October 15, 2003
5:00 to 7:00 pm
The meeting was called to order at 5:13 by Nancy Salzer and Sherry Shaw. .
. .
Present: Todd Eggert, Nancy Salzer (on speaker phone), Sherry Shaw, Cathy
Alfieri, John Bouchard, Cathy Donnelly, Dorothy Herndon, Thomas Murphy, Diana
Williams, Mary Wilson
Absent Excused - Marilyn Auerbach, Teresa Carroll
Introductions, announcements - Nancy Salzer/Sherry Shaw
Approval of the minutes of the August and September meetings:
The minutes of the August 20, 2003 and September 17, 2003 board meetings were
reviewed, amended and approved.
President's Report/Executive Committee - Nancy Salzer
Summary of Report/Discussion:
Nancy commented that this was Cathy Donnelly's last meeting and thanked her
for her long service to the RCIL Board of Directors.
The Executive Committee, at their October 1st meeting, noted that no qualified board member was willing to run for the treasurer's position at the RCIL Annual Meeting on November 15th. This position was vacated when Linzi Burns resigned as treasurer. Linzi was finishing the term of former treasurer Matt Starr In accordance with the RCIL bylaws which allow a person to serve as vice-president and treasurer, Sherry Shaw volunteered to serve as interim treasurer. The question was raised whether a qualified non-board member could be appointed to the treasurer's position at some point even though the bylaws state that a person should be a member of the board for a year before assuming an officer's position. It was recommended that any qualified person for the treasurer's position who is not currently a board member come to several board meetings before any decision to suspend the bylaws in this regard be contemplated.
Decisions Made/Action Taken:
A motion was made and approved to appoint Sherry Shaw as interim RCIL treasurer.
Treasurer's Report/Finance Committee - Sherry Shaw/Todd Eggert
Summary of Report/Discussion:
The Finance Committee met on October 8th. The July 2003 statement was reviewed
as the August financials couldn't be produced due to several minor budget issues
regarding moving funds around that needed state approval. Upon reviewing the
July 2003 budget the Finance Committee noted that the "Other" line
item was large and needed more definition as to what this encompasses. It was
proposed that somehow this item be broken down further so that the Finance
Committee, the Board of Directors and the auditors would have a better sense
of what the money is being spent on.
There is a long overdue accounts receivable from the Mayzon Corporation for managing Southview Towers. RCIL had a service coordination project there for several years but it was stopped. There have been repeated efforts to contact Mayzon to recover the money owed ($20,000). A letter was sent from Mayzon this summer acknowledging that they owed the money but that HUD had not paid them and thus they couldn't pay RCIL.
The Finance Committee felt that even given this case, that this is Mayzon's problem, not RCIL's.
The Finance Committee also felt that since this has been an accounts receivable for well over a year that RCIL should look at reserving half the amount, indicating that there is a possibility that RCIL will not be able to collect the money due. It was suggested that John Heveron, the auditor be called for his opinion on the matter and if this course should be pursued, how it should be done. This must be done before the audit which is scheduled for the third week in November. The question was raised about whether a collection agency should be used to get the $20,000 that RCIL laid out in good faith for this enterprise. The Finance Committee also recommended that another letter be sent to someone higher up at Mayzon, referencing the previous contacts and asking for the money regardless of whether HUD has paid Mayzon or not. It was suggested that Steve Modica, RCIL counsel, write a letter to Mayzon. It was also recommended that the auditor be asked how much would be saved if the $10,000 half is written off.
The 2003-04 Annual Operating Budget is into the new fiscal year and not been adopted by the Board of Directors yet as the Finance Committee saw several items that need to be addressed to make the budget balanced. Todd has been in the process of making some adjustments so that the budget is balanced. It was recommended by the Finance Committee that a special meeting of the Board of Directors be called to adopt the RCIL 2003-2004 Annual Operating Budget in early November before the Annual Meeting on November 15th. Todd further proposed that the draft of the RCIL Strategic Plan be presented for feedback.
A special meeting will be held on Novermber 5th from 5 to 7 to adopt the RCIL 2003=2004 Annual Operating Budget and to review the RCIL Strategic Plan and give feedback.
Sherry also asked how the Board of Directors would like information from the Finance Committee shared. A question was raised about the T-shirt money. Todd said that the money was essentially a paper transfer and thus the load has been paid back.
A question was raised about a particular personnel issue and the board's potential liability if closure is not made in regards to this situation. After a review of the events pertinent to the situation, Todd said he would follow up so that closure can take place.
Decisions Made/Action Taken:
Executive Director's Report - Todd Eggert
Summary of Report/Discussion:
The staff reorganization is almost complete. Some new community service strategies
are being planned including walk-in opportunities on the last Wednesday of
each month to meet with staff and social opportunities.
Todd expressed concern that none of the board attended the public hearing on Tuesday, October 14th at Monroe Community Hospital concerning the state plan for independent living (SPIL). He said that the Center for Disability Rights (CDR) had a strong presence of over 20 people while RCIL had no board members, no consumers, no volunteers and only four staff members. Board members noted that the meeting seemed to not be one of high priority in communications, was not well promoted, that some board members had other commitments, and perhaps the staff could help get the consumers out for such events. It was noted that the board is dedicated, gives time and that event notification needs to be better marketed and better organized. Todd noted that RCIL is in a competitive environment with CDR. It was also noted that there are still opportunities to give input on the state plan until November 7th.
There will be a focus group at RCIL on October 29th to discuss and compile ideas and information to be sent to the NY State Independent Living Council (http://www.nysilc.org)
A board retreat was also suggested to increase communications and a good team spirit.
Decisions Made/Action Taken:
No specific board action at this time.
Committee Reports
Personnel - No report given
Membership/Nominating - Sherry Shaw
Sherry Shaw reminded the board of the upcoming RCIL Annual Meeting at the Al
Sigl Center on November 15th from 11-12 to set up and then the meeting from
12-4. She asked that all board members be in attendance at this meeting and
that board members volunteer for a variety of tasks.
Program - No report given
Issues and Advocacy - No report given
Public Relations & Development - Cathy Alfieri
Cathy distributed information about the upcoming Tupperware fundraiser being
put on by Michele Olyer, Brenda Davis and Peggy Gorrow. Board members are
encouraged to attend this event and sign up to help out. The event is October
29th at RCIL from 5:00 to 7:00 directly after the focus group on the state
independent living goals setting.
Strategic Planning - No report given; will be discussed at the November 5th special board meeting.
Unfinished Business - The reports not given should be shared
New Business - None was discussed outside of the above mentioned events.
The meeting adjourned at 7:16
DATES TO REMEMBER:
The next regular Board of Directos meeting is Wednesday, November 19, 5 to 7 pm
RCIL Annual Meeting, Saturday, November 15, Al Sigl Center Cafeteria
RCIL Holiday Celebration on December 12th at the Spring House: reservations and money due by December 5th.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Alfieri, Secretary
Regional Center for Independent Living Board of Directors