Beth Israel Congregation
Minutes of Board meeting
May 29, 2003

Present: Berman, Vinokur, Bardenstein, Ahronheim, Klein, Schiff, Rosenberg, Hamermesh, Liberman-Lampear, Spoon, Finerman, Dobrusin, Sorkin, Peller, Gershowitz

Meeting was called to order 8:05PM
Minutes of April 30, 2003 were accepted and approved as corrected
Agenda was approved

D�var Torah: Sorkin�s presentation spoke to important issues before the Board. It was suggested it be communicated through Hashaliach to the entire congregation.

Rabbi�s Report: Rabbi Dobrusin reported that erev Shavuot, June 5th, there will be a study session, Tikkun Leil Shavuot, in the sanctuary. The Federation is organizing a Michigan Miracle Mission to Israel in April 2004. The Mission will be composed of sub-groups one of which, for example, could be a group from Beth Israel or a combined group from Beth Israel and Beth Emeth.

Treasurer�s Report: Given the income and expenses through April, Klein forecasted a deficit of $8000. Our annual budget for the2002-2003 fiscal year projected a surplus of $18,748, when it passed in June 2002. This leaves us $26,767 short of our budgeted endpoint for the 2002-2003 Budget. (Our fiscal year is July1-June 30.) A motion was made and passed to accept the financial report. Klein presented the new budget for fiscal year 2003-2004. The first version of the 2003-2004 Budget called for income and expenses of almost $772,000. This is a balanced budget, but it omitted necessary seed money for the Rabbi�s future sabbatical (a contractual obligation) and it omitted necessary seed money for a capital depreciation account, which, once built up, will maintain the building in a responsible and timely fashion. The Executive Committee decided a truthful budget needed to include these realities. The second version of the budget, calling for income and expenditures of almost $797,000 does so. We must increase dues by more than a nominal amount to meet the expenses of this budget. Klein characterized this budget, drawn up by the finance committee, as a �bare bones� budget. A motion was made and passed to accept the 2003-2004 Budget as presented. On June 26, 2003, this budget will be presented to the congregation for approval at the semi-annual congregational meeting.

Executive Director�s Report: Sorkin reported on the Torah Restoration Project, which continues through June 30th. Enough money has been raised to send the torah scrolls to Israel for repair. In addition about $20,000 has been raised which will be added to this year�s revenue. At this time, twenty-six percent of the congregation and fifty percent of the professional staff have contributed. We replaced our telephone service with DS Metrocom for an annual savings of $1,000. Sorkin has switched to a less expensive health insurance plan for the staff, which, nonetheless, resulted in an increase in cost over last year. The employees will pay the increased cost. The cost to fix the water leak at 2010 was $6,481. Sorkin also reported that at the May area meeting of executive directors he learned that a number of local congregations have established a set membership fee ranging from $1350 to almost $1900. Lastly, Sorkin reported he will attend a Week of Study for Executive Directors at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York this June. This is the first step in becoming a Fellow in Synagogue Administration, which requires a three-year certification program. Executive directors must have at least five years of service in a congregation to be eligible to enter the program.

Financial Vice-President�s report: Vinokur reported on the work of the ad hoc Dues Committee appointed at the last meeting. Dues are not meeting the financial needs of this congregation. Both the average and the median dues paid per family unit are approximately $1000. University salaries are public information and many congregants give less than 2% of their published salary. Gifts to the Federation are also published within categories. Many of our members give more to the Federation than to Beth Israel. We need a major campaign to communicate our needs and the vibrant spiritual and intellectual life available to our members. Spoon would like us to go to a fixed amount and provide special recognition to those who give more. Klein suggested using parlor meetings to educate the congregation regarding our needs. We must communicate with those who give at the high end as we greatly value and need their support. At the same time, we do not want to exclude anyone who wishes to join our congregation. The ad hoc committee will continue to work on developing a program to raise dues.

Building/Construction Committee report: Spoon provided an extremely detailed and thorough report outlining the maintenance and upgrading which must be done if we wish to avoid a steady stream of �emergency� repairs or a building with a shabby appearance. There are major systems that must be replaced immediately, such as the heating, ventilating and cooling system (HVAC). There are lights which need to be replaced, bare wood that needs refinishing, and thoroughly deteriorated carpeting which must be replace. We need to replace the concrete steps and sidewalks to enhance safety. We need to replace the asphalt driveway. We would like to minimally upgrade the social hall by laying down carpeting, and redoing the partitions. The list goes on. It is more cost efficient to do all of these repairs at once than to do small projects along the way. We need to make this building ready for the next 25 years. Vinokur presented a chart outlining various assessment scenarios. The costs are estimated to be somewhat over one million dollars. It is clear from the chart presented, that assessments alone cannot raise the money. The consensus of the Board is that these issues must be presented at the semi-annual meeting on June 26th. It was suggested that the President give a �State of the Congregation� speech that would put forth our need to raise dues to meet the expenditures of next fiscal year�s austere budget. We are also looking at a one-time assessment to help repair and renovate the building.

Communication Committee report: Schiff reported on the newly improved website.

Sisterhood: Peller indicated that the Michigan Branch Spring Conference, which took place at Beth Israel, went well. She expressed thanks to all staff members who helped with logistics and details before and during the event. During the summer Sisterhood plans to collaborate with the Men�s Club on two events. Details to be announced. On September 21, 2003 Sisterhood will hold its opening event combined with a fundraiser.

The meeting concluded with Klein providing the following summary of financial points:
1. The budget presented to the congregation for approval is a very austere, bare bones budget.
2. We will need to increase substantially our income from dues to meet this budget.
3. Given the difficult economic climate, the Board has decided not to go ahead with the major renovation construction project.
4. The Building Committee has conducted a very detailed report of the repairs required to put our current building back into decent, reliable condition. The current estimate for this work is somewhat over one million dollars.

It was the consensus of the board that these facts should be communicated to the congregation in the mailing announcing the semi-annual meeting.

Meeting adjourned 10:00PM

Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Rosenberg, Recording Secretary

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