Organizing Meeting of the Methodist Cemetery Association

Draft Minutes of July 20, 2002


This Corporation was established May 28, 1928, Certificate of Incorporation # 19460. See the Certificate for terms and original parties named.

The covenor of the meeting, Mrs Audrey Schwartz, opened the meeting by thanking Donald Barnes and his family for their many years of dedicated service to the cemetery in his role as Director and Caretaker.

Mrs. Schwartz also thanked Eldbrooke United Methodist Church and its membership for the many years of care given to the Cemetery and the mentioned the close historic bonds between the Church and the Cemetery.

Don Foster, on behalf of Eldbrooke Church offered a gracious welcome and expressed support for our efforts. He made an offer of meeting space for future meetings, tours of the Church, and similar supportive efforts. Don Foster is the unofficial historian of the Church and member of the Church Board.

Thanks and acknowledgement was made to the Tenleytown Historic Society and in particular Jean Pablo and Jane Waldman for their great assistance in the process of reorganizing the Cemetery Association. It was noted that they have been able to obtain several $1,000 grants from the Advisory Neighborhood Council to be used for projects benefitting the Cemetery. Ms. Pablo is also helping the Methodist Cemetery Association explore Historic Preservation designation from the District of Columbia via contact Nancy Kassner.

Referring to the original deed of 1855, it is stated that maintenance of the Cemetery is the responsibility of the descendants listed on that deed. The deed also limits use of the Cemetery land to that of a graveyard only and provides for future management.

There was a report on the condition of the Cemetery, Mr. John Schwartz has been mowing the grass and volunteers have met twice to clear brush and debris. Trees need trimming and some stumps should be removed. That would entail a cost of $225 daily for rental of the equipment.

The Methodists Cemetery Association depends on volunteer labor. The funds available are very small and the work is large. Tombstones need repair and maintenance. A plan for regular maintenance is needed. In the short run, it is possible to use only volunteers but more help is needed and some needed work will require paid help such as major tree work. Those present care about the Cemetery and want to see that is cared for. Memories were shared of the families who are buried at the Methodist Cemetery and their connections with the local community.

It will help to encourage donations and grants funding if the Association receives 501-3C status as a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules. To apply for this status, the Methodist Cemetery Association will need a current set of by-laws. The group consensus was to form a temporary Board to prepare such by-laws and to attempt to have contact with the former Board as well as continuing the present efforts to maintain the grounds.

In the spirit of re-activating the Methodist Cemetery Association, it was proposed that a new governing body be created on an interim basis. Mrs. Schwartz was selected by acclaim as the President. Treasure will be Robert A. Bates. Donald Barnes will be the Vice-PResident, and Corresponding Secretary will be Deborah Jaquiss. Recording Secretary will be Jacque-Lynne Schulman. Diane Tamayo, Wendy McDermott, and Robert P. Bates will be the Trustees. The Trustees will draw up draft by-laws and a proposed constitution.

A meeting will be held in the Fall to discuss the next steps. In the meantime, efforts will be made to contact members of the past Board and to inform them of the progress being made.