LiSA Minutes
December 15, 2005
SML Machine City

Members present: Patrick Butler, Ruth Carruth, Pamela Clifford, Tara Kennedy, David McMahon, Aubrey Novak, Mike Rush, Maryetta Russell, Susan Tucker, Cesar Zapata.

Members Absent: Bernadette Cioffi, Lolly Lee, Kevin Glick.

Meeting convened at 2:00 PM.

HOLIDAY PARTY :
Overall, it was a successful party - the band was a big hit! The topics that were brought up concerning this year's party:

• More plates/ utensils for next year.
• Since the desserts went so quickly and cake is difficult to deal with (and "lame" by some staff accounts), cupcakes were suggested for next year's holiday party. One hundred cupcakes were suggested as a good number.
• Santa Claus - have a set time when Santa will be there to prevent an overworked Santa for next year's party.
• There were more children this year than before! It was nice to see that people were encouraged to bring their families.
• Cake plates/ tins that belong to staff members need to collected/ returned to their rightful owner(s). Mike has them at present.
• One table of food created a madhouse. Next year, two tables should be considered for food placement to reduce crowding.
• Staff were concerned about the lack of food labels. This is difficult for the caterer to provide, especially since the menu was not decided until close to the actual event. Food that was passed did not have this problem, as staff could ask the server what the food contained. It was suggested that the potential menu be emailed around so staff would know what to anticipate at the party. Or try and have labels as to what is contained in the food.
• David and Aubrey took great photos. David can now be the committee photographer!

HOLIDAY RAFFLE:
The raffle was a wonderful success with $2,888 raised for Columbus House! It was noted that Robin Williams at the Medical Library contributed a significant amount to the charity for the raffle and we thank her profusely for that. Topics and points made were:

• When selling tickets at the party, we should have more than one selling station, rather than having wandering LiSA committee members selling tickets.
• The list of prizes was great and less disruptive than announcing the winners. This is a format that we will retain for future years. We will have to post more fliers around the party explaining when the raffle is closed and when the drawing will begin.
• There should definitely be a deadline imposed on collecting raffle prizes next year to avoid the last-minute scramble of collecting prizes .

Mike then went through the remaining raffle prizes so that they could be distributed to the winners.

FOOD DRIVE FOR CT FOOD BANK:
Aubrey said that the drive was going well and should continue for at least one more week. Food is being collected and placed in the center of the LiSA closet. Ruth asked Aubrey to ask Tony when he could ask his staff to pick up the food from other libraries. Thursday is the last official workday and the last day for collecting food.

OTHER NEWS:
The book drive for Columbus House will be re-addressed after the holidays.
The International Party on February 10, 2006 - committee members present agreed to assist with the party. Ruth and Tara will meet with Amanda Patrick after the holidays to sort out what assistance the Development Office needs from the LiSA committee

Next Meeting: January 12, 2006 from 2-3 in Machine City.