussed:
· Two new staff members started – Claire and Elizabeth, they are both settling in well.
· We still have Sarah and Brittany stepping in to cover when needed.
· Kylie and Rachel looking at staff feedback after handbook and policy changes.
· Went ahead with engaging the services of a workplace psychologist, she has been fantastic. Will be working with Kylie and also staff.
· Received a grant last year for a considerable sum to put towards professional development, psychologist’s costs are covered by this.
Parent Liaison: Verbal report by A. Anderson
The following was discussed:
· Nothing to report
Fundraising: Verbal report by P. Macdonald & J. Morrison
The following was discussed:
· Hot cross buns and chocolates went well.
· Raffle also went well.
· Picture plates are on their way, should arrive this week – 57 ordered, just under $400 raised.
· Just put in orders for Mothers Day candles, about 67 ordered – just over $400 raised, will arrive in a couple of weeks.
· Bunnings BBQ allocated for 19th July
· Ladies night coming up in May – again with Mojo on Main. They provide goodie bags valued at just over $20 plus champagne, wine etc. We have to provide some food and three models. Tickets will be $20.
· Cadbury chocolates fundraiser coming, fair trade chocolates will be included this year. Will also do another fundraiser later in the year with fruit bars – will order the minimum and see how it goes.
· Also looking into an unwaxed apples and pears fundraiser.
General Business:
1. Election of committee members including authorized bank signatories and tax contacts.
BANK SIGNATORIES:
CBA – Lorraine Plail
Melanie Tait
Terri Psiakis
Kylie Hammon
ING - Lorraine Plail
Melanie Tait
Terri Psiakis
Kylie Hammon
TAXATION CONTACTS: Lorraine Plail
Kylie Hammon
EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Kylie Hammon
Mel Tait
APPROVED PROVIDERS: Mel Tait
Kylie Hammon
Terri Psiakis
NOMINATED SUPERVISOR: Kylie Hammon
NEWLY ELECTED POSITIONS:
Maintenance Officer Rebecca Brown Nominator: Rebecca Brown
Seconder: Rachel Castricum
Maintenance Officer – Lynda Muscat Nominator: Jane Fraser
Maternity Leave Cover Seconder: April Anderson
General Member Victoria Metherall Nominator: Mel Tait
Seconder: Deb Rewell
General Member Narelle Hill Nominator: Jane Fraser
Seconder: April Anderson
General Member Claire Sartori Nominator: April Anderson
Seconder: Jane Fraser
RETURNING POSITIONS
Secretary Terri Psiakis Nominator: Paige Macdonald
Seconder: Julie Morrison
Fundraising Julie Morrison Nominator: April Anderson
Seconder: Jane Fraser
Fundraising Paige Macdonald Nominator: Mel Tait
Seconder: Deb Rewell
Other committee positions remain unchanged.
2. Removal of auditor – changes to the co-op laws mean we no longer need to be audited. Passed motion for removal of auditor.
3. Acceptance of new shareholders – the following new shareholders were accepted:
Murray
Hill
Munro
Meeting closed – 8.37
Next Meeting: Tuesday the 16th of June 2015, 7:30pm at Meruka CCC
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