Friends Of Greenfield School, F.O.G.S

Date: November 25, 2009
Time: 7:50am

Opening Remarks
•    Lesley and Brad greet parents

II    Purpose and Role of FOGS
•    Archna welcomed parents and introduced purpose of FOGS. FOGS purpose is to act as a vehicle for the betterment of the school. It is an all inclusive group where we collaborate with one another to do activities and events for the school community.
•    FOGS cannot interfere with the academics of the school but can enhance the academic experience with various activities.   
•    A review of the activities listed on the agenda was discussed. FOGS needs to decide what activities should be done this year and next year depending on the timeline and availability of parents.
•    Fundraising ideas listed on the agenda were discussed. Members found that bakes sales were successful even without much advertising. Suggestions were made to use proceeds from fundraising on school benches, uniforms, etc
•    Archna suggested that the group not only facilitate activities for school academic enhancement but also for social purposes.
•    A good way to get parents involved socially is to hold a new parent orientation for incoming families.
•    Cindy talked about FOGS helping the student council fulfill their role.

III    Executive Committee Volunteers
•    Archna discussed the role of the executive committee board and encouraged all parents, regardless of language background, to join. Without parent volunteers, FOGS will not get off the ground. It was suggested that attendees ask their friends and family who were not at the meeting if they would be interested in being on the ECB.
•    The ECB will meet monthly and will be open to everyone
•    Sub-committee meetings will take place depending on upcoming events
•    Bassam asked for clarification of job duties
•    It was suggested that parents be grouped together based on talents or interests to help in various way in FOGS
•    Roaya volunteered to be Home Room Parent Coordinator
•    Bassam volunteered to be Treasurer
•    Clive, Monica and Susaune volunteered to work with Louise to be Communication Coordinator
•    Karen, Sadhana and Katie volunteered to be Fundraising Coordinator but want more information of job duties.
•    Brad mentioned is he is the Parent Liaison and is available to support and help members at any time.

IV    Moving Forward
•    Lesley mentioned that prospective teachers found the GCS website very informative and got a lot of positive feedback. Having current FOGS information on the website would be a good way to keep parents updated on event, etc.
•    Brad mentioned the FOGS constitution is on the website
•    Brad and Archna talked about updating the FOGS calendar with activities and events for the remainder of the year. A strong commitment should be made at a doable pace to avoid burnout. The next upcoming event is the New Parent Orientation which is proposed to take place on January 6, 2010.
•    Susie said 19 new families are starting in January 2010 and a new parent orientation would be a great way to introduce parents to the school, to FOGS and to help them get comfortable with Dubai through social networks.
•    Cindy suggested a sub-committee to handle this event
•    Making a GCS business directory was suggested so that parents can support business of parents of GCS, to set up work experience for kids and to socially and professionally network.
•    Marc suggested a mentorship program for new students
•    Karen suggested a friendship corner/bench by the playground where kids who don't have anyone to play with or is new to the school can find a friend.
•    Archna stated that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) date will be set soon, perhaps during the second week in January.
•    General meetings will be held on a rolling basis. One month it will be in the morning, another month in the evening so as to accommodate all parents. All meetings are open to everyone. Specific dates and times will be set soon.
•    Meeting adjourned at 9am.
•    After the meeting was adjourned, it was decided that there will be a school wide bake sale Thursday Dec 10 at 10am in the canteen to raise funds for future FOGS coffee mornings, etc. Any and all baked goods to sell are appreciated! Contact Cindy for more information.