- Welcome and Introductions
Michael opened the zoom meeting and discussed how the meeting will be conducted. Advised that Kelleigh may not be able to attend and at a minimum will be late.
- Approval of the Minutes
Motion by Jane S. to approve the minutes from February, 2nd by Richard.
-
- Curt requested a small clarification to the minutes at the bottom of the first page change ‘They had to’ to ‘They committed to…’
Richard voted against, Sonia abstained, All others in Favor – the motion passes.
Richard also raised two issues:
- In Kelleigh’s absence JR is supposed to run the board meeting.
- Our meetings are supposed to be public. How was notice given of this meeting to the public? Did we advertise it?
Michael responded that once we get the technicalities out of the way JR will take over and preside over the meeting and he acknowledged – this is a new format and there were some challenges – we did not do a good job of advertising the new format of the meeting well to everyone and we need to do better.
JR: He heard from some of the community association presidents, that are not on the SWP board, today, and they are upset that they were not notified of the meeting but he thinks we can get through it.
- Review and Selection of Members of the Appeals Committee
-
-
- Tony: He sent out by email, to the board, a list of 4 potential members for the committee.
- Ellen Janes
- Charles Duff
- Dan Ellis
- John Goodwin
- He asked community associations to designate a representative for the committee, preferably before our April meeting.
- Each panel convened will be 3 people – 1 from the neighborhood and 2 from this list of 4.
- Michael: This list is just to get started – we can add more people to the list as they are recommended and agree.
- Richard – Where did these people come from?
- Tony: They were people that we knew or that were recommended.
- R: did they get vetted through the governance committee?
- T: no
- Ashley: Can vouch for Ellen James.
- Khandra: Governance was not going to vet the people – this is for the board to decide.
- Jane S. – Knows Charlie Duff well and speaks highly of him.
- Motion: to accept this group as the initial members of the committee
- Bill 2nd the motion
- JR – to be clear, we are voting to start the committee today.
- Michael – Yes but we can expand it.
- Richard: So we are planning to have 1 person from the neighborhood but 2 people from outside the neighborhood on this committee? Doesn’t that give away the decision making power of the neighborhood?
- Michael: yes that is what we are asking.
- Scott: No that’s not right. The committee will bring a recommendation to the board to make a final decision. The committee doesn’t have any actual power to make decisions, just a vetting and a recommendation.
- Heather: As Scott said, the panel is bringing a recommendation not a decision. The decision is made by the board.
- Dan- this group is completely impartial.
- Roll call vote by Chris:
- Tony: He sent out by email, to the board, a list of 4 potential members for the committee.
-
- Sonia, Richard, Kenneth, Donnell abstained. All others in favor. 13 yes. The motion passes.
- Communications Goals
-
- Michael: We were thinking we would give about 30 minutes for discussion on this topic and then put forward a motion.
- He reviewed the communication document that previously sent to the board by email. Summary: There are a lot of questions around communication, who, what, when, how that need to be sorted out so that our organization can be better. The staff is recommending a committee take up these questions and deliver some answers for the board to vote on.
- Lots of great conversation largely agreeing with the broader point that there are many questions that need to be sorted out including:
- This is very important – perhaps the most important issue facing our organization
- Social Media is an important part
- Equity is an important consideration
- The Website is perhaps a central repository with all forms of communication (email, social media) being fed from there.
- Need to consider a broad spectrum of communication vehicles (ie message boards, posters, fliers, electronic, etc…)
- Lifebridge would like to participate.
- Communication is important and Marketing is also.
- Michael: recommending that:
- 1) The existing task force – charged with examining the two big annual events – continue with their charge and bring back recommendations on just that.
- 2) Create a Communications Committee – chaired by a person fluent in communication – that is supported by industry experts to address all the other issues and bring recommendations to the board.
- Motion by Bill. 2nd by Heather.
- Scott: recommend calling it a task force like the other as opposed to a committee to avoid confusion
- Michael: Agrees to the change.
- Richard: Agreed w/ Scott it should be a called a task force
- Jane S. volunteered to work with University to identify resources to assist
- Bill: accepted the change to the motion
- All in favor 18 yes. The motion passes
- Michael: We were thinking we would give about 30 minutes for discussion on this topic and then put forward a motion.
- Pop Up Lease
-
-
-
- Michael: After conversation with Kenneth this afternoon. They both feel like there are a number of open questions on this that need to be answered before bringing it to the board.
-
- New Business/ Old Business
- Kurt: Lifebridge is sending out a community letter soon – detailing the changes to the hospital and other things they are doing in the neighborhood – please help them spread the word.
- Ashley: Has been working with the Medical Center to be sure that everyone has enough food during this time.
- Chuck: They have been providing food pickup locations on the weekends when the school system is not providing food. Asking for possible additional locations that may be well travelled. Suggestions included:
- Southwest Baltimore Charter School
- Charles Carroll
- B&O Parking lot
- Advertise on the doors of Hollins Market.
-
- Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn by JR– 2nd by Donnell
