RIVERWEST INVESTMENT COOPERATIVE (RIC)
Next Meeting:
Thursday, May 22, 7:00 p.m.
YMCA CDC Office
604 E. Center (& Booth)

Elections for the RIC Board of Directors will take place at
this meeting. A secret ballot will be held for present
members to elect nominees.

Also welcome is anyone who is interested in learning more
about the Riverwest Investment Cooperative and its mission
to maintain a stable, diverse Riverwest community through
the responsible investments of Riverwest and Milwaukee
residents. Take this opportunity to learn how to become a
member/investor, learn more about RIC's mission, and ask
additional questions.

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Riverwest Investment Cooperative
Info Document 5/16/03

I. Member Bios:

My name is Jim Klisch and I have lived or owned
property in Riverwest since 1977. Experiences that I have
which would make me an asset to the Board of Directors of
RIC is that in my lifetime I have bought and improved five
properties in or near Riverwest, I am one of the
founding members of Lakefront Brewery which has helped
the image and economy of Riverwest, I was on the
police department at the Fifth District for nine years
and have assisted in various neighborhood events from
Locust St Day to St. Casimir Day. From this I have
obtained experience in working with the residents of
Riverwest, lending institutions, contractors and City
and State Regulatory agencies. I would like to seek
one of the at large positions on the board. If
elected I would use my experience to watch over the
members money so it is spent wisely, invest properly,
make a quick decision if necessary and keep
RIC out of international and national politics.

Cheers,
Jim Klisch


Thomas M. Stocco
Riverwest Resident since 1990; Riverwest Homeowner since
1996; Owned and operated a commercial janitorial service
from 1991 to 2002; Currently pursuing a Masters of Science
in Accounting at UWM; BA in Communications from Marquette
University 1989; Parishioner of St. Casimir. Happily
married to Chantelle Stocco for 11 years.

I have a passion for city life and Riverwest in
particular. This passion is fueled by my desire for
economic and social prosperity for all. I believe
that our countrys foundations foster the belief that
economic and social opportunity is a right not a
privilege and I believe that we have a duty to create
a community where this is possible. I dont believe
it is possible if we the residents of the community
tolerate crime, pollution and low expectations. I
believe it is only possible if we the residents of the
community become proactive in the development of our
community, if we foster respect for each other and we
work together as a team.

RIC Bio
Quinn Wilder
I am interested in community organizing and
empowerment that better enables people to gain access
to the opportunities that others have to lead
self-determined lives. I have been involved in
various community organization efforts in Riverwest
over the years, including organizing block clubs,
getting drug dealers out of the neighborhood, and
getting the city to erect stop signs at Fratney and
Hadley. I have an MSW and am currently working on a
PhD in Urban Education. I have served and worked on
non-profit boards, and have worked full time at UWM as
an advocate for quality programming for youth for 7
years. I have been serving as RIC's President since
its inception back in February 2003.

Hello, my name is Chantelle Stocco. I am not one who
historically has involved herself with any group or
organization. I have not sat on any boards, I do not
volunteer for any organizations and during political
elections, I am a voter, not an organizer or a
volunteer. I tell political candidates that they can count
on my vote but that is as far as I go. So then you may
ask, why am I involved with The Riverwest Investment
Cooperative ("RIC")? I am involved because I am so
sick and tired of the apathy regarding the housing and the
environment in my neighborhood. I once was one of those
apathetic people who just did her own thing but it has
gotten to the point where I believe action is needed
for a change to take place. Hence, my involvement with
RIC. Personally, I am a litigation paralegal at a downtown
Milwaukee law firm and I have personal interests in
playing music (flute, piano and oboe), my pets, my house
and my husband.

Riverwest investment Co-op Bio.
Chris Johns
Ive recently became a member of the Riverwest Community,
however it was almost inevitable. Ive enjoyed becoming an
active member in a community in a short amount of time.
From helping Paul Onopa open his bar to starting a block
club on my block. (Although we havent met lately). Ive
learned a lot is a very short amount of time, and continue
to enjoy the chances and luck that we as neighbors have
made for ourselves.

Growing up in the Milwaukee area and attending
architecture school at UWM, has given me much to be
proud of as a Milwaukean. Ive worked for Habitat for
Humanity in West Philadelphia in 1996, and have worked
for Eppstein Uhen Architects, since 1997, as a project
architect.

I was a framing member of R.I.C. Ive been very excited to
be involved. Recently, workload and job locations have
hampered by ability to be as active as Ive been earlier
this year. With that in mind I will not be running for a
board position. It wouldnt be in the best interest of the
other members. However, I would still like to be an
involved and active member. If there is enough interest for
me to take a board position I would, but would need more
support than other qualified members.

Chris

II. Member List
Johns, Christopher
Johnson, Craig
Klisch, James
Knoedler, Richard
Olivera, Rosemary
Lewis, Clare
Papadopoulous, Chris
Rossetto, Diana
Rossetto, John
Rossetto, Rudy
Simasko, Thomas
Stocco, Thomas & Chantelle
Wilder, Quinn

III. Recent meeting agenda and minutes
RIC, 5/8/03, Agenda
I. Minutes
II. Treasurer Report
III. Finance Committee Report
IV. Marketing/Public Relations Committee Report
V. Property Committee Report
VI. Committee Meetings
VII. Member info and bios
VIII. Election Process Revisited

A. Nominations
All nominations must be received before May 22nd.
Members may nominate via mail (recommended postmark
date of May 19th) at the RIC address on brochure (2462
N. Bremen St.) or via email at
riverwestinvestmentcoop@yahoo.com.

Nominations must include the nominators name and that
of the nominatee as well as a testimony to the
nominatees qualifications. One may nominate ones self.

B. Election
At the meeting for business to be held on May 22nd at
7pm at the YMCA CDC office at 604 E. Center St., all
received and qualified nominations will be presented
at this meeting. A secret ballot will be held for
present members to elect nominees.

IX. Meeting Schedule
The general membership meetings will be held at the
YMCA CDC office bi-weekly on Thursdays at 7pm. Dates
for the next several meetings are May 22 and June 5.

Riverwest Investment Cooperative Meeting Minutes
for the Meeting Held Thursday, May 8, 2003

Attendees: Vince Bushell
John Rossetto
Joel Bechitsao
Quinn Wilder
Adetoye Adeniyi
Tom Stocco
George Singleton
Angela Campion
Chris Papadopoulos
Dana Cable
Jim Klisch
Chris Johns
Chantelle Stocco
Angela Michel
Frank Dettlaff
Clare Lewis
Julie Janowak
Steve Whitlow

I. Treasurers Report by Tom Stocco
 Cash account balance = $11,265
 RIC has 12 paid members
 Articles of Incorporation
o Was returned because there is another group named
Riverwest Investment Cooperative LLC and the State
considers the names to be too similar
o We need to (1) consider a name change (i.e.
Riverwest Investment Cooperative Member Owned) or (2)
ask the other entity to change their name

II. Presentation by Angela Campion, Esq. (ONeil Cannon
& Hollman SC)
 Met with Tom Stocco, George Singleton and Claude
Krawczyk (ONeil Cannon & Hollman SC) to discuss RIC
as a business entity
 There are two alternatives for RIC (1) organize as a
cooperative or (2) organize as an LLC
 Ms. Campions concern if RIC organizes as a
cooperative are securities law issues because the
government keeps a close watch
o A benefit of organizing as a cooperative is RIC
would avoid securities law issues
 RIC needs to prepare an investment informative
document outlining the rights of members
o So that members are aware what votes they get for
their money
o So that members know what their investment will give
them
 To help understand the organization, Ms. Campion
looked into and reviewed a local Milwauke group in the
Washington Heights area that is doing similar things
that RIC wants to accomplish
o The Washington Heights group has 15 members
o Each member put in $2,000.00
o The members have not taken out any money for
themselves
o The members have purchased homes (but lately they
have been out bid)
o The members have put in a lot of sweat equity
o The organization has gotten redevelopment loans
o The organization has been in existence for 5 years
o Bruce ONeill, Esq. (Fox, ONeill & Shannon SC) is a
member
 Ms. Campion does not believe RIC can qualify for tax
exempt because it is for profit
 Insurance issues regarding RIC
o Liability concerns should be added to the By Laws
o Indemnification protective language should be in the
By Laws
 What ONeil Cannon & Hollman SC can do for RIC:
o Get employer ID
o Set up the organization for tax purposes
o Complete a thorough look at the securities law
o Put together an informative packet outlining the
rights of members

III. Finance Committee (Tom Stocco)
 Tom Stocco has spoken with Kevin Flaherty about finance
issues
 Outlines what the finance committee would do
o Estimate budgets
o Put together loans
o Put together contracts
o Research and estimate potential properties

IV. Marketing Committee (John Rossetto)
 Need to grow membership
 John Rossetto has sent out press releases
 John Rossetto has investigated other cooperatives
 Need to work with the Finance Committee so that the
Marketing Committee knows how many members are needed
 Will plan on getting RIC meeting dates to the
Riverwest Currents calendar
 Web site potential (looking for volunteers to help
design)

V. Property Committee (George Singleton and Chris
Johns)
 The goal is to review property and bring information
to the membership
 Chris Johns is working with someone who is running a
tax delinquent report and will review the report
 The City has loan opportunities

VI. At this point everyone broke up into committees

1. Marketing (John Rossetto, Julie Janowak and Dan
Whitlow)
a. Julie Janowak has offered to help design a web site
b. John, Julie and Dan will meet

2. Finance (Tom Stocco, Joel Bechitsao and Chantelle
Stocco)
a. Need to get an informative packet in place
b. Discussion regarding cooperative vs. corporation
i. Quinn Wilder will look into NMIC (NMIC.org)
ii. Tom Stocco has the name of an attorney who
specializes in cooperatives and will contact him

3. Property (George Singleton, Chris Johns, Vince
Bushell, Adeteye Adeniyi, Chris Papadopoulos, Dana
Cable, Jim Klisch, Angela Michel and Frank Dettlaff)
a. Looking into cooperative units
b. The scope of purchasing property should go beyond
Riverwest (i.e. West of Holton Street)
c. Will set up a format and check list for viewing
properties (task for June 5, 2003)
d. Vince Bushell will bring information regarding land
trustse. Need to set a time line for purchasing our first
property

VII. Election Process
 Quinn Wilder outlined the election process which
will take place at the next meeting (5/22/03) and
encouraged members to send in bio information

VIII. Meeting was adjourned. Next meeting is
scheduled for 5/22/03 at 7:00 p.m.