Board Minutes 2022-11-30

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][alg_back_button][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]JGSPBC BOARD MEETING MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, November 30, 2022

ABSENT: Walter Rosenthal, Lori Schindelman

The meeting was called to order by President Beryl Cole at 1:04 PM. Beryl called for approval of the October Board minutes and all approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Larry Schulman presented the October Financial Report. There is $27, 259.92 in the Operating Budget and $14,098.10 in the Reserve. Larry questioned a $50.47 charge on the credit card and Beryl replied that it was for get well gifts for Board members.

John volunteered to check on a $41.30 tax credit owed us when we purchased the laptop. He called during the meeting and reported that the store will issue the credit on the card.

Larry also announced that he emailed the Board the End-of-Year Summary. Eric moved to approve the Treasurer’s report and Barbara seconded. Motion passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MEMBERSHIP VP –  Joel Sisitsky:

Joel reported that there are currently:

99 Individual Annual Members

45 Individual Life Members

19 Family Life Members

44 Family Annual Members

Membership is at 270 by counting the 144 individual members plus 126 from doubling family members.

EDUCATION & POLICIES AND PROCEDUREs VP –  ERIC SHARENOW:

Eric reported that a workshop on tagging (photo editing) is being planned for early January by Zoom. This will make it easier to identify photos. Mona suggested having 20-minute segments on different topics instead of the Brick Wall prior to meetings. Larry feels we must offer more hands-on and smaller group meetings on various topics including Mona’s topic she will be discussing on organizing records in the data bases into Family Tree Maker. Larry would also like to present this topic in a smaller, hands-on group.

John announced that he will be resuming the Tuesday 10:30 discussions on Zoom.

Eric said that the Policies & Procedures manual is a work in progress. Each chapter covers a different topic. He will continue to work on it with those who volunteered last month: Marilyn Lane, Mona Morris and Ina Getzoff.

PROGRAMMING – Allan Huss:

Allan announced that Scattered Seeds will be emailed by January 15^th and submission of articles is due by December 18^th.

A discussion ensued on posting programs for the year rather than by the month. Dennis suggested starting in February, 2023 through June, 2024. Marilyn felt that September-June is more realistic and practical for people.

MEDIA PUBLICITY – Walter Rosenthal:

Beryl reported for Walter. The paid ads in communities are running and there were six guests at the last meeting. Dennis asked from what communities these guests came but since it was an all Zoom meeting due to the hurricane, it is not known. John will email the flyer he used for the Channel 63 in his community so others can do the same. Larry asked if we got a credit from South County Civic Center since we cancelled the meeting due to the storm. Beryl assured him that we will be credited.

INTERNAL PUBLICITY – Marilyn Lane:

As noted above, Marilyn would like a full schedule of speakers so that people can plan their year.

LIBRARY – Barbara Nowak & Cindy Potter Taylor:

Barbara and Cindy reported that the software has been uploaded to the new laptop.  Library hours will start soon by appointment only.

Eric suggested that we discuss the best research sites and Dennis said we must review the list. John said we should track to see who is using which site the most and possibly cancel membership to those not used. Marilyn added that as Board members, we must be accountable for all expenses. Barbara asked that Board members email her the research sites they use the most.

Barbara & Cindy also want to be sure that Board members have access to databases.

RECEPTION – Glenn Segal:

Glenn reported that 52 people signed on for the November meeting. Apparently there were some computer problems that need to be investigated.

IT TECHNOLOGY – John Cole

John reported that events, program and Board meeting announcements will be placed on the website.

OLD BUSINESS:

Indian Spring – Dennis did finally speak to Lilly at Indian Spring but nothing was resolved. A thank-you reception for members with coffee and dessert had been suggested but Larry asked if this would be free or if we would charge $5 or $10. Judy said that if you don’t charge a nominal feel, there will be no way to gauge how many people will actually show up.

Dennis and Joel then suggested we just forget about Indian Spring and lose the $500. Cindy said we could go to Small Claims Court for $90 and plead our case. Dennis made a motion to not pursue Indian Spring any longer. Joel seconded and motion passed with 3 abstaining. Marilyn said we can just serve dessert occasionally at the regular meetings.

INDEMNIFICATION INSURANCE:

Beryl again asked for opinions and restated the cost of $350 for the insurance. No decision was made.

NEW BUSINESS:

Beryl reported that after receiving a call from someone who wanted to make a donation in memory of Rhea Frankel, there was no donation button on the website. John quickly created one. Larry made a motion and Cindy seconded to have the Donate Now button on our website. John added that we would accept Pay Pal and credit cards. Motion passed. John will create donate.jgspbc.org and Allan said to make sure the form says that all donations are tax deductible.

A discussion was initiated on whether to discontinue Zoom meetings but still record them and broadcast them a week later. Dennis, Mona, Ina and Marilyn would still like to have Zoom meetings in addition to live meetings. Allan feels the world has changed and remote meetings are part of the new world. Discussion will continue.

Larry would like a note sent to past members, saying something like, “sorry to see you go and we hope you will re-consider joining the organization in the future.” Joel said past members are inactivated and removed from Constant Contact. Some feel we should keep their information. Eric feels if they don’t pay to cut them. Discussion will continue.

Beryl’s computer power was running low and had to bring the meeting to a close. However, she did emphasize that we need to train back up people for every position. We also need to provide new members with a welcome packet.

Motion was made for adjournment and the meeting was adjourned at 2:35 PM. The next monthly meeting is on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 and the next Board meeting is on Wednesday, December 28,  2022.

Respectfully submitted

Judy Gelpey, Secretary, JGSPBC[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]