Dunkle Cemetery Association

Meeting Minutes May 22, 2006

2005-2006 Board of Directors 2006-2007 Board of Directors

President: Mike Britain President: Greg Hankins

Vice President: Greg Hankins Vice President: Rondell Miller

Secretary: Carolyn Slavens Secretary: Carolyn Slavens

Treasurer: LaReva Newcomer Treasurer: LaReva Newcomer

Member at Large: Rondell Miller Member at Large: Mike Britain

Attendees: Mike Britain, Greg Hankins, Barbara Reyelts, Kaye Hankins, LaReva Newcomer and Carolyn Slavens.

Minutes: 2005 meeting minutes were distributed and reviewed with no corrections noted.

Treasurer Report: A copy of the 2005-2006 financial operating statement was provided to each attendee. Income for 2005 (interest and donations) was $1993.07. Expenditures for 2005 were $2710.00. CD 100972 was cashed in to cover 2005 expenses. CD balances as of December 31, 2005 were $39500.00.

Expenditures through March 31, 2006 were $48.00. Checking account balance as of March 31, 2006 was $3287.00.

Each time we have a new treasurer, we are required to purchase new checks. As a result of the 9/11 event, it took approximately 3 months to make all of the banking changes required for the new checks (more background information, etc.). The treasurer was asked to bring the most recent CD bank statement and month’s previous checking account statement to the next annual meeting so attendees can verify bank balances.

2006 expenses are estimated to be $2758.00

Kaye Hankins requested a report on the interest rate being paid on our accounts. The treasurer will check on the rates and either email the attendees or send the rates via the postal service.

New/Old Business: Kaye Hankins expressed concern about the fence appearance. This has been discussed for the last 2 or 3 years. Some people prefer the way the fence looks now and others prefer it to look like it did when it was new. Greg spoke with Terry Whitely recently at Farmfest about the fence. It was placed around the cemetery in the early 1980’s. Mr Whitely stated if the fence was washed and a preservative placed on it, then we would have to do yearly after that. The lifetime warranty is thought to cover broken pieces. Rhondell Miller recently expressed concern to one of the attendees about chunks of fence missing at some of the cross members. Greg will contact Terry Whitely at W Bar Y Fence Co. in Brighton, MO for help with the broken areas on the fence. Phone number for W Bar Y Fence is (417) 862-5115 and it is located at 5685 Highway 13 in Brighton, MO.

Mike reminded attendees that incorporation papers are filed yearly with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office. These papers can be viewed online @ www.sos.mo.gov for those who are interested.

We now have a specific Post Office box for the Dunkle Cemetery Association in Halltown. The advantage of this is one consistent address for the association even when the Board of Directors change. Donations or other material can be mailed to the association at P.O. Box 16, Halltown, MO. 65664

Members agree Larry Brown will continue to mow the cemetery grounds for $2500.00 to be paid as follows: $2000.00 at the beginning of mowing season in May and $500.00 in December.

Mike will try to brush hog the lane leading to the cemetery before Decoration Day. Carolyn requested both gates be opened to accommodate handicapped individuals. Mike will ask Rhondell to put his tent up again this year. Greg will take the 8-11 shift, Mike will take 11- 2 and Carolyn/Barbara will take 2-5 on Decoration Day. (*Note-Rhondell Miller took the 2-5 shift) The receipt book should be made available for the person taking the 8-11 shift.

Mike, Greg and Barbara will meet at the cemetery before Decoration Day and record all burials on the Master Plat of the cemetery. Sammy Miller did the original platting.

An inventory was taken of the lock box by the Treasurer and contents were logged.

A thank you card was sent to Donna Harlowe, past Treasurer, for her service to the association.

Letters were sent to remind last year’s donors of the annual meeting and to thank them for donations last year. Notices for the annual meeting were placed in the Lawrence County Record and the Ash Grove Commonwealth. Costs for ads were donated by LaReva Newcomer.

Discussions about raising awareness of Dunkle Cemetery and the needs related to operating the cemetery yielded many ideas.

A) Scott Rhodes, Mike’s nephew, has been asked to design a web page for the association. We would like for Mike’s nephew to become an involved member. He has expressed an interest in the progress and upkeep of the cemetery.

B) Greg suggested a packet be distributed on Decoration Day. Suggestions for the pamphlet included history, oldest one buried, yearly expenses, appreciation of financial support, etc. Carolyn and LaReva agreed to develop the pamphlet.

C) Mike requested Carolyn provide a copy of the cemetery burials by row. He has a list of them alphabetically. This will help when visitors come. A copy will be sent to him via email.

D) Mike advised families are limited to 4 plots per family unit. Perhaps this should be included in the pamphlet.

E) The Pastor at Lawrenceburg Methodist Church is interested in becoming involved with the association. His name is Tom Cochran. It was suggested we request him to announce clean up days, annual meetings and Decoration Day at the church next year to increase awareness and perhaps participation.

F) Barbara suggested donations in lieu of flowers at funerals. Perhaps we could include this information on the pamphlet.

G) Other papers to consider for advertising the annual meeting, etc. are the Greenfield Vedit (Free Shopper). Announcements may be placed at no cost in local papers but placement within the paper is at the discretion of the paper.

Goals for 2006-2007 were set:

1) Resolve continual discussions on fence issues. Contact Terry for repairs.

2) Develop a pamphlet for Decoration Day.

3) Design a cemetery web page.