TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
June 6, 2010
I. Opening Business
A. Brucha & Call to Order at 10:18am by President Candace Worthington
B. Roll Call/Sign In—Lloyd, Ann, Helen K., Angie L. and Michael T., Shannon and Armando, Jacob and Candace, Ron and Ros, Betsy, Cary, Karlyn (by proxy—Ann)
C. Review of voting eligibility criteria per Bylaws—30 households recognized as member families of TBS for '09-'10; 10 households represented today, constituting a quorum.
D. Approval of 2009 Annual Meeting Minutes—unanimously approved as written
E. Additions to Agenda—Announcements, American Jewish World Service presentation
II. Year in Review
A. Building
1. Summer lawn care—Summer lawn care (Lloyd mowed already), do a schedule for the summer: Michael, Armando, Jacob, Cary (next weekend); Candace will email schedule to volunteers
2. Security measures—NEW
a) Any items to be borrowed will be cleared through VP in advance; certain items (i.e. Torah and ritual items) may not ever be removed from the temple.
b) Re-key the lock, give keys only to certain people (board members, rabbinical student), all keys will be numbered and who has each key will be recorded by President, all keys except one will be marked DO NOT DUPLICATE, the President will retain the master key to be duplicated if needed.
c) There will be a sign-in/out sheet by alarm pad. Indicate date, time, name, for each time alarm is disarmed or reset. Discussion: is this overkill? This is to maintain a degree of order to know who/what to address if things are missing, broken, left unlocked, etc.
3. Improvements made
a) Foundation & trim painted
b) Motion sensor lights
4. Meeting ongoing maintenance needs—How do we continue to share work? Get student volunteer work group (no idea of how many people will be in Hillel next year). Open that to all congregation. Set monthly work date on a Sunday and send email notices. Candace and Armando will set schedule for the year in September.
5. Plumbing issues update
a) No frozen water service line this year
b) Septic system doing okay for now. No way to know when it will stop working. Cannot be pumped out. Measures to prolong its life: flush box of bacteria monthly, use septic-friendly TP made for RVs, put up signs to flush nothing else (no wipes, diapers, etc.), use non-chlorine dishwasher detergent.
c) Per Benzie at Marquette Co. Health Dept. they will not approve permit for a new septic system. We must hook up to city sewer line 120 feet away, at cost of $30,000.
B. Education
1. Director of Education
a) Resignation of Betsy September 2009
b) Appointment of Dan was for 2009-10 only, but he is willing to continue for the upcoming year as long as someone takes over one year from now.
c) New Director of Education will be needed in 2011-12—see section V.E.2.
d) Need a committee of parents to work with Director of Ed. to continue meeting needs in the future and to conduct education.
e) Adult education participants often act as their own advocates.
f) Dir. of Ed should act as coordinator rather than "do everything"
g) Options: Hire consultant/teacher for twice a month or weekly. Needs to be researched with URJ. Michael may be able to attend Small and Remote Congregations Conference. Maybe a Hillel student would be willing to volunteer or be hired for position of teacher, programmer. Grant options possible. One class a year teachers from congregation. Angie will be heading parent committee (will report at board meetings).
2. Education-focused meeting—Candace will forward information from September ’09 meeting to Angie.
3. Tot Shabbats—Discussion: Include more education? Continue Tot Shabbats for 2010-11. Get feedback through an email survey.
a) Hanukkah—51 attended, 17 were under age 13
b) Tu B’Shvat—31 attended
c) Israel Independence Day—28 attended
4. Bat Mitzvah
5. Intro to Judaism—Well-attended throughout the year, 8-20 participants at each meeting.
6. Torah Study—Well-attended throughout the year, 8-20 participants at each meeting.
7. Adult Hebrew—attendance varied from 2-6 people, created difficulty
C. Hillel Update—Helen reports Hillel was very active during orientation last summer and will be this year also. Very consistent meetings throughout the year. Losing some lead members, but hopeful about upcoming freshmen.
D. Programs
1. Picnic—Cold, wet, but fun indoors at the Arnolds
2. Play Dates—Try to keep costs down, but money can be ear-marked in 2010-11
3. Erna Gorman reception—Went well, would have liked more participation from the community
4. Seder—New setup this year (Women’s Federated Clubhouse), continue in that direction, not interested in returning to NMU for the Seder in the future. Some tweaks for next year.
5. Aviva Sandler dinner—Good turnout, Landmark Boardroom
6. Holocaust Memorial Service—Should we cover refreshments for the service next year? Ask Interfaith Forum next year if the refreshments are being covered, if not then we can organize some. Every congregation in Interfaith Forum could bring potluck items for refreshments.
7. Classical Reform services—Some have mentioned they are pleased with addition of these services, even if they haven’t been able to attend.
III.Treasurer’s Report (attached)
A. Dues received 2009-10 versus 2008-09—Dues are lower by about $4,000. Some families have left; others are reducing contribution due to financial times. Received Ravitz Grant this year $1,500. Costs are higher this year with Rabbi more frequently. $1,000 ahead including Ravitz Grant.
B. Treasurer’s Report approved by unanimous vote
IV.Old Business
A. Increased rabbinical presence
1. Biweekly student rabbi in 2009-10—P.J. Schwartz made 4 visits to Temple Jacob
2. Triweekly student rabbi in 2010-11—Jim Stoloff to visit Temple Beth Sholom 12-14 times (no visits to Temple Jacob)—Dates will be posted to membership as they are available
B. Proposed amendments to Bylaws (attached)—Proposed “voting by households” for Board meetings and for membership meetings, is in keeping with TBS dues structure and URJ member units, and will formalize changes many believe were already made to the Bylaws in the past but not documented. Proposed Bylaws amendments were unanimously approved.
C. Board election—The slate of candidates below were elected unanimously.
1. President—Candace to complete second year of 2 year term
2. Vice-President—Shannon R. (also newsletter, website, social)
3. Director of Education (1 year term) and Treasurer (2 year term)—Dan (Cary Gottlieb to continue as bookkeeper)
4. Secretary—Angela L. (also membership)
5. Immediate Past President Ex-Officio—Constance (also ‘concierge’)
6. At-Large—Betsy (also student rabbi liaison)
7. At-Large—Karlyn
8. At-Large—Armando
9. At-Large—Michael T.
10. Other(s)—We can have a maximum of 11 board members—No additional candidates for this year. Candace will work throughout the coming year to identify some new candidates for next election.
D. Cemetery Beautification Project—Ann—Work party this afternoon to plant 1/3 of planned flowering shrubs for privacy screen along fence. Researching options for constructing accessible walkway.
V. New Business
A. Distributed Temple Beth Sholom’s “Conversion to Judaism” process document—Candace will post it and “78 Questions for Gerut” on TBS website.
B. Discussed “meatless kitchen” policy for Temple Beth Sholom—Policy would be posted and publicized so everyone using the facilities knows. Kitchen would not be officially Kosher, but can be "Kosher style.” Meatless kitchen policy adopted by a vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay.
C. Summer congregation picnic—A Sunday afternoon in August; Ore-to-Shore is Sat. Aug. 12
D. August “work party” to prepare building for High Holy Days—A Sunday morning, the same day as the picnic
E. Goal for 2010-2011—Opportunities for all to participate Ideas include:
1. Teen programming—Jim Stoloff has some ideas
2. Plan for educating children of all ages—appointment of parent committee—Angie L. will head committee (see also II.B.1 above)
3. Improve building access for elders and those with disabilities—Will be addressed by TBS Board.
4. Lower cost, home-cooked community Seder—Handicapped accessible. See also II.D.4 above. Will be addressed by TBS Board.
5. Fund raising to help members attend Jewish activities—A permanent fund, not a budget item. Will be addressed by TBS Board.
6. American Jewish World Service presentation: some former participants would like to discuss their experiences with AJWS in Cambodia—Will look for a date in the fall to present to congregation; also possibly a Hillel presentation on campus.
F. Announcements—Interment of Jay Narotzky's ashes on Saturday, June 26th followed by luncheon afterwards. 11:15am at Park Cemetery. Contact Hal (Jay's brother) for information: 908-578-0064.
VI. Next Annual Meeting—Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 10:00AM
VII. Adjournment: 12:29pm
Submitted by Shannon R. and Candace Worthington
