Friends of the Library - San Lorenzo Area
Meeting of the Board
March 23, 2009
Minutes
Directors present: H. Beckman, K. Cancilla, M. Dias, N. Kent, C. Webb, D. Yanagi
Others present: Librarian Anthony dos Santos, Eb Lemcke
The meeting was called to order by vice-president Beckman at 6:07 p.m. in the library.
Announcements:
(1) Beckman distributed a copy of a survey of the San Lorenzo community conducted by Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker's office and encouraged directors to review it in the coming weeks.
(2) Kent turned over a letter of resignation from Jean Boulton (attached). Beckman noted that the letter states she has resigned as corresponding secretary but does not state she has resigned from the board. He said we should treat this as a resignation from the board in view of the ongoing confusion over officer and director positions. The term expires with the next annual election.
Approval of Minutes:
Librarian's Report: Anthony dos Santos reported funds for the library renovation were approved by the board of supervisors on March 17. Work is expected to start in October but so many decisions have not yet been made and no architect has been hired.
Library staff recently held a party for Betty Moose to honor her years serving Friends.
Funds for summer reading program for kids have been reduced. Dos Santos would like Friends to consider an increase in contributions to cover program cost. He can provide more details on costs later.
In response to a question, the storage shed in the back of the library was bought by Friends some years ago.
Future board meetings: Webb suggested quarterly meetings in the afternoon. Consensus was to leave the day and time as is for now. Beckman said we will have to change location when the library is closed for renovation so we should take up the question again in a few months. Kent has spoken with San Lorenzo Village Homes Association about using its hall.
Appointments: Beckman asked how directors wanted to proceed with selecting officers and filling the director vacancy. Webb said we need to appoint president and secretary tonight and suggested we form a committee to recommend appointment to the board vacancy. Kent, Dias, Yanagi, and Beckman will form a committee to recommend temporary appointment to the board. Kent said she has names in mind for officers. Beckman said that the duties of officers are described in the bylaws but he would also like to have a discussion about leadership and what we expect from officers. No action was taken.
Beckman said that Richard Hancocks is free to be appointed by us to the San Lorenzo Library Advisory Committee as someone else has agreed to represent his community organization (Residents Alliance of the Fairmont Terrace Area) on the committee. No action taken.
Future Meetings: Beckman asked the board to consider whether we want different meeting times or a different place to meet, since we have very limited time in the library if we meet in the evening. Kent said she would contact the San Lorenzo Village Homes Assn. about using its hall.
Committees: In an effort to develop a policy on Friends committees, several suggestions were made (e.g., at least one board member on each committee, committee action subject to board approval, require committee chairs to attend board meetings, rely on members not directors to do committee work). Beckman said he would draft a short statement of policy based on what was said tonight and present it to the board for discussion and adoption.
Treasurer's Report: Webb reported we now have all funds in one checking account at Bank of the West. We have one certificate of deposit at Pacific National Bank which was recently automatically extended nine months. Our total cash is $14,033.69.
Capital Fund Drive: Continued discussion. Yanagi said fundraising is important to show the community is serious about wanting a new library. Lemcke said we will have more leverage getting state or county funding if we have some money of our own. Beckman suggested we form a small ad hoc committee to come up with plans for getting started and bring those to the board for formal adoption. He and Lemcke will serve and others should be invited.
Book Sale: Kent spoke about the recent sale. We earned a higher amount than previously. A thank-you letter went out to volunteers. Kent said that we have volunteers who have worked at the sales for several years and we should do something special for them.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. to April 27, 6:00 p.m.
(Minutes submitted by Howard Beckman based on notes by Marilyne Dias)
Approved by the board on April 20, 2009
Certified: _______________________________