Board of Directors Meeting Minutes for November 12, 2008
Present: Sara D’Andrea, Robin Grapkowski, Anthea Higgins, Joy Kalfus, Joi Koenig, Philicia Levinson, Sandy Loprete, Jane Martinez, Shelly Oliver-Hollis. Absent: Kathy Mastriano, Myriam Scicolone.
A regular meeting of the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills Board of Directors was called to order by President Sandy Loprete at approximately 7:45 p.m., in the Junior League office, 105 Main Street, Millburn, NJ.
Minutes from the October 7, 2008 Board Meeting were reviewed and approved as amended.
Congratulations to Fundraising Council Chair Kathy Mastriano on the birth of her baby girl, Sophia Mary.
The provisional class had its first meeting last night. 19 women attended. This class will meet for the full year.
The JLOSH Holiday Party has been moved to Thursday, Dec. 18, at Sandy’s house, 24 Farley Rd., Short Hills.
Our attorney is in the final phase of drafting a gift letter to the East Orange Public Library. We may be able to open the new Junior’s Room this spring.
One-to-One with Steve Adubato on CN8 will feature The Littlest Volunteers with Sandy as his in-studio guest on an upcoming show in December.
Elizabeth attended the Fall Leadership Conference in Kansas City. AJLI has proposed that we change our vision statement to: “Women around the world as catalysts for lasting community change.” JLOSH will vote on the proposed change and Elizabeth will vote as our delegate at the next AJLI conference.
Sandy shared a positive conversation with an AJLI representative. AJLI is beginning talks with Leagues to come up with the next nation-wide program like Kids in the Kitchen. The Littlest Volunteer is a strong candidate.
Sandy reviewed notes from the small group meetings in October (see minutes from Small Group Meeting, Oct. 16). Based on the ideas generated from those meetings, Community Project Development will begin to research a new community project. Anthea noted that moving forward, we can assume that Children’s Best Interest will phase-out. There may be a way to stay in touch with DYFS and with the foster children through birthday cards, DIAD, etc. Our gift to the East Orange Public Library could serve as a launch point for a new project there. That location could fit with the many DIAD activities that our members enjoy. The Littlest Volunteers should remain as a second community project based on our investment and AJLI’s positive response to our success. The next phase of TLV could be a “program in a box” effort that can be implemented in schools and libraries. Like many past JLOSH programs, we could transition this project to local PTOs.
Robin announced that Burgdorff has returned as leading sponsor of our Children’s Theater event, James and the Giant Peach, with a donation of $7,500.
We will host a fundraising shopping event on Dec. 4, from 7-9 p.m., at Pierre Deux on Millburn Ave., Millburn. The event will feature hors d’oeuvre and drinks. A second fundraising shopping event will be held on Dec. 6 at the new Barnes & Noble, in the Livingston Mall from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event will focus on James and the Giant Peach as a PR push. On the evening of Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 JLOSH volunteers will wrap gifts for donations to JLOSH.
Women of Vision committee will have an open meeting on Monday, Nov. 24, at 7:30 p.m., in the JLOSH building, to select the WOV honorees. The WOV luncheon will be held on April 3, 2009, at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.
Philicia said that she is working with Closerware to enable credit card purchases via jlosh.org. This service could be used to purchase TLV books and tickets to JLOSH events.
Sara announced that 75% of the members have had their advisor meetings. She asked the council chairs reiterate to committee chairs that council chairs and advisors are available for support. We should also embrace our council system by having regular council meetings. We need to be cheerleaders for our members.
Meet the Chairs is scheduled for Feb. 25.
Our Thanksgiving Basket DIAD is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22. Members are asked to bring two boxes of corn bread mix, 1 box of cake mix and icing. Crafts will be provided for members’ children in attendance.
Philicia provided an update on our tenant. The board voted unanimously to present the following proposal to our tenant:
Tenants to sign a promissory note in the principal amount of $9,750 for three months’ rent due (Sept., Oct., Nov.)
JLOSH agrees to waive interest and late fees on past due rent
JLOSH agrees to waive increase in monthly rent that is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2009. We reserve the right to reinstate this increase at our discretion
Tenant agrees to make timely payments for Dec., Jan. and Feb. rent according to agreed upon schedule
If Dec., Jan., and Feb. rent and property tax payments are made on time, then upon receipt of Feb. rent in full, JLOSH to cancel promissory note and forgive Sept., Oct. and Nov. rent
The next Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m., at the Junior League office.
The meeting was adjourned by Sandy at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Joy Kalfus
Recording Secretary