CHCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Dixon House, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Thursday, August 14, 2008

MINUTES

Executive Committee Members Present: Ed Berg (At-Large), Dina Hitchcock (VP Operations), Mark
Keintz (Treasurer), Ned Mitinger (VP Physical Division), Jane Piotrowski (VP Social Division), Ron Recko (Immediate Past President), Kristina Sullivan (Secretary), and Tolis Vardakis (President)

Executive Committee Members Excused: Tom Fleming (At-Large) and Anne McNally (At-Large)

Executive Committee Members Absent: Patrick Moran (At-Large) and Robert Rossman (At-Large)

Board Members Present: Tony Crist, Marie Lachat, Pamela Learned, Rob Remus, and Meredith
Sonderskov

Others Present: Jim Foster, Philip LeCalsey (Community Manager), Pete Mazzaccaro (CH Local
Editor), Ann Ward Spaeth, and Noreen Spota (Administrative Coordinator)

Tolis Vardakis called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Noreen Spota conducted the roll call.

Approval of Minutes. On page 2 of the Executive Committee meeting minutes from July 10, 2008, in the section regarding the Physical Division report, Ron Recko suggested a revision in the second paragraph. There was a motion to approve the Executive Committee meeting minutes from July 10, 2008 as amended; this motion was seconded and passed.

Update on Attorney General Investigation. Tolis Vardakis reported that all of the records from the CHCA were shipped to the AG office on August 12, meeting the 30-day deadline.

Report from Treasurer. Mark Keintz circulated and reviewed his report regarding the schedule for financial reporting (summarized here):

By August 31: income statements for the Local for the first quarter of the fiscal year (April through June 2008) will be completed.

By September 16: income statements for the Local for July and August 2008 will be completed.

By September 30: income statements for the CHCA and for the Fund for April through August 2008 will be completed.

By October 15: balance sheet reconciliation and income statements of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 will be completed.

By October 31: preparation for the CHCA/Local and Fund audits for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 will be completed. CHCA/Local audit could be scheduled to begin during the last week of October.

In the ensuing discussion, points that were raised included:

• a concern that monthly financial reports from the Fund have not been available since November 2007
• a concern about the lack of balance sheets until October
• the availability of obtaining accounts receivable figures from the Advertising Sales Manager, Sonia Leounes, in the interim
• payments to the printer of the Local are customarily 60 days past due, but other payments are generally up-to-date
• there needs to be a contingency plan to ensure continuity in the bookkeeping function including a chart of accounts and an online bookkeeping system
• a concern about funding the employer’s contribution to the 401(k), which is due in December
• the possibility of changing the CHCA bylaws to require quarterly written reports from the Fund

Report from Vice President, Social Division. Jane Piotrowski reported that a CHCA membership banner will be placed over Germantown Avenue at Highland in the next day or so and that the Membership Committee will meet soon. Ned Mitinger expressed his concern that memberships may fall off as a result of the dues increase. Pete Mazzaccaro noted his impression that (non-member) subscriptions have not fallen off as a result of the subscription rate increase, but that he can obtain reports from the Circulation Manager, Cheryl Massaro, to confirm this. Jane pointed out that reduced membership rates are offered at the spring and fall street festivals, and people join as a result.

Report from Vice President, Physical Division. Ned Mitinger reported that Act 193, which limited citizens’ standing in land use and zoning issues, has been declared unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This law enabled developers to sue citizens criticizing them. Ned also noted that the proposed Treehouse Play Café, which was recommended for approval by the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee earlier this month, will be considered again by the Development Review Committee on August 19. The full Board may consider the proposal as early as August 28. A discussion ensued about some of the specifics in the proposal. Pam Learned requested that Board members receive materials to review in advance of the meeting in order to make an informed decision. Ron Recko suggested that consideration of the proposal be tabled until the September Board meeting, as many Board members are away in August.

Report from Vice President of Operations. Dina Hitchcock reported that the CHCA/Local agreement with the Fair Housing Council regarding classified advertisements deemed to be discriminatory has not yet been finalized; therefore, she cannot divulge the conditions of the agreement. Mark Keintz, Bylaws Committee Co-Chair, reported that a proposal to amend the section of the bylaws addressing editorial independence was rejected by the committee.

Report from Community Manager. Philip LeCalsey distributed and reviewed his report, which provided updates on the following topics: 1) the State Attorney General investigation; 2) a presentation by the 14th District police department about prevention of residential crime; and 3) community service by middle school students from Chestnut Hill Academy. Philip also mentioned that the 2008 Holiday House Tour Committee would conduct its first meeting on Monday, August 18 and that he is exploring options for an insurance rider for the day of the tour.

There was no Old Business.

New Business: Discussion of LaSalle University Nonprofit Center Recommendations. Copies of a letter dated October 10, 2006 from LaSalle trainer Laura Otten, Ph.D., along with copies of the CHCA Mission Statement, were distributed. Marie Lachat stated that non-profits are more closely regulated today, and she believes that the LaSalle Nonprofit Center is an excellent resource for Boards that need to be informed about changing regulations and accepted practices. Certification in non-profit management is available, and membership dues of $455 per year include one Board training session per year and ongoing consultation services. Pam Learned read through the letter’s bullet points. In the ensuing discussion, points that were raised included:

• Do we want to be a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(4) organization? We need to answer that question before embarking on long-range planning.
• The ad hoc committee chaired by Ed Berg to explore the CHCA’s 501(c) status had a preliminary vote not to pursue 501(c)(3) status, largely because the Local too closely resembles a commercial entity.
• The IRS is granting far fewer 501(c)(3) designations than in the past.
• Attorney Donald Kramer, an authority on non-profit law, has issued a written opinion that the CHCA can be a 501(c)(3) organization, and would still be able to give up to 10 percent of its funds to the Local.
• It would be worthwhile for the Board to review the Association’s Mission Statement periodically.

Tolis stated that the Mission Statement would be discussed at next month’s Executive Committee meeting.

Announcements.

It was announced that Ed Berg is resigning from the CHCA Board and Executive Committee because he has accepted a job in northern New Jersey and will be leaving Chestnut Hill. This is his last meeting. Ed thanked everyone for the time he spent on the Board, and Tolis thanked Ed for all of his contributions to the Association, stating that he may call upon Ed for advice from time to time.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM.

Minutes prepared Noreen Spota, CHCA Administrative Coordinator, on 8/21/08.

Respectfully submitted on 8/25/08 by:

Kristina Sullivan
CHCA Secretary

Approved by the Executive Committee without amendment on 9/11/08.