Board Meeting of RSB-NC August 18, 2015, 6:00 – 8:45 pm
Directors present: Robert Mays, Robin Haynes, Ron Evans, Kathleen Wright, Tatiana Zybin, Diana Haynes, Judy Frey, Will Hicks
- Previous minutes: Kathleen moved that the minutes of previous meeting be accepted, Ron 2nded and all agreed to accept previous minutes.
- Treasurer’s report given by Robin Haynes: current status of income and expenses were reported. Request for certain expenses to be reimbursed related to website functionality, approx. $140. Robin made the motion, Ron 2nded and unanimous vote.
- A suggestion for RSB Board members to make a donation to the Branch in addition to annual dues was presented by Robert Mays. It is clear that our income from dues is insufficient to do the work of the branch. All directors agreed to make an additional pledge. Robert discussed the spiritual benefits of tithing and how it allows the spirit to work into our deeds. Sacrifice is fundamental to spiritual advancement. When we give, do not give grudgingly but give abundantly and the spirit will multiply your gift and bring blessings from it. Our needs will be met.
- Plans for starting our regular newsletter again. Do we charge for ads in the newsletter? It was decided we would adapt the same principles and charges as the Emersonian newsletter has done for EWS. We discussed ways of formatting the newsletter and suggested ways to make it a more manageable size.
- Update on plans for Glen Williamson’s events: Glen Williamson is booked to perform Faust (“Beat the Devil”) on Saturday, December 12 (7 pm) and “The Incarnation of the Logos” on Sunday, December 13 at 4:30 pm at the Emerson Waldorf School’s Brown Wing. Our cost will be $500/performance plus Glen’s meals, accommodation and travel will be provided.
- The Eurythmy performance is slated for spring 2017, postponing for a year beyond the initial plan. Kathleen and Diana will work with Christina Beck on coordinating and fundraising as needed for that event.
- National AGM of the Society will be Oct 9-11 2015 in Missouri. Ron or Kathleen will try to attend. The purpose will be to develop the relevance of the Society to pressing issues in the world and explore what Anthroposophy has to offer. We agreed someone should go and bring back a report.
- Life and Cultivation of Anthroposophy weekend retreat in Ann Arbor, Michigan from Sept 18 – 20 to discuss work in the branches. Representatives from around the country will go to bring ideas and share fellowship, discussions of the challenges and cultivate a positive vision for the future of Anthroposophy. Ron is interested in attending.
- ERC: Kathleen will arrange a conference phone call to discuss the Eastern Regional Council and whether we feel it should be reformed and to what purpose. She will determine if a visit here from the National representatives is a good idea for our community.
- How to resolve the members’ concerns? Robert presented a summary of his conversations with Peg recently and with Edward on July 22. Robert clarified how mistakes were made that led to the confusion regarding the length of the terms of Allen, Joanna and Melanie.
First, these directors’ terms expired at the 2014 AGM but Peg forgot to include their names on the ballot. After the AGM, the sitting Board members elected the three to the Board. Our by-laws do not allow expired directors to be re-elected by the Board, only by the members, so this was the primary mistake made.
Peg pointed out at that time that the three directors’ terms would extend for one year only, until the next AGM. However, Edward apparently hadn’t read the by-law in question and thought they had been elected for 3-year terms – despite what Peg believes she had made completely clear to everyone present. When Edward recently read the by-law with Robert, he admitted he had made a mistake.
Allen persisted in holding to Edward’s incorrect interpretation, despite having himself studied the by-laws extensively for the 2013 revisions, also despite having been told by Peg in several phone conversations, in late April and early May 2015, to the contrary.
Peg objected to the use of the term “resign” in meetings Will and Robin had with Allen. Allen expressed that he felt pressured to resign. Robin and Will made clear to us that the word “resign” was used only after Allen had refused on numerous occasions to stand for election at the AGM and the other Board members were convinced he could not be persuaded to comply. Only then was the term “resign” used for the entire Board in order to bring the Board back into compliance with the by-laws. It was never a personal attack on Allen by anyone.
However, Allen apparently felt it as a personal attack and took his concerns to Margaret who attempted to intervene on his behalf. Most of the subsequent developments followed from the meeting at Margaret’s home on May 6.
To finally resolve these concerns, Robert suggested that the non-involved Board members write a description of the objective facts of what occurred and this be presented to the various people involved for verification. If there is general agreement with the report then the matter should be closed and the story presented to the membership.
Robert also presented that during Peg’s tenure as President, one of her roles was to mediate between different factions in the Branch so that they all felt heard. Robert believes this is still needed and he is willing to try to do this.
Robin moved that the four non-involved Board members (Judy, Ron, Robert and Tatiana) develop a statement about the events leading up to the 2015 AGM in which the objective facts of what happened are clarified as far as possible. This will be presented to the principals who may offer corrections and then the final summary will be presented to the members of the Branch and the issue may be considered closed. Judy seconded the motion and we had unanimous agreement to pass the motion.
- Next Board meeting: September 21, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the Mayses.
- Defer until after the members’ concerns are resolved: Edward’s request to talk about a Collegium to manage the cultural life.
