September 17, 2014 Board Meeting
Approved by Montgomery Sister Cities Board at December 8, 2014 meeting. Montgomery Sister Cities Board Minutes for September 17, 2014 Place: Rockville Memorial Library Attendees: Chair Theresa Cameron, Treasurer William Nance, Secretary Dianne Smith, Bruce Adams, Lorna Forde, Neftali Granados, William Kaschak, Carol Rhees, and Solomon Teklai. Absent: Samim Ardeishar, Mumin Barre, Evelyn Gonzalez-Mills, Nan Qiao, and Tom Raffa. The meeting began at 6:35 p.m. with a welcome from Chair Theresa Cameron and introductions. Carol Rhees, attending her first Board meeting, introduced herself as a lawyer, teacher, and executive director and founder of Hope for Children US, a nonprofit serving children in Ethiopia. Theresa Cameron opened by suggesting meeting dates for the next year (see Note #1 below) and promising that a full budget and accounting will be provided at the next meeting of the Board in December. Approval of Minutes for May 14, 2014 Board Meeting The Board unanimously approved the minutes of the May 14, 2014 Board meeting. Update on Bylaws (Dianne Smith) Dianne Smith led a discussion of possible amendments and clarifications to the bylaws that included: (1) Theresa Cameron volunteered to send Dianne language that would clarify that “members” are meant to be members of a “friends group” who would get newsletters and invitations to annual meetings and Sister City trips but not vote as Board members; (2) change from three Board members to represent Montgomery County Government to one; (3) clarify that a Board member does not have to be a Montgomery County resident; (4) amend the language regarding the executive committee; (5) clarify the annual meeting requirement; and (6) specify that each Sister City country committee would have one representative on the Board. Solomon Teklai asked that each Sister City country committee have a separate bank account. Theresa Cameron explained that our accountants prefer separate accounting for each country committee within a single bank account. Update on Ethiopian Sister City (Solomon Teklai) Solomon Teklai reported that the Ethiopian Sister City committee has four subcommittees and has scheduled regular meetings in the fall. The committee will hold a fundraiser. Update on Salvadoran Sister City (Neftali Granados) Neftali Granados reported that the Salvadoran Sister City committee held a successful Fourth Annual Fiesta attended by 200 on September 13 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Thirteen members of the committee visited Morazán this past summer. The Habitat for Humanity project continues on pace. Update on Indian Sister City Plans are underway for County Executive Leggett to lead a Joint Sister City-Economic Development Mission to India November 11-22, 2014 and to sign a Sister City agreement with the City of Hyderabad. Future Sister Cities (Bruce Adams) Bruce Adams and Theresa Cameron shared their view that we should limit ourselves to the four excellent Sister Cities for awhile and work to strengthen the four relationships. Nominating Committee Lorna Forde and Bill Kaschak volunteered to serve on our Nominating Committee. Bill Nance reminded the Board of our desire to select a youth member. New Business (Theresa Cameron) Theresa pointed out that some Board members have still not paid their dues. She said she would get us set up on quick books and purchase directors insurance to cover Board members. She asked Bruce Adams to arrange for County Executive Ike Leggett to attend our December Board meeting and to arrange for a place for an annual meeting. Bruce Adams reminded Board members that the Sixth Annual World of Montgomery Festival featuring our four Sister City countries will be held on Sunday October 19 at Westfield Wheaton. Bruce asked Board members to volunteer to help staff the Montgomery Sister Cities table and/or serve as volunteer Ambassadors to greet attendees. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Minutes prepared by: Bruce Adams, Director, Office of Community Partnerships Note #1: Subsequent to the Board meeting the suggested dates were modified as follows: Monday December 8 (NOT December 3) MSC Board meeting with County Executive 5:30-7 p.m., second floor conference room, Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville. Tuesday January 13 (NOT January 14) MSC Annual Meeting 6:30-8 p.m., first floor conference room, Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. Note #2: Samim Ardeishar resigned from the Board stating her preference for serving as our accountant through her firm, Grossberg LLC, and not as a member of the Board. Approved by Montgomery Sister Cities Board at December 8, 2014 meeting.
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