Back to Meetings

January 12, 2026

  1. Our Civic meeting was held at Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 575 Obetz Rd., at 6:00pm. Approximately 20 people were in attendance. After reminding members of the Decorum Policy, past president Curtis Brown called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Pam Richards led the group in prayer. Curtis recognized December and January birthdays and anniversaries. Bob Small had a birthday on December 3. Bill and Cathy Palmer will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on January 14. Congratulations!!
  2. There were no Secretary Minutes tonight for the November 10, 2025 meeting. They will be presented next month at the February meeting
  3. Treasurer Marsha Kessler was ill, sent in her report, and the Board officials forgot to share it verbally with members.

Beginning balance.        $2114.38

Shamrock dues                  -$50.00

Christmas party              +$121.00

& donations

TOTAL                              $2185.38

  • Curtis asked all members to fill out a short survey before the meeting.
  • Officer Guman, our CPD Liaison, asked members if they had any questions for him. Joyce Scarberry asked about the traffic light at Obetz Rd. & Parsons Ave. When traffic headed North gets a green turn arrow, the opposing traffic doesn’t seem to know what to do. Officer Guman said he’d check it out. He reminded members that they can call him at 614-645-1413, with any questions or concerns. 
  • Curtis provided members a recap of the end of 2025:
    • 33 people attended our Holiday party.
    • Buckeye Middle School had a Christmas Food drive. Our Civic group donated $300.00 worth of shelf stable foods for families in need over the holidays. We helped to double the amount of food given. 
    • Hardee’s fast food restaurant closed quickly due to franchisee issues. (Owner behind in payments) 
  • The 2026 Cadence – 2026 will be a lighter year for us to not feel overwhelmed. Monthly meetings will focus on planning in absence of news/events. Our busy months are anticipated to be April (Earth month/Service projects), August (NNO), and December (holiday projects).           February – Register NNO

March  — NNO planning & Earth month planning

April – Heritage church community egg hunt, Earth Month & Day of Service

May  thru July  —  NNO planning

August  —  National Night Out on August 

September thru November —  Holiday planning

December  —  SSCA Holiday party, Toy Drive donations, holiday outreach, Toy Drive

  • 2026 NNO Sponsorship Ideas: We’re going to approach fundraising differently this year in hopes for more engagement. Based on last year’s costs, we plan to sell sponsorships based on those costs. For example, a $500 KONA package pays for that truck, a $400 Bounce House package pays for the house, $300 for a Swag package, $200 pays for school supplies, etc. We hope to have these materials available at the February meeting. It’s VERY important we find sponsors! The total event last August cost us approximately $1800. We’d like to put on the same event size-wise, just run it more smoothly. 

Please consider volunteering in some capacity in 2026. 

  • 2026 ByLaws and Leadership: Reba Jones Damron isn’t able to fulfill the office of Vice-President in 2026. She’d rather be voted onto the Board. 

A motion was made to install Reba on the Civic Board:

      1st Motion  —  Bob Small           2nd Motion – Ed Oberting

Currently 2026 is operating without executive leadership. Our ByLaws do not address a lack of executive leadership so we need to address those gaps. The Board met in advance of the meeting, to discuss the additions. Members will go through each addition, then vote at the end.

Meetings Article 9, Section 1 Additions: Concerns the meeting date to be the 2nd Monday of each month. To be considered a general meeting, at least 4 dues paying members and at least 2 officers or trustees must be present. If the President or Vice-President are not in attendance, a Board member shall preside over the meeting. 

Meetings Article 9, Section 2 Additions: Nominations for officers will be made at the October meeting, and elections will be held in November. In case of a tie, candidates may each have 3 minutes to address the members.

Trustees & Officers Article 10, Section 1E Additions: The minimum number of trustees needed for the Board of Trustees is 5, with 9 the maximum. Doesn’t include the immediate past President. President and Vice President have guaranteed spots on the Board per ByLaws.

Trustees & Officers Article 10, Section 2C Additions: Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees:                       A. Make sure the Civic Association aligns with ByLaws and legal requirements

B. Serve as a resource for problem-solving and challenges.

C. Help officers manage the organization’s affairs.

D. Review and approve major organizational decisions.

E. Assist in long-term planning efforts to serve the community.

F. Ensure continuity of the Association’s operations when the President and Vice President officer positions are vacant. Delegate duties to officers, trustees or members as necessary.

G. Designate a trustee to serve as a liaison for receiving and coordinating communications on behalf of the Association.

Trustees & Officers Article 10, Section 7F Changes: This section needs changed to address a lack of an Interim President and move

leadership to the board.

Old 7F: If the President’s position becomes vacant, the Vice President shall assume the role of Interim President until the special election is held the following month. If the Vice President declines or is unable to serve, the Board of Trustees shall appoint an Interim President until the election takes place.   l 

New 7F: If the President and Vice President positions remain vacant, and no other officer or trustee is willing to serve an Interim President, the Board of Trustees shall assume responsibility for the management and operation of the organization until the vacancy is filled. 

Trustees & Officers Article 10, Section 7G: In case of multiple officer vacancies , a special election shall be held at the next regularly meeting to fill the open positions.

SUMMARY: 

Article 9, Section 1 – Board handles meeting agenda and can appoint someone to lead the meeting.

Article 9, Section 2 – Uncontested elections confirmed with voice vote

Article 10, Section 1E – Board member total

Article 10, Section 2C – Add trustee responsibilities to manage the organization and ability to delegate responsibilities. Appoint a trustee to manage communications (emails).

Article 10, Section 7F – Board assumes control if no one wants to step in as interim president until vacancy is filled.

Article 10, Section 7G – Board assumes control with multiple officer vacancies until nominations are received and elections held. 

A verbal vote was taken and Additions passed.

  1. Our next meeting will be February 9, 2026. The Board will determine the potential topics. In the absence of topics, we will discuss planning for the events in April, August and December. Members need to provide input on these topics or provide topics they wish to discuss. 
  2. Members tonight filled out their survey and received a ticket when they turned it in. Winner tonight is Kathy Palmer, who was gifted a Texas Roadhouse gift card (donated by Diane Todd), and 2 OSU cozies. Congrats, Kathy! 
  3. A motion was made to adjourn:

1st Motion – Bill Palmer.    2nd Motion – Ed Oberting