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02/17/2010 THE NETIVOT TORAH DECEMBER 13, 2009 Members Present: Members Absent: Alan Gelb Gloria Kaufman Barbara Lax Jody Schoenfeld Avi Dresner Brenda Gevertz Steve Ostrow Marilyn Cohen Alice Swersey Joel Merker Janet Carey Alan called the meeting to order at 11:03AM. The minutes for the preceding meeting were approved. TREASURERS’ REPORT Barbara suggested that we invest in a money sorting machine for the money earned in the Pushke cans. There was some discussion regarding a January meeting, as many of the Board members will be unavailable. The next meeting will take place on February 14. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE We have three applications. Gabe Wolosky and Jody Porter, Ellen Lourie and Bert Schulman who have two children, one of whom will be Bat Mitzvah this year, and Janina Deppe. All three applications were approved. There was a concern about the Board’s approval of members as brought up earlier in the Congregational meeting, and the reason we do approve members is to have a mechanism to remove someone if needed. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The Board of Trustees elected the following slate of officers, effective immediately: President- Alice Swersey Vice President- Barbara Lax Secretary- Marilyn Cohen Treasurer- Jody Schoenfeld All new officers were approved unanimously. Alan thanked all for agreeing to serve. Many thanks were tendered to Alan for a job very well done. DIRECTORS’ INSURANCE This has been discussed before. Joel’s son and fiancée looked over the present insurance we carry, and had some questions. Kirk Kneller, our agent was approached with the concerns. We learned that we have some aspect of coverage for the directors in the existing policy, but we wish to upgrade. For an additional $1000/year we can purchase $1,000,000 coverage and unlimited legal assistance against any claim. Steve wondered what we have now. It is $1 million per occurrence with $2 million aggregate. This is not separate but included in the overall policy. Joel will continue to research this. Janet thought that if we are revisiting insurance that we may wish to find out if we can do classes. Joel stated that we can, although we mistakenly thought we could not. The question is to determine whether the coverage we have is adequate. He also wishes to pursue whether the $25,000 coverage on art objects, which would include the Torah is sufficient. Barbara commented that we really need to determine our assets. Will $305,000 replace our building if something happens to it? Our insurance renews in July, and we can make any major changes to it at that time and bundle everything together. There was some discussion as to who we could ask to help us determine if we do have enough coverage. Joel will look into this and if there is something viable before the next meeting it will be circulated. BUILDING COMMITTEE We probably will not be able to hold High Holiday services at the fairgrounds next year because of the early date. If we decide to hold HH services at our synagogue we need to have handicapped access to the back yard. (further discussion HH Site planning) Steve reported on improving the rear stairs which are unsafe. They are too steep, in poor repair with a dangerous metal railing and a landing where two people can’t pass. Steve priced replacing the steps with Ed Tobio, and for an estimated $3400 he can put in a wooden landing that is 5’ long and 4’ wide. The existing stairs would be clad and expanded to 4’ wide risers similar to those in the front. The treads would be 12” deep with the same pitch as the front, and they would go out further. There would be clapboard echoing the pitch of the stairs and then lattice on the bottom. It would take about a week of nice weather to do this. Included in the price would be the substitution of a better handicapped toilet in the bathroom and 2 of the windows which need counterweights. He will also fix the holes in the door. There was some discussion as to how this would fit into what we might eventually want to do with our space and grounds. Steve remarked that we’ve played with the idea of a deck some day, but the safety of the steps is needed now. Joel would like to do a drawing to show what we would want. Steve said that the aforementioned price included a 5x5 platform and a 3’ stair, but since he changed it to a 5x4 with a 4’ stair, the price might be a bit different. Steve moved that Ed be authorized to go ahead with the above proposal at a cost of no more than $4000. Barbara seconded the motion. Janet requested that handrails on both sides be put on. The motion was approved unanimously. Alan reported that he has the new projector at home. Currently the aim is to be able to receive information, although Skype may be used eventually. Larry Reckner will be asked about what kind of computer is needed. Steve stated that the photos in the multipurpose room needs to come down so the children can display their things. Joel agreed that they can come down if there is something else to replace them. The walls were empty for a very long time. The sand bucket will have to be kept filled for the winter months. George Grant will be asked to do vigorous sanding in the parking lot area. HIGH This year the holidays come on the tail of Labor Day. Some possible ideas to remedy this include having a tent in the back yard, using the OTHER BUSINESS Barbara brought up the idea of Adopt a Platoon. Steve strongly objected, feeling this is political. Joel thought it could go to committee, but there is no chair for social action. We discussed the position of chair of a social action committee. Barbara agreed to act as temporary chair and gather a committee with the hope of selecting a chair from the group that gets involved. Ernestine Pantel is interested in continuing her work on Aging and becoming involved with the Center for Faith Enrichment. The board would like to have more information about that work. Steve commented that no one mentioned the retreat. The meeting adjourned about 1:15PM. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Cohen, Secretary To-Do List:
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