Regular Meeting -- January 19, 2014
The Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting at 2007 Bert Avenue, Austin, TX 78704, starting at 2:30 pm. The following directors (constituting a quorum of the full board) were present at the meeting: President and Kathy Lee, Vice President Tamara Vogt, Secretary Pam Chambers, Treasurer Penny Chambers (by phone) and Laine Morales. Robert McGarey (Executive Director) was also present at the meeting.
The Mission Statement was read aloud at the beginning of the meeting. Minutes from the previous meeting were read aloud and approved as read.
Hot Tub. Kathy contacted Matthew Riley, past president, concerning the hot tub he wanted to donate to the Center, but she hasn't heard anything from him yet.
Interns. Samantha had to put back her internship starting date due to the exams she has to take before starting. So she is studying to get ready. Penny mentioned that in Washington the massage therapists can work on people before they are state approval. Some therapists act as Life Coaches without certification.
Shifts. Bob talks about how some changes in his consciousness have resulted in many new volunteers.
Finances. Bingo has had a few problems, but we will get $1,500 this time. Bob is suggesting that we use the money to insulate the garage apartment. Summer is coming and we need to make sure the upstairs apartment is cooler in the summer.
We spent $1,200 to 1,500 on parts to get the cottage fixed up. Bob showed a slide show on the construction and refurbishing of the cottage.
Announcements. Dr. K is making noises about leaving. and asked for an agreement so he won't be penalized for an early exit. Since the last meeting Bob has started a new web site, RobertMcGarey.com, that can help people get a clearer idea about the difference between Bob and the Center as a whole. Bob Signed the Center up for the GreenChoice program from Austin Energy, which will cost us $120 more a year but get us some additional advertising and visibility, as well as help us connect better with the new Wheatsville Coop that has opened just down the street. Bob has scheduled his Mom, Dr. Gladys, to come out in March.
Mission Statement. Bob proposed adding an addendum to the mission statement. Our current statement is:
Our mission is to spark the Creativity, Love and Playfulness of the Human Spirit through a variety of services that improve relationships, enhance creative thinking and promote physical and emotional wellness. We believe this is one of the best ways to produce a healthier, happier, and more peaceful world.
The addendum he proposed is:
We are building healthier connections, with ourselves, with each other, and with the world. Our core perspective, philosophy and values are rooted in and informed by humanistic psychology.
Penny suggests that Bob email his proposal to the board and we can discuss it by email, which Bob agreed to do.
New requirement for members. Bob proposed adding a requirement of taking three two-hour foundational classes about the Center before people could join as members. Bob would just be one of the people teaching the classes, and we would have one class a month.
How long do they have until they have taken all three? Laine says give them 6 months. We will give special consideration for people who can't make it. The Board thought this will get members in the habit of coming to classes and give them a structure to tune into. This is a new service and will be helpful for everyone.
New requirement for board members. It was decided that Board members will all read one book about Humanistic Psychology from a list that Bob will put together by their first Annual Meeting, a second book by their second Annual Meeting, and a third book by their third Annual Meeting. It was also decided that we'll all read the same book together and discuss it at the meeting, like a book club.
Board Tasks. Tamara would like to have a get together using the Transformation game to figure out how to work on what would be good to help the Center. Our job is by the next meeting to email out our list of the ideas of things to do to make it different at the center. And to start reading a book for one of the requirements.
Board Meeting Frequency. The board decided to have meetings every month for now.
Since there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at around 4.36 pm.
Minutes submitted by Pam Chambers, Secretary, January 19, 2014.