Minutes of the FOL Board Meeting

May 18, 2008

Present by teleconference: Faye Farmer, Kevin Freer, John Hollister, Ella Kwisnek, Martha Munson, and Richard Rowan.

Richard Rowan Chaired the meeting. In his opening remarks Richard noted that Bill contacted certain Board members concerning officer succession; anyone who has not responded to Bill’s e-mail is asked to do so. Most positions are covered, but the Treasurer position is still an issue. One option is a proposal to amend the by-laws to allow an exception for John to continue in the position for another term. More information concerning officer succession will be presented at the July Board meeting.

Following roll call, the agenda and the minutes of the March 16, 2008, regular Board meeting were approved without revision.

I.Treasurer’s Report

John reported that FOL currently has $32,963.90 in checking and $6,484.55 in savings. John noted that the large increase in the balance is due to a $17,000 contribution from the TaipeiAmericanSchool and contributions to Village Hope. Thirty-three memberships have been paid, year to date. Currently, $30,089.50 remains to be sent to Lesotho and there is a cash reserve of $3,458.43.

Faye asked that John send her updated financial reports for the Newsletter.

John reported that he completed the tax filings and received approval from the State of Maryland. All materials are posted on the FOL website.

A motion to affirm the Treasurer’s Report carried.

II.Committee Reports

  1. Donations and Distributions

Richard reported that GeorgeAnn Gall had revitalized Village Hope. With a $2,500 contribution that FOL facilitated, she purchased supplies for orphans including school fees, clothing, uniforms, etc. Thus we will continue the MOU with her.

Richard noted that a PCV’s friends and family have raised funds to build a classroom at his school and went through the NGO with the funds; so the NGO is working. We need to reaffirm that Martha and MaryBeth are FOL’s contacts for the NGO, because currently all e-mails are being sent to Bill and Richard.

Sandy Puckett (TaipeiAmericanSchool) asked to find a way to help him identify concrete projects he can use as a fundraising vehicle and asked for pictures and new materials.

Faye suggested putting an ad in the newsletter concerning projects. It was also suggested that Village Hope be suggested as a project, because GeorgeAnn Gall wants to build a shelter for orphans.

  1. Finance Committee

John reported that the Committee did not meet because he was focusing on the tax filings.

  1. Membership Committee:

Kevin reported that he mailed copies of the brochure to Ted Mooney, the new Country Director, but he has received no acknowledgement of receipt. He further noted that he e-mails Elizabeth Perry on a regular basis to keep her in the loop. He sent out the Member Survey for review. An article about the survey will appear in the next newsletter and it will be available by zoomerang link. This year the survey will have an incentive in an attempt to increase participation.

  1. Fundraising

Kevin reported that the teleflorist link proposal has not worked out and will not be pursued further.

Janissa and Patricia have been working on the 2009 Calendar and have high quality pictures.

  1. Newsletter

Faye reported that the June newsletter deadline is June 1, 2008.

Faye noted that it has been great working with Janissa. A template has now been set up in Publisher. For the June newsletter Faye has some articles and has scanned TAP letters and photos. If anyone has photos but no scanner, they can send the photos to Faye and she will scan them and mail them back.

The number of members electing to receive the newsletter by e-mail has increased, so now only 200 hardcopies are mailed, making it much more manageable.

  1. Annual Meeting

Martha reported that she is starting to consider speakers. After the last meeting, there were suggestions to focus on one speaker. She also noted that we need to consider the date. It was agreed that Saturday, October 4th, be the tentative date.

III.Old Business

Ella read the action items from the prior meeting. All had either been completed or were in the process of being completed.

IV.New Business

There was no new business.

V.Action Items

1. Richard will let John know how to divide the TaipeiAmericanSchool funds.

2. John will update the financial reports and send them to Faye for the next newsletter.

3. Board members should contact Richard if their committee needs letters or photos.

4. John will send funds to Village Hope.

5. Anyone with feedback on the Member Survey should send it to Kevin.

6. Faye will send Kevin a question for the member Survey about the new newsletter format.

7. Faye will let Kevin know when the newsletter will go out and Kevin will adjust the survey

datesaccordingly.

  1. Kevin will send Faye the new Membership Form.
  2. Martha will contact the Embassy and see if October 4, 2008, the tentative Annual Meeting date, conflicts with any Independence Day events.
  3. Anyone with suggested speakers for the Annual Meeting should e-mail the names to Martha.
  4. Kevin will ask Elizabeth if she will be active on the Yahoo groups.
  5. Richard will contact Bill to convene the Bylaws Committee in anticipation of the change concerning officer succession.
  6. The Nominations Committee will convene to recruit new Board members.
  7. Faye will contact MaryBeth and Richard will call Scott to update them on the meeting and keep them engaged.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. EST. The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. E.S.T.