Beth El The Heights Synagogue Board Meeting Minutes January 12, 2010 Attending Leon Adato, Jack Valancy, Ditte Wolin, Stacia Dearmin, Scott Wachter, Alan Lerner,?? Fisher, Merry Lugasi, Menacham Shoham, Sharona Hoffman TODO Summary Leon to sign up Menachem for ShavuaTov Leon to write newsletter article on all the electronic communications and how to connect to them. Leon to generate an automated email to the CRM team google group asking who did you see, and who didn't you see that is sent Saturday night. Leon to suggest a backup protocol for the people db Merry to create new list of her current responsibilities and others will then take a look at it. Jack to get Leon bullet info on JCF campaign for next bullet point Leon to add JCF info in Off topic list and to pass the same verbiage to Carol for newsletter Meeting Notes Appreciation Jack appreciated everyone showing up tonight He also appreciated the pancake breakfast (and the chanukah party) Scott appreciated everyone's help with the pancake breakfast Leon appreciated adult offers of help with the Teen programming Stacia appreciated the teen community within our community Scott appreciated the survey that came out Alan appreciated the warmth and caring expressed with regard to his brother Building Our Community Communications (see committee report below) CRM Team Google Group The post Shabbat email has been effective, but Jack is the only one People db, CiviCRM New PC was donated by a Mick Miller, is installed and the new db has been installed. Discussion about backup and CiviCRM is also online (ask Leon if you want a login to play around with it) More work to do but it is progressing. Rethinking Group Member survey results will be presented on Sunday, Feb 14 by Alan and Jack
Committee Reports Adult Education Committee chair not present Everything continues as planned. No Lunch and Learn for Feb Chesed Finally got food to Halperns. Rabbi agreed about siddurim for the mobile minyan. Scott will be asking for donations to cover the cost of obtaining. Communications Leon had asked for feedback on communications channels Bima announcements have the challenge of keeping it fresh, entertaining, including new voices Jack takes about an hour per week to create them each week Newsletter could use a writer, and board approved editorial guidelines. Carol receives napkin notes and someone (Carol or Blanche) has to flesh it out Carol continues to struggle with information that comes in after deadline Writers comment extends to other channels ShavuaTov Leon is building some Torah content Development Again, year end appeal went well. Following ideas from the book. Our giving patterns match those of typical congregations. There are some new ideas on how to approach people. Russel Beruch, Alan Learner, Eran Shiloh are working with Jack so that allows us to get more done. Family Education The teens met 2 weeks ago at Ditte's house to discuss 3 items: Shul Shleepover, Purim Participation, and the possibility of joining up with another group (whether an established one like NCSY or just a like sized shul. There are four potential dates for the Shleepover, and Leon has to type up notes and send out information to families so we can decide which date is the best choice. The Purim plan proceeds apace, with the teens leveraging every technology from youtube to google docs to skype to collaborate in the absence of drivers licenses. The group was comfortable with us approaching a like sized shul (The Shul or Kol HaLev) to see if joining up would great synergy, efficiencies of scale, a greater chance for sufficient mass, etc. Leon approached The Shul and Mark Davidson (for Kol HaLev) IN OTHER NEWS: Teen Torah Study is now happening every week and while the teens exuberance sometimes exceeds the adult leader's ability to maintain order, a good time is had by most.
House and Ops Everything is stable. Our rentors are quiet and punctual with their payments. Membership Renewal notes went out, people made calls, and our renewal rate has picked up. No baskets have been sent out. Ritual Services are continuing in their consistency Purim plans are coming together Rabbi got the Pesach details out before the end of the year, Carol to delirious happiness. Social We continue to eat. Merry brought up (again) the idea of removing the Social chair position on the board. Most programs are under the auspices of Adult Ed or some other group. Sharona pointed out that it seems invaluable to have Merry at the meeting. Ditte countered that the board (the committee chair responsible) would need to meet with Merry to plan events. Board meeting time doesn't need to be taken to discuss logistics of a particular program. Ditte further mentioned the idea of planning the calendar in a single meeting in June for the coming year, along with the logistics, planning, etc. Leon asked whether Board meetings are for awareness and approval, or logistics and detailed planning. Sharona also pointed out the bigger question of whether we should have more social activities picnics, dances, etc. (MUCH LIVELY DEBATE ENSUED) Jack brought up a few key points about the nature of board meetings, the history of why we do things the way we do, etc. In the end, Merry will list out the duties of her ACTUAL position, and a suggestion of the title for this new/revised/refreshed board position. Merry will take a swipe at the first draft, and then other people will take a look at it after that. Treasurer's Report Year End appeal brought in 20,710. Overall giving for 2009 was up 14% to $111,824. (which doesn't include restricted gifts Rabbi's discrecionary fund, window fund, etc).
We continue to net small amounts from Kabbalat Shabbat and events like Pancake breakfast between $200 and $300. The key point is that we aren't losing, and we are getting the word out, building community, and keeping our name in the community eye. The Building Fund is $171,783. At large Board Nominating committee Jack thanked everyone for their response to his request. Scott offered to take the lead with the nominating committee OTHER VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME, CONTACT JACK Positions we want to fill: VP is currently vacant Secretary will become vacant Leon offered to fill that spot Family Ed is vacant Development is vacant (but Jack has some ideas) House and Operations will be vacant after this term Ritual will be vacant Social will be restructured Other Issues Response to Federation request Sharona questioned whether there were long term impacts to our consistently negative response to the Federation query. Jack responded with some of the history on the Federation's lack of involvement, support and ability (or willingness) to be any part of our community. Menachem pointed out that their letter asked for 4 things, one of which was to run an advertisement to our members about the JCF campaign. Board decided to include campaign info in off topic list and community corner of Shavua Tov, along with March newsletter. Legacy Heritage grants Discussed, Stacia is looking to review potential participation. Chevra Kadisha group asked for a donation Board approved donation of $36 Yom Hashoah commemoration (April 11, 2010) Board approved donation of $36
Recent and Upcoming Programs Were reviewed Board approved meeting minutes from November (no minutes from December) Next meetings were discussed and approved. Adjourned at 9:40pm