The Vernon M. Herron Coffee Fund

Charlotte native Dr. Vernon M. Herron was a Forum regular until just a few weeks before his May 16, 2015 death. In August 2009, the Forum stopped serving breakfast and limited the offerings to coffee. By October, Herron was insisting on allowing Forum participants to donate toward the cost of the coffee. If a donation cup was not out with the coffee when he arrived, he converted an empty cup to the purpose and made the first donation.

This Fund has been named for Dr. Herron in tribute to the sense of personal responsibility that illuminated his life. He marched behind Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. As a minister he pastored five congregations. From August 2008 through September 2014 he wrote about his life experiences in a blog.

Donations

In August 2010, responding to budget cuts at Park & Recreation, which operated the Forum’s meeting place, convener Sarah Stevenson decided to contribute coffee pot funds in excess of expenses each month to the Rec Center in support of its mission. From 2010 through 2015, those donations went to Partners For Parks, and are recorded below in red under “Purchase/Contribution.” From 2011 through 2015, Park & Recreation with some regularity sent thank-you notes acknowledging the donations. PDF files contain those notes from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

With the move in January 2016 to the Belmont Regional Center, convenor Sarah Stevenson decided to direct the donations to the City of Charlotte’s Dispute Settlement Program. No easy way to accomplish that purpose materialized.

In April 2016, Stevenson approved the creation of the MJ Entrepreneurial Action Fund and the transfer each month of excess coffee funds to the Action Fund. More information on the Action Fund is on that page.

When Raphael Basisa donated $200 toward Forum expenses in January 2019, that money was set aside to upgrade the coffee service via purchase of coffee from Mecha Cafe. More on that decision is here.

In April 2019, donated breakfast food was added on an occasional basis. The food is free to Forum participants, and the donors receive no monetary compensation. Donors’ identities will be noted adjoining the food at the donors’ option. Since 2022, hospitality notes have been added to the Invited Speakers page. Earlier notes on when food was available were on the coffee pages.

COVID-19: The 2020 coronavirus pandemic and the closeout of this Coffee Fund

Much of the world abruptly shut down in early 2020. People were told to stay home, and work from home if they could. Most retail stores,  restaurants and bars – wherever people were liable to gather – were ordered closed. The Forum cancelled its March 17 meeting. The enemy was a new virus for which perhaps no person on earth had specific immunity. Hospital intensive-care units were overrun; protective equipment ran short. The virus took its greatest toll among minority communities, the elderly, those made vulnerable by previous medical episodes, and those in the medical and emergency service professions who came to the aid of the sick.

By mid-May, some state restrictions on movement and gathering were eased, but many people remained in their homes. More than 86,000 people in the United States had died since late 2019, and more were dying daily. Globally, more than 4 million people had gotten sick; 304,000 had died.

There was no way to tell when the stay-home orders would lift enough for the Forum to renew its meetings, which in 2019 drew an average of more than 50 people. It seemed highly unlikely that a take-what-you-want coffee table would meet health standards in the post-pandemic age of masks, gloves and social distancing. If Forum meetings returned, they would face a new reality. It was time to close out the Coffee Fund, and account for all funds that will be available should the Forum restart hospitality efforts in another fashion.

On May 15, about two months after the first Forum meeting was cancelled, all coffee equipment and supplies were removed from the Belmont Center. The equipment belonged to Quartermaster Steve Johnston. To close out the fund, Johnston, who had purchased coffee and condiments and such and was responsible for any excess inventory, rebated the Coffee Fund for the full retail value of the remaining inventory.

To close out the financial records, rebates were recorded for remaining coffee and condiment inventory, and the associated Action Fund and the Mecha Coffee Fund were zero’d out. The final total in the Fund will be dispersed at the direction of the Forum leadership at a later time.

In September 2021, with in-person meetings no closer on the horizon than when the funds were zero’d out, a born optimist and one of Charlotte’s own now serving North Carolina people everywhere from a base in Raleigh nevertheless added a $100 donation to the accumulated balance.

Overview of Herron Coffee Fund
Donation in September 2021	$100.00
Donations to Action Fund in 2019-21	$210.51
All donations 2010-2021	$3,196.67

2021
Date	Donated Food	Purchase/Contribution	Spent/Donated/Transferred	Donations	Balance
9/14				100.00	470.95
2020
Date	Donated Food	Purchase/Contribution	Spent/Donated/Transferred	Donations	Balance
5/15	Fund close-out	Closing Mecha Coffee Fund		55.46	370.95
5/15	Fund close-out	Closing Action Fund		218.08	315.49
5/15	Fund close-out	Rebate for coffee, condiments		91.32	97.41
3/10		Cups, sugar, wipes	11.93	35.00	6.09
2/25		Cups, creamer	7.65	8.00	-16.98
2/18		Cups, sweetener, napkins	10.64	10.95	-17.33
2/11		Cups, sugar	5.51	19.00	-17.74
2/10		Coffee	44.00		-31.13
2/4		Cups	5.13	18.00	12.87
1/31		To Action Fund	54.69		0
1/28	Lloyd Scher	Cups	2.56	23.00	54.69
1/21		Sugar, napkins	8.84	21.57	34.25
1/14				9.10	21.52
1/7	Susan Woods	Cups, creamer, sugar	13.58	5.00	12.42
2019	Donated Food	Purchase/Contribution	Spent/Donated/Transferred	Donations	Balance
12/10	[All donations went to Christmas Party breakfast caterer]				21.00
12/3				21.00	21.00
11/30		To Action Fund	12.58		0
11/19				15.00	12.58
11/12		Cups, sweetener	10.42	12.00	-2.42
10/29	James Mitchell	Cups, creamer, sweetener,napkins	17.88	23.00	-4.00
10/22		Cups, creamer	10.22	11.00	-9.12
10/15		Cups	5.77	16.00	-9.90
10/8		Creamer	5.09	26.00	-20.13
10/1		Creamer, cups, sugar	13.58	11.00	-41.04
9/24		Creamer, cups, sugar	16.14	21.75	-38.46
9/17		Mecha Coffee 5 lb.	14.33		-44.07
9/17		Cups, napkins	11.77	5.11	-29.74
9/3		Cups	12.84	18.00	-23.08
8/27		Cups, creamer, sugar, trash bag	19.68	14.90	-28.24
8/23		Mecha Coffee 5 lb.	14.33		-23.46
8/20		Cups, napkins, sweetener	13.72	16.54	-9.13
8/13	Constance Lav Johnson from Mert's	Cups, sweetener, creamer	23.72	15.25	-11.95
8/6		Cups, sugar, napkins	18.48	15.00	-3.48
7/30		To Action Fund	25.92		0
7/30				17.05	25.92
7/23		Cups	5.13	17.00	8.87
7/16		Cups, creamer	10.22	14.00	-3.00
7/9	Constance Lav Johnson from Mert's	Cups, sweetener	7.14	12.00	-6.78
7/2		Cups, sugar	7.65	3.00	-11.64
6/25	Carol Lilly from Creative Catering; and Constance Lav Johnson from Mert's				-6.99
6/18	Knax Group Keller Williams	Cups, sweetener, napkins, sugar	16.99	9.00	-6.99
6/11	Constance Lav Johnson from Queen's Coffee Bar	Cups, creamer	10.22	19.55	1.00
6/4		Mecha Coffee 5 lb.	14.33	6.00	-8.33
5/31		To Action Fund	15.24		0
5/28				12.00	15.24
5/21		Cups	2.39	34.17	3.24
5/14	Constance Lav Johnson	Creamer, cups, sweetener	20.30	11.00	-28.54
5/7		Creamer, cups, sweetener	22.24	3.00	-19.24
4/30		To Action Fund	32.26		0
4/30				11.89	32.26
4/16	Knax Group Keller Williams	Napkins, cups	7.48	8.70	20.37
4/9		Cups, sweetener, napkins, creamer	16.15	22.70	19.15
4/2				12.00	12.00
3/31		To Action Fund	26.06		0
3/26		Cups, sugar	5.20	15.52	26.66
3/26		Mecha Coffee 5 lb.	14.33		16.34
3/19		Cups	5.13	10.50	30.67
3/12		Cups, creamer, sugar	10.70	21.00	25.30
3/5				15.00	15.00
2/28		To Action Fund	29.88		0
2/26		Cups	1.06	8.00	29.88
2/19		Cups, sugar	11.38	21.00	22.94
2/16		Mecha Coffee 5 lb.	14.33		13.32
2/12		Cups	4.29	13.50	27.65
2/5		Filters	1.61	20.05	18.44
1/31		To Action Fund	13.88		0
1/31		Transfer Basisa donation to Mecha Cafe Fund	200.00		13.88
1/29		Basisa donation for expenses		200.00	213.88
1/29		Cups, creamer, filters	12.35	18.00	13.88
1/22		Cups, sugar	8.18	15.10	8.23
1/15
1/8				7.50	1.31

2018
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent/Donated/Transferred	Donations	Balance
12/18	Creamer, cups, napkins	19.27	[To Caterer]	-6.19
12/4			16.70	13.08
11/27	Cups, sugar	10.77	3.00	-3.62
11/13	Cups, creamer	7.65	14.00	4.15
10/30	Cups, sweetener, creamer	22.24	11.32	-2.20
10/9/18	Cups, creamer, sugar	10.40	10.00	8.72
10/2/18			9.12	9.12
9/30/18	To Action Fund	23.12		0
9/25/18	Cups, napkins	9.82	13.00	23.12
9/18/18			14.90	19.94
9/11/18	Sugar, creamer, cups	12.41	17.45	5.04
8/31/18	To Action Fund	34.71		0
8/28/18			12.00	34.71
8/21/18	Cups, microphone wipes	8.33	24.00	22.71
8/14/18	Sweeteners	12.02	15.25	7.04
8/7/18	Sugar	2.99	6.80	3.81
7/31/18	To Action Fund	38.23		0
7/31/18			10.00	38.23
7/24/18	Cups, creamer	9.29	9.26	28.23
7/17/18			12.00	28.26
7/10/18	Sugar, cups	8.18	4.00	16.26
6/26/18	Cups	5.13	7.20	20.44
6/19/18	Cups	5.13	7.80	18.37
6/12/18	Cups, creamer	7.55	12.25	15.70
6/5/18			11.00	11.00
5/31/18	To Action Fund	28.19		0
5/29/18	Cups, sweetener	16.51	10.00	28.19
5/22/18			19.00	34.70
5/15/18	Cups, creamer	9.67	11.25	15.70
5/1/18	Cups, creamer	10.20	24.32	14.12
4/30/10	To Action Fund	32.97		0
4/24/18	Cups, trash bags, napkins	10.57	14.50	32.97
4/17/18			16.00	29.04
4/10/18	Cups, creamer, sugar	18.78	9.00	13.04
4/3/18	Cups	5.13	27.95	22.82
3/31/18	To Action Fund	33.31		0
3/27/18			22.25	33.31
3/20/18	Cups	2.56	10.00	11.06
3/13/18	Cups	5.13	15.79	3.62
3/6/18	Creamer, sweetener	24.04	19.00	-7.04
2/28/18	To Action Fund	35.87		0
2/27/18	Napkins, creamer	8.20	18.00	35.87
2/20/18	Cups	4.29	10.41	26.07
2/13/18	Cups, Splenda, Sweet n Lo	15.90	16.35	19.95
2/6/18			19.50	19.50
1/31/18	To Action Fund	6.56		0
1/30/18	Cups, sugar, creamer	16.22	8.10	6.56
1/23/18	Cups, sugar, creamer	8.67	6.80	14.68
1/16/18	Cups	5.13	10.68	16.55
1/9/18			11.00	11.00
2017
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent/Donated/Transferred	Donations	Balance
12/31/17	To Action Fund	30.87		0
12/19/17	Cups	12.68	[To caterer]	30.87
12/12/17	Coffee	22.02	9.75	43.55
12/5/17	Creamer, cups	13.60	69.42	55.82
11/30/17	To Action Fund	10.63		0
11/28/17	Cups, sweetener	14.84	11.25	10.63
11/21/17			5.00	14.22
11/14/17	Cups	5.13	14.35	9.22
10/31/17	To Action Fund	36.75		0
10/31/17	Cups	5.13	17.80	36.75
10/24/17	Cups, creamer	10.12	24.51	24.08
10/17/17	Cups	5.13	7.00	9.69
10/10/17	Creamer, coffee	10.38	8.20	7.82
10/3/17			10.00	10.00
9/30/17	To Action Fund	28.93		0
9/26/17	Cups	2.55	21.00	28.93
9/19/17	Coffee, creamer	21.17	15.75	10.48
9/5/17	Sugar	6.10	22.00	15.90
8/31/17	To Action Fund	5.41		0
8/29/17	Cups, napkins	7.27	13.00	5.41
8/22/17			9.00	-.32
8/15/17			10.25	-9.32
8/8/17	Cups	5.13	11.25	-19.57
8/1/17	Cups, sweetener, creamer, napkins	25.15	4.00	-25.69
7/25/17			12.80	-4.54
7/18/17	Cups, sugar	5.20	2.00	-17.34
7/11/17	Coffee	16.28	2.14	-14.14
6/30/17	To Action Fund	40.80		0
6/20/17			14	40.80
6/13/17			13.00	26.80
6/6/17			13.80	13.80
5/31/17	To Action Fund	13.86		0
5/30/17	Cups, coffee	17.36	19.07	13.86
5/23/17	Cups	4.78	18.22	12.15
5/16/17	Sugar	5.69	20.41	-1.29
5/9/17	Cups, creamer	15.11	10.00	-16.01
5/2/17	Coffee, cups, sweetener, filters	21.90	11.00	-10.90
4/30/17	To Action Fund	35.15		0
4/25/17			13.00	35.15
4/18/17	Sugar, cups	8.25	10.00	22.15
4/11/17	Coffee, sweetener, cups	18.20	21.00	20.40
4/4//17			17.60	17.60
3/31/17	To Action Fund	31.47		0
3/28/17	Creamer, cups	15.11	11.00	31.47
3/21/17			14.75	35.58
3/14/17	Coffee, cups, sugar	15.62	16.50	20.83
3/7/17			19.75	19.75
2/28/17	To Action Fund	56.42		0
2/28/17	Sweeteners, cups	18.60	16.10	56.42
2/21/17			64.00	58.92
2/14/17	Coffee, trash bags	34.45	21.00	-5.08
2/7/17	Cups	5.13	13.50	8.37
1/31/17	To Action Fund	55.48		0
1/31/17	Sweetener, cups	14.30	8.27	55.48
1/24/17			22.50	61.51
1/17/17			33.30	39.01
1/10/17	Coffee, napkins, cups	18.25	17.95	5.71
1/3/17			35.35	6.01
2016
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent/Donated/Transferred	Donations	Balance
12/13/16	Creamer, cups	10.12	[To Caterer]	-29.34
12/6/16	Creamer, coffee	28.72	9.50	-19.22
11/30/16	To Action Fund	56.39		0
11/29/16	Cups, napkins	3.75	33.00	56.39
11/15/16	Cups, sweetener	16.86	13.00	27.14
11/1/16			31.00	31.00
10/31/16	To Action Fund	109.24		0
10/25/16	Cups. creamer, sugar	23.50	41.00	109.24
10/18/16			35.25	91.74
10/11/16	Coffee	17.81	55.00	56.49
10/4/16	Cups	4.29	23.59	19.30
9/30/16	To Action Fund	68.63		0
9/27/16			20.50	68.63
9/20/16	Cups, creamer, sugar, sweetener	19.37	27.00	48.13
9/13/16			35.00	40.50
9/6/16	Cups, creamer	10.12	15.62	5.50
8/31/16	To Action Fund	37.99		0
8/30/16			11.00	37.99
8/23/16	Sweetener	4.06	13.35	26.99
8/16/16	Cups	7.69	10.00	17.70
8/9/16			28.00	15.39
8/2/16	Coffee, napkins, creamer, cups	25.36	12.75	-12.61
7/31/16	To Action Fund	27.29		0
7/26/16	Cups, sugar	9.98	20.60	27.29
7/19/16			7.85	16.67
7/12/16	Sugar, napkins	9.43	18.25	8.82
6/30/16	To Action Fund	19.85		0
6/28/16			17.14	19.85
6/21/16	Creamer, coffee, cups	19.79	12.00	2.71
6/14/16			7.00	10.50
6/7/16			3.50	3.50
5/31/16	To Action Fund	47.87		0
5/31/16	Creamer, coffee	23.25	10.50	47.87
5/24/16			13.00	60.62
5/17/16	Cups	8.58	15.77	47.62
5/10/16	Sweetener	6.82	32.75	40.43
5/3/16			14.50	14.50
4/30/16	To Action Fund	76.76		0
4/27/16	Rebate for cups too tall for new coffee urns		5.13	76.76
4/26/16	Cups, creamer, coffee	34.73	27.50	71.63
4/19/16			11.96	78.86
4/12/16	Cups, sugar	13.38	9.91	66.90
4/5/16			12.00	70.37
3/29/16			18.50	58.37
3/22/16	Cups, napkins, sweetener, sugar, coffee	28.99	24.50	39.87
3/15/16			12.00	44.36
3/8/16			9.00	32.36
3/1/16	Cups, sweetener, sugar	16.54	29.37	23.36
2/23/16	Coffee, cups, creamer	38.84	12.55	10.53
2/16/16			21.00	36.82
2/9/19	Coffee, cups	26.51	24.37	15.82
2/2/16			9.49	17.96
1/26/16	Cups	7.69	20.00	8.47
1/19/16	Coffee creamer sweetener	40.21	18.45	-3.84
1/12/16	Cups	6.44	13.25	17.92
1/5/16			24.15	11.11

2015	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/15/15	Party; don. to brkfst vend'r; creamer sugar sweetener	25.70	0	-13.04
12/8/15			11.75	12.66
12/1/15	Coffee, creamer	25.49	9.00	0.91
11/24/15			7.35	17.40
11/17/15			11.00	10.05
11/10/15	Creamer, sugar, sweetener	17.81	16.86	-.95
10/31/15	Parks donation	5.19		0
10/27/15			14.95	5.19
10/20/15	Cups	8.57	14.00	-9.76
10/13/15	Coffee	24.28	1.50	-15.19
10/6/15			14.82	7.59
9/29/15	Cups, creamer	10.56	13.98	-7.23
9/22/15			18.26	-10.65
9/8/15	Coffee, cups, sweetener, sugar, creamer	51.19	12.50	-22.91
9/1/15			9.78	9.78
8/31/15	Parks donation	6.51		0
8/25/15			19.00	6.51
8/18/15			10.00	-$12.49
8/11/15	Cups, creamer, sweetener, sugar	30.10	24.01	-22.49
8/4/15	Coffee cups creamer	29.68	13.28	-16.40
7/31/15	Parks donation	32.78		0
7/28/15			10.00	32.78
7/21/15			10.30	22.78
7/14/15	Coffee donated			12.48
7/7/15	Cups, sugar	8.52	21.00	12.48
6/30/15	Parks donation	30.27		0
6/30/15			14.00	30.27
6/23/15			6.40	16.27
6/16/15	Creamer, cups	7.04	32.00	9.87
6/9/15			12.87	-15.09
6/2/15	Coffee, cups, sweetener, sugar	41.22	13.26	-27.98
5/31/15	Parks donation	6.98		0
5/26/15			11.17	6.98
5/19/15	Cups	4.38	21.00	-4.19
5/12/15	Coffee, cups, sweetener	41.31	10.00	-20.81
5/5/15			10.50	10.50
4/30/15	Parks donation	34.48		0
4/28/15	Cups	3.19	15.93	34.48
4/21/15			10.82	21.74
4/14/15	Cups, coffee, creamer	36.48	14.90	10.92
4/7/15			32.50	32.50
3/31/15	Parks donation	22.99		0
3/31/15			8.48	22.99
3/24/15	Cups, creamer	17.03	11.75	14.51
3/17/15			17.26	19.79
3/10/15	Coffee, creamer	29.72	15.00	2.53
3/3/15			17.25	17.25
2/28/15	Parks donation	50.24		0
2/24/15			16.00	50.24
2/10/15			8.00	34.24
2/3/15			26.24	26.24
1/31/15	Parks donation	13.52		0
1/27/15	Sweetener, decaf	23.95	16.85	13.52
1/20/15	Sugar	2.63	16.00	20.62
1/20/15	Parks donation	200.00		7.25
1/20/15	Donation by John Powell for donation to Parks & Rec		200.00	207.25
1/13/15	Coffee, creamer	13.61	13.00	7.25
1/6/15			14.00	7.86
2014
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/16/14	Coffee, cups	33.22	0	-6.14
12/9/14			14.00	27.08
12/2/14			8.06	13.08
11/25/14			16.00	5.02
11/18/14	Coffee, cups, sugar	35.98	9.00	-10.98
11/11/14			16.00	16.00
10/31/14	Parks donation	23.44		0
10/28/14			12.01	23.44
10/21/14		3.19	14.75	11.43
10/14/14			15.17	-.13
10/7/14	Cups coffee creamer	25.35	10.05	-15.30
9/30/14	Parks donation	31.18		0
9/30/14			10.00	31.18
9/23/14	Cups sweetener creamer	20.82	10.00	21.18
9/16/14	Catered by donation			32.00
9/9/14			21.00	32.00
9/2/14			11.00	11.00
8/31/14	Parks donation	25.88
8/26/14	Coffee, cups	22.99	14.85	25.88
8/19/14			20.00	34.02
8/12/14			15.00	14.02
8/5/14			14.00	-0.98
8/4/14	Cups, creamer, sugar	18.34		-14.98
7/29/14	Catered by donation			3.36
7/22/14	Catered by donation			3.36
7/15/14			12.00	3.36
7/8/14			7.50	-8.64
7/3/14	Cups, coffee, sugar	34.14		-16.14
7/1/14			18.00	18.00
6/30/14	Parks donation	26.11		0
6/24/14			14.00	26.11
6/17/14	Cups	3.12	11.29	12.11
6/10/14			12.00	3.94
6/3/14	Creamer, coffee	25.56	17.50	-8.06
5/31/14	Parks donation	38.93		0
5/27/14			18.25	38.93
5/20/14	Cups	4.16	10.17	20.68
5/13/14			14.67	14.67
5/6/14	No Forum: Primary Day
4/30/14	Parks donation	25.08		0
4/30/14	Coffee	21.41		25.08
4/29/14			8.00	46.49
4/22/14	Cups	2.08	15.00	38.49
4/15/14	Sugar	7.93	12.50	25.57
4/8/14			10.00	21.00
4/1/14			11.00	11.00
3/31/14	Parks donation	25.27		0
3/25/14	Coffee, cups	27.32	28.00	25.27
3/18/14			10.00	24.59
3/11/14	Cups, creamer	14.66	15.25	14.59
3/4/14			14.00	14.00
2/28/14	Parks donation	14.23		0
2/25/14			31.60	14.23
2/18/14	Coffee, cups	32.35	1.00	-17.37
2/11/14			10.00	13.98
2/4/14	Cups	3.02	7.00	3.98
1/31/14	Parks donation	27.80		0
1/28/14			29.00	27.80
1/21/14			14.00	-1.20
1/14/14	Cups, coffee	30.20	15.00	-15.20
2013
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/17/13	Parks donation	58.68		0
12/17/13	Creamer, cups	15.61	59.00	58.68
12/17/13	Breakfast sponsored			15.29
12/10/13	Creamer, sugar	9.35	13.00	15.29
12/3/13	Cups, creamer	6.55	16.61	11.64
11/26/13	No coffee service			1.58
11/19/13			11.00	1.58
11/12/13	Coffee	22.42	13.00	-9.42
11/5/13	No Forum; Gen. Election			0
10/31/13	Parks donation	33.78		0
10/29/13			13.00	33.78
10/22/13	Cups	4.03	14.81	20.78
10/15/13			10.00	10.00
10/8/13	No meeting; 2nd primary			0
10/1/13	Parks donation	17.69		0
10/1/13			20.50	17.69
9/24/13	Cups creamer cof sugar	37.45	18.70	-2.81
9/17/13			15.00	15.94
9/3/13	Coffee, cups	13.71	14.65	0.94
8/31/13	Parks donation	17.01		0
8/27/13			13.00	17.01
8/20/13	Cups, coffee	27.99	10.75	4.01
8/6/13			21.25	21.25
7/31/13	Parks donation	37.43		0
7/23/13	Cups	3.02	16.00	37.43
7/16/13			24.00	24.45
7/9/13			13.00	0.45
7/2/13	Coffee cups creamer	26.55	14.00	-12.55
6/30/13	Parks donation	51.98		0
6/25/13			18.00	51.98
6/18/13			16.00	33..98
6/11/13			9.00	17.98
6/4/13	Cups	3.02	12.00	8.98
5/31/13	Parks donation	22.21		0
5/28/13	Creamer, coffee, cups	30.10	19.00	22.21
5/21/13	Creamer	10.59	19.50	33.31
5/14/13			7.40	24.40
5/7/13			17.00	17.00
4/30/13	Parks donation	31.62		0
4/30/13	Free breakfast at Varick			31.62
4/23/13	Cups, coffee	25.43	19.00	31.62
4/16/13			12.26	38.05
4/9/13			11.75	25.79
4/2/13			14.04	14.04
3/31/13	Parks donation	40.17		0
3/26/13	Creamer, cups	6.38	24.00	40.17
3/19/13			21.00	22.55
3/12/13	Coffee, cups	32.45	22.00	1.55
3/5/13			12.00	12.00
2/28/13	Parks donation	45.45		0
2/26/13			18.00	45.45
2/19/13	Coffee, cups, creamer	35.55	13.00	27.45
2/12/13			27.00	50.00
2/5/13			23.00	23.00
1/31/13	Parks donation	44.42		0
1/29/13	Cups, creamer	12.18	20.00	44.42
1/22/13	Cups, creamer	9.15	10.77	36.60
1/15/13			11.00	34.76
1/8/13			19.96	23.76

2012
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/18/12	Party; don. to brkfst vend'r	4.03		3.80
12/11/12			16	7.83
12/7/12	Coffee, cups	31.27		-8.17
12/4/12			23.10	23.10
11/30/12	Parks donation	16.82		0
11/27/12	Creamer, coffee	29.02	11.00	16.82
11/20/12	Cups	4.03	17.37	34.84
11/13/12			21.50	21.50
11/6/12	No Forum: Election Day			0
10/31/12	Parks donation	39.26		0
10/30/12	Bulk sugar, sweetener	66.34	33.00	39.26
10/23/12	Coffee cups creamer	30.37	29.00	72.60
10/16/12			18.90	73.97
10/9/12	Cups, creamer	6.68	30.75	55.07
10/2/12			31.00	31.00
9/30/12	Parks donation	25.05		0
9/25/12	Coffee, cups	14.43	26.00	25.05
9/18/12			15.00	13.48
9/11/12	Cups coffee creamer	17.07	15.55	-1.52
9/4/12	No Forum: DNC week			0
8/31/12	Parks donation	41.39		0
8/28/12			12.00	41.39
8/21/12			14.56	29.39
8/14/12	Coffee, cups	24.62	20.55	14.83
8/7/12			18.90	18.90
7/31	Parks donation	40.39		0
7/31	Cups, creamer	10.39	17.60	40.39
7/24			18.10	33.18
7/17	No Forum; N.C. Primary			15.08
7/10			13.00	15.08
7/3	Creamer, cups	9.42	11.50	2.08
6/29	Parks donation	65.17		0
6/26			15.22	65.17
6/19	Cups, coffee	29.90	21.00	49.95
6/12			28.00	58.85
6/5			30.85	30.85
5/31	Parks donation	26.91		0
5/29	Decaf, cups	14.43	13.00	26.91
5/22			15.67	28.34
5/15	Coffee, creamer	18.33	14.00	12.67
5/8	No Forum: N.C. Primary			17.00
5/1			17.00	17.00
4/30	Parks donation	26.45		0
4/24			17.00	26.45
4/17	Cups, decaf, creamer	23.51	14.00	9.45
4/10			12.18	18.96
4/3	Cups	3.22	10.00	6.78
3/31	Parks donation	52.32		0
3/27			19.21	52.32
3/20	Cups, creamer, coffee	31.04	15.00	33.11
3/13			12.00	49.15
3/6			31.33	37.15
2/28	Creamer, cups	8.81	17.30	5.82
2/21			12.00	-2.67
2/14			15.00	-14.67
2/13	Coffee, cups	18.54		-29.67
2/7			20.00	-11.13
1/31	Creamer	6.10	12.30	-31.13
1/24	Bulk stirrer sugar Splenda	75.84		-37.33
1/24			21.50	38.51
1/17	Coffee, cups, straws, sug.	33.00	30.50	17.01
1/10			18.00	19.51
1/3	No Forum			1.51
2011
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/27	No Forum			1.51
12/20	Party; don. to brkfst vend'r
12/19	Cups, sugar, coffee	25.26		1.51
12/13			14.77	26.77
12/6			12.00	12.00
11/30	Parks donation	18.44		0
11/29			8.70	18.44
11/22	Coffee, creamer, sugar	33.26	13.00	9.74
11/15			14.00	30.00
11/8	No meeting: Election
11/1			16.00	16.00
10/31	Parks donation	39.79		0
10/25			13.00	39.79
10/18	Cups	7.68	15.50	26.79
10/11			16.50	18.97
10/4			13.00	2.47
9/27	Coffee, sugar, creamer	61.23	21.00	-10.53
9/20			17.70	29.70
9/13	No meeting: City primary			12.00
9/6		12.00		12.00
9/1	Parks donation	49.85		0
8/30	Cups, decaf	18.89	15.50	49.85
8/23			14.92	53.24
8/16			13.00	38.32
8/9			14.32	25.32
8/2			11.00	11.00
7/31	Parks donation	5.57		0
7/26	Cof, creamer, sugar, cups	43.62	14.19	5.57
7/19			9.00	35.00
7/12			26.00	26.00
7/5	No Forum
6/30	Parks donation	50.72		0
6/28			20.30	50.72
6/21	Coffee, creamer, cups	28.63	13.05	30.42
6/14			12.00	46.00
6/7			34.00	34.00
5/31	Parks donation	9.41		0
5/31			13.81	9.41
5/24	Coffee, sweetener	25.58	21.00	-4.40
5/17	Cups, creamer, coffee	18.46	10.00	0.18
5/10
5/3			8.63	8.63
4/30	Parks donation	22.95		0
4/26			32.00	22.95
4/19			10.00	-9.05
4/12	Cups, coffee, sugar	28.05	9.00	-19.05
4/5	Donations to Burger King
3/31	Parks donation	58.19		0
3/29	Cups	5.81	22.00	58.19
3/22			9.00	42.00
3/15			20.00	33.00
3/8			13.00	13.00
3/1			0	0
2/28	Parks donation	7.61
2/22	Coffee, creamer	30.34	0	7.61
2/15			12.70	37.95
2/8			18.00	25.25
2/1			7.25	7.25
1/25	Parks donation	51.20		0
1/25	Decaf, sugar, creamer	20.34	33.00	51.20
1/18			8.54	38.54
1/11	Snow; Forum cancelled
1/4	No Forum
2010
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/28	No Forum			30.00
12/21	No Forum
12/14			9.00	30.00
12/7			21.00	21.00
11/30	Parks donation	31.40		0
11/30	Sugar, coffee	21.91	62.00	31.40
11/23	Sweetener, creamer	22.02	12.00	-8.69
11/21	200 cups	23.00		1.33
11/19			15.61	24.33
11/9	Cups	3.99	12.71	8.72
11/2	No Forum; Election Day
10/31	Parks donation	39.11		0
10/26	Coffee	9.39	11.75	39.11
10/19			10.00	36.75
10/12	Cups	7.75	19.00	26.75
10/5			15.50	15.50
9/28	Parks donation	50.18		0
9/28			48.75	50.18
9/21	Coffee, creamer	13.36	14.15	1.43
9/14	Cups, creamer	7.95	7.60	0.64
9/7	Coffee, cups	15.01	16.00	0.99
8/31	Parks donation	53.91		0
8/31			44.00	53.91
8/24	Cof. creamer sugar cups	23.45	26.00	9.91
8/17			2.49	7.36
8/10			10.50	4.87
8/3			4.00	-5.63
7/27			6.00	-9.63
7/20			10.00	-15.63
7/13	Coffee, cups, sweetener	27.62	7.15	-25.63
7/6			3.00	-5.16
6/29			7.57	-8.16
6/22	No meeting			-15.73
6/15				-15.73
6/8	Creamer, donuts	7.36	2.00	-15.73
6/1			0	-10.37
5/25			3.00	-10.37
5/18	Cups, coffee, creamer	34.71	15.00	-13.37
4/27			25.46	+6.34
4/20			4.00	-19.12
4/13	Cups, coffee	19.20	13.00	-23.12
4/6			8.41	-16.92
3/30			20.60	-25.33
3/23			13.01	-45.93
3/16	Cups, coffee, creamer	31.72	8.95	-58.94
3/9			10.31	-36.17
3/2	Cups	5.81	12.25	-46.48
2/23	Cups, napkins	7.97	28.00	-52.92
2/16			12.10	-72.95
2/9			14.00	-85.05
2/2			20.00	-99.05
1/26	Creamer, coffee, cups	31.63	9.00	-119.05
1/11	Cups, half & half	7.42		-96.42
2009
Date	Purchase	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/15	Regular, cups	15.06	2.00	-89.00
12/8			4.00	-75.94
11/24	Decaf, cups	18.94	2.00	-79.94
11/17			5.00	-63.00
11/10	Cups	6.25		-68.00
10/20	Donuts, coffee, cups	20.76	18.37	-61.75
9/22	Cups, coffee, napkins	22.58		-59.36
9/8	Cups	3.67		-36.78
9/1	Cups, coffee	14.38		-33.11
8/18	Cups	3.67		-18.73
8/11	Cups	13.39	2.00	-15.06
8/11	Cups	3.67		-3.67

This note will cover some issues in the records below from 2003 through summer 2009.

When the Forum settled at the West Charlotte Recreation Center in July 2003, Steve Johnston would normally arrive early, start coffee, then use the center’s kitchen to make small breakfast sandwiches from food purchased that morning at a grocery. Records were kept about free-will donations, the cost of supplies, and Johnston’s habit of crediting back to the fund the retail value of any leftover food.

Intermittently beginning in summer 2006 through summer 2009, a Forum participant prepared food at home. No financial records were shared with the Forum. In 2009, the Parks & Recreation Department forbade on-site consumption of food not prepared in a commercial kitchen. With no resource stream available to subsidize such purchases, the Breakfast Forum became effectively a coffee forum at that point.

From 2003, when the Forum began providing refreshments after leaving McDonald’s Cafeteria, which closed, all funds in excess of expenses were donated to community causes.

While there are gaps in the surviving records below, food and beverage service was mostly continuous during this period.

2009
Date	Purchases	Credit for leftovers	Donations	Balance
7/21			28.00	0.03
7/7	48.57	8.50		-27.97
6/30	29.57	3.20	24.00	12.10
6/23	24.08	2.20	32.00	14.47
6/16	28.55	7.50	18.00	4.35
6/9	37.03	1.80	25.00	7.40
6/2			33.00	17.63
2008
Date	Purchases	Credit for leftovers	Donations	Balance
12/2	33.14	3.20	24.00	-15.37
11/18	30.46	2.85	28.00	-9.43
11/11	34.38	6.50	25.00	-9.82
9/2	35.00			-6.94
8/26	28.40	4.70	20.00	28.06
8/19	24.57	1.85	26.00	31.76
8/12	31.05	2.80	20.00	28.48
8/5	26.28	1.28	18.75	36.73
7/29	51.37	2.20	0	42.98
7/22	32.71	3.80	33.1	92.15
7/15	25.57	4.50	27.88	87.96
7/8	35.75	8.50	33.00	81.15
7/1	28.04	7.00	31.00	75.40
6/24			28.70	65.44
4/29	25.35	0	30.00	36.74
4/22	38.37	6.20	39.00	32.09
4/15	42.00	8.55	27.00	25.26
4/8	26.92		33.75	31.71
4/1			35.00	24.88
2007
Date	Purchases	Credit for leftovers	Donations	Balance
11/13	29.80	2.85	28.72	-3.03
10/30	32.88	12.20	20.00	-4.80
10/23			20.00	-4.12
10/16	25.88	3.50	32.00	-24.12
10/9			21.00	-33.74
8/21	26.10	2.50	25.00	-54.74
8/14	30.88		21.00	-51.14
8/7	25.17		16.00	-41.26
7/10	30.19	0.70	21.00	-32.09
6/26	18.42		20.00	-22.20
6/19	47.78		24.00	-23.78
2006
Date	Purchases	Credit for leftovers	Donations	Balance
6/20	25.25	3.50	11.00	-46.67
6/13	23.38	5.20	16.30	-35.92
6/6	36.58	7.80	17.95	-34.04
5/30	47.15	8.75	24.62	-23.21
5/23	35.40	6.30	40.95	-9.43
4/18	37.55	4.80	33.00	-21.28
4/11	35.27	5.50	29.00	-21.53
4/4	40.72	7.60	23.00	-20.76
3/28	32.35	6.20	41.60	-10.64
3/21	36.68	1.80	89.41	-26.09
3/14	29.09	6.70	31.00	-80.62
3/7	39.81	6.50	27.00	-89.23
2/28	41.74	5.80	26.50	-82.92
2/21	30.62	7.20	20.00	-73.48
2/14	43.23	2.40	35.05	-70.06
2/7	38.19	2.40	40.00	-64.28
1/31	31.37	8.20	31.00	-68.49
1/24	38.64	7.53	36.87	-76.32
1/17	31.64	6.20	22.50	-82.08
1/10	36.61	6.80	22.00	-79.14
2005
Date	Purchases	Credit for leftovers	Donations	Balance
12/6	68.73	22.00	33.00	-71.33
11/29	32.94	8.50	23.00	-57.60
11/15	30.33	0	23.00	-56.16
11/1	30.07	4.10	47.00	-48.83
10/25	33.78	0	0	-69.86
10/18	28.81	4.80	37.00	-36.08
10/11	37.45	9.40	35.00	-49.07
10/3	36.80	7.10	40.50	-56.02
9/20	33.31	0	30.00	-66.82
9/13	37.09	0.70	32.00	-63.51
9/6	28.43	6.25	18.00	-59.12
8/30	36.59	8.70	22.00	-54.94
8/23	32.25	6.90	23.75	-49.05
8/16	24.24	3.75	16.00	-47.45
8/9	39.51	9.20	26.00	-42.96
8/2	34.87	9.60	26.00	-38.65
7/26	29.58	4.35	27.00	-39.38
7/19	34.17	1.20	16.00	-41.15
7/12	43.13	1.80	30.00	-24.18
6/28	40.22	11.10	27.75	-12.85
6/21	38.31	6.90	18.00	-11.48
6/14	36.84	7.10	31.75	1.93
6/7	30.00	to caterer		-0.08
6/7	41.46	1.90	0	29.92
5/31	32.69	6.20	121.40	69.48
5/24	27.24	6.35	21.00	-25.43
5/17	38.35	2.90	26.90	-25.54
5/10	31.70	3.50	23.05	-16.99
5/3	39.14	7.30	19.00	-11.84
4/26	33.18	4.60	25.99	1.00
4/19	35.41	6.10	30.00	3.59
4/12	38.53	10.10	22.75	2.90
4/5	48.19	4.50	35.00	8.58
3/29	32.46	3.70	26.00	-43.73
3/29			61.00	17.27
3/22	30.38	4.65	17.00	-40.97
3/15	24.49	4.95	23.00	-32.24
3/8	32.87	2.40	13.00	-35.70
3/1	36.69	8.60	16.00	-18.23
2/22	32.81	2.90	14.00	-6.14
2/15	28.20	2.60	26.00	9.77
2/8	30.74	4.20	23.00	9.37
2/1	24.85	5.30	20.00	12.91
1/28	24.16	3.05	18.00	12.46
1/21	31.21	2.45	30.00	15.57
1/14	46.31	5.67	20.00	14.33
2004
Date	Purchases	Credit for leftovers	Donations	Balance
12/14	11.80	0	0	34.97
12/7	62.60	2.50	74.00	46.77
11/30	26.67	2.15	22.00	32.87
11/23	30.95	3.40	26.00	35.39
11/16	28.43	0.50	21.50	36.94
11/9	28.29	0	35.00	43.37
10/26	29.06	9.55	59.00	36.66
10/19	31.48	0.75	18.00	-2.83
10/12	24.13	3.10	20.00	9.90
10/5	30.58	5.80	18.00	10.93
9/28	32.29	3.60	20.00	17.71
9-21	30.21	0.25	31.00	26.40
9/14	26.13	2.65	86.00	25.36
9/7	26.91	0.95	19.00	-37.16
8/31	20.81	0.70	25.00	-30.20
8/24	24.10	1.65	24.00	-35.09
8/17	27.65	3.80	20.00	-36.64
8/10	18.29	0	20.00	-32.79
8/3	31.49	9.75	10.00	-34.50
7/27	27.70	3.90	1.00	-22.76
7/27	55.00	(donated)		0.04
7/27			20.00	55.04
7/13	24.53	2.15	34.00	35.04
7/6	34.49	6.50	24.05	23.42
6/29	31.65	3.55	36.00	27.36
6/22	27.70	3.15	20.00	19.46
6/15	30.23	3.70	25.00	24.01
6/8	0	0	16.00	25.54
6/1	39.25	4.80	16.25	9.54
5/25	28.19	2.45	30.00	27.74
5/18	28.46	6.40	27.11	23.48
5/11	34.66	4.50	23.00	18.43
5/4	26.56	2.99	50.00	25.59
4/27	23.47	3.50	12.00	-0.84
4/20	33.17	3.30	20.00	7.13
4/13	22.66	3.19	20.00	17.00
4/6	24.99	8.40	20.15	16.47
3/30	20.27	4.70	17.00	12.91
3/23	20.00	2.90	21.00	11.48
3/16	28.39	6.84	17.00	7.58
3/9	16.43	6.10	22.00	12.13
3/2	26.82	3.50	17.00	0.46
2/17	25.65	8.79	14.00	6.78
2/10	21.48	5.45	15.00	9.64
2/3	17.90	3.85	22.00	10.67
1/20	34.35	11.14	21.00	2.72
1/13	21.91	4.95	12.87	4.93
2003
Date	Purchases	Credit for leftovers	Donations	Balance
12/16	7.56			9.02
12/9	22.53	4.70	21.00	16.58
12/2	16.65	1.60	22.00	13.41
11/25	31.56	7.00	24.00	6.46
11/18	20.32	4.50	13.00	7.02
11/11	20.06	2.10	21.45	9.84
10/28	19.61	1.70	22.00	6.35
10/21	30.94	1.50	21.00	2.26
10/14	23.97	9.90	20.00	10.70
10/7	19.24	5.00	32.00	4.77
9/30	24.86	2.60	5.00	-12.99
9/16	23.40	2.00	28.00	4.27
9/9	24.17		18.00	-2.33
9/2	14.60		9.00	3.84
8/26	33.41	9.00	14.00	9.44
8/19	18.53	3.53	18.00	19.85
8/12	0		19.65	16.85
8/5	5.93		3.50	-2.80
7/28	9.37		9.00	-0.37

Page initiated April 25, 2016

Since its inception, the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum has raised money for charitable purposes. Participants have passed the hat for students in need. The Forum has directed excess funds from its coffee fund to support of the Park & Recreation centers where it met. In keeping with all Forum activity, its charitable work has been informal.

In 2016, co-founder Sarah Stevenson approved the creation of this MJ Entrepreneurial Action Fund. The fund honors the life work, entrepreneurial spirits and community contributions of two longtime Forum participants: Laura McClettie, and Maurice Jones. The fund essentially began with a $20 bill from Maurice Jones. Action!

Stevenson directed that excess funds in the Vernon M. Herron Coffee Fund be moved to the MJ Entrepreneurial Action Fund at the end of each month, beginning with April 2016.

2018 Recipients

The Fund accumulated $257.27 through Nov. 30 entirely from the Coffee Pot Fund.

At The Dec. 18 Christmas Party, facilitator Mary Johnson announced that the the Forum would donate to the Belmont Community Development Corporation.

On Thursday, the day before the Belmont CDC Christmas Party at 3 p.m. at the Belmont Center, Carlene Switzer-Greene, right, received ten $25 Walmart gift cards, which she said she would pass on to the grandmothers in the neighborhood who are helping raise young children. Greene was expecting 150 children for the Dec. 21 party.

The remaining $7.27 will get the Forum a start on collecting funds in 2019.

The video below was shown at the Forum on March 12, 2019. To start it, click on it.

 

2017 Recipients

The Fund accumulated $278.92, through Nov. 30, entirely from the Coffee Pot Fund.

Mrs. Stevenson directed the funds be used to purchase toys for Toys for Tots.

At right, Santa’s helpers Natheley McElrath and Ben Felton are shown Nov. 11 with their purchases at the Red Cross pickup location for Toys for Tots.

The Fund’s balance was transferred to McElrath on Dec. 12.

 

 

2016 Recipients

A process was laid out and a Grants Committee named. On Dec. 6, that committee decided not to make any grants for entrepreneurial activity, but to give the accumulated funds to charity. Laura McClettie made the announcement at the Forum’s Dec. 13 Christmas Party:

Operation of the Fund

In its initial stage, the Fund will accept donations, either by name or anonymously, at the donor’s direction. Initially, the donations will not be tax-deductible because the Forum is not a nonprofit. All monies will be accounted for below. The Fund’s assets will be held by custodian Steve Johnston until other arrangements are in place.  Checks payable to “TMBF/Steve Johnston” will be credited to the Fund. During the duration of the fund, no such checks were received.

On May 15, 2020, deep into the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the coffee service supplies were disposed of, coffee-making materials were removed from the Belmont Center, and all funds, including the Action Fund balance below, were consolidated in the Coffee Fund.  Final accounting of the Coffee Fund is here. Below are the financials related to the Action Fund.

2020	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
5/15/20	Coffee fund close-out; all funds consolidated there	218.08		0
1/31/20	From Coffee Fund		54.69	218.08
2019
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
11/30/19	From Coffee Fund		12.58	163.39
7/30/19	From Coffee Fund		25.92	150.81
5/30/19	From Coffee Fund		15.24	124.89
4/30/19	From Coffee Fund		32.26	109.65
3/31/19	From Coffee Fund		26.06	77.39
2/28/19	From Coffee Fund		29.88	51.33
1/31/19	From Coffee Fund		13.88	21.45
2018
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/20/18	Gift cards donated to Belmont CDC	250.00		7.57
9/30/18	From Coffee Fund		23.12	257.27
8/31/18	From Coffee Fund		34.71	234.15
7/31/18	From Coffee Fund		38.23	199.44
5/31/18	From Coffee Fund		28.19	161.21
4/30/18	From Coffee Fund		32.97	133.02
3/31/18	From Coffee Fund		33.31	100.05
2/28/18	From Coffee Fund		35.87	66.74
1/31/18	From Coffee Fund		6.56	37.43
2017
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/31/17	From Coffee Fund		30.87	30.87
12/12/17	Toys donated to Toys for Tots	278.92		0
11/30/17	From Coffee Fund		10.63	278.92
10/31/17	From Coffee Fund		36.75	268.29
9/30/17	From Coffee Fund		28.93	231.54
8/31/17	From Coffee Fund		5.41	202.61
6/30/17	From Coffee Fund		40.80	197.20
5/31/17	From Coffee Fund		13.86	156.40
4/30/17	From Coffee Fund		35.15	142.54
3/31/17	From Coffee Fund		31.47	107.39
2/28/17	From Coffee Fund		56.42	75.92
1/31/17	From Coffee Fund		55.48	19.50
2016
Date	Purchase/Contribution	Spent	Donations	Balance
12/13/16	Gift cards for Belmont Center families in need	500.00		-35.98
11/30/16	From Coffee Fund		56.39	464.02
10/31/16	From Coffee Fund		109.24	407.63
9/30/16	From Coffee Fund		68.63	298.39
8/31/16	From Coffee Fund		37.99	229.76
7/31/16	From Coffee Fund		27.29	191.77
6/30/16	From Coffee Fund		19.85	164.48
5/31/16	From Coffee Fund		47.87	144.63
4/30/16	From Coffee Fund		76.76	96.76
3/29/16	Opening donation from Maurice Jones		20.00	20.00