njcrlc.org

From: johnpginty@aol.com [mailto:johnpginty@aol.com]

Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 6:03 PM

To: baseline@sprynet.com; EagleForumNJ@gmail.com; linna.selby@earthlink.net; littell@earthlink.net; Richard.Merkt@tdipower.com;

Cc: robeichmann@comcast.net; loucrescitelli@comcast.net

Subject: Re: Fundraising this week/ Request for InformationThe “report” from which I read at the meeting was the draft of the group’s application for 501c4 tax exempt status.You are correct – every meeting should include a financial report and approval of the prior meeting’s minutes.We have had two meetings thus far, both in bar/restaurant venues, and I would recommend that our subsequent meetings be held in office atmospheres so that more professional discussion may take place.  The restaurants are too noisy and there is no room for document exchange and other items commonly accessed at such board meetings.  I think we did a lot of talking at the meeting last week but did not really make any effective decisions.  Our meetings need to assume the more formal elements required of nonprofit organizations, or else we will continue to have misunderstandings and little ability to execute on our goals.Another thing to change ASAP: all expenditures (over a certain amount if desired by the trustees) should be approved by the Board, or an executive committee appointed by the board, in advance, or authority expressly given for designated personnel to make expenditures in between board meetings.I recommend we have another meeting soon to do all these things correctly, review all financials, and approve the minutes from our last meeting, when the dust settles with Bill W’s primary activities.  And clearly our trustees need to come to a meeting of the minds on the much needed solicitations for funds. It is very hard to manage these activities by email.  Its important to have face to face meetings, after which folks can leave with their “marching orders’ understood by all, with folks empowered to do the tasks assigned to them, to be reviewed and perhaps critiqued at subsequent board meetings.  Ideally, we should get to a point at which the trustees set organizational  goals, and the management team (compensated !!) goes and executes!!The trustees should also discuss the impending application for  501c4 status, the development of a written business plan (several pages will do), and spending priorities.

John

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