FOL Annual Meeting for January 18, 2025

Chairman Sarah Reed called the meeting to order at 1:10 PM and thanked RT Jones Public Library for hosting the meeting.

Attendance
Those in attendance were Executive Board members:

• Sarah Reed
• Tom Hill
• Susan Stanton
• Cathy Bridges
• Dianna Gunter
• Mary Anne Edwards
• Kyle Bennett
• Linda Portman
• Judi Smith
• Joan Hill

Additionally, 16 other attendees were present.

Director’s Report (Angela Cortellino, Regional Director)
Angela Cortellino opened her remarks with a thank you to FOL for its continued donations, time, and energy.
FOL’s Impact in 2024:

• Over $45,000 was dispersed to Cherokee libraries, as reported by Dianna Gunter, FOL liaison to the Board of Trustees.
• These funds significantly supported:
  • Books and eBooks – Demand and costs have risen, and FOL funding helps meet these needs.
  • Programming – Increased funding allows for more materials and presenters.

Guest Speaker – Mary Anne Edwards
Sarah Reed introduced guest speaker Mary Anne Edwards, author of the Charlie McClung mystery series.

• Mary Anne shared her personal history and journey as an author.
• The series currently has nine books, and she is working on book ten.

Approval of 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes
Secretary Joan Hill read the minutes of the 2024 Annual Meeting for approval. The minutes were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report (Tom Hill)
FOL had its best financial year yet, with a total income of $49,217.21 from:

• Bookstore Sales
• Grants
• Donations
• Memberships

Disbursements to Cherokee Public Libraries: $45,150.00 for 2024.
(See attached document for an account breakdown.)

eBay Charity Account
Sarah Reed explained the eBay charity account she established for FOL.

• Minimal expenses on eBay, with shipping fees being the largest cost.
• The account has been a reliable source of income for FOL.

Current FOL balance: $9,321.33
Disbursement Request: $8,500.00 to Cherokee libraries (approved).

Audit Committee Report (Linda Portman)

• Audit Committee Members: Dianna Gunter and Linda Portman.
• They met with Tom Hill (Treasurer), reviewed his records, and found no discrepancies.
• Recommendation:
  • A monthly report of sales and expenses should be given to the Treasurer.
  • Alternatively, the Treasurer should have access to the eBay account for accounting purposes.

Susan White Award
Presented by Susan Stanton, who thanked Penny Westbrook and Martha Pierce for assisting in the selection process.

• 2025 Recipient: Pat Bull
• Pat has had a long and eventful history with Cherokee County libraries and Cherokee FOL.

Grants Report (Dianna Gunter)

• 15 grant requests submitted in 2024:
  • 10 to Cobb EMC Foundation
  • 4 to Amicalola EMC Trust
  • 1 to Joe E. Johnston Foundation
• Grants received:
  • Cobb EMC Foundation: $3,150 (used for eMaterials).
  • Amicalola EMC Trust: $1,000 (used for juvenile books).
  • Total grant funding in 2024: $4,150.
• 2025 Grants:
  • Two grant requests have already been submitted.

New Grant Writer Introduction:

• Jon Sylvester introduced as FOL’s new grant writer.
• Experience: Grant writing and fundraising.

Membership Report (Sarah Reed)

• Current Membership: 133 members.

Nominating Committee Report (Joan Hill)
2025 Board Nominations:
Executive Board:

• Chairman: Sarah Reed
• Co-Chairman: Kyle Bennett
• Treasurer: Tom Hill
• Secretary: Joan Hill
• Membership Co-Chair: Sarah Addison
• Membership Co-Chair: Susan Stanton
• Webmaster: Martha Jean Schlinder
• Liaison to the Library Board of Trustees: Dianna Gunter

Branch Liaisons:

• Ball Ground: Linda Portman
• RT Jones: Susan Stanton
• Hickory Flat: Darlene Odenwald
• Woodstock: Amy Dawson
• Rose Creek: Dianna Gunter

Grant Writer: Jon Sylvester

All nominations were approved.

New Business

Membership Growth Initiative:

• Dianna Gunter volunteered to lead a new committee focused on increasing membership.
• Diana Ruslin and others volunteered to serve on the committee.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned.