January 20, 2023
1. Statistics 2022
Class attendance is down in general, but the attendance rate (students who attend / everyone who registered) is down from 10% to 50%.
LeighAnn gave a treasurer's report. Funds have not changed. $1,498.00
2. Sponsorship Updates
First Class Mortgage to provide a platinum sponsorship. Should be receiving everything in the mail soon.
Valley Mortgage considering sponsorship.
Need to add Lindsey to Sponsorship Spreadsheet.
3. FM Area Foundation
The FM Area Foundation was already booked for most of the classes. Looking for ideas for other potential class locations.
Fargo Public Library
YMCA
Family Wellness - Josh will reach out to Family Wellness.
Home Builders Association - Lindsey will reach out to HBA.
Dakota Medical Foundation - Jenny reached out to DMF and will follow up.
4. PowerPoint Update
Review
Suggestions
5. Dickinson Class
Potential Dates
Volunteers
6. Credit, Budgeting, and Equity
7. Grand Update & Goals
Everyone is to meet with one person to chat about sponsorship opportunities before the next meeting. There are suggestions listed below.
We will start sending out regular surveys to students. A general, short survey will be sent out to all previous students. Jenny will create this survey and send it to everyone for approval prior to next meeting.
Kipp, Jenny, and Josh will reach out to previous clients who have taken the homebuyer class for testimonials. We will use these in marketing for the class, sponsors, and events.
Kipp will start a system and timeline of events for students and follow-ups by next meeting.
Budget needs to be more transparent and publicly shared. Jenny will collect and share this info before next meeting.
8. Events
Locations were discussed. Some suggested locations include:
The Cellar (might be free) - Josh will reach out.
Fargo Brewing - Lars chatted with them and got quotes.
Shriners - Jenny has connection and will reach out for cost.
9. Marketing
Newsletters
Discussed sending out newsletters to students or anyone who registered on the website. Time was the biggest issue. Jenny will ask Website Designer to add a registration feature for newsletters and such.
Social Media
Everyone has access to the social media page. They are more than welcome to post on it or share.
Lindsey still requires access. Jenny will provide her access after the meeting.
Mutually agreed that our social media presence needs to be increased. We do not presently have Instagram. Josh will set up Instagram for us.
Jenny will add Lindsey to Canva.
KVLY
We discussed our previous history with ND Today. Jenny will reach out and see if they'd be willing to host us again.
Lars has a spot on the radio and will try to get Jenny an opportunity to talk on KFGO. He will reach out after the meeting.
Posters
Posters will be available for everyone to hand out by next meeting. Everyone consider places we might be able to hang these or ask local businesses to have brochures. (Which will also be available at the next meeting).
Flyers
Volunteers
Creating a video for marketing purposes was discussed. No conclusion reached.
Our websites doorstepsmidwest.com and f-mhomebuyerclass.com will be merged. More details about deadline for this to come next meeting.
Other Marketing Suggestions
Including flyers or brochures in the folders we present to students and sponsors so they can pass along information
Adding a QR code to our e-mail signature
Adding a question at the end of the class (or follow-up) survey, "Who do you know who would benefit from the class?"
Creative ways to help other people market our class
Ask classes to share pictures on our social media page (for a prize?)
Ask classes to like our social media page
Having pictures or props for photo ops at the class itself
Asking former students to post on our social media class testimonials, reviews, pictures, or anything positive about the class
10. Anything else for 2023?
Meeting Times
Jenny will create meeting times for 2023 and share the dates with the Board.
Jenny will work on delegating more tasks.
Coffee Date Ideas
Lenders
Insurance agents
New construction
Contractors
Staging companies
Hardware stores
Concrete/Basement specialists
Investors/Financial advisors
Fencing companies
Landscaping
Lawn services
Plumbers
HVAC
Home warranty companies
Window companies
Local small businesses
Local restaurants
Local sporting goods stores
Photographers
Kitchen and bath remodeling
Roofers
Furniture stores
Mitigation companies
Wineries/Breweries
Flower/Plant shops
Bookstores
July 21, 2022
1. Mission/Vision Statement - Review & Edit?
2. Sponsorship Update
3. Grant Update - Jessica Hawkes
First application due July 31
4. New Board Members?
Do we need a lender?
Insurance agent?
5. 2023 Class Changes
6. Budgeting, Equity, and Credit Class
7. In-Person/Hybrid/Zoom Discussion
8. New Google Sponsorship Form
Goal: Get 1 sponsorship.
9. Other Business
June 16, 2022
1. Sponsorship Update
Update from Sponsorship Committee
Jenny's schpeel
2. CCCLT Partnership
3. Dickinson!
4. Fundraising Event Update
5. New Loan Info Book
Comments, questions, concerns?
Who else can we add?
6. Timeline of Goals
See handout
Comments, questions, concerns, additions, thoughts?
7. Ideas on How to Improve Class
Survey results review
Presenter ideas
8. Credit, Budgeting, Equity Class
Name ideas?
Agenda (see handout)
Presenter ideas
Brainstorming
9. What other resources can we provide?
10. Board Update
January 13, 2022
5:40: Possible employees. Administrative assistant, Stacy Savajo. Works at VA, maybe become an hourly employee? ($20/hr)
Development director, Whitney Oxendahl. Perhaps independent contractor/get grants, etc. May pro bono until then. Works per project but will get us a quote thin month.
6:05: Charity of the month for FMAAR at in person meeting? Presenter of the month-Morgan? Jenny will talk to Marty about it.
6:10: Discussion of board members voluntarily giving $50/mnth.
6:15: Look into accounting software, (Quickbooks). Jenny registered Doorsteps for TechSoup. (Discounts on software, etc)
6:21: In person or Zoom? Maybe every other month?
6:33: 6 month survey. "Did you buy a property and were there things you learned from the class that helped?"
6:40: Delay the fundraiser until July. Outdoor at Brewhalla or somewhere similar?
6:45: First additional class home maintenance.
6:50: Go back on the radio/Jay Thomas show? Reach out to more media? We may be able to get free airtime now that we're a non-profit. Reach out to who you know.
November 17, 2021
5:30: Welcome Kipp, new board member
5:40: Review student feedback reports for Oct/Nov 2021
5:45: Review of entire 2021 attendance stats
5:53: Location discussion. Continue in person with Zoom option?
6:10: Accounting software needed. *Tech Solutions may have a free version for non-profits? LeighAnn will look into it.
6:13: Raising funds. Giving Hearts Day-too late for 2022, work for 2023 instead. Become a member of Power of 100? FM Area Foundation, Lakes & Prairie. What about offering yearly/monthly/or student/class based sponsorships. Will discuss more at next meeting.
6:20: Contract for deeds option for students?
6:31: Promotion ideas. Valley News Live, Lars’ radio show, socials, work with other non-profits?
6:35: First Door
6:40: Do an informational event at Drekker in Feb?
6:43: Get website updated
6:50: Use funds to buy more notebooks, pens, mugs?
September 23, 2021
1. Class Numbers and Review
Survey results
Presenters
Leads
2. Class Format
Continue with hybrid?
3. 501(c)3
Grants, funding, etc.
Bigger role for Treasurer
Importance of minutes
4. Goals
Fundraising goals
Employee goals
Connection goals
Outreach/advertising goals
5. 2022 Class Dates
Pick dates
Locations
Presenters - Lindsey Svir
6. Future Meetings
Frequency, location, etc.
7. Other
June 16, 2021
1. Upcoming Classes
Home Equity/Budgeting
Home Maintenance
Sellers Class
Other Ideas
Josh and Jenny will set up a time to get together for starting the Sellers class. Morgan will help work on the Home Equity and Budgeting class in the fall. Lars will send over some information for the Home Maintenance class.
2. Status on 501c3
Jenny turned in the application for a 501(c)3 four to six weeks ago. We should hear back in a couple weeks. Fingers crossed!
3. FM Homebuyer Workbook
Morgan is going to look for the old Village Workbook that we can base a homebuyer book off of. If he can't find it, Jenny or Morgan will reach out to Josh Huffman.
4. Going In-Person
Tentative Date? July or August 2021
Tentative Locations? HBA - Beth will reach out to see if July or August is available.
Zoom/In Person Combo - HBA has zoom/in person technology!
HBA Membership - Would cost $645/year. We could use the facilities for free. It was decided that we would try and use Beth or Lar's current membership to use the facility and hold off on becoming members.
5. Certificates/Class Materials
Certificates never expire!
Ideas on updating class material or adding to it
Reminder that the certificates never expire. We decided to continue to encourage presenters to include their own materials and attempt to finish the F-M Homebuyer Handbook by 2022.
We also discussed following up the class and creating a handout of the steps of homeownership. We could review who presented and keep the presenters fresh in the mind with a final summary.
6. Beating Another Dead Horse... Lender Cards
Jenny will create Lender Cards and send out to the board for edit/review.
7. 2022 Class Dates
It was decided to stick to the two-day classes of Monday/Tuesday and switch to Tuesday/Wednesday June, July, and August 2022
8. Presenters
Cards to all presenters
Replacing Greg Olson
Josh or Jenny will reach out to Greg to see if we can record and use his current presentation before he retires in September. Next meeting, Jenny will bring cards for the presenters for everyone to sign. We will also decide on a gift for Greg for his retirement.
9. Other
Josh will send Jenny the files he has of presenters to use in presenters' absences.
We discussed and tabled until next meeting requiring a fee for any leads generated from the class to go back to Doorsteps Midwest. We discussed a percentage (like 10%) or a flat fee ($200-300). This would help cover the cost of materials.
We talked about various advertising. Josh suggested making a Facebook advertisement a week or so after a class and three weeks or so prior to the next month. Josh suggested contacting Valley News Live again to see if they would do an interview and chat about how buyers can get a "leg up" on the competition with homebuyer education. Lars suggested KVLY, WDAY, and the Forum. Lars talked about his weekly radio show and having people come in and discuss the homebuyer class on his next show. Lars will reach out to his contacts at KVLY, WDAY, and the Forum.
We also discussed various ways to use and implement our mission statement: "To educate and empower future homeowners." Josh suggested adding this to all course materials.
December 17, 2020
1. 2020 Statistics
Thoughts
2. 2021 Classes
Picking Teaching Dates
Zoom platform?
Suggestions for improvement?
Update on Energy Efficiency
3. Lender Letters
Templates
4. Non Profit Status
No 501c3 yet
ND Non Profit, still
5. Folders, forms, notebooks?
6. Advertising?
7. New pictures/bios
March 26, 2020
1. Last Class Review and Revisions
Karen Skjold
2. Class Cancellations
Should we cancel April or make it virtual?
May?
3. Bank Account
Beth - resend materials please
Within the next couple weeks?
4. Class Outlines, Class Ideas
Not to beat a dead horse but...
5. New Board Member Options
Subcommittees
6. Fundraising Materials and Promotional Ideas
Lender Luncheon
Brainstorm summer events and tentative dates
7. Pictures and Bios Please
8. Final Thoughts and Notes?
February 15, 2020
In Attendance: Jenny Buhr (President), Josh Hanson (Vice President), Kelly Meyer (Secretary), LeighAnn Knopp (Treasurer), Morgan Almer, Lars Knoblock
Thoughts about having someone else end the class on the section night (like Lars)
Jenny reached out to Larry from Indoor Air Solutions
Waiting to hear back from him
If possible, will replace new construction with Larry and only have a few highlights on new construction
Talked about having the realtor cover the closing portion
Remember to have the lender talk about the money available through the NDHA because of taking the class
Reviewed the survey given at the end of the class and decided to remove question 7
It was decided to give Jenn and LeighAnn access to the bank account
Jenny is meeting with her tax person on 2/16 to review the 501c3 forms and will submit when complete
Update - 501c3 papers were submitting on Friday. Well done, Jenny!
Marketing materials need to be created so they can be distributed to businesses for possible sponsorships
Ideas of $10,000 and $5,000 for large box store and how they would be promoted at hte class and on our website
January 15, 2020
In Attendance: Jenny Buhr (President), Josh Hanson (Vice President), Kelly Meyer (Secretary), LeighAnn Knopp (Treasurer), Morgan Almer, Beth Prigelmeier, Lars Knoblock
1. Looking for possible additions to the Upcoming Class
Brookstone Builder - LeighAnn was going to talk with Matthew on 1/16
Robin Swanson - Insurance
Shawn Oslie, Theresa Halverson - realtors
Thoughts discussed about New Construction vs. Energy and which is more beneficial
Bring in someone from Excel or Cass County Electric
2. Ideas for individual classes
With regards to budgeting/home equity - information on Furnace, HVAC, Plumbing
Morgan could also expand on budgeting
Classes would be 2.5 hours long
Charging a fee ($10) puts a little more skin in the game for students
Once the non-profit is set, wait about 6 months before starting any other classes
3. Fundraising
Classes approximate cost is $200
Would be helpful if board members could come up with a list of sponsorship places
Possibly where you may already have a relationship
To do this, it would be important for us to come up with a concise message and simple brochure
Would be good to get end of class testimonials
4. Treasurer - LeighAnn graciously taking on this role! Yay! LeighAnn - Thank you!