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Board Meeting
October 22, 2026 Agenda
Board Members — Attendance
| Name | Role | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| David Pumpelly | Chair | |
| Jamie Brabston | Secretary / HR Chair | |
| Amber Stout | FC Chair / Treasurer | |
| Stan Stinson | Finance | |
| John Mark McClelland | Finance | |
| JoAnn Perez | Fundraising | |
| Kevin Long | Fundraising | |
| Roy Ferrante | Fundraising | |
| Chris Patty | Director | |
| Yvonne Tafoya | Director |
Agenda
- Welcome, Lunch & ConvocationRoy Ferrante.
- Approval of MinutesJune 25, July 23 & August 27, 2026 (no September meeting) — one combined motion.
- Executive Director’s ReportSee report below.
- Whiskey & Wine P&LReview event results and fund allocation — see pre-read.
- Funding & Housing StrategyFerrante family $50,000 unrestricted gift and the Whiskey & Wine proceeds: decide how much to reserve for operations vs. commit to housing (306 / 401 8th Street), and the potential Brenda Conville / Bill Rork connection.
- Motions
- Adjournment
Documents (Pre-Read)
Executive Director’s Report — October 2026
Executive Director’s Report
Prepared by Susan McGrady — October 19, 2026
Mission & Strategic Growth — Properties
- 306 8th Street (Ladies’ Semi-Independent Living): Awaiting a grant decision from the ALPHA Foundation to purchase 306 for a ladies’ independent living home; a decision is expected in December.
- 401 8th Street (Rock House): The owner is placing a “For Sale” sign on the property this week. Realtor Beth Medley is following up on whether he remains open to a lease-purchase or holding agreement.
Website & Technology
- Jessica Perez completed the new website — www.eighthstreetcommunity.org — and continues to update it.
- Volunteer records, including 2026 donated hours, are entered in NEON, and NEON Payments is working well.
Day Program
- No new enrollments, but the program continues to provide learning, growth, and community engagement. Participants visited Lowe Mill, Next Step Farms, and volunteered at Manna House; a Lyons Family Farms trip is next week. The Greenery is donating soil and supplies for raised-bed gardening training.
Financial Overview
- In-kind donations have grown to $56,300 for 2026 to date; the 2026 grant list is in Google Drive and in the portal.
- Financial position improved following Whiskey & Wine. A generous $50,000 unrestricted donation (Ferrante family) was received; the Finance Committee agreed to allocate it to operations.
Outreach & Community Partnerships
- Social media and the new website are driving significant activity. Drake State Community & Technical College (Dr. Pat Sims) is now partnering on resident employment and needs; a Gone for Good partnership is creating resident employment (Susan and Lynn Troy met with CEO Abe Bernstein to explore a broader partnership).
- UAH’s Department of Nursing invited Eighth Street into a grant initiative on how adults with disabilities experience illness and pain. Upcoming: Mission Days at Trinity Methodist and the Grounds for Hope event (November); Susan on AVION’s “Powered by People” podcast this week and a Rotary Greater Huntsville meeting in November.
Operations & HR — Residents
- 13 residents are now employed, with two interviewing this month. Newest residents Reshod (West End Grill) and Matthew Mc. (offered full-time at Drake State) have settled in well. There is a waiting list for female residents, and one resident is working toward her driver’s license. Residents of Hanks House (2905 2nd Ave) have returned home following repairs.
- Resident highlight: Three residents medaled at a Special Olympics cycling event in Georgia — Heather earned gold in all three events and the overall.
Upcoming Activities
- Oct 29 Pumpkin Patch at Lyons Family Farms (Woeber family); Oct 30 Halloween Trunk-or-Treat at 305; Nov 6 bowling & pizza at Stars and Strikes (Bryant family); Galaxy of Lights (date TBD, First Presbyterian); and Christmas party planning underway for staff, board, residents, and families.
Fundraising
- Whiskey & Wine raised $154,000 and was an outstanding success, drawing longtime supporters and new donors. The detailed P&L and fund allocation are in the portal pre-reads. A volunteer appreciation event is scheduled for March.
Motions & Roll-Call Votes
Motion 1 — Approval of Minutes
Move to approve the minutes of the June 25, July 23, and August 27, 2026 board meetings.
Roll-Call Vote — tap your vote
Motion 2 — As Needed
Roll-Call Vote — tap your vote
Motion 3 — Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting.
Roll-Call Vote — tap your vote
Meeting Notes
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