WELCOME  WAGON  COMMITTEE

Forest Lake Homeowners Association

  This committee has functioned, on-and-off for many years.  We believe that the welcoming  “function” is often handled routinely by many of our homeowner’s who are genuinely kind and neighborly, and notice when a new person moves in.  They just jump right in and welcome them to the community.  We thank all of you who are so inclined.  Many of us however, would prefer that the association do this –not that we are unkind or un-neighborly in any way --we would just like someone else to do it.  We would like to point out here why this hasn’t worked so well in the past.  Some of our homeowner Board’s have been successful at it and others have not. 

The current Board feels that the biggest obstacle has been simply knowing who moves in (or out) and when and where.  Additionally, finding the person home has been a separate problem.  We have been trying to poll our current Board members at our regular meetings for this information, however, we have found that even we do not always know when someone new moves in (or out).  And, once we establish that a new person has moved in, we seldom know their name, and usually never know their phone number. Hence, despite some very good efforts, we still miss people.   We have tried again this year to make it work.  A Board member has come forth and has made substantial progress. 

Below, is a report from the new Welcome Wagon Committee headed by Ms. Jane M. Cox detailing how she is organizing things.

 COMMITTEE REPORT

 FLHA continued its efforts to create a successful Welcome Wagon.  In the fall, the board appointed me as the chairperson.  A committee meeting was held on October 21, 2004.  Invitations were based on a list of members who had expressed an interest in this effort at last year’s annual homeowners’ meeting.  The members who have made a commitment to work on this committee are  Kay Matthews, Pam Bishop, Judy Kammer and Nancy Ellis.

The Welcome Wagon Committee’s 2005 objectives are as follows:

1.       To establish contacts on all streets who will notify Jane when new residents have moved into their homes. The committee must get their names, addresses and phone numbers in order to set up a time to visit.   The lack of information has been the greatest stumbling block to our success.  Everyone can help with this notification without actually working on the committee.  Once a new neighbor on your street moves in, please call me at  662-8352  once you know the above information.  Please call even if you don’t know all the information.  Beginning with new residents in January, with your assistance, we can better insure that no one gets left out.

2.       To replenish our inventory.

We will be delivering nicely put together welcome baskets.  It is important that we deliever baskets that are both attractive and filled with items which are useful.  This is an opportunity for businesses in our area to advertise.  We would appreciate receiving promotional items such as samples of products, sticky notepads, discount coupons  toward a purchase, letter openers, pens, etc.  Also, if you would like to make a contribution toward the purchase of additional items (such as picture frames, candles, photos) we will be happy to put “compliments of…. (your business or name)” on those items.  The board has approved the purchase of the baskets, ribbon, etc. out of the regular FLHA budget.

If you are interested in working on the Welcome Wagon Committee, please sign up at our annual homeowners’ meetings on January 18, 2005, or call me at 662-8352.   Thank you.

Jane M. Cox,  Chairperson,   Welcome Wagon Committee