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Minutes of Annual General Meeting, June 16, 2009

Attendance:

Avi Brown (chair), Devorah Leah Brown (minutes), Derek Mazer, Naomi Mazer, Stephen Taran, Sandy Taran, Jack Bottner, Michelle Bottner, Rabbi Lazer, Stephen Antony, Carl Ehrman, Shi Sherebrin, Brian Ublansky, Mayshe Levin, Les Meyerowitz, Manny Friedman, Elly Freund-Bell, Danny Bell, Tom Klinger, Phil Weinstein, Nathan Schiff

The meeting was called to order by the chair at 7:08 pm.

Approval of minutes (2008 - 2009 AGM):

• Motion (Danny Bell, Stephen Antony): carried

Ratification of the Decisions and Acts of the Outgoing Board:

• Motion: that the decisions and acts of the outgoing board be ratified (Michelle Bottner, Stephen Taran): carried

Rabbi’s Report

• Wonderful year.
• Programming – Jewish Legacy introduced this year.
  • Grant given in amount of $400.
  • Costs low. JCC co-sponsored, facilities free.
• NCSY needs a push. Something to look at.
• JLI had a good year.
  • Last year 90 students, this year 54. (Church group last year upped numbers.
  • Still have funds toward next year.
  • Only need 18 students next year to break even.
  • Hoping these courses will bring people in the door of the Shul.
• Also, announcing that if finances don’t increase in next 12-24 months, Gurkow family may need to move on to another position. Increased family costs. Needs increased salary too stay at CBT.

Treasurer’s Report

• Shul expenses largely based on salaries & shul costs.
• Last year we have a $16K deficit.
  • Legacy donations have been used to meet these yearly deficits.
  • Need members to pay ‘their fare share’ to help keep the shul afloat.
  • Significant drops in honors, and donations, no fund-raiser in 2008.
  • We have brought down repair & up-keeping costs.
• The yearly deficit is an ongoing problem that is not much different from previous years but still needs to be addressed.
• Discussion:
  • Tom Klinger mentioned Trillium Fund as possible source of funds.
  • Shi not sure that funding available for religious institutions, but perhaps if the new kids' room will be made available for rental to community groups, it may be possible to find some funding.

President’s Report

• The shul runs on the efforts of a strong volunteer base. These individuals do so for the good of the community.
• Thanks to Elly for keeping the books.
• Phil Weinstein for checking the books.
• Stephen Taran for legal advice and running with the Children's room campaign.
• many others need to be thanked:
  • Jack Bottner for sound advice as past president.
  • Shi for helping with computer and house issues.
  • Monty Caplan and Sandy Levin for advice on Insurance, and constitutional issues.
  • grateful to many others unable to mention all by name.
• There are many good indications that the shul is doing well.
  • People coming, people care, shul in good shape.
  • The demonstrated ability to raise funds for the Children's room is the most convincing demonstration that people are dedicated to the shul and its future.
  • It is hard to get people excited about helping support normal operations which is the source of our deficit.
    • The deficit is next years big challenge.
    • Look to the future. We can NOT continue to run deficits.
    • We have been able to cover yearly deficits with legacy donations but it is not acceptable to plan to run a deficit.

Children’s Room Report

• Stephen Taran reported that we now have $122K in pledges.
• ESAM has pledged of $50K and has already given $10K.
• Quotes for construction are $133K.
  • We are 82% there.
• We received an estate donation of $50K towards the Children’s room to help start.
• The Children's room construction will include new A/C, new furnace, kitchen ventilation, etc.
• Hoping that the new Children's room will better serve current membership and serve as an attraction for young families.
• Recognized importance of the initial drive for the Children's room came from the Weinstein family by promoting the idea and through pledges made in honour of Phil Weinstein's birthday.
• Also recognized importance of donation from Ehrman estate.
• The board should not lose sight of the fact that the present Children’s room was the result of donations in honour of Diana Jacobs.
• Thanks to Muki Pundaki for his help in putting estimate together.
• Motion proposed by Stephen Taran: "Be it resolved that Congregation Beth Tefilah is authorized to spend the amount that has been and will be pledged and donated to the Capital Campaign - Children’s Room Addition" (Derek Mazer, Carl Ehrman): carried.

Election of the Board of Directors:

• nominations for President
  • Avi Brown (nom. by Derek Mazer, seconded by Stephen Taran)
• nominations for Vice President
  • Derek Mazer (nom. Avi Brown, seconded by Shi Sherebrin)
• nominations for Treasurer
  • Elly Freund-Bell (nom. Tom Klinger, seconded by Naomi Mazer)
• nominations for Secretary
  • Devorah Leah Brown (nom. Michelle Bottner, seconded by Elly Freund-Bell)
• All other candidates for the 2009 - 2010 Board of Directors were nominated from the floor, seconded and accepted:
  • Stephen Anthony
  • Stephen Taran
  • Marnie Richmond
  • Carl Ehrman
  • Danny Bell
  • Jay Edell
  • Brian Ublansky
  • Manny Friedman
  • Shi Sherebrin

Good and Welfare

Adjournment:

• Motion (moved by Shi Sherebrin, seconded by Derek Mazer), 8:08 pm