2021 Kansas City MO

MCJ Family Reunion Meeting Notes

Date/Time: September 4, 2021 @ 9:00am

Location: Embassy Suites Hospitality Suite

Attendees: Approx. 50 people

Welcome to Kansas City, MO

Opening Prayer by Lee Collins

I. Hotel Accommodations

A. In any situation it is important to be a savvy consumer – if it necessary to be balanced in our approach to both identifying and resolving problems. Bring issues to management that will hinder a pleasant stay. Likewise, are there other things that really aren’t that big of an issue in the grand scheme.

II. Itinerary

A. Meet and Greet – The turnout was about 20% larger than expected. We loved seeing all the faces both expected and unexpected. However, because we had more people than anticipated, we ran out of food. We prefer folks to pay dues in advance to let us know they are coming. Please make sure to let the hosts know that you are coming so they can plan accordingly.

B. Picnic – Held at Swope Park from 1pm – 5pm – van transport provided, if needed.

C. Banquet – Held at Fireman’s Hall from 1pm – 6pm – van transport provided, if needed.`~

D. Tee-Shirts – Please see Lee Collins for T-Shirts and other reunion regalia

E. Sunday Morning Service – In lieu of Sunday Morning Church Service, Lee and Mary Collins with be leading a bible study at 9am on Sunday. The foundation verse is Psalms 1:1-3 and the lesson is titled “The Blessed Man/Woman”

III. Scholarship

A. The Scholarship Committee has made an exception to extend the time frame to submit gradecards to receive a scholarship award. The deadline is now 11am today (Sept 4th). No gradecards will be accepted beyond this deadline.

B. Gradecards can be texted or emailed. The entire gradecard must be visible and legible, even if it takes several screenshots or texts to ensure it is all there.

IV. Blog

A. The MCJ Reunion blog is a valuable tool for receiving and submitting information. It is not just for reunion information but for current events relevant to the family. But Ernest cant post what he doesn’t know about. So make sure to send noteworthy information to Ernest to share with on the family blog.

B. If you are not registered, please log onto the website at mcjfamilies.com and request access. Ernest will approve your request and access will be granted. However, keep in mind that access is terminated after a period of non-use.

C. If you have access issues, Dawn Collins is happy to help you sign in.

V. Banquet Activities

A. TeeCee discussed the many opportunities to help fundraise and also win some cool prizes. This includes the 50/50 Raffle and Lets Make A Deal using family trivia.

VI. Future Reunions

A. 2022 – Hosted by Will and Dee Simond – Cruising to the Bahamas, 4 Night cruise stops on CoCoKay and in Nassau. Lowest Available fair is $291 for an interior cabin based on double occupancy. Addl fees and deposits do apply. Vaccination cards are required for cruising. Children who cannot be vaccinated are required to be masked 100% of the time. Social distancing is strictly enforced and great lengths have been taken to ensure safety including travelling at just a quarter of the ship’s full capacity. Please contact Will Simond to ensure that you are able to secure a cabin at this rate. If you are unable to make the deposit at this time, Will has offered to assist in doing so. Please do not hesitate to contact him.

** Concerns were raised regarding the lack of family gathering time during the last cruise. Will has assured everyone that he is working with his agent to ensure that this reunion includes more gathering time and a more cohesive process throughout. ** Vote to cruise in 2022 was taken. 33 in favor. 7 opposed. 1 undecided.

B. 2023 – Brenda Law spoke on behalf of Tamika Law (present but on the phone) as the host for the reunion in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area.

C. 2024 – Kay Bodude will host the reunion for 2024 on AZ (somewhere in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area)

D. 2025 – Chicago spoke up and has offered to take the reunion in 2025 – a year previously unclaimed

E. 2026 – Moses and Erica Collins will take the reunion in Indianapolis, IN in 2026

VII. Seven Streams of Income

A. Presented by Kay Bodude as encouragement to make sure that you are diverse in your streams of income and turning your areas of expertise into idea for building wealth. She offers guidance, mentoring and consulting in the areas of finance procurement, marketing, navigating rules & regulations and problem resolution. She impressed upon the family that all ideas don’t have to start off with grand goals. Just a good idea and dedication, hard work and willingness to get in the trenches. She offered mentoring to the family at a reduced cost if anyone wants help with entrepreneurship. Her website is www.kaybodude.com. She listed her 7 streams of income as 1) running a group home 2) consulting 3) in-home health services 4) business catalyst 5) sell personal care and home health products 6) real estate and 7) promoting travel to ensure groups meet a large enough number to cover her own trips.

VIII. Open Forum – Q&A for those watching via Facebook

A. Question - Considering the pandemic and the potential hazards of travel, will there be a refund or rollover of dues paid, if a person or family did not attend this year? Many weighed on including this subject including Will Simond, Inisher Collins and others. Because of the cost to run the family reunion and the “choice” not to attend the reunion despite social distancing protocols and available vaccinations, a motion was offered to not make an exception to the standard practice of not refunding dues upon no-show. Marie moved the motion forward, TeeCee seconded the motion. Vote taken with 33 opposed to giving any exception, 7 in favor of giving an exception and 1 undecided for unknown reasons.

B. Question – Will there need to be an increase in dues to help cover the rising cost of all it takes to host a reunion? Ernest explained that the MCJ Family organization was able to procure an EIDL Loan offered to small business during the pandemic by the federal government. It was $8,100. This “loan” is likely forgiveable and as long as we operate in the black each year, it will serve as seed money time and time again for future hosts. This relieves a significant burden from the host to try and front money to secure caterers, venues, etc. in hopes that dues start to roll in and you can recoup some of the funds.

Dismissal