BACC Governance Board
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2011 5 pm
Present: Ellen Brownson, Kate Dobrowski, Bruce Edwards, Karen Hambleton, Will Hurley, Margaret Raymond, Jim Valiquet
Absent: Ona Ruchti
Visitors: Carol Conforti-Adams, Tom Dunn, Robert Manchester, Harry Wright
Chair Bruce Edwards opened the meeting at 5:05 pm.
MINUTES: The minutes from the February 23rd meeting were approved.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Bruce Edwards was nominated as Chair, Ellen Brownson was nominated as Vice-Chair and Karen Hambleton was nominated as Secretary. All were voted in unanimously.
NOMINATION/CULTIVATION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS: Both Don West and Carol Conforti-Adams have indicated an interest in serving on the Board. There was discussion about how best each could contribute. This led to a discussion about the role of the Board and it was agreed to table this topic until the role of the Governance Board is better defined.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS: Given the amount of work ahead, the Board will meet twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 4:30 in the Community Center. The first meeting of the month will be the regular business meeting; the second meeting will be a work session. Since the 4th Tuesday this month falls during vacation week, our April work session will be held on May 3rd. It was suggested that ad hoc committees could also help expedite the work sessions.
SELECTBOARD QUESTIONS: The Selectboard had provided a list of questions for which they had requested clarification.
Question 1 – Does Carol Conforti-Adams speak for the Governance Board? Answer – Not at this time.
Question 2 – Has the Governance Board voted to ask Carol Adams to apply for a grant with the NH Charitable Foundation? Answer – Carol researched the grant at the request of the Governance Board. The Governance Board is not prepared to embark on the grant application process at this time.
The remaining questions were specific to the answer to the second question being yes, thus are irrelevant.
A question about how grant writers get paid was raised. Carol provided some insight saying it could be in a variety of ways – by the hour, by grant submission etc.
FUTURE AGENDA FORMAT/ITEMS: There was much discussion about what needs to be done and how it could be accomplished. Carol explained the organizational structure used by the VNA as one model. The VNA has a governance board, a fiscal agent and uses committees to run programs. There is some personnel overlap.
Among the tasks to be completed (in no particular order) are:
Address the fiscal issues – agent, etc
Develop/revisit the mission and identify a direction
Cultivate and attract Board members
Wrap up the BCC organization
Create an organizational chart and structure
Create job descriptions for the organizational elements and committees
To be prepared for the work session on May 3rd, Kate will provide copies of the operating manuals, organizational charts and articles of agreement. Jim will provide the Articles of Agreement and affidavits of amendments for both the BCC and the Friends of the Bradford Community Center. Warrant Article 41 is the empowering action as we move forward.
There was an extended discussion about how the BACC Governance structure could be set up similar to the Library. Bob Manchester had several suggestions, all of which will be taken into account as we move forward.
Work session: May 3rd 4:30pm – To review operating manuals and focus on the direction/mission.
Next meeting: May 10th 4:30pm
The Committee adjourned at 6:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Hambleton and Bruce Edwards
Reports submitted by Governance Board members:
MAINTENANCE – Bruce – The carpets are scheduled to be cleaned on April 16th.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – Ellen – Lake Sunapee Region VNA will offer free cholesterol screenings next month at the Senior Center. Phil will do the advertising.
SENIORS – CAP – Ona – The first Friday Brunch attracted a large crowd. They were serenaded by two trumpets, which were loud given the small space. The stitchers, which average about 20 per week, are making more pincushions in addition to the quilts. The movie, “Andre Rieu’s Concert” was long, but wonderful. The Senior Center is now serving “Café Bienvenue” – which is a great meal for $2. There are about 25 seniors who attend “Fitness” and some are attending “Zumba” as well.
KAP – Karen – KAP is currently looking for a preschool teacher as the lead teacher, Heather Allen left in March. Children (and staff) are happy that we can now go outside without donning all our winter clothes. Instead of a Bunny Brunch this year, the Preschool partnered with Brown Memorial Library and is providing free photos with the Easter Bunny at the Library’s Easter Egg Hunt. KAP will also hold a Bake Sale in the church parking lot at the same time.
PARKS & REC – Debbie/Margaret – At the March 24, 2011 Parks and Rec meeting held at the Town Hall, Cheryl Behr indicated that instructors need to be on the payroll so they are covered under town insurance. (i.e. Donna Aker, and the swim instructor.) They will need W4’s, I9’s and background checks. The Committee seeks additional board members and volunteers.