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Summary of March 2022 Board Minutes

March 14, 2022

BZBI Board of Trustees Minutes for Blog
March 10, 2022 meeting, 7:00 pm

Israeli-Engagement report from Sheldon Bernick: We have had several recent successful events: a program about Israel Elwyn and care for the disabled in Israel on March 5 and a mini-concert at BZBI on March 22 with Polyphony and Art Tolerance, which included a string quartet of Israeli Jewish and Israeli Arab Musicians.

Membership Committee report from Sharon Greis:   The committee is considering an increase to dues and adding maintenance and security fees to ECE non-member families.  Pandemic holds and adjusted dues will be reconsidered.  We are maintaining a list of new prospective members.

Youth & Family Committee report from Anne Albert:  The Mishloach Manot program this year was a great success, and thanks go to all who contributed and helped pack the gifts.  The committee has a strong interest in rebuilding Junior Cong, to be a better experience and more welcoming to all kids on Shabbat morning.  Masks are still required in the synagogue, but the policy will be revisited after spring break. Plans are in process for Betsy Horen to return to BZBI to teach a group of students about our Holocaust Torah and create a piece of art with them. We are considering using the art to make greeting cards that can be sold as a fundraiser. We are in early stages of planning a social night out for parents, probably in early May. For fun and as a small fundraiser.

Sisterhood Report from Susan Zeelander: Sisterhood ran a successful pre-Passover kosher wine tasting and sale the evening of Monday, March 7.  Proceeds from the sale that accrued to Sisterhood were directed to Federation’s fund that supports special help for Ukraine.

1. Discussion items presented by Nikki Morris

a. Meet Liat: Her background is in musical theater where she learned about community and making connections, so this job is a perfect fit for her.   She is already working closely with Lynne Balaban and other activities

b. Executive Director’s report from Lynne Balaban:  For now we are maintaining our mask mandate, but Lynne and Larry discussed reconvening the COVID task force after spring break/ Passover. We applied for various grant funding for lighting in the preschool, to fund the downstairs bathroom renovations, to upgrade our outdoor cameras so we have full coverage, and to create a safety and security program for the synagogue.

Our 60-year-old boiler died and should be fixed before cold weather comes in the fall.

Rachel Beck is leaving, going to work for the Rac (Religious Action Center).  David Haas will also be leaving to spend more time traveling. We are in the process of putting together their job descriptions so we can post both positions.  Both intend to remain active members of BZBI.

c. Development report from Suzanne Litke: AG total YTD represents 32.44% of our 410 total households and member staff. You may see a new theme: 49 and $49K in 49 in the coming days as we try to recruit new AG donors and raise 49K from all congregants in the 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot.

We are using our strategic plan from our visioning efforts to help us set the financial and objects goals for the plan of a campaign in our near future.

d. Finance committee report from Daniel Cohen: Our cash and investments are still healthy, though recent stock market volatility has lowered it a bit.  Compared to 2020, our income and expenses are both up. AG is on track, but we need to raise an additional funds to avoid a major operation budget shortfall. Given our expected expenses there is a high uncertainty as to whether we will face a net operating profit or loss for FY 2022.

2023 budget planning.  We recommended an increase in dues. Membership added security fees to non-members in preschool.

e. Clergy Report from Rabbi Abe and Rabbi Abi: ( Rabbi Abi was highlighted in an article in the Dec.31,2021 Jewish Exponent.) We completed a 3-month trial of in person morning minyan. Mornings will stay zoom only. For afternoons we want to try to keep it hybrid on Mondays, where more people are interested. Our long-term goal is more in person participation, hopefully by after Pesach, maybe by May. On April 2, Torah Academy Shabbatot, Torah Academy students read Torah.  Many have even committed to more than that one portion for the future.  Thanks also for response to Ukraine.

f. Governance Committee report by Jessica Simon: We are gathering a nominating committee to work on board positions for next year.

g. Strategic Plan by Gary Bramnick: We are moving forward implementing our vision.  We have put out a request to get more people to get involved and will schedule a preliminary meeting soon.

2. Presidents Report: Hag Samaoch.  Arielle Kerstein is very grateful for everything we have done, and the meal train will be continued.

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