FOREST PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING
Date: 9 September 2025
Location: Epworth United Methodist Church
Meeting called to order @ 7:02 PM by Ed Vanasdale
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Attendance was taken via roll call.
OFFICER REPORTS
President Ed Vanasdale – president@fpcivic.org – No Report
Guest Speaker: Erin’s idea at the August meeting was to revisit the work done at the July brainstorming meeting and see how to proceed. Copies were printed out for all in attendance, but due to some important discussions, this discussion was tabled until the October meeting. All Chairs affected by this (e.g. business members, membership, social activities and Forester) must be ready to present their action plan. This plan should include: What are your roadblocks? What solutions have you tried from the meeting? What else do you need?
Vice President Mark Bell – vice_president@fpcivic.org Absent – No Report
Secretary Lou Bernard – secretary@fpcivic.org
- Attendance:
- Officers/Committee Chairs Present: EV, LB, CL, MSg, DVM, KVM, SL, LV, EM, MSt, TS, KG, QM, AH
- Officers/Committee Chairs Absent: MB, RW, DP, SB
- Area Reps in Attendance: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12
- Area Reps Absent: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14
- Total meeting attendance: 29
- Reviewed minutes from August, no changes or corrections needed, minutes have been approved and were entered into the official records.
- Attendance Sheet thru September.
Treasurer Cheryl Lutman – treasurer@fpcivic.org
- 20 new household memberships in August, bringing our total to 393. We still need 57 more. We received two new ones at the last trip to the post office and we’ve received 9 through PayPal since September. We still have a ways to go, and appreciate Mike’s efforts to get the word out!
- The main expense was using our grant money for our New American’s party.
- In big news, in August, we received a grant from Laura Hayes’ former employer. They apparently had a system where employees who did volunteer work could essentially request the organization be “paid” for the employee’s time. We received $500, which I happily took to the bank today. The grant committee is deciding where to use the funds.
Public Relations Mary Sguerra – public_relations@fpcivic.org
(Note: By the time the minutes are printed, this will have already taken place.) We have the Forest Park Community Garage Sale this Saturday, Sept. 13th, starting at 9 a.m.
Currently we only have approximately 10 entries so far. We are looking for volunteers to hand out the list at the islands on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Forester Editor Rita Woeste – forester@fpcivic.org
- All items for October Forester are due Friday Sept 19, but go ahead and get it to Rita this week so she can get started.
- Still need routes covered:
- 38 homes on Rockwood, FP west, need Sept issue delivered. If anyone wants to do it, the bag of newsletters is on my porch. – (Note: This was performed by Area 4 Rep Suzanne Conway. Thank you, Suzanne.)
- Other areas that need covered definitely for October:
- Torchwood drive/loop FP east, 45 homes (Note: This route was accepted by Michael Cote, our new Outreach Chairperson. Thank you, Michael)
- Green Apple area, 42 homes, FP east.
- Daryl VanMercetta has 2 routes that need to be covered. (He can tell you the streets. Call or email him if you are willing to help.)
- We did get a new deliverer that is taking over a route.
- Would love to see Area Reps call, ask, check with neighbors to cover just a street if possible. Thanks to George and Daryl for covering areas with the September deliveries.
- Need a sub delivery person for October for FP west on Pegwood and Firwood areas. Approximately 102 houses.
Supplemental Security Daryl Van Mercetta – security@fpcivic.org, Katie Van Mercetta – kvanmercetta@fpcivic.org, Dan Yandrich (CPD Liaison Officer) – dyandrich@columbuspolice.org 614.645.1418
See report in the Forester.
Civic Action/311 Officer Vacant
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business Representative Sheridan Landon – business@fpcivic.org
Has not been able to secure any new memberships.
Welcome Committee Chair Latia VanDyke – welcome@fpcivic.org
There are 50 Welcome Folders to be delivered. We need the Area Reps to step up and do their jobs. All Reps, please contact Latia.
Volunteer Coordinator Erin Materu – volunteer@fpcivic.org
- A resident asked for volunteers to tend to the Sandalwood at Yellowwood corner flower bed.
- TREE PLANTING GRANT UPDATE: The owner of Sequoia Bowling Lanes told us that we can use their lot for the tree delivery. Still in need of volunteers and shovels to dig/plant trees on Oct. 5th. Forest Park resident Joe Nichols, from the City of Columbus Forestry, spoke at the meeting and will be here for the planting.
Membership Coordinator Mike Stone – membership_chair@fpcivic.org
- Membership Data:
- 80 new households who didn’t join last year. Some may have skipped a year, while others are new to the neighborhood.
- 128 households who have not yet renewed from the previous cycle. While a few have moved away, most are still here.
- Area representatives, it is time to step up! Earlier this summer, data was shared and we asked for assistance in securing memberships from these FPCA-friendly households. We are asking again now as we enter the final stretch of our campaign.
- At the meeting, Mike provided each area representative with a packet that included:
- An updated list of your area’s membership status, highlighting households who joined last year but not yet this year.
- Blank household data sheets for collecting new information.
- We are asking each of you to personally visit 10 households before the October meeting to help secure memberships. (In some areas, there are fewer than 10 homes to visit.) After that meeting, our membership campaign will close.
- We believe you will find this process both rewarding and impactful. You will certainly collect memberships from supportive households, help us meet our neighborhood goals, and deepen your connection with the community you represent. Your effort makes a real difference—thank you for all you do.
Social Activities Tiffany Smith – activities@fpcivic.org
Tiffany will be contacting Sherrie Johnson-Dantzler to see if they are interested in hosting a Trunk or Treat this year. If so, more info will come soon – FPCA will set up an info table during the event.
NCC Representatives Ken Gilbert – ncc_rep@fpcivic.org, Mark Bell – vice_president@fpcivic.org
See report in the Forester.
NCC Development Representative Ed Vanasdale – president@fpcivic.org
See report on our website at fpcivic.org/development-reports/
Grant Writing Committee Chair Quentin Monden – quentinmonden@fpcivic.org, Laura Hayes – laurahayes@fpcivic.org
- We submitted our narrative and financial report for the Civic Integration Seed Grant on Aug. 29.
- We are waiting to hear back from the New American Program at the Department of Neighborhoods regarding the second phase.
- The committee met on Sept. 4th to discuss the current open grants and next steps.
Outreach Committee Chair Michael Cote – outreach@fpcivic.org
- Mark your calendars for the upcoming Harvest Festival on Friday, Sept 19, 2025, 10am – 1pm. The Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio is inviting Forest Park and friends to its first Harvest Festival at the New American Community Garden and Farm Stand located at the North YMCA.
- The Northland Unity Festival 2025! – Saturday, September 20th – 3pm-7pm New location! Woodward Park Rec Center, 5147 Karl Road. https://elevatenorthland.org/events/northland-unity-festival/
Website Administrators Scott Biggs – website@fpcivic.org (Website/Facebook) Dave Paul dwpaul@fpcivic.org (Website) Ashley Howard ashleyhoward@fpcivic.org (Instagram/Facebook)
- The Foresters are now available online as PDFs in four languages: English, Spanish, Somali, and Nepali. After The Forester Editor posts each month, the Website Administrator translates them with an online translator and posts the separate PDFs as links on the same web page. The translations may not be perfect as they currently receive no review by a native speaker.
- Events and news continue to be posted on Facebook and Instagram. Follow and Like the FPCA socials for helpful updates.
- Our website/Facebook page is always – always being updated with new and upcoming info! Please check it out!! Please subscribe/follow us.
OLD BUSINESS
(This will have taken place by the time the minutes come out.)
Our Board and Chairs are participating in a required Google Workspace for Nonprofits Training.
- Thursday, September 11 or Wednesday, September 17
- Time: 7:00–8:30 p.m.
- Location: Northgate Intermediate School, 6655 Sharon Woods Blvd, Columbus, OH 43229
NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/IDEAS`
NEW POSITION CREATED: FPCA President Ed Vanasdale, in accordance with the FPCA bylaws, created a new position: Outreach Committee Chair. The Outreach Committee Chair will lead efforts to connect the FPCA with residents, community partners, and local organizations. This role focuses on building relationships, improving communication, and encouraging active participation in FPCA activities and neighborhood initiatives. We are pleased to announce that Michael Cote has accepted the position of Outreach Committee Chair. Michael brings energy and dedication to this role, and we look forward to the positive impact his leadership will bring to our community connections.
REVIEW OF BRAINSTORMING MEETING NOTES: Next month all chairs of the Membership, Forester, Social Activities, and Business Membership need to look over the notes passed out and be prepared to report on what was reported, what you have tried or done, what your plans moving forward are, and where you need help.
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM
Meeting minutes submitted by Lou Bernard, Secretary, FPCA