March 5, 2009

AVCA March meeting to discuss policy directions

The Almaden Valley Community Association’s next meeting will center on the group’s policy direction. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9 at the Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m.

The AVCA board determined there are excess funds in AVCA checking accounts. There have been a variety of suggestions to better utilize these funds. Boudreault asked for inputs from the community members to assist the board in making its decision as to how to best use these excess funds. The amount hasn’t yet been determined, but the excess is probably between $3,000 and $5,000.

Members’ opinions can be e-mailed to Boudreault at artb@netwiz.net prior to the meeting.

The funds are in two categories. The first is the ARK Fund, a special fund set up to stock emergency supplies in various locations in Almaden Valley. Administering this stock has been given to the American Red Cross. A subcommittee has been set up to identify whether these funds are currently needed. For the past several years the ARK funds have remained in an interest-bearing account and the earned interest has been added to the AVCA General Fund.

The General Fund pays for the expenses of operating the AVCA. Currently the expenses are around $1,200 per year. This consists mostly of rent for the Almaden Library/Community Center, Web site operations and officer expenses of printing etc.

In the past, the board has approved several one-time projects including supporting an Eagle Scout project that planted new flowers and shrubs at the Almaden Valley Post Office and providing financial support to the Committee on Almaden history awareness (CAHA) that placed several historical photos in the Almaden Library /Community Center.

Ideas presented to the board include both continuing projects including scholarships to a high school graduate and recognition of a schoolteacher. One-time projects include Eagle Scout projects, additional photos for the Almaden Library/Community Center, planting trees along Camden Avenue beyond Leland High School, fully funding the ARK project or lowering AVCA dues.

In other AVCA news, the board nominated the following members as officers for the 2007 - 2009 terms: Art Boudreault, president; Ron Blake, vice president; Gari Soule, treasurer; and Ray Strong, secretary.

For more information, contact Boudreault at artb@netwiz.net or visit the Web site at www.avca-sj.org.