Project Sanctuary, Board of Directors Annual Board Retreat

Saturday, June 23, 2007 s 10:00 AM  s 4401 Old River Rd. Ukiah

 

Minutes

 

A         BUSINESS MEETING

 

1)         CALL TO ORDER

 

Chair Boyes called the meeting to order at 10:15 am. The following members were present: Director Muniz, Conway, Conrado, Meek, Webster, Puthuff, and Chair Boyes. Also present were Executive Director Christine Hance, Recording Secretary Dina Polkinghorne, Justin Briggs (arrived at 10:26 am) and financial contractor Judy Waterman.

 

Directors absent: Mendoza and Saunders

 

 2)        AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Chair Boyes recommended changing the agenda to accommodate a potential new member, Justin Briggs

 

ACTION: Upon motion by Director Meek, 2nd by Director Conway, and carried (7-0) the  

Agenda was approved with the following changes: Item A was changed to “Business Meeting”, Item B was changed to “Membership”, and Item C was changed to “Group Exercise”.

 

3)         APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 1, 2007

 

ACTION: Upon motion by Director Muniz, 2nd by Director Puthuff, and carried (7-0) the  

May 1, 2007 draft minutes were approved with no changes or corrections.  

 

4)         EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT – REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE

 

Director Webster congratulated Ms. Hance on the successful procurement of a grant from Verizon. Ms. Hance reported that Verizon has also offered to provide cell phones for shelter clients with pre-paid minutes.

 

ACTION: Upon motion by Director Webster, 2nd by Director Meek, and carried (7-0) the Executive Director’s report was accepted.

 

 

B         MEMBERSHIP

 

1)                  Introduction of prospective board member/action

 

Chair Boyes introduced Justin Brigg. Mr. Briggs provided a brief summary of his background including his community volunteering activities and professional background including his current position as News Director for KWNE. He also shared his extensive history working in promotions and advertising.

 

Chair Boyes reported that the Membership Committee recommends approval of Mr. Briggs to the board.

 

ACTION: Upon motion by Director Webster, 2nd by Director Conrado, and carried (7-0) Justin Briggs was approved as a member to the Project Sanctuary Board of Directors

 

2)                  Future representation needs/objectives/action

 

Chair Boyes went over some history of previous discussions regarding the diversity of the board. Director Meek suggested that a client representative be recruited. Ms. Hance reported that she has been in contact with a recently retired school administrator from the coast who expressed interest in membership. Chair Boyes directed staff to continue discussions her and to investigate whether or not a former client is available for membership.

 

C         GROUP EXERCISE AND OUTCOME FOCUS

 

                1)         Share a favorite book, song, movie, or play and explain why it’s important to you.

 

            2)         Name one or two outcomes that will make your time today well spent

 

The board members took turns participating in the group exercise and then each shared their desired outcomes for the meeting.

 

D         FUNDRAISING

 

 

1.      2007/2008 Fundraising Plan Updates and Adoption

 

Director Conway provided an overview of the upcoming Sunset at the Cellars event in August. Director Conrado offered to donate the meat for the bar-b-que dinner and Director Webster offered to help out with the food planning. Ms. Hance handed out the updated to-do list for the cellars event. Director Briggs recommended cross promoting future events at the cellars event. The consensus was to promote two Fall events at Sunset at the Cellars -  Walk-a-Mile” and ”Dine for a Change”.

 

Director Conway then reviewed the “Dine for a Change” event which has a target date of late fall, with the dates to be determined. Inland it will be a valley wide event and on the coast it will be at the McCallum House. More details to come in the next few meetings. Director Meek reported that the SF War materials she requested have not yet been received, but she distributed a planning list for the event.

 

 

E          FINANCE

 

  1. Monthly Financial Report Review and Acceptance

 

Although Price Waterman made the reporting available through May, the consensus of the Board was to table the May activity and limit the review to YTD activity through April.    

 

Ms. Waterman reported that the Workers Compensation retroactive charges for 05-06 total approximately $22,000 and a payment plan has been arranged. April ended with a positive bottom line of $3,000. She also recommended that  the line item for the workers comp insurance in the proposed budget (Item E.2) be reviewed and revised if necessary based on the final coding determinations for certain staff.

 

ACTION: Upon motion from Director Webster, 2nd by Director Conway, and carried

(8-0) the April financial reports were approved and accepted.

 

  1. 2007/2008 Budget Presentation, Review, Adoption

 

Ms. Waterman passed out a revised budget document of the one that went out with the packets. The difference from the one in the packet, which was discussed in depth by the Finance Committee, is the addition of a line item for Ukiah office moving expenses.

 

Ms. Waterman reported that the agency is in a better cash position than it was at this time last year due to timely billings. There was some concern about eventual cash shortages that traditionally hit the agency in late summer and when the line of credit might have to be accessed.

 

Director Webster stated that the Executive Director is taking a more active role in the management of finances and that moving forward into 07-08 she intends to give the supervisors more information so that they can manage their program expenditures and budgets. Ms. Waterman confirmed Director Webster’s view that the ED’s participation in financial management has increased. Director Webster also stated that looking to the future the agency should examine if money is being lost and where too much is being spent. Ms. Waterman stated that typically the first item to examine would be staffing but that Ms. Hance has kept those expenses under budget this year. Director Meek stated that job descriptions should be examined to determine if the money is spent where it should be. Ms. Hance stated that the cost of doing business is down from last year.

 

Director Webster handed out a salary comparison of both other local agencies and agencies from around the state that are like Project Sanctuary and the bottom line is that the PS salaries fall in line with the other in most classifications. .

 

Chair Boyes reminded the board that the storage expense will be reduced by about $3,000 this year.

 

Ms. Hance reported that the Finance Committee had assigned her the task of determining before the board meeting, what revenues from the County Domestic Violence fees are anticipated for 07-08 – she further reported that those amounts are undetermined because they come from marriage license fees and no reliable projections are available regarding how many people will get married.

 

Chair Boyes reported that the 07-08 budget line item for salary expenses includes 4 weeks of unpaid time-off for the Executive Director at her request as a means of cutting costs. Chair Boyes stated that is a policy decision to be brought to the full board and to table this request for closed session at the next meeting.

 

ACTION: Upon motion from Director Conrado, 2nd by Director Puthuff, and carried

(8-0) the proposed 07-08 budget was approved with two  contingencies: The Executive Director’s salary and benefits, which will be agendized for the next meeting, and a more accurate estimation of the workman’s compensation insurance expense after review by Judy Waterman. 

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

 

 

 

F          CLOSED SESSION WORKSHOP

 

            1)         Board Goals: Review of 06/07 progress; set 07/08 goals

            2)         Real Estate/Facilities

            3)         Personnel Policies

 

            Item F.1 was tabled until the next meeting.

            Item F.2 – staff was directed to provide further information

            Item F. – Personnel policies are scheduled for review and possible revision in 07-08.

 

 

G         WRAP UP

 

            1)         Review outcomes and follow-up assignments

 

            Tabled until next meeting due to time restraints

 

H         Announcement of next meeting

 

            July 24, 2007 499 Leslie St. Ukiah 6 PM, following a board/staff get together at 5 PM

 

            There will be no meeting in August due to the moving of the administrative offices in Ukiah.

            September’s meeting is scheduled for the 4th in Fort Bragg461 N. Franklin St.

 

I           ADJOURN

           

            Chair Boyes adjourned the meeting at 3:30 PM