Minutes for RSB Board Meeting June 17, 2016
Present: Robert, Robin, Diana, Kathleen, Judy & Kelly. Absent: Ron, Michael
Verse, opening
Approve minutes of previous meeting – Robin moved to approve minutes of previous meeting- Kathleen 2nded the motion, All in favor. Motion passed.
Financial (Kelly): Review of transfer of Treasurer duties (finances and membership management), updating signatures on bank accounts. All accomplished. Kelly is learning how to use WordPress and finding the features useful.
Membership
- Discussed how to handle the removal of names from our member’s Listserv & web site roll who have not paid their dues this past year. Suggestion that Diana write a general letter to listserv announcing the change and encouraging people to contribute to this community by renewing their dues. Then send a second letter, some weeks later, just to the people who have not renewed, alerting them to the loss of online privileges.
- Discussed whether the privileges of membership; such as using the listserv, should be revoked. Decided such an act would seem punishing and not welcoming and inclusive.
- Judy has volunteered to find out which of our members are also members of the National Society. We will wait on our decision of requiring national membership when we see how many members we might lose if we insist on this requirement.
- Robin has written several emails welcoming new listserv subscribers, welcoming new members in the area and people planning to move to the area. These will be sent to everyone automatically when they enroll on the website and now are being sent personally.
- Discussed how Karen Rivers is doing a great job presenting material to the EWS parents. Let’s try to get her to allow us to give her students a brochure about our branch, the Society and encourage them to join our listserv and become connected.
RSB-NC web site (Kelly and Robin): Kelly and Robin worked together for 10 hours on needed updates to software (Events Calendar PRO license), updates to donation and membership forms. Kelly suggests another similar session is needed to complete the necessary improvements.
Heart Fund requests: Discussed some upcoming needs and status of care being led by Kelly for Mindy. Discussed housing options and set up of a “Caring bridge” to aid in communication of tasks needing helpers.
Newsletter (Robin and Diana): Robin and Diana will consider sending out a weekly update on events in the community. Discussed if there’s a way to integrate this into the function of our calendar software. Discussed making a blog for this community with articles, similar to the one Hazel Ginsberg does for the Chicago community. No volunteers. Discussed without resolution whether we could simply send Hazel’s blog on to our community with minor edits.
Preparation for upcoming events (Diana):
- Discussed the play on Kaspar Hauser that Judy has written. We will meet at her home on Wed at 5 pm to read through the play, which has 9 roles and will require 3 rehearsals. Inviting the planning group members to attend this as well.
- Judy will contact EWS (Lynda Hollar) to make reservations either for Sat Sept 24th or Sat Oct 1st for our Michaelmas celebration.
- Discussed briefly plans for Bastiaan Baan’s visit on Sept 7th and Julian’s visit in the spring which will need a great deal more outreach and planning.
Possible Jubilee bookstore donation: It seems Mark’s books have been assigned to his estate and Judy volunteered to contact the estate agent to see if he would like us to take some of the books for our Anthroposophical library. It seems unlikely that we will be given the books in sellable condition, only used books. Suggestion offered that Edward make the German books available to other German speakers here in the community.
Outreach and membership
- A possible brochure for the Branch will be presented at next meeting by Robin and Diana with input from others.
- Publicity to attract new members: Judy and Kathleen suggest we advertise in local magazines; Change Works and Natural Awakenings for all events. Must have brochure to hand out at such events.
RSB-NC By-laws: No action taken since Ron has not got back to Robin on his proposed edits.
Set date for next Board meeting – Friday, August 26th 2016 2-4 pm
Verse, closing
