CONGREGATION SHIR TIKVAH
Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
October 7, 2009

Present:  Alice Audie-Figueroa, Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg, Beth Isola, Daniella HarPaz-Mechnikov, David Muscat, Eileen Nowikowski, Erica Peresman, Grace Laverdiere, JoAnne Levy, Joyce May, Len Redmond, Linda Lutz, Marv Rich, Mike Pytlik, Paul Blatt, Paul Lefkowitz, Rich Spitzer

(If you come in after the attendance sheet has been passed around, please see Beth Isola at the end of the meeting.  Thank you!)

Meeting was called to order by Peresman at 7:05 p.m.

D’Var Torah.  In lieu of a traditional D’Var Torah, Rabbi Arnie asked for feedback on the High Holiday sermons.  As a reminder, Erev Rosh Hashanah’s sermon was on Gratitude; Rosh Hashanah Morning’s sermon on Simplicity; Kol Nidre’s on Brokenness; and Yom Kippur’s sermon on Fear and Awe.  Board members shared their personal experiences with each sermon and discussed how they each impacted them.  Not that it was a popularity contest, but the sermon on Simplicity and its message to look at what’s important in our lives seemed to affect nearly everyone.

Consent Agenda Approval.  There were no exceptions.  Moved by Nowikowski; 2nd by Blatt.  Unanimously approved.

President’s Report.  Provided in Board Packet

Educator’s Report.  Provided in Board Packet.  Addition to previously submitted report: 

• Total enrollment in Family Education program is approx 150.  This number does not include the Madrichim.  Nowikowski requested a comparison to last year’s enrollment number.  This will be provided at the next meeting. 
• Requested by Peresman, HarPaz-Mechnikov summarized how classes are working: 

Pre-K has 11 students.  Play-based curriculum.
Kindergarten has 10 students and is taught by Leah Gawel.
1st & 2nd grades are blended together and taught by Wren Hack.
Pre-k through 2nd grades are also being taught Hebrew Immersion by Gail Greenberg.
3rd and 4th grades share two teachers; Shelli Hutchinson (Judaic Studies) and Judy Schreiber (Hebrew)
5th grade is taught by Gayle Hirsch
6th grade is taught by Larry Boocker
Monday Night School has approx 40 students.  There are 4 electives from which to choose; each elective has approx 10 students.  All electives revolve around Judaic themes and this structure has been well received.

• Blatt asked about tuition for Pre-K.  CST has a history of not charging for Pre-K for children of members as a recruiting tool.  Levy provided CST policy that states “Pre-K children of veteran members are granted free tuition”.

 

Treasurer’s Report.  Provided in Board Packet.  Additions to previously submitted report:

• Spitzer in continuous discussions with URJ regarding our request for a reduction in MUM dues.
• Nowikowski asked how extra dues payments are reflected in the budget.  Spitzer indicated they are put in the “Voluntary Extra Dues” category.

Exceptions to Consent Agenda.  None

Recommendation Packages.  None

Discussion Items.

• Membership Survey Update.  May is hopeful the survey will launch by end of October.  Once it is ready to launch, a reminder about the survey will go in the weekly CST email and there will be mentions about the survey from the bima during Shabbat Services.
• Tzedakah & Stewardship Plans.  Tzedakah Plan --Nowikowski, Chair of the committee, presented the plans and explained they were created as a response to our budget deficit.  An analysis was given of our needs to the committee and ideas were discussed on how we can make up that deficit through various fund raising efforts.  This is a long-term commitment to begin this year.  Nowikowski spoke about psychology of giving – that the majority doesn’t contribute because of needs of an organization but because of an emotional attachment to that organization.  Stewardship Plan -- Nowikowski explained this is about maintaining relationships with donors; maintaining contact with donors and how dollars are being spent.  Peresman spoke about the Board’s involvement in both of the plans.  These plans are an extension of the CST culture of taking care of one another.  The Board historically sets fiscal examples for contributing.  A chairperson is needed for Chanukah Appeal.  Spitzer agreed to work on the letter that will be sent to the congregation.  HarPaz-Mechnikov will implement plan for Family Ed students to submit drawings for greeting card cover.  Joyce May will chair the Tzedakah Box project. 
• Membership Update.  Membership is currently at 345 families.  It was noticed how many new families attended Family Services during the High Holidays.  Peresman plans to talk to all new members by phone to gauge interest in getting involved.  She asked that all Board members reach out to new members for that same reason.
• Directory Ads Update.  Laverdiere shared the secrets to her selling success.  She keeps a stack of sales forms in her car and approaches anyone she does business with about purchasing an ad.  Spitzer commented that the prices we are charging are very reasonable.  Sales forms were distributed to all Board members and each is expected to sell at least one ad.
• High Holy Days Review.  Board members provided feedback and shared their thoughts on High Holiday services.  It was decided that a question revolving around High Holidays be added to the Membership Survey.

Rabbi’s Report. 

• Rabbi Arnie will travel with Bob Heinrich to Israel for one week at the end of October.  This is a new initiative through the Detroit Jewish Federation to connect a liberal congregation in Detroit with a liberal congregation in Israel.
• Simchat Torah services will be held Friday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m.  All new students to the Family Ed program will be consecrated during this service as well.
• CST Annual Road Rally is Saturday, October 24.
• Rabbi Arnie will be the keynote speaker at Sisterhood’s Kick-Off Dinner on Thursday, October 15.

Board Retreat Recap (2008).

• Audie-Figueroa discussed the goals determined at last year’s retreat.
• What is our focus for the 2009 retreat?
• We identified major topics for this year’s retreat (to be held on Sunday, November 1).  They are:  Branding, Youth Enrichment, Financial Goals, Technology/Systems, and Volunteerism.

Sisterhood. 

• Laverdiere gave reminder about the Kick-Off Dinner on 10/15 and about upcoming fund raisers that include Parisian Community Day (11/14) and Max & Erma’s (11/17).

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Beth Isola,
Recording Secretary