November 2022 Board of Directors Minutes

 

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 

Nov 15, 2022

7:05 – Richard Call to order

• Introduction & Attendance
  • Meeting ground rules

Seena Watters	Present	Laura Dykes	Present	Kris Hoellen	Present	Vernell Lewis	Present
Kelleigh Eastman	Present	Abigail Breiseth	Present	George Kleb	Present	Charisse Lue	Present
Edith Gilliard-Canty	/	Scott Kashnow	rPresent	Jane Shaab	Present	Tashi-Kali M.Acket	Present
Howard Hughes	Present	Cecilia Gonzalez	Present	Chuck Callahan	Present
Jose’ Resendiz	Present	JR Lee	Present	Gregg Herlong	Present
Sonia Eaddy	Present	Donnell Nance	Present	Bill Joyner	Present
Paulette Carroll	Present	Richard Parker	Present	Rebecca Altman	Present
Francis “Fran” Rahl	Present

 

New Visitors

• Charisse Lue, Khaliq, and Erika introduced themselves.

• Minutes Approval

• Motion to approve by Jane, seconded by Kris, Rebecca, and Bill→ all approve.

Welcome New Board Members

• Vernell Lewis
• Charisse Lue
• Tashi-Kali M.Acket

2021 Audit – Donnell

• • The Audit was sent to board members to review. There were 3 findings – 2 of them are very common for organizations of our size and staffing structure.
  • Rason requested we release the audit to the public.
  • Scott mentioned that fundraising and marketing expenses are very low percentages of the total expenses.
    • Kris pointed out that funders tend to view that positively.
  • Bill questioned how to move forward on the findings.
    • Donnell and Elizabeth – the Finance Committee will be reviewing them and making recommendations on how to resolve them – keeping in mind the size of our organization. 
    • Kris – The B&O had a similar issue that they resolved by hiring a part-time employee to assist with the segregation of duties.

• Donnell Motion to Accept the Audit – 2nd By George – all in Favor

• Nicole Orr/ Rason Taru – asked if SWP removed itself from the partnership with 1401-3 W. Baltimore project prior to the demolition that damaged 1405.
  • Chris is confident that we did but will double check the dates.

 

Standing Committee Updates 

Richard – Since the term of the chairs for the standing committees appointed by the President (Governance and Fundraising) will expire tonight along with the term of the current Board Officers, we will adjust the agenda to handle the Governance Committee agenda item prior to the election.

Governance Committee – Chuck

• The governance committee is recommending we follow the recommendation of the common health action report to have some board only meetings each year, in order to give the board some time to work as a team, work through difficult conversations, and do the work of the board. 

• • Richard – how is this different from Executive Sessions?
  • Chuck – these are not necessarily conversations where the public needs to be excluded based on the content of the discussion – minutes from the meetings could still be publicized – the work of the board however would be prioritized at these meetings.

• Motion by Chuck: To schedule 4 board only meetings in 2023, with staff proposing a schedule at the December 2022 meeting, in order to facilitate the work of the Board. 2nd by Scott. All in favor.

 

Election of Board Officers 2022-2024

Richard will not seek re-election. He has served two terms as President and it has been a joy for him to serve. Elizabeth will run the election.

Elizabeth – Officers need to be board members. The President and Vice President are required to be residents of the area.

• President

• Richard nominated Sonia

• Sonia – Accepts the nomination. The neighborhoods are her roots. She has been a part of SWP since 2015. She wants to bring us together to work to have a great neighborhood but she can’t do it unless we are with her.

• • • • JR and Chuck both ask about the Poppleton Leadership issue between her and Paulette with them continuing to alternate representation on the board.
        • Paulette – Wants Sonia to be President of SWP and is happy to support her.
      • No vote required – when there is only a single nomination – Congratulations Sonia.

• Vice-President

• • • Richard nominates JR
    • Abigail nominates Laura
    • both candidates speak
    • Vote:
      • In favor of JR: Jose, Fran, JR, Donnell, Richard, and George. (6)
      • In favor of Laura: Serena, Kelleigh, Howard, Sonia, Laura, Abigail, Scott, Cecilia, Jane, Chuck, Gregg, Bill, Rebecca, Charisse, Vernell, Tashi-Kali. (16)
      • No vote: Edith, Kris. (2) 

• Laura is elected VP

• Secretary

• Laura nominated Scott

• • • • Scott accepted
      • no other nominations

• Treasurer

• Richard nominated Cecilia

• • • Cecilia accepted
    • no other nominations

Jane – congratulations and thanks to the new board officers

Transition – Sonia takes control of the meeting.

Community Updates (2 minutes each)

1. Barre Circle – Serena – No update
2. Franklin Square – Edith – No update
3. Hollins Roundhouse – Howard – Chess at 10:30 on Saturday
4. Mount Clare – Jose – No update
5. Pigtown – Kelleigh – Holiday sweater bar crawl – 
6. Poppleton – Sonia – The City will be hosting a meeting to present the design for the new senior building.
7. Union Square – Fran
   1. 37th Annual Cookie Tour is December 11 and will be conducted in two groups –
      1. Group 1 will start at 12:00 and end at 2:00; group 2 will start at 2:30 and end at 4:30
      2. Tickets are $20 per person and available from Eventbrite at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/37th-annual-union-square-cookie-tour-of-historic-homes-tickets-387149533677?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
   2. New Recreation Center has opened in Cherry Hill – looks very nice.

Program Committee Updates (2 minutes each)

1. Commercial – Laura
   • Food Grant from BDC $10K – Discussion is ongoing.
2. Education – Abigail 
   • .Community Schools update – working to fill the position for one community school coordinator at Steuart Hill – 
   • They expect to hear a decision from the judge on the appeal of the closing of Steuart Hill tomorrow.
   • Laura – reminded all on giving Tuesday to remember the Lou Packett fund.
3. Historic Preservation – Scott 
   • No Update
4. Housing – Cecilia
   • Sent a letter of support for the inclusionary housing bill – there will be a hearing on Thursday @ 5PM in City Hall.
5. Public Safety – 
   • JR not on the call anymore
   • Howard reminded all about redistricting that will be taking effect soon in the new year – Most of the SWP neighborhoods will now be in the Southwestern District. The SW CRC meeting is tomorrow at 7PM.
6. Vibrant Streets – Donnell
   • The November meeting date has been changed due to Thanksgiving to this Thursday at 6PM
   • The committee will not meet in December.
7. Workforce – 
   • Richard not on the call anymore
   • Elizabeth – No updates

Anchor Updates (2 minutes each)

• B&O Railroad Museum – Kris not here – 

• Bon Secours Community Works – George 
  • Applied for the Clean Core Program on behalf of 5 neighborhoods. Were awarded 4.
    • Boyd/Booth, Fayette Street Outreach, Carrollton Ridge, and Franklin Square
• Lifebridge Health – Rebecca
  • No Update
• University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) – Bill
  • Sent written updates. can be found here
• UMB BioPark – Jane
  • Open house – 4:30-6 Dec 13
• UM Medical Center – Chuck
  • Congratulations to the officers – no updates
• Wexford Science & Technology – Gregg
  • had to leave

 

Executive Director’s Report – Elizabeth

Please move the Executive Directors report earlier on the agenda in the future.

• Executive Director’s Report
• Includes:
  • Please review the RFP.
  • Annual meeting
  • Budget we will discuss at Dec meeting
  • BRNI/ Core awards – also sent by email
  • Fundraising

• Abigail – following up on the email regarding scheduling a special meeting to resolve the Poppleton representation question

• • Sonia is now President
  • Sonia – Something should go on record
  • Elizabeth document in the minutes
  • Scott recommend that Exec Committee will meet soon and discuss closure on the question – 
• Sonia – Thanks everyone!

 

9:17pm – Meeting Adjourned – motion by Scott – 2nd by __- All in favor