Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
Friends of Chinook School
September 15, 2026
Present: A quorum of Board Members was present; President Vera Karnofski, Vice President / Acting-Secretary Mike Thompson, Treasurer Jim Goulter, and at-large Board members present Trina Goulter, Stephanie Day. Event Co-ordinator Katrina Day was present.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Vera)
Vera (VK) continues to lead room-subletting negotiations and has explained to the prospective tenant that we need to clarify certain details with the PoC. VK contacted Port Commissioner Preston Devers who advised that we needed to go via Richard Wright / Manager.
TREASURER’S REPORT (Jim)
Jan–Aug revenues are up more than $12k (18%) compared to last year at $79k driven mainly by increases inEvent Center revenues (+$10k) and strong foundation / grants received (+$11k). The biggest drag is Membership revenues ($5k lower than last year).
Excluding the doubling-up of property insurance costs, Jan-Aug expenses are $8k lower due mainly to lowerEquipment Maintenance costs (-$6k), Contract Services (-$4k, lower legal / accounting fees) and Utilities(lower by $1.5k due to last year’s propane prebuy). Payroll costs (+$3k) were up due to the Event Coordinator team being two people until recently, in-line with expectations.
As referenced later, the need to increase food purchases (more food-pantry customers, higher food prices) has resulted in grocery expenses +48% ($3k) year on year.
With net interest income being $2k lower due to lower CD rates (discussed later), net profit, adjusted for the double-paying of insurance costs and the $12k parking-lot improvement, was $18k higher than last year.
EVENT CO-ORDINATORS’ REPORT (Katrina)
Katrina (KD) reported that the previous weekend’s Cascadia Pharmacy event was a success and that feedback had been overwhelmingly positive.
TG requested that we encourage the organization / participants to put positive reviews on various social media channels; Facebook, Google, Yelp etc. KD confirmed that she had set up a linkedin profile for the school. The board also discussed engaging the Chamber of Commerce and KD will present marketing channel suggestions for us to consider soon.
At the next board meeting KD will provide a list of any changes that we need to make and items that we need to purchase to host similar events in the future. KD will also construct an in-house menu in consultation with VK.
Additionally, similar events will require upgraded internet connectivity. It was motioned / approved for JG to purchase Starlink hardware and to establish an account initially at the lowest bandwidth level.
Oktoberfest discussion. It was proposed to hold an event-planning meeting to discuss the Oktoberfest after the Food-pantry distribution the following Thursday. MT requested that JG distribute the financial statement wrt the event.
FOOD PANTRY (Mike, Stephanie)
114 households / 279 individuals served in August, we’re running +40% over two years ago.
We remain concerned at the declining volumes of deliveries from TEFAP / Coastal Harvest which means that we need to purchase increasing volumes of staples as has been witnessed in grocery costs +40% yr/yr. This was anecdotally confirmed by other food-pantries and the recent inspection.
The recent Coastal Harvest Audit was good. The most important action plan is for us to focus on TEFAP inventory levels. Measures to lower the inventory levels were discussed. (Ed. Mike has communicated suggestions to the Food-pantry staff.)
A test of a food-pantry management software the week of 9/28 has been scheduled and MT / SD will report at the next board meeting.
VK is investigating the possibility of arranging for bread deliveries on the Peninsula (instead of picking up in Astoria). She is also attempting to secure lower priced meat purchases.
VK noted that the Good Trouble Gang continues to work to support all area food banks through miscellaneous food boxes and monthly cash donations of several hundred dollars monthly for each bank. MT will collect food / donations from the next GTGs drive (10/27). We are very grateful to the GTG for their efforts and have coordinated with the Observer for them to receive ongoing and deserved recognition for their efforts.
FUNDING (Vera)
VK discussed the Corder Foundation application. The foundation matching-window is typically Thanksgiving to Christmas.
NEW BUSINESS
Membership: VK discussed that tokens (redeemable at the Oktoberfest) have been handed out with membership confirmations.
VK said we should convene a Membership Committee. VK said we needed to look at benefit packages, business sign-ups etc and she will present the role and responsibilities of an eventual Membership Committeeat the next board meeting.
Volunteers: Additionally, MT recommended that we seek to expand the volunteer base.
From a Food-pantry perspective, staffing has been stretched at times during the summer and a bigger pool would allow us to feel more comfortable on distribution days, maybe open additional days, host community dinners, and tighten ties to the community.
MT suggested we approach volunteer drives with the same approach as membership, MT wants more community participation not just with the pantry but at events to raise money for the school and the pantry as was the case in the past.
SD will investigate a dedicated Food-pantry Facebook page which could also be used to seek volunteers. KD will also suggest improvements to our existing website.
Certificates of Deposit: JG and VK went to our banking relationship and secured a much higher rate for 12-months CDs. VK provided a summary of where the school’s funds were placed and the relationships and interest rates.
** NEXT BOARD MEETING 20 OCTOBER @ 5PM **