Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of Board Meeting
March 26, 2003

Present: D�Angelo, Vinokur, Sussman, Bardenstein, Ahronheim, Klein, Schiff, Rosenberg, Bernstein, Landau, Liberman-Lampear, Spoon, Finerman, Peller, Gershowitz, Oleinick, Dobrusin

Meeting called to order at 8:05PM
Agenda approved as amended
Minutes of February 26, 2003 approved as presented

President�s Report: D�Angelo stated five issues or concerns. (1) He has scheduled a special meeting of the Board for April 2, 2003. The Building Construction Committee will report on the first phase of fundraising for the renovation project. (2) The Education Committee will work on salary negotiations with the school director. His contract is up for renewal this year. His performance review has been completed. (3) The Executive Director�s contract expires this August. His performance review still needs to be done. (4) The revision of the congregation�s by-laws still needs to be completed. (5) We need to enhance revenues from dues.

Financial Report: Treasurer Klein gave a detailed report of our income and expenses. He continues to project a deficit for the end of the year. Klein explained a change in our bank accounts that would allow us to earn a slightly better interest rate and reduce the cost of fees. A motion was made and passed to accept the Treasurer�s financial report. A motion was made and passed to permit establishment of a new savings account at National City Bank.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin was attending a conference and provided an extensive written report to the Board. Some of the areas reported on are the work of the Torah Restoration Committee, the staff retreat that involved evaluating past priorities and establishing new ones, an update regarding improvements to our telephone system, and a security briefing for Jewish organizations at the JCC held by Chief of Police Daniel Oates.

New Business: Vinokur raised the issue of replacing the metal folding chairs that are used at adult programs. These same chairs provide extra seating at services. A motion was made and passed to have Sorkin, in consultation with the Building/Construction Committee, present to the Board a proposal regarding specific chairs and costs.

Financial Vice President�s Report: Vinokur reported that 80% of our income derives from dues. She continues to work with those members who are delinquent in paying. Last month $2,000 in delinquent dues were paid. Vinokur informed the Board, that a few families, for personal reasons within the family, maintain membership in two congregations. Vinokur works with them to pay Beth Israel at least 50% of their total congregational dues.

Religious Vice President�s Report: Ahronheim had nothing to report.

Program Vice President�s Report: Sussman spoke of the very successful Purim Carnival. The pre-carnival puppet show for 3 to 4 year olds was especially successful. Sussman reminded board members of two upcoming events that she encouraged them to support: Passover College is on April 6th, and Teen Shabbat is on April 12th.

Education Vice President�s Report: Bardenstein reported on the School Director�s request for a 9% pay raise with his new contract. Sorkin presented some data from other synagogues in southeast Michigan.

Communication Committee Report: Schiff reported that we are doing more things online including making dues payments and signing up for programs, such as the blood drive.

Building/Construction Committee Report: Spoon reported that the depressed economy has affected fundraising for the renovation project. There will be a special meeting on April 2nd in order to give a full report to the Board.

Men�s Club: Gershowitz reported that next month the group will send out Yom Ha Shoah candles.

Sisterhood: Peller reported that Sisterhood will provide $1300 to the religious school for staff attendance at the annual CAJE conference. Work continues on the Passover Recipe project. Installation of the new board will occur on May 14th.

Rabbi�s Report: Rabbi Dobrusin spoke briefly on the need for more lead-time next year in planning a program with Hillel for Beth Israel high school students.

The Board will review the next fiscal year�s budget (July 2003-June 2004) presented by the Finance Committee at the May meeting, which has been moved to Thursday the 29th.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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