Board of Directors

Board Minute Meeting
March 2011 - pdf

Board Meeting Minutes

Location:  Deep Spring Center

Attendees:  Tana Dean, Phil Kneessi, Ken Morley, Sandra Villafuerte, Lisa Zucker, Thomas Slank,

Also attending: Barbara Brodsky, Rori Stienstra

Not Attending:  Sherry Hansen

Sharing / Brief sitting

Agenda

1. Sangha commentary (5 minutes)
   1. At Sunday sitting, Richard King commented on the importance to donate dana. Ken, who mentioned Richard’s comment, suggests including dana as an automatic donation in the web. Tana to send an e-mail informing about this new option and the mention to include dana donations for tax deduction.
2. Newsletter (Rori if attending) (20 minutes)

a.    Survey results: Rori presented the results of a survey on the preference to receive the newsletter electronically or as hard copy. The results will save money in printing copies. In addition Sangha members are willing to pay a $12 subscription for the hard copy. Barbara spoke to the value on keeping a hard copy at the Center to take home and Lisa added that students get familiar with DSC through the newsletter. A link to the website will be added to donate and mail the newsletter.

Tana to print 50-75 extra copies for the buffet

In addition, the newsletter in the website will have an introduction with links to the extended articles. Barbara has an introductory statement that can serve as a base.

b.    Other issues/concerns: Rori will send an e-mail regarding other issues to be discussed at next meeting

3.   Retreat (and more?) survey/meeting (15 minutes)   

                After a brief discussion Barbara suggested a simple survey that would include questions about finances, type of retreat residential vs no-residential, length. Also include questions about classes. Barbara and Aaron remarked the survey asks about what DSC can do to best support practice and what DSC mean to them. Every aspect of DSC supports every other aspect. Sandra and Lisa to prepare the survey to be sent to the Sangha very soon and the results will be presented and discuss at the Sangha meeting.

            b. Anna Marie’s email: next meeting

      4.   Events to schedule (30 minutes) – dates and locations (Tom)

            a. Annual Sangha meeting (or just issue finance report since we have picnic and silent auction)

               Lisa to follow with Barbara on her availability for May to schedule the Annual Sangha meeting

            b. Annual picnic (August – Friends Lake)

               Tom to check with Friends Lake for a date on mid August

            c. Fund raiser mailing/Barbara’s latest suggestion (July)

               A single fundraising e-mail will be sent by mid July to the Sangha prepared by Barbara with a message of mindfulness as members decide on giving

            d. Silent auction/potluck (date October, location TBD)

               Ken will talk to Susan for the availability of the clubhouse at her residence place sometime in the first half of October

5.      Treasurer's report/Financial matters (if available) (Tom)

            a. February 2011 actuals: loss of money due to advance payments for upcoming retreats

6.   Administrative (Tana/others 35 minutes)

            a. Crazy Wisdom Ad: it was approved to buy one size up ad and three adds which gives us one ad for free. Tana informed about the pledge form for the Big Heart Walking event as a fundraising event. On this matter, Phil noted that by reviewing 10 years worth of Board meetings minutes, the fundraising committee had asked for volunteers to organize fundraising events. A decision was made to send an e-mail requesting for volunteers to organize picnic, silent auction, etc. The e-mail will include a list of committees and we’ll use the Board e-mail address for this.

            b. New web site – any issues? Just few: The Board meeting minutes from 2009, 2010 are not accessible. Tana will fix it. On the daily quote from Aaron, the message is shifted to the right. Terry will be notified to fix it.

            c. Extended warrantee for Barbara’s MacBook Pro? The Board is requesting the cost and for how long. Tana to obtain data from Barbara

            d. Data on class history: for next meeting

            e. Correct letter out for Anna Marie. It was corrected and sent

            f. Other items? no

      7.   Building fund clarification (5 minutes) (Phil, Ken)

            Phil found no specific restrictions in the minutes he reviewed (10 years worth). Donations were done before moving to our current place, the Fall  of 2003. In June of 2007 all stocks from this fund were converted to cash. Major donors (Kris Kurnit, Dottie Coyne, Ann Barden) are identified. Ken will contact them and report back on the next meeting.

8.   Clarifying the role of the board (10 minutes) (Tom)

      Duties and responsibilities of the Board were read and discussed. The main issue that arose was as Board how do we create a sense of participation and belonging from the Sangha through volunteering for the myriad of opportunities? Phil pointed out that the organizational chart lists 10 different committees we could use to motivate the Sangha to participate. The survey may also clarify this issue.

9.   Approving “links” on the web site (5 minutes)

      Barbara to approve the list of external links posted in DSC website

      10. Teachers' corner (5 minutes) (Lisa)

a. Teacher's circle: not discussed

11. Social committee report (5 minutes)

      Nothing to report

12. Calendar

            a. Additional upcoming events?

            b. Next meetings – April 25, May 23, June 27 - all at DSC @ 6:30 PM

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm

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Respectfully submitted,