Linkages Board Meeting

Monday February 8, 2010

Rochester City Hall, 30 Church Street, Room 309A

Attendance: Ruth Rosenberg-Naparsteck, Cork Young, Debra Framm Faria, Joe Gersitz, Paul Caccamise, Walter Boston, Parker Moore, Jed Metzger, Nicholas Coulter, Barb LaSavoy, Shae Hanford, Tanya Schueler.

The meeting was called to order by Paul Caccamise at 7:00 P.M. Minutes for January 2010 were accepted

New Board member Nicholas Coulter was introduced. It was noted that Sara Catalano, a prospective Board member, will be graduating in May and may relocate out of the area. She may better serve Linkages on a committee for the time being.

Finance Report:

Joe distributed a tax exempt form to Board members. He discussed a procedure to streamline the reimbursement process. He will be getting the 2010 Quicken program.

2010 Revised Draft Budget

Joe discussed the need to increase revenue and to trim the budget. Shae moved to amend the budget. Joe seconded it, Walter and Tanya opposed the budget which passed with no abstentions. The Board voted to adopt a budget that was no more than $8K greater than revenues expected in 2010.

Paul reported on the status of the Novgorod TV project. Preparations are underway. The TV documentary crew is now scheduled for May. Three crew members, not two, will be coming to Rochester.

Committee Reports:

Business Reports:

Walter reported that there is no new news on the tax owed for the Genesee-Volkhov Business.

Education: Tanya reported that Natalia Zhogina, an English language exchange teacher, is scheduled to arrive from Novgorod in March. The Education Committee is prepa5red to evaluate applications that have been submitted and choose two American teachers to conduct the seminar this summer in Novgorod. The English teachers are scheduled to travel to Velikiy Novgorod in June.

Communication: Cork discussed the web site and membership.

Paul reported on Arts/Culture . There was a suggestion that the children’s art could be displayed again but will need framing.

Partnership for Children:

Jed reported on his submitted budget proposal. There was discussion on the momentum his program has gained. This initiated a discussion on the proposed budget. Jed and Barbara suggested that the Board rotate funding among the partnerships designating different priority partnerships each year. The rotation could be based on urgency, needs, partnerships, affordability, etc. Shae cautioned that cutting some committee budgets could result in a loss of momentum that has taken a few years to gain and that momentum is the goal of some committees.

Parker suggested proposing lean budgets and committees could make a case for drawing funds from the surplus fund.

Partnership for Eldercare:

Joe and Debra spoke of making an electronic evaluation of the needs for elder care.

Partnership for Prevention of Substance Abuse:

Jack was absent. There was no report.

Women’s Issues:

The group discussed plans for Barb to travel to Novgorod in May. She has been invited to participate in an International Conference on Women’s Issues in May in Novgorod. It would also be a chance to meet with the head of Gender Studies at NSU and make plans for collaboration between NSU, SUNY Brockport and Linkages. The Board discussion centered on whether Barb should accept the invitation. The sense of the Board was that it would be strategic and useful for her to attend and that the budget could cover her travel expenses. Barb discussed the conference on Women’s Rights in Seneca Falls in October and the possibility of inviting two representatives from Russia to the event. The budget will be revised for the next meeting

President’s Report:

Paul reported on the visit of a Novgorod high school student group in February.

There is a group 20% discount offered for the RPO Russian-themed concert in April.

No new reports on Lilacs for Rachmaninov.

Plans for Linkages 20^th Anniversary plans are progressing. No new reports.

There was no new business. The meeting ended with informal discussion of ideas for revenue. Ruth offered that the Board could sell Erie Canal, illustrated by Peter Spier, bringing a profit of $4.00 per copy for Linkages.

The meeting was adjourned by Paul at 9 P.M.