Minutes from CST Board of Trustees Meeting
June 3, 2009

Present:  Alice Audie-Figueroa, Edith Bernstein, Terry Finerman, Elwin Greenwald, Beth Isola, Robin Lampert, Paul Lefkowitz, JoAnne Levy, Daniella Mechnikov, Eileen Nowikowski, Erica Peresman, Rabbi Arnie, Len Redmond, Barry Rubin, Michelle Simpson, Rich Spitzer.
 Guests:  Marvin Rich, Mike Pytlik

(If you come in late after the attendance sheet has gone around please see Beth Isola at the end of the meeting to put your name on the sheet so you aren’t missed; thanks.)

• Meeting called to order by Peresman at 7:05 p.m. 
• New members who take office in July were welcomed to the meeting (Marv and Mike.)
• D’var Torah.  Rabbi Arnie addressed the concept of “coveting” by linking the story of manna to the current global environmental situation.  Specifically, manna was delivered in a way that provided perfect energy to the people, but some coveted other foods, like the ones experienced in Egypt.  When G-d dropped quail in response, the lesson learned was that coveting is destructive on many levels. Today, the Earth is crying for us not to covet in ways that destroy our planet.
• Consent Agenda.  Moved by Simpson, seconded by Nowikowski.  Passed unanimously with minor changes to “those present.” Levy was not at the May meeting and Marv was identified as Mark.
• Rabbi’s Report. 
• Summer is a relatively quiet time, welcomed after a very intense year, which was nicely reported in Erica’s annual report to the Congregation.
• The Rabbi as started to work on high holydays.  Arnie has a couple of concrete ideas that he is working from.
• Arnie will provide the invocation in the State Senate in Lansing next Wednesday.  He has mixed feeling since it is a public event, but decided that since the invocation will occur anyway, we should participate.
•  President’s Report. 

Erica did not send the report ahead since the agenda tonight is light.
A committee has been formed to focus on fundraising and stewardship. In her role as 2nd VP, Eileen will chair.  The committee is charged with determining what kind of plan is needed to organize our efforts at fundraising and stewardship.  Gary Dembs and Ellen Tickner have agreed to be on the committee.  The plan is to be presented at the September meeting.
Arni and Paula Zalesin and Jaime Meyer have agreed to co-chair the Directory Ads Committee.  They are looking for people to help, particularly to plan for costing and process for soliciting. It was suggested that Dan Rich be asked to join the committee.
The investment Committee (Erica, Adam Kollin, Dick Rappleye, Jon Gleit)  reports that a CD has matured and a bond is due to mature shortly. Rather than picking bonds, such as Sallie Mae, they are considering moving to a bond fund.  They have moved the assets to Fidelity.  They are considering cash needs as decisions are made. It was suggested that Dave Muscat be added to the committee.
The outdoor sanctuary is in bad shape.  Arnie said that the tree ark was great while it lasted, but it is now in no shape to house a torah.  JoAnne is going to work on getting it cut down since it may pose a safety risk. Elwin will notify the rest of Arts and Acquisitions Committee that the Board would like them to think about how to replace it.  This is not approval to spend money, but just to come up with ideas.  Barry raised the Outdoor Fund as a source of replacement funds.  Erica raised concerns that any unnecessary spending our of reserves needs to be curtailed.  In response to Edith’s question about usage, Arnie reported that it is used for services about 6 times a year, but also used as meditation area, weddings/b’nai mitzvah etc.  We don’t need an ark for services.  Arnie will speak to donors about the state of the ark. Possible replacement materials include metal, stone, treated wood.

• Registration information went out in the new electronic format.  It included the family’s information page from our data base so that it can be updated. JoAnne and Heidi will get non-school families to update over the summer.  Haven’t gotten responses yet (it is early.)

Talking with JoAnne and David Sommers about dues collection process.

Announced the restructuring of the lower grades and resultant layoff of two teachers.  There was some Board discussion regarding this personnel decision.  It was reiterated that the Ed Council had been involved, as appropriate, and the Board given notice prior to the layoffs. The Board affirmed that this very difficult decision was made with integrity and executed with sensitivity to those involved.

• Education Director’s Report.

Registration information went out in the new electronic format, as reported above.  Only couple of problems.  Heidi did a tremendous job.
CSI Report is complete and very long.  The Ed Council, Rabbi Arnie and Daniella will review it.  The bottom line was that they loved the school and that the mission was evident everywhere.  The identified challenges were reformatting the high school and middle school, There are some funds available to implement recommendations and Daniella  will be exploring opportunities.

• There was some feedback regarding changes to family education. Several independent sources indicating that new format will be welcomed.
• Hebrew classes for adults will run in the summer.   It is direct pay and there are 3 or 4 students so far.

8.  Treasurer’s Report.  Budget and narrative sent ahead and discussed at meeting by Rich He raised some concern that the non-operational budget is “very active” and he plans to modify its use as we go forward.  The problem is that we then don’t have as good a handle on cash flow as we might otherwise have. 

Barry asked about the Youth Fund and it was reported that in the last two months we have awarded about 11 scholarships for youth and one for an adult.
Terry suggested that the cumulative liquid assets should be reported at market value not at face value as they are now.  Rich said that the correction is made once a year.
It was reported that there is still some dues money that was due earlier in the fiscal year, which may be collected (as congregants’ economic situations improve.) Erica reminded us that we do still expect a deficit, which means drawing down reserves. Barry asked if we heard anything on the MUM dues issue.  Rich does not expect to hear for a few months and we will not be contacting URJ. 
The new board will be the ones to approve the new budget at the July board meeting—note change in date to July 8!
There was a discussion about the new E-Schrier and trying to anticipate how many congregants will take the option.

• Exceptions to Consent Agenda.  Noted above.
• Recommendation Packages.  None.
• Discussion Items.
• Oneg Tribes.
• Not assigned for the summer by JoAnne, so sent around a sheet for sign-up.
• Fundraising.  A program offered by Kroger links the Kroger card to CST and we get a portion of money spent.  The Meijers program got complicated by requiring a credit card.

Concert Idea – Michael HarPaz, Daniella’s brother is an accomplished singer in Israel.  he would be willing to do a benefit for ShirTikvah while visitng the area in August.  August 15th is a possibility (he does a Havdalah service.)  The age draw is high school.  JoAnne was concerned about logistics but Rich says there will be no problem turning the sanctuary around after an earlier wedding that day.
Arnie raised the idea of a 16-year-old virtuoso piano player who would also be willing to work with us on a concert.
  11. Thank you
                  Erica recognized the six Board members who completed their service this month.  Michelle Simpson served for nine years, most recently as Corresponding Secretary. Barry Rubin, past president, has been on the Board for eight years. Robin Lampert served for 5 years as Asst. Treasurer and Treasurer.  Terry Finerman stepped in when we needed a one-year replacement trustee.  
Two members were unable to be at the meeting, but were recognized in their absence. Carol Ann Gutkowski served for many years, most recently as Recording Secretary and Tzvi Berkal was a trustee for years.
Erica noted that we appreciate the hard work and long hours offered by these Board members.  We will miss their insight and commitment to making CST a home to us all.

Meeting adjourned, 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Alice Audie-Figueroa
Second Vice-President