1. Our meeting was held at Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 575 Obetz Rd., at 6:00pm. Approximately 21 people were in attendance. After reminding members of our decorum policy, president Curtis Brown called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Pam Richards led the attendees in prayer. Curtis recognized the following birthdays and anniversaries:

Nov. 8 — Bob & Debbie Small’s 50^th Anniversary

Nov. 15 – Phil McMaken’s 65^th birthday

• October Minutes were reviewed by members and a motion was made to accept the Minutes as read:

1^st Motion – Kathy Palmer

2^nd Motion – Donna Scaggs

• Treasurer Marsha Kessler informed members that we have $2114.38 in our treasury. A motion was made to accept her report as read:

1^st Motion – Bill Palmer

2^nd Motion – Diane Todd

• Our CPD Liaison Officer Guman addressed members. He noted the increase in theft of packages from homes and reminded people to be aware of their surroundings. He’d like members to call him with any questions/concerns for homeowners. Signs may be available for homeowners to, hopefully, deter crime.
• Curtis reminded members that the Columbus S. High St. Library has notary services available at no cost. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are served as well. If you need a notary outside of available appointments, call the library. They have 2 notaries on staff and they may be able to service you if one is available.
• Next Curtis updated our fall events:
• The Buckeye Middle School Fall Festival was more of a child activity, but members were able to pass out some literature to parents.
• Trunk or Treat had lower community participation this year due to the cold and wind. Thanks to all who donated candy!!
• The Heritage church craft show provided many conversations with neighbors and information was given out.
• Parsons Harvest in the Halls was a trick or treating event. Some literature was able to be passed out.
• The Fall Day of Service of our sign on S. High St. was not successful. Five people tried to clean the sign and pick up trash from the Rt. 104 exit. The sign’s bricks are drawing up groundwater like a sponge. When the water evaporates, the salt and minerals are left behind inside the brick. Our organization will need to bring in, and pay for, a professional for advisement. Most likely it’ll be summer when it’s dry. The logo also is chipping and may need replaced or removed.
• Upcoming events are as follows:
• November 14 —  Buckeye Middle School Career Day, 9:30am-1:00pm. Reach out to Curtis if you’re interested in helping.
• November 15 – Cook Book Club, 2:00pm-3:00pm, at Heritage Church. Ended partnership with S. High Library due to lack of participation. Theme is “rolls”. 
• December 18 – Rec Center Holiday party, 5:30pm-7:00pm. More info to follow, but volunteers should arrive at 5:00pm. 
• December 8 – Civic Christmas Party, 5:00pm-6:30pm. Please RSVP with any officer or sign up on the sheet if you plan to attend. Heritage church members and our community partners have been invited. We’ll celebrate everything we did in 2025. This will again be a pasta night. Members – please donate $10 for the dinner, OR bring a dessert. We’ll have a $5 ornament gift exchange and give out door prizes.  If you have any toys for the Rec Center Holiday Party, you can bring them to the dinner.
• The permit for National Night Out 2026 has been started, and pavilions are reserved. Please keep an eye out for financial sponsors. Registration needs to be completed in February 2026. Planning starts in March!
• The City of Columbus anticipates completing Phase 2 of Zone In, in Spring 2026. Ultimately, all Columbus properties will be rezoned. Feedback surveys are available online to voice concerns.

This is the public draft stage of the Columbus Land Use Map. Proposed Land Use Classifications Mixed Use 1,2,3, Business & Institutional, and Industrial & Warehouse.

Mixed Use 1-3 stories, possibly 4. Small to moderate along neighborhood corridors.    

Mixed Use  5-7 stories. Larger buildings near corridors or shopping areas.

Mixed Use  3-8+ stories. None planned for Phase 2.

Industrial  1-5 stories. Warehouses or light manufacturing.

Business/Institutional  3-8+ stories. Campus style, hospitals, colleges

1.  2026 Board Adjustments: In 2026 the board is planning to become more active in the lapse of executive leadership. Brian Humphrey has resigned from the Board to focus on his ministry. Robert Campbell, our Webmaster, has expressed interest in joining the Board for 2026. Robert was nominated and a motion was made to approve the nomination:

1^st Motion – Bob Small.       2^nd Motion – Bill Palmer

                        There is still 1 Board position available.

                 Due to work obligations, Reba is unable to continue as Vice-President in 2026. She’d be interested in a Board position in 2026 when her term ends.

Curtis reopened the floor for President and Vice-President nominations. No one was nominated, and the floor was closed. Our Bylaws require a secret election and make no exception for non-contested elections. We’ll fix this in 2026.

Members were given a secret ballot which read, “I approve the current nominated officers. YES or NO”. Members only voted. Collect and Tally.

Leadership Ideas for 2026 Absent President and Vice-President:

1. We need member input!!
2. The Board will be active and oversee operations until executive leadership is in place.
3. These functions will continue} Monthly meetings followed by Ambassador meetings, Community events, Lighter presence with existing partners, posting minutes and agendas on the website, financial management by the Treasurer and Communication through info@sciotosouthland.org.  only.
4. These functions will end} No President email address/communications, No spokesperson for media, city or public events; No representative for SSCA at City or regional events; No signing of formal letters or statements; No launching new programs or partnerships; No representation on outside panels or committees; Issues related to the City will need to be routed through the Far South Area Commission as that is their jurisdiction.
5. Discussion: Leadership Plan for 2026: Board and officers met in advance of this meeting to discuss potential options for Board leadership in 2026. The Board discussed a shared leadership model. Secretary and Treasurer will call the meetings to order and continue normal duties. The Board will prepare and share information, meeting agendas, and rotate meeting responsibilities. Create a meeting facilitator and contact for communication. All communications are to be shared equally with the Board. Oversee Ambassador and community outreach activities.
6. Proposed ByLaw Changes in 2026: The ByLaws were written assuming that multiple people would always want officer positions. Several items were updated as follows:
   1. Formal notice of vote in January required by ByLaws.
   1. Uncontested nominations are accepted with a voice vote.
   1. Clarify board control authority. In absence of President/Vice President, the Board is to appoint an interim President, but this will not solve the leadership gap problem as no one wants the position.
   1. Ability to delegate officer duties. Monthly meetings currently are a huge barrier for executive leadership. 
7. SSCA Membership Issue and Membership Issues: We do not have a leadership problem, we have a participation problem. Visibility and energy did not increase membership as hoped. Programs were unsuccessful and unable to bring in mew members. A core group of 10-15 people show up to help keep things running. We combined planning meetings with general meetings  to make it easier for members  to offer feedback and hold fewer meetings in general. Community engagement attempts flopped due to lack of participation. The lack of consistent involvement puts the weight on other members. People see the Civic as unnecessary unless there is something sensational.

The membership problem is not about a lack of opportunities. People are not choosing to take advantage of the opportunities presented. They’re also not providing input on what opportunities are lacking that keep them from coming. A small group is currently carrying the load. In 2026 we will stop trying to do everything and focus on re-building interest one neighbor at a time. We’ll focus more on the civic and community aspect of the organization. 

For 2026, the Board will split Judy Campbell’s list to call and ask why people have stopped coming. We’ll ask members for clarity when they provide vague reasons for leaving. We currently have members leaving and they tell us “They’re not getting what they want out of it”, without explaining what they want. Active members will be given a short survey in the near future. The Board will make meetings more interactive, personal and less presentational. We’ll continue our viability through the cleanups and outreach events. There will be less focus on attendance and more on consistent engagement. We’ll encourage more active member participation input.

1.  The Board will meet before the January meeting to discuss the meeting cadence. Ambassadors will meet to discuss the Holiday party and Buckeye Middle School Christmas food drive. Members were encouraged to stay if they were interested in assisting. 

Our next Civic meeting will be January 12.

1. The door prize tonight was won by Joyce Scarberry. She won a blanket, candy and a CPD sticker badge. Congrats, Joyce!
2. A motion was made to adjourn:

1^st Motion – Bill Palmer.    2^nd Motion – Pat Moore