Christ Ascension Lutheran Church
Thursday, March 8, 2007

MINUTES

Executive Committee Members Present: Lou Aiello (VP Operations), Janine Dwyer (At-Large), Tom Fleming (At-Large), Jim Foster (At-Large), Tom Hemphill (At-Large), Nancy Hutter (At-Large), Ned Mitinger (Treasurer), Jane Piotrowski (VP Social Division), Susan Pizzano (VP Physical Division), Ron Recko (President), and Ann Spaeth (Secretary)

Executive Committee Member Absent: Maxine Dornemann (Immediate Past President)

CHCA Board Members Present: John Levitties and Joseph Pizzano

Others Present: Ed Budnick (Interim Community Manager), Pete Mazzaccaro (Chestnut Hill Local Editor), Eileen Reynolds, and Noreen Spota (CHCA Administrative Coordinator)

Ron Recko called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM. Ann Spaeth conducted the roll call.

Approval of Minutes. The Executive Committee meeting minutes from February 8, 2007 were approved with a revision submitted by Nancy Hutter.

Trustee Nomination Review Committee. Nancy Hutter, Committee Coordinator, presented Dr. Susan Bray’s qualifications as a prospective Fund Trustee. (The other Trustee Nomination Review Committee members are Lou Aiello, Ned Mitinger, and Mark Sellers.) Tom Fleming offered a motion to approve Dr. Bray’s appointment. This motion was seconded and passed. Discussion ensued about the desirability of appointing one more Trustee (possessing an accounting background), bringing the total number up to seven.

Final Ad Hoc Committee Report. Ron Recko stated that this committee (charged with investigating the conflict between Richard Snowden and the CHCA/Local) did an excellent job, but that Snowden’s response to the report was unconscionable. Ron felt that the committee should be dissolved but that the committee members could work with Snowden informally to try to resolve the issues in contention. Ron mentioned that several people in the community wrote to the CHCA office, stating that they decided not to donate to this year’s Fund Drive due to the conflict with Snowden and how the sale of 8431 Germantown Avenue was handled. Copies of these notes were shared with the Executive Committee. Tom Fleming, chair of this year’s Fund Drive, stated that several prospective large donors to the Fund preferred to donate directly to our programs instead. Discussion ensued about whether a statement should be prepared regarding CHCA’s lack of control over the sale of the building. Some Executive Committee members were in favor of such a statement and some were opposed. Joe Pizzano suggested that a piece be written explaining the different roles of the CHCA, CHCF, and Local, without explicitly referring to the sale of the building. Jim Foster offered a motion that this statement be prepared for publication in the Local and Ron suggested that Jim should write it. This motion was seconded by Tom Fleming and passed with one vote opposed (Tom Hemphill).

Fund Drive. Ron reported that about $57,000 has been raised so far. A major contribution that was solicited from Commerce Bank has not been received and we are unsure whether this contribution will be made. A grant application has been submitted to The Northwest Fund for money that would be allocated to our programs. Ron felt that we should be able to raise the needed money from community members; John Levitties pointed out that many in our community donate generously to other causes and should not be pressured to donate to the Fund. Nancy Hutter suggested that the interest from investing the proceeds from the sale of 8431 Germantown Avenue could be allocated to our programs. Tom Fleming proposed that the Fund’s assets could be invested in mutual funds, which are earning 14-15 percent, and that we should work with the Fund Trustees to receive a portion of that money.

Bylaws Amendment Regarding Interlocking Directors. Ron reiterated his concern that if the CHCA representative to another organization cannot vote on their Board, then their representative should not be permitted to vote on our Board. He urged that we make the rules equitable and that the Bylaws Committee address this issue as soon as possible.

Philadelphia Orchestra Concert. At the Board meeting held on February 22, 2007, Tia Burke reported that the Philadelphia Orchestra has expressed interest in performing at Pastorius Park this summer. Issues to be addressed include 1) provision of a 60’ x 40’ stage, which may cost up to $50,000 to rent; 2) parking/transportation; and 3) the possibility of weather not conducive to the staging of an outdoor orchestra concert. (This issue was not voted on by the full Board in February.) Ron expressed his concern about these issues. John Levitties stated that people in the community are excited about this idea and that there should not be a problem raising the money. Some Executive Committee members felt that if Tia wishes to raise the needed funds, she should do so, but that she needs to develop a plausible plan. Others suggested that the concert be held at another location (e.g., Chestnut Hill College). Janine Dwyer stated that this idea needs research and a lot of planning, and we do not have to offer the concert this summer.

Report from Oversight Committee. The following written motion was distributed by Jim Foster, Oversight Committee Chair: “With unanimous consent of the five other members of the Oversight Committee, I move that the Executive Committee vote to empower Jebran Associates or another Certified Public Accountant to provide the CHCA with at least a qualified audit report for the fiscal year ending 3/31/2006 no later than May 15, 2007. While the existing policies of this organization require a full audit report every two years, we are aware that a draft of this report is to be presented Friday, March 9, 2007. Information we have been provided indicates that it will be nothing more than a compilation of records we know are incomplete and inaccurate. Regardless of cost, at least a qualified audit must be prepared if we are to meet our obligations to the Board and members and the community.” Tom Fleming seconded Jim’s motion and agreed that CHCA needs to be audited every year instead of every other year, and the audit should be published in the Local. Ned Mitinger questioned where the money for the audit would come from; Ron’s response was that we will ask the Fund Trustees to provide the money. Nancy Hutter pointed out that this is taking money from the Fund to pay CHCA expenses, as done in previous years. Ned seconded Jim’s motion with an amendment that the Oversight Committee should first speak with the auditor to clarify their intentions. This amendment was defeated, with four votes in favor and five votes opposed. Jim’s original motion passed unanimously.

Report from Treasurer. Ned Mitinger distributed Preliminary Draft #2 of the CHCA and CHCF budgets for the next fiscal year (ending 3/31/08). These were reviewed in detail. All three proposed budgets (CHCA, CHCF, and Local) will be reviewed by the Board at its meeting on March 22, 2007; the budget for the Fund will be shared with the Fund Trustees.

Report from Vice President of Social Division. Jane Piotrowski offered to send her report to the Executive Committee via e-mail.

Report from Vice President of Physical Division. Susan Pizzano expressed the concern of the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee that because the current bylaws state that this committee consists of 18 members, it is difficult to achieve a quorum at their meetings. Susan is proposing that instead of 18 members, the bylaws specify “up to 12” members. She also announced that there will be an Aesthetics Committee meeting on March 20 and that the Tree Committee plans to hold a meeting about the “Tree Tenders” Program.

Report from Vice President of Operations. Lou Aiello reported that a letter will be sent to all of the physicians working at Flourtown Commons, soliciting contributions for the Fund Drive. This mailing will include a brief description of all of the programs submitting grant applications to the Fund this year. Lou also reported that the Search Committee for a permanent Community Manager has interviewed two candidates so far; two more will be interviewed on March 13 and the final two will be interviewed on March 20. The job description is currently being reviewed by the Board and another concern is whether there is enough money in the budget for a full-time Community Manager. Lastly, self-evaluations have been received from the Editor, Interim Community Manager, Administrative Coordinator, and Bookkeeper, and these will be shared with the Executive Committee as specified in the bylaws to begin the employee evaluation process.

Report from Interim Community Manager. Ed Budnick reported that the Senior Center will conduct its annual book sale at the end of March and will utilize the vacant space formerly occupied by Stylos. Regarding that space, currently there are three prospective renters, but none will occupy the space prior to April 1. Other projects include 1) preparing a budget for moving the CHCA/Local items in storage out of the basement of 8431 Germantown Avenue; 2) preparation of a $25,000 grant application to The Northwest Fund; and 3) preparation of a $17,000 grant application to the Philadelphia Foundation to create and maintain a database. Ron suggested that perhaps old CHCA documents can be stored at the Chestnut Hill Historical Society office.

New Business. Nancy Hutter and others expressed their concerns about the leaving of Wawa from Chestnut Hill. Ned Mitinger mentioned that the Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the following issues be explored: 1) the possibility of increasing the CHCA membership dues; 2) increasing the price of non-subscription copies of the Local; 3) the possibility of making subscriptions to the Local available only to CHCA members.

At this point, an executive session was called and non-Executive Committee members left the meeting.

Having run out of time, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Ward Spaeth
CHCA Secretary

Minutes prepared by Noreen Spota, CHCA Administrative Coordinator, and approved by the Executive Committee on 4/12/07.