Minutes Mtg 26-May-2010

Board of Directors (June 2010)

Congregation Beth David
Board Meeting
MINUTES
May 26, 2010

PRESENT: David Graubart, David Hoffman, Davida Adelberg, Eric Lewis, Jane Blumenthal, Joanne Cornbleet, Lee Hirsch, Marshall Burak, Michael Rock, Michael Schaffer, Norm Abramovitz, Rhonda Raider, Ricki Gafter, Roland King, Ron Ruebusch, Ronnie Gordan, Steve Labovitz, Scott Rothenberg, Steve Schlosser

 Guest: Tanya Lorien and two congregants

 MINUTES

April minutes were approved by email.

ELECTION OF MEMBERSHIP VP

Motion to elect Steve Labovitz as membership VP. Motion passed: 15 yes, 0 no, 0 no

NOTEN YAD UPDATE
Al Rosensweig reported on Noten Yad progress. The PACT method consists of three phases:

1)     Have meetings in homes to hear congregants’ concerns

2)     Research a topic that rises to the surface on a common concern

3)     Take Action

The committee has completed phase 1:

  • Called about 90% of the congregation, and of these, about 60-65% answered their phones, and 90 people came to meetings, a good cross-section.
  • Explored about 20-30 issues. Eldercare came up frequently: transportation, access to healthcare, aid in their homes. Even in well-to-do communities, many people have financial issues.
  • Committee will investigate starting or joining an existing non-profit community-based agency or organization that would offer senior resources. This organization would raise funds to have a very small staff, many volunteers. The vision is for volunteers to man phones and provide resources, such as handyman, etc. Seniors could call for a ride, caregiver, etc. Goal: allow seniors to stay in their homes if they want to.
  • There’s a successful implementation in Palo Alto and other communities.
  • Funding would come from members (seniors), and public and private organizations
  • Note: About a dozen people who attended meetings reported feeling lonely in our congregation.  Board requested the names of the people, to reach out.
  • Would this organization overlap with JFS? Answer: people want one number to call. JFS would be one of them.
  • If people want to see the next step in a PACT program, Temple Emmanuel is beginning this phase. Their action is June 1 at Temple Emmanuel. Their issue is proper way to handle electronic waste.
  • Ron has spoken with the exec director of PACT about whether to list member organizations on the website, as it might appear that the members endorse all other members’ activities. Ron also requested that the website include a disclaimer to this effect. The PACT board is discussing.

 

RITUAL

  • People are submitting honors recommendations for High Holy Days. Dov and Madelyn Isaacs do an incredible job every year, and put in a lot of effort. Ron urged the board’s input for honors so they can get started. The holiday comes early this year.
  • Plans for High Holy days are moving forward.
  • Rabbis meeting at Rabbinic Assembly this week. Rabbis Pressman and Ohriner  have been meeting weekly.
  • Farewell for Rabbi Schonbrun is on June 19th. Board members encouraged to come. Rabbi P will be back by then.
  • Rabbi Ohriner will be moving here in July 15, and his contract begins on August 1. Both Rabbi Pressman and Rabbi Ohriner will be on the bima August 7.
  • Official installment for Rabbi Ohriner is October 23

 

TREASURER

  • Income looks high because we received $30K for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, from a generous member who wishes to remain anonymous
  • Ritual looks like it has more money because we haven’t spent to relocate Rabbi Ohriner.
  • Campaign has hit its target! We’ve collected $250K, and a few more pledges will be coming in.
  • Dues are a little below target, by $10-$20K. Finance committee will be investigating the reasons. Historically, we’re behind in April because of income taxes plus property taxes. Tends to pick back up in May and June.
  • Admin has $88K more than expected. Staff is investigating.

 

MEMBERSHIP

  • Started with 554 members, and ended with 552.
  • One new family joined, the Walds. Alice is interested in social action, so Ronnie offered to call.
  • Resignations:
    • Martin Herbach left the area
    • Feit family, because of family priorities
    • Bob and Carrie Zeidman

 

SOCIAL ACTION

  • Rotating Shelter program is in jeopardy. However, we will have them here on June 4. WVCS budget year ends June 30th. It takes $150K annually to keep program going. Ronnie urged board members to get in touch with City Council member or County Supervisor to urge them to not take funds away.
  • This year we are providing meals in the CBD courtyard after the first week, because Ascension Church is renovating

 

ADMINISTRATION

  • The looping system (for hearing impaired) is functional in the sanctuary and will later be functional in the social hall. Final bill was $5,400.
  • Heating units will be installed by 4:00 Friday. Expected to significantly decrease energy use. AC units are twice as efficient, which should cut bills by half. Heating units are 92% efficient, whereas the previous units were 60% efficient when new.
  • It’s in the budget to replace high-intensity lights on the bima with LEDs. It’s in the budget; uncertain if it’ll be done before High Holy Days.
  • Homeland Security Grant update: Expected to sign a contract by the first week of July, the deadline. New security fence will be in next week. Between wall behind the kitchen and across the driveway. Chain link with planks on it, for privacy. Will be able to buzz people into the gate from the office.
    • Could the grant fall through? Good news: we can submit our application for funds when we sign the contract, not when we’ve paid.
  • With new healthcare plan, not-for-profits are entitled to “Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit.” It will be refunded.
  • Hot water heater, here since 1972, has finally failed. We’re replacing with a substantially smaller unit, because we no longer have a kitchen in this wing.  On-demand system isn’t practical because we have the wrong-size gas pipe. Costs more than replacing a home water heating because ours is above the ceiling.

 

EDUCATION

  • Religious School finished last Sunday. Moving up ceremony and Hebrew High graduation and volunteer appreciation for Religious School and Hebrew High is June 5. Iris is asking parents to come to the May 31 meeting.
  • VP of Education will work on job descriptions of paid staff during June.
  • Hebrew High ending May 27. During the 2nd  hour, participants will talk about their experience with March of the Living.
  • May 25 was last Adult Ed program till the end of summer.
  • Committee chairs are beginning programming for next year.

 

FINANCE  – BUDGET for 2010/2011

  • Expenses are $40K less than last year. Factors: clergy, no cemetery.
  • Did good job on managing income. Pledges were $265K. Next year, we’re modestly increasing our target from $250K to $260K. That will leave a modest deficit.
  • Higher expenses for Kiddush luncheons because fewer b’nei mitzvah
  • Added back the funding for Scholar in Residence
  • Started this year with planned budget deficit of $2K. We’ll end up positive. So we’re comfortable not whittling away small deficit.
  • Moved marketing budget into membership.
  • We are not getting many more requests for special arrangements than before. If membership stays stable, the budget makes sense.
  • Motion to accept budget 2010/2011 as presented: Motion passed: 17 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.  The board applauded Lee and his committee for a very smooth budget process!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Membership meeting on Monday May 31st immediately following minyan at about 7:30 PM to accept Rabbi Ohriner’s contract and vote on opening the window for the scheduling of the Annual Membership meeting. We need a quorum! Rabbi Ohriner and his wife have a house closing a few days later. Tanya will send one email in a day or two, and another on Sunday.
  • We have two open at large positions on the Board.  One is without portfolio and the other is with the programming portfolio.  Applications should be addressed to president@beth-david.org.
  • The High Holiday Honors committee is collecting inputs from Board members for nominations for High Holy Day honors.  Send nominations to Madelyn Isaacs
  • Scott Rothenberg has agreed to coordinate the Kiddush lunch fundraising program as part of his portfolio.
  • June Exec Board Meeting – Wednesday June 16th – 3rd Wednesday of the month
  • June Board Meeting - Tuesday (not Wednesday) June 22nd at 7:45 PM
  • Sisterhood will be holding Yad l’Kol event, Sunday, June 6, 2-4 p.m. Guest will be Jennifer Cornbleet, author of Raw for Dessert, and Joanne and Harry Cornbleet’s daughter. She’ll discuss the art and value of raw food diets, and make some of our recipes for us.
  • Starting campaign August 22, breaking for the month of September, and concluding in October. Board members to sign up for 3 phone-a-thons.
  • Board will call 20+ members apiece, just to check in on their experience as a congregant. Barbara, Tanya, and Ron, Steve, and Joanne will be meeting to make internal and external communications more effective.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Rhonda Raider

Recording Secretary

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