B R A N D E I S N A T I O N A L C O M M I T T E E (BNC)
National Executive Committee Meeting
Monday, October 22 - Tuesday, October 2012
Brandeis University - International Lounge, Usdan Student Center
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22
President Leslie Pearlstein called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Leslie welcomed everyone and asked members and guests to introduce themselves. She gave a recap of BNC
business and activities since the June meeting.

Members of the Leadership Development team worked with the Human Resource Department and
developed a series of workshops to learn how to help understand the traits of effective leaders, increase
communication skills, and motivate others.

On the heels of June’s NEC meeting, a new class of trainees spent a day and a half experiencing
Brandeis via tours, workshops, meeting students, faculty, and administrators, and building a network.

An underlying theme for her has been to bring the Brandeis experience to as many chapters and
volunteers as possible. Upcoming visits include the NJ Council meeting in November, and possibly
Florida, Phoenix for its Book and Author event in March, and some New York and Connecticut
chapters.

The University is creating a new Strategic Plan to produce a long-term vision and five-year plan of
critical priorities that embrace Brandeis’s values and build on its strengths.
UNIVERSITY UPDATE
Steve Goldstein, Provost
Brandeis has been developing a Strategic Plan in order to reach a new level of excellence and become more
competitive among top-tier institutions. Brandeis’ choices of direction should embrace the way courses are taught
and the school’s inclusive roots, its Jewish identity and accomplishments, and the sense of community. The
physical plant should be adequate and sound, and the financial base secure. Steve outlined the plan’s components
and process.

A Steering Committee representing the entire community has been gathering information.

Open meetings were held with alumni, staff, students, faculty, trustees, and administrators.

At the end of the summer, task forces met to address various topics and report back to the planning
committee.

Early in the fall the committee drafted a framework that was released to staff, students, faculty, and
administration.

Trustees will discuss the plan’s framework and implementation.

Early feedback will be disseminated in early December.
Discussion:

The BNC can play an important role by telling the Brandeis story to make a compelling case for
Brandeis

Show enthusiasm in chapters far from campus.

Use DVDs rather than the Internet to disseminate information for non-computer-savvy retirees.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
1
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM (LD)
Barb Sander
Last year the team held monthly conference calls, wrote a handbook focused on identifying potential leaders,
motivating, cultivating, and inspiring them to take leadership roles, and training them.
Region and Chapter Training

This year the team is taking the material on the road to train regions and then chapters. The first Region
Training was conducted the previous week in Florida, and the second training will occur in the NY, NJ,
So. Ct. Region later in the month. The 2-hour FL training drew 31 attendees, mostly chapter officers.
The introduction focused on the origin of the team, outlined the agenda, and acknowledged that
attracting leaders requires the acquisition of members by offering appealing learning opportunities,
special events, and an inspiring presentation of BNC’s mission to support the university. To help
inspire their increased passion for BNC’s cause, trainers explained why they work so hard for BNC,
and showed the Sustaining the Mind film.

There were two breakout brainstorming sessions; the first focused on how to identify potential leaders,
while the second centered on ways to inspire and motivate them to take on increasingly responsible
leadership roles.

On the next conference call, the LDT will work on establishing consistent plans for following up with
attendees at every region training.
June Training

A recent team conference call included discussion on how to get more chapter leaders to attend the
June training on campus. One problem is the lack of understanding about how little a participant
actually pays of the total cost. Costs for the June 2012 training were shown on a chart that indicated the
trainee only pays $250 of the total cost of $1,285 per trainee. Expenses include transportation, hotel,
most meals, materials, and trainer costs. National pays most of the cost. This information needs to be
sent to chapters along with an effort to increase attendance at the June training.
BOARD ORIENTATION
Carol Rabinovitz

Carol gave a brief history of BNC, its fundraising role in the growth of the Brandeis libraries, and noted
highlights of BNC’s achievements over the years.

A video, Look with Pride, was viewed.

Leslie stated the “3 W’s” - Who are we? - What is it that we do? - Why are we important?

The NEC read the BNC Mission in unison
Barb and Beth Bernstein then conducted a training session similar to the sessions that will be held in regions. It
began with an inspirational piece (the video), and continued with two breakout groups, each of which brainstormed
the following topics: Qualities of a Potential Leader, and How to Motivate, Cultivate, and Inspire people to take
Leadership Roles.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
2
LUNCH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM
NEC facilitators led round table discussions about the New Student Orientation book, “When the Emperor was
Divine” by Julie Otsuka. The story concerns the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. A video
showing clips of the author with Brandeis students preceded the discussions.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Janice Fineman
Donations

A chart was displayed that indicated members’ donations in FY12. The report will be published in the
BNC/Brandeis Magazine issue in November. Last year chapter activities, individual donations, and
planned and estate gifts raised a net amount of $2,801,428.
28% for the library - $795,500
16% for Sustaining the Mind - $445,500
43% for Scholarships/Future Generations - $1,199,000
13% for other University Funds - $361,400
Additions to Professional Staff

Tamar Vogel has joined the staff as a Marketing and Communications Specialist.

The University has accepted a proposal to hire a Development Officer and given its approval, based on
achieving the following results: measurable growth of our major donor base; measurable progress in
meeting our campaign goal; a specific Planned Giving program that will result in an increase in
planned giving and an indication of intended bequests; and a cadre of volunteers trained to identify
major donor prospects and solicit major gifts. With this investment, the University is expressing both
its support for the BNC and its belief in its potential.
Sustaining the Mind Campaign

BNC is working with Development on the annual direct mail campaign. Approximately 5,000 cards
will be sent to BNC donors. The mailing will be followed by the annual student telethon in the spring.

BNC is now into the 1st full year of the Sustaining the Mind campaign. In addition to the work of the
Fundraising Team, the entire NEC needs to do its part in raising funds.
Pilot Book Collection Program
 The Atlanta Chapter has been piloting a Book Collection Box program in partnership with Better
World Books, a business with a social mission. Volunteers arrange for book collection boxes to be
placed in the parking lots of high-traffic malls. The boxes are co-branded with BNC and BWB. To
date, Atlanta has 12 locations with boxes and is working on having more. BNC is in the process of
expanding the program to other chapters by working with BWB to develop presentation kits for
volunteers.
BWB also has a Click and Ship program that will be offered to the chapters.
BNC Strategic Plan

The Strategic Planning committee completed its work in June. It is now implementing the initiatives in
the key areas identified in the plan.
Pilot Project for Membership

A pilot project for membership acquisition has been launched with the Sarasota Chapter. There is a
newly designed chapter website, an online and mail ad campaign, and an October program planned to
welcome new members.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
3
BUDGET & FINANCE TEAM
Simon Atlas
The NEC received an analysis of the FY12 numbers comparing the actual results for the period to the FY12 budget
and prior year.

BNC was favorable to budget in membership dues by 1.1% but unfavorable in Chapter Revenues by
9.3%.

On the positive side, National and Chapter expenses were both favorable to budget by over 8.6% and
over 10.8% respectively.

Net National and Chapter Activities for Library Operations exceeded budget by $103,985.

Direct to University Gifts exceeded the prior year by almost 1.5%. As a result, total net income was
just 4.2% less than the prior year.
First Quarter FY13 (7/1 - 9/30/12)
Revenues
Membership Dues

Actual Membership Revenue and head counts are 3.2%, the same as the prior year, and both years
represent achieving 81% of the annual budget for member dues. The variance is not significant at this
time of year. The budget represents a 3% drop in membership, including chapter closings. The
marketing pilot project in Sarasota will indicate whether BNC can begin rebuilding its membership.
Expenses
National General & Administrative

National expenses were favorable to FY12 by 16.4%.
Chapters

Chapter expenses are less than FY12 Actual, a favorable variance of 0.7%.
Net National & Chapter Activities for Library Operations

Net income for the period is favorable by 17.8%.
Direct to University Gifts

Donations are unfavorable to FY12 Actual by 13%.
Planned Gifts

A planned gift of $10,000 was received, vs. none in the first quarter of the prior year.
Bequests

Over $106,000 was received in FY13 versus over $467,000 in the prior year’s first quarter. The budget
for the year is $500,000.
Total Net Income

First quarter FY13 was $559,452 vs. $875,092 the prior year, an unfavorable variance of $315,640, or
36.1%. The entire short fall was the result of the drop in bequests for the first quarter.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
4
VISIONING COMMITTEE / SOCIAL JUSTICE
Janice Fineman
In the absence of Carol Kern, committee chair, Janice reported that a component on social justice has been added to
BNC’s strategic plan.
Reasons:

Social Justice is an integral part of the University’s foundation and structure.

By embracing the same commitment to social justice, members will understand they are a part of
Brandeis and will be more strongly connected to the university.
Benefits of having Social Justice/Community Service Projects included in activities:

It can be an outreach vehicle to encourage membership for those who are interested in helping others.

It can provide good will within the local community, and recognition by garnering publicity.

Members will become aware that the BNC, along with supporting Brandeis, also provides valuable
services within their own community.
Research showed that boomers want to make the world a better place and respond to social justice projects. The
Visioning oversight committee, along with two chapter representatives, and Beth Bernstein and Janice Fineman had
met to talk about the concept of social justice, the benefits, and how to best implement this at the chapter level. A
paper included in the kit laid out the reasons for the decision also gave examples of what some chapters are doing.
Janice noted that while many chapters refer to their programs as community service, the committee would prefer to
use the term Social Justice to make the connection to Brandeis even stronger. For now, it will call this project
Social Justice/Community Service.
Next steps:
 A marketing piece will be prepared to emphasize the importance and benefits of having a social justice
program.

It will include a list of current chapter projects for all chapters to see, and give some ideas on how they
can implement a Social Justice program or strengthen the one they already have.

It will also include projects that students and alumni are engaged in, which will add a sense of
membership pride in the BNC.

First year - the committee has suggested establishing a Region Award for the chapter with an
outstanding Social Justice/Community Service Program.

Following year - the committee will work on setting up an evaluation system.
Discussion:

The Region Presidents are charting those chapters with social justice projects.

The University will promote a project called “deis Impact” in February, and it is hoped chapters will
focus on social justice during that time.

This is a work in progress, and the committee is open to feedback and comments from the NEC.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE / RULES OF ASSOCIATION
Leslie Pearlstein
Leslie announced the committee’s members, who represented a geographic balance.
Revisions to the Rules of Association, Section 5: Standing Committees

Region Presidents Committee replaced Chapter Advisory Committee.

Leadership Development Committee was added.
The revised Rules were included in the kits.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
5
FUNDRAISING TEAM
Carol Rabinovitz
To date, the Sustaining the Mind campaign has raised $493,000 towards its $3 million goal. The team is
encouraging chapters to place philanthropy as their top priority. Bulletins are including the message about giving,
but large gifts are especially needed. She asked the NEC to be “Do-ers, Donors, and Door Openers” and think
about prospective donors who might be interested in neurodegenerative diseases.
A list of those on the Tribute Wall in the library will appear on the website, so the donors will be properly
recognized online as well as on campus. There is now an e-mail link to the website; chapters can place it in their
bulletins or mailings. National is sending a pilot e-mail to four chapters asking each member with e-mail
addresses to donate to the campaign.
The team and the national officers agreed to expand the giving categories listed on the website’s virtual wall to the
following:

Sustainers
$1000 in one fiscal year

Repeat Sustainers
$1000* (This group will be listed with an asterisk next to their names.)

Silver Sustainers
$5,000 over three years

Crystal Sustainers $10,000 over three years

Platinum Sustainers $25,000 over three years

A Sustaining the Mind kit with video was sent to chapters and was also distributed to the NEC.

A stewardship letter with information about research in the labs was sent to donors of $500 and more.
Other:
FUNDRAISING BREAK-OUT SESSIONS
NEC members broke into four groups to discuss ways to instill a stronger philanthropic culture into all levels of the
BNC. Facilitated discussions based on the following questions were later reported to the full NEC.

How to change our messaging regarding philanthropy from the get go - from the initial new
membership tea and beyond.

How do we better connect our members to Brandeis to build interest and excitement for the university
in order to achieve greater financial support?

How do we get doers, donors, and door openers?
PLANNED GIVING
Janice Fineman
A Planned Giving brochure describing different categories was distributed.

Both Charitable Gift Annuities and Bequests give a good return on the investment and are a way to
make a commitment to Brandeis; the amount is not realized until death.

A charitable Gift Annuity gives a guaranteed annual income.
The NEC was asked to consider ways to encourage chapters to plan events for charitable gift presentations.
Meeting recessed at 4:00 pm.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
6
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
Meeting reconvened at 9:05 am.
REGION PRESIDENTS TEAM (RPT)
Ron Levy
The team has been collecting information on chapters’ current social justice and community service projects.
Chapter Assessment Project
To provide support for chapters and stem their loss, the team has been developing a system to identify or assess
weak chapters and will analyze data based on quantitative and qualitative criteria.
Quantitative Data (statistical)
 The data is based on 3 year annual membership trends and net annual fundraising on a 3 year basis.
Qualitative Data (subjective)
 Turnover
 Stagnation
 Chapters with and without term limits
 Insights of the region presidents
Discussion:
 Only Annual Members were counted. Answer: they are more frequently in attendance. The total
number of Life Members is unreliable.
 How can it be determined if chapters with Life Members are failing? Answer: it is possible to identify
those who are leaders.
 Is the number of donors tracked in unorganized chapters? Answer: no, but the information can be
obtained; there are direct mailings that take place.
 Consider creating a portfolio for unorganized chapters, defined by a group that has no structure.
 Why do some chapters not have term limits? Answer: the issue will be addressed by other teams.
The RPT will make a preliminary analysis to present to the NEC officers by year end.
MEMBERSHIP TEAM (MT)
Iris Wigal
The team is working on marketing tools to start new chapters. There is a potential new chapter; a report will follow
later in the year. The team viewed and discussed the fifteen month membership program that is offered in the spring
and concluded that it should only be offered to new members, not lapsed members.
Discussion:
 Allow chapters to handle it individually.
 Send a note suggesting the offer is intended for new members, but could also be offered to lapsed
members as a “welcome back” gesture.
UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS (UOWs) / FLORIDA INSTITUTE DAY
UOWs

Beth Bernstein
Programs are planned for 26 chapters during the January intersession period. Faculty will travel to the
west coast to visit all chapters in California, as well as Arizona, Las Vegas, and Desert. In addition, all
chapters will be invited to attend UOWs in various areas in Florida.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
7
Alumni



BNC continues to work closely with the Alumni Office to maximize faculty travel throughout the
country.
BNC events are posted on the alumni website so they can be aware of upcoming BNC programs.
Brandeis alumni authors will also be part of some book and author events in South Florida,
Washington, DC, and Las Vegas.
Florida Institute Day

The Florida Region will be holding Symposium 2012, The Impact of Religion on Culture and Civil
Liberties in Deerfield Beach, in December. It will consist of a panel discussion with a rabbi, a member
of the Christian clergy, and an imam who received a PhD from Brandeis in Near East and Judaic
Studies. There will also be breakout sessions for discussions on politics and the pulpit, and religion and
education.
GOALS & AWARDS COMMITTEE
Ellen Atlas, Chair
A copy of the criteria for Awards/Recognition for 2012-2013 was distributed. Chapters were pleased to receive
their goals early. With representation from all regions on the committee, it had been decided that using a percentage
formula based on similar-sized chapters was the fairest method for setting goals. Most suggestions made last year
by the NEC were incorporated. Following are this year’s criteria changes and/or additions indicated in italics.
Chapter of the Year Award:

Shows evidence of a robust Learning Opportunities Program that includes Brandeis-authored study
groups and materials, which are clearly identified as such in bulletins and catalogs.
“Sustaining the Mind” Campaign Awards

Chapter that has the greatest number of $1,000 and above donors in each region

The chapter that has the highest per capita amount in each region
Region Categories
SOCIAL JUSTICE/COMMUNITY SERVICE

Chapter in each region for innovative social justice/community service program
Discussion:

For the Chapter of the Year Award, add to “Submits a slate of leaders for the coming year” text that
indicates term limits to assure a turnover in leadership.

How will men’s groups be handled? As part of the chapter or as separate entities? Answer: chapters
differ, and this will be discussed by the NEC officers.
Chapters need to know they are part of a larger picture and have a sense of why they exist.
Discussion/Suggestions:

Conduct a virtual national conference.

Have a webinar to appeal to different groups; connect leadership to the university.

Live stream a piece on leadership; it is difficult to produce a webinar; it involves a lot of time and
people.

Choose a day for an event for all chapters to observe.

Have chapters observe Louis Brandeis’ birthday in November; wear blue clothing at simultaneous
meetings.

Bring established leaders to campus.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
8
SUSAN BIRREN
Dean of Arts & Sciences
Dean Birren reported on some of the current research at Brandeis where scientists work individually and
collaboratively on biological systems and in studying how the brain works. She said great strides are being made in
the area of neuroscience.
Discussion:
 What are some reasons for donating to Brandeis for its research? Answer: Since there has not been a
real breakthrough yet, this is an opportunity to ask what would lead to something that is not just the
next incremental step. Brandeis will create new pathways to improve the current approaches.
STUDENT AMBASSADORS (SAs)
Beth Bernstein
Three BNC student ambassadors talked about their connections with BNC members and chapters and their own
experiences at Brandeis.

Eduardo Keane tries to identify other students and encourage them to become ambassadors.

Hayley Brody is in contact with chapters and enjoys talking with the members.

Paul Vancea is in touch with members in the San Diego/San Dieguito area during the summers.
There will be a meeting of the ambassadors at the National Center where they will brainstorm on ways to connect
them to chapters.
Beth Bernstein said chapter presidents should reply when SAs send letters introducing themselves. The students
want to share their Brandeis experiences and are excited about the connection; it is deflating when they do not
receive a response. Leslie suggested that Ron tell the region presidents to share that message with the chapter
presidents.
COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS

Less than 1/3 of the members are active. Contact Life Members, learn more about them and connect
with them. Response: Life Members are still active; the challenge is bringing in new members.
Annual dues are needed to support the BNC’s structure.

Not all Life Members are elderly. There needs to be a system to track the deceased, etc.

Offer 3 or 5 year memberships to retain members longer. Leslie will discuss this with the officers.

Generate e-mails for Life Members. BNC records show that only 15% of the Life Members have emails; obtain their addresses and connect with them.

Have a contest to track Life Members; gift gifts to the winners.
OTHER BUSINESS
The NEC presented Leslie Pearlstein with a Book Collection folio in appreciation of her leadership and gracious
hospitality.
CLOSING REMARKS
Leslie Pearlstein
Leslie hoped the NEC would fill out the evaluation forms distributed after the Leadership Training sessions. She
reiterated a few themes that will help to assure success going forward.
Leadership Development - developing new leaders is vital to BNC’s survival. She asked everyone to help identify
women and men who understand what the organization is and does, and to share the information so they can be
invited to the June training session.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
9
Membership - The NEC acts as ambassadors for the BNC and the university. NEC members need to speak about
everything that Brandeis and the BNC represent. When with friends, talk about what the BNC accomplishes for
Brandeis; invite them to an event, a study group, or a program; let them see all the benefits of being a member –
intellectual stimulation, socialization, networking, meeting new people, and having new experiences.
The Campaign – BNC is now in the middle year of the three year campaign to raise $3 million. Leslie stressed how
important personal commitments are to achieve the goal, and the need to spread the word amongst friends and
family and actively ask for their support. There are sample letters that can be used as is, or as a jumping off point
for creating one’s own. The National Center staff will send out any and all materials.
The Professional Staff - Janice, Beth, Ellie, Barbara Gilman, Barbara Katz, Tom, Debbie, and Tamar give 150 % to
their jobs and have a wealth of knowledge. Leslie thanked them for their invaluable efforts.
Meeting adjourned at noon.
BNC NEC meeting, October 22-23, 2012
10