Eliot reported the following:

-         He received a letter from the Methodist Church congregation next door regarding the parking lot at the back of its building. They asked that the property owner remove the oil trucks and storage barrels and clean up the soil that has been contaminated by the leaks. Irwin volunteered to coordinate clean-up and beautification. CAI may use the parking spots that are marked.

-         Regarding the murder of the Wesleyan student, Johanna Justin-Jinich, several things came from our involvement that arose from the anti-Semitic attitudes expressed by the alleged murderer. We received an outpouring of support from the local clergy and the state Jewish community. In addition, the Middletown police department was superb in every aspect of its dealings with our congregation. Eliot said he learned from the ADL about how to send out broadcast messages. Although we have a system of emergency communication, it is somewhat insufficient for an incident of this order. As a result, we will study and improve our emergency communication systems. In all our communications about the situation, we should de-emphasize the anti-Semitic tensions; this was a Wesleyan/City of Middletown issue to deal with. In response to an inquiry about an appropriate outreach to the Wesleyan Jewish community, Eliot said that perhaps at some later time we might organize a joint activity with the Bayit at Wesleyan. One final thought:  we need to update the synagogue emergency contact list with the Middletown police and the alarm company.

-         Reminder: the June Semi-Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday morning June 14, at 10:00 AM, at which time we will hold elections and approve the budget.

INTERNS’ REPORT: None

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL REPORT

There were no questions about Joanna Schnurman’s report in the meeting package.

Joanna stated that she also recognized the need for a somewhat better emergency communication system for the school, and will work on it.

The school year is ending this Sunday and preregistration for the coming year is being mailed out over the summer.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Holly Simon reported that of the families with whom she has spoken over the past four or five months, two are still strong possibilities for membership. Inquiries have come from Middletown, Middlefield, Cromwell, and Killingworth. One of the young families indicated that a set of parents might also join along with their child and grandchildren. Holly suggested that perhaps we should start up the families with young children group again. The group stopped meeting as the involved children got older. We should consider catering to these families with other activities as well. A first year of membership for free was suggested.

FINANCIAL REPORT

TREASURER’

Mike Sigal reported that all bills are paid. He stated that there is a process in place to communicate with the families that are delinquent with their dues payments. There are 9 such families.

ENDOWMENT

Myron Poliner reported the current values of the main endowment and the Chevra Kadisha endowment. Our estimated income from investments is down, as dividends are cut and the interest rate is lowered. Our endowment is not earning enough to cover our expenses; we are now starting to invade principal. He talked about inquiries he made into the dues structure at three state synagogues that show membership at $1,500 to $2,500. He strongly encouraged us to see this message not only to prospective members but to current members, as well; membership in our congregation is a good deal, including financially.

FOCUS TOPIC

The Budget for 2009–2010.

After Mike Sigal made a brief presentation, reviewed the proposed budget and fielded questions, a motion was made to accept the budget for presentation at the 2009 June Semi-Annual meeting of the Congregation. In the discussion that followed, enough reservations were expressed about several topics, including invasion of the principal of the endowment, and the final version of the rabbi’s contract, that the motion was withdrawn. This vote will be taken up at the next Board meeting; it precedes the Semi-Annual meeting by a few days.

BOARD NOTIFICATION OR ACTION REQUESTS

None.

AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

Nester Center

There is just a little left to do: the security system needs to be organized,         the hall needs carpeting, the electronics need to be installed, and there are a few things remaining to take care of upstairs in the apartment.

Rabbi Search:

We are in negotiation with the rabbi’s attorney and hope to close on the contract by the end of next week. Rabbi Haaz and his wife wish to live in the Nester Center apartment, so the last details need to be taken care of ASAP.

OLD BUSINESS:

Dedication:

Irwin announced that Sunday, August 30^th, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM as the date and time of the dedication ceremony. There will be a small program organized by Terri Klein and Richard Kamins, and buffet refreshments. The invitation is being prepared. Eliot is preparing the guest list of the local clergy.

Advertising:

Steven Small brought an informal proposal that we start by soliciting advertising only for the Newsletter and in our local community. For the first year, beginning in September, we should not look to earn a lot of money — perhaps set a goal of $900. He recommends starting by selling business card size ads at $40 per unit. He outlined a rate that varies by how many issues the ad will appear in, with payment due up front with the ad copy. In order to be able to evaluate the success of the endeavor, we should not employ a barter method of payment.

Now we need to get our volunteer sales force—at least 2 or 3 people—or perhaps all the Board members should solicit a few ads, and organize the business details, e.g., establish the rate card and create the payment and         order forms. We need to advertise this opportunity.

NEW BUSINESS:

The slate of officers for the next fiscal year was announced. A motion to accept the slate of candidates for election at the June 9 semi-annual meeting of the congregation was made and seconded. Discussions are ongoing with members to fill particular positions, with some success already. The vote for the slate was unanimous.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Naomi R. Kamins
Secretary