Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of Board
June 25, 2003

Present: D�Angelo, Berman, Vinokur, Bardenstein, Ahronheim, Schiff, Rosenberg, Bernstein, Landau, Spoon, Finerman, Dobrusin, Sorkin, Gershowitz

Meeting called to order 8:10PM
Minutes of May 29, 2003 approved as corrected
Agenda approved as corrected

D�var Torah: Sorkin spoke on the thoughts shared by participants and presenters at the conference for 22 executive directors held at the Jewish Theological Society in New York.

Rabbi�s Report: Rabbi Dobrusin commented on Sorkin�s D�var Torah and some of the new directions that the Conservative Movement and the Seminary are exploring. Rabbi Levy of Temple Beth Emeth and he are working together to build interest in the Jewish Federation�s Mission to Israel next April. Working with congregants in selecting a part to dedicate during the Torah Restoration Project has been interesting and rewarding. Rabbi Dobrusin would like to start a study group to meet one night a week to study the portion for that week.

President�s Report: D�Angelo reported that Ed Schteingart has again agreed to chair the nominations committee.

Executive Director�s Report: The Torah Restoration Project has proved quite successful. Two of the six torahs have been restored and returned to us. The others will be sent to Israel on a staggered schedule. Additional money has been raised in excess of that needed to repair the torahs. This money will eliminate the deficit in the 2002-2003 budget. Sorkin reported that the Cemetery Committee continues to have problems with Arbor Crest Cemetery, particularly over issues of perpetual care. Given changes that have occurred at Network for Good, we have taken that link off our website for the moment.

Old Business: (1) Dues: Vinokur presented a chart summarizing the problems of our dues structure, the alternatives, and recommendations. Information and possibly a survey will be sent out with the request for dues. Bardenstein reported on the meeting held with Richard Lederman from United Synagogue as well as with two congregants experienced in fund raising. The Board decided that before we change the system of pledges and dues, we educate the members as to what we need from them to avoid cutting staff or programs. As stated by D�Angelo, the task ahead is to change the whole culture of giving at the congregation.
(2) Bylaws: Bernestein presented a revised set of bylaws for the Board�s consideration. He listed some of the significant changes that include the addition of a Vice President for Membership. The Vice President for Finance will become the Vice President for Finance and Development, with the Development Committee chaired by one of the at-large board members. We will hold only one annual congregational meeting. Now that we have an Executive Director, the Vice President for Administration will become the Executive Vice President and will aid the President in his many duties. Fifty-percent of all voting members will establish a quorum at Board Meetings. The Sisterhood Representative and the Men�s Club Representative to the Board are voting members. A motion to accept the bylaws as revised was tabled to allow time for all board members to thoroughly review the document. After acceptance by the Board, the document will be presented to the congregation for final approval.

New Business: (1) The Board by consensus agreed to allow a �Report of Board Meeting� to be submitted to the Hashaliach immediately following the meeting. This report replaces the �Summary of Board Minutes �, which had to await the approval of the minutes one month later. (2) The issue of sweat equity was deferred.

Building/Construction Committee: Spoon made a strong appeal to the Board to do all needed repairs and upgrades as a single package and to do it now. If the Board decides to do it in pieces, he does not wish to continue as chair of either the House or Construction Committee. The failing building consumes too much of his time. He would like the congregation to take out a loan for the estimated 1.1 million dollars now, begin work as soon as possible, and begin fundraising to pay off the loan. Some Board members spoke to the advantages of doing it now. A loan in this amount would have to be voted on by the entire congregation. Some members of the Board asked about setting priorities if the full sum could not be obtained quickly. The Finance Committee has a fiduciary responsibility to examine the specific designated repairs line by line. This committee has also considered setting priorities. In addition, there is the issue of obtaining several bids for the work.

The Board agreed to an extra meeting in July to iron out some of these issues.

The meeting adjourned at 10:15PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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