CONGREGATION SHIR TIKVAH
Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2009

Present:  Alice Audie-Figueroa, Beth Isola, Daniella HarPaz-Mechnikov, David Muscat, Edith Bernstein, Eileen Nowikowski, Elwin Greenwald, Erica Peresman, Grace Laverdiere, Harriett Silverman, Joanne Levy, Joyce May, Len Redmond, Marv Rich, Mike Pytlik, Paul Blatt, Paul Lefkowitz, Rich Spitzer.

(If you come in after the attendance sheet has gone around, please see Beth Isola at the end of the meeting.  Thanks.)

Meeting was called to order by Peresman at 7:04 p.m.

D’Var Torah.  HarPaz-Mechnikov gave the D’var Torah for Leviticus 16, the portion we read on Yom Kippur.  The link was made between the message in the portion of the Israelites passing on all of their sins onto a goat, symbolizing the carrier of the sins, and our Tashlich ritual of casting away our sins.

Consent Agenda.  Moved by Nowikowski, seconded by Audie-Figueroa. 

• Peresman addressed the issue of vacating committee chairpersons and whose responsibility it is to fill those vacancies.  Currently, Brotherhood is dormant until a Chair/President is named.  Still need someone to chair the Archives Committee.  Leslie Hacker is stepping down as Dinner Diva Chair.  However, prior to her departure, she secured two co-chairs (Karen Sage and Paula Zalesin). 
• Levy reported that we have two new members since the Board Packet was distributed.  Levy will track effectiveness of the “voluntary dues” program in getting new members.  Marv Rich asked if Levy sees any consistency with reasons for members leaving the congregation.  Levy indicated that the reasons are all different. 
• All in favor of approving Consent Agenda.

President’s Report. 

• Peresman gave update on the Fundraising Committee, chaired by Nowikowski.  Committee will present their plan at next month’s meeting.  Peresman reminded us of two turn-key fundraisers:  Kroger Community Rewards (CST has received $110 so far with only 14 members participating); and Amazon.com via the CST website.
• Directory Ads, chaired by Arni Zalesin, is almost ready to begin selling ads.  Committee is hopeful that each board member will assist in this effort.  Sales forms will be ready within next two weeks.  Demographic information (i.e. how many congregants in each city/ZIP code) will be compiled and provided as a selling tool.
• Dinner Divas – as previously mentioned, Leslie Hacker has resigned from chairing this committee and found two co-chairs to take over.
• Administrative Assistant Replacement – ads were placed at JVS and internally via weekly member email.  Another ad will be placed.  Position is part-time (16 hours/week).
• Volunteer Recognition Shabbat – scheduled for Friday, March 12 to thank all congregants who have donated time.  Greenwald and Audie-Figueroa will chair the event.

Educator’s Report. 

• Online registration for Family Ed program is working well.  Reminder was sent last week which prompted a great response.  To further promote paperless registration, two laptop computers will be set-up in the lobby on Sunday, September 13 (first day of FE) for those who register that day.  Lefkowitz asked about enrollment numbers.  HarPaz-Mechnikov anticipates the same number of students as last year.
• Joyce May is helping with arranging for babysitting efforts for services – especially those for B’nai Mitzvot and holidays.  May is having trouble getting babysitters.  She needs 3-4 sitters at each service.
• Staffing Changes – Shelli Hutchinson has been hired for 3rd/4th grade Judaic Studies.  Judy Schreiber will teach Hebrew for 3rd/4th grades.  Renee Lieberman has been hired as the Madrichim Coordinator.
• Changes to Madrichim Program – all Madrichim have to gain school counselor approval in order to work.  Madrichim are required to attend Monday Night School – a change from last year.  This year, HarPaz-Mechnikov expects 15-22 Madrichim compared to 28 last year.

Treasurer’s Report.

• Spitzer projects a $19,200 deficit for this fiscal year.  As of July, we are $10,000 behind in dues income.  Expenses, however, are less than projected.  Spitzer further explained that July numbers aren’t a comprehensive gauge on the financial situation of the congregation.  September’s forecast will give us a better idea of where we will end-up at the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2010).
• Spitzer is working with URJ Rep on our MUM dues and our request for a reduced amount.  Rep is putting together a 3-year plan.  Rep has to get approval from the national committee.

Exceptions to Consent Agenda.  None.

Recommendation Packages.  None.

Discussion Items.

• Online Schrier Feedback – all board members received the online version.  Overall, response has been very positive.  Levy stated she has 56 members who have not given their email addresses to her.  She will work on getting that number reduced.  Silverman received a comment from a member that they preferred the paper version.  Laverdiere echoed Silverman’s comments and also wonders if the online version will negatively impact RSVP return rate.  Blatt asked if previous versions will be archived on the CST website.  Levy will work toward getting that available.
• Member Retention Survey – May, Isola and Silverman have created a survey for CST congregants to see if we are meeting the needs of the greater congregation.  May read over the survey questions.  With the help of Patty Rehfus, the committee will create an online survey which will launch the beginning of October.
• Membership Update.  Lefkowitz, along with Leslie Hacker, Nadya Williams and Michelle Simpson, will be contacting 36 prospective members within the next two weeks.  Audie-Figueroa asked how many of the prospective members who attended the Prospective Member Shabbat eventually joined the congregation.  Levy indicated that 3 families have joined since that event.
• Michael HarPaz Concert Update – Spitzer indicated we netted $1700 from the event which is a $700 gain from original projections.  HarPaz-Mechnikov estimated 250 people attended, many of whom are non-congregants.  The Board is looking for ideas for future events for CST Concert Series.
• Board Retreat.  Annual retreat will take place on Sunday, November 1.  Time and place still TBD.  Retreat will be coordinated by Audie-Figueroa, Pytlik, and Lefkowitz.
• Peresman shared a Thank You note from Taryn Berkal for her Bat Mitzvah Kiddush Cup.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Beth Isola
Recording Secretary