Board Packet—February 8, 2012
Administrator Report
Mark Malloy’s Report – 02/03/12
MEGILLAH
February issue was 24 pages with the theme being love and Valentine’s Day. I have
been told to not use non-Jewish holidays as themes in future issues. March issue
will promote the Purim carnival and the Mishloach Manot project.
March Issue - I need your articles by Wednesday the 15th .
Production goal is to print the March issue Mon/Tues 1/20-21, and deliver the
printed copies to the bulk mailer on Tuesday. Delivery to congregants by mail
would be around February 24-25th. In order to get the maximum support for
PURIM, I must stick to this schedule.
Dennis Sookikian continues to supply the paper to print the MEGILLAH and our
Friday night Shabbat sheets. He will be supplying me a half page ad as
compensation for his donations.
Movie Night
Last month’s movie, “Driving Miss Daisy”, attracted a small crowd but they had a
very enjoyable evening. Shlomo did an outstanding job leading the discussion after
the movie, and I know everyone attending left with a big smile on their face.
The February film will be “Pay it Forward” starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt.
In March, our traditional fourth Saturday night movie night date conflicts with the
dates of Federation’s Jewish Film Festival. We will not have a movie night in March.
Steve Moore has not been available to cook hot dogs and popcorn which has been
missed.
PURIM Carnival - March 4th
Preliminary flyer with the date, times, and the bare details on activities has been
created, and is being distributed in the foyer. A shorter version announcing the
event with the date and time is running in the weekly eNEWS.
PURIM Mishloach Manot Project
Kaila has sent out the initial message launching the program to the members we
have eMail addresses for. Next weeks eNEWS and the March MEGILLAH will have
more information, and we will continue to promote it until baskets are available for
pick-up on Sunday, March 4th. More details are in Kaila’s report.
Rakefet to Chaveware Project
Due to much greater than anticipated difficulty exporting our data into Chaverware
successfully, this project has fallen well behind schedule. The scheduled training
was cancelled and until the data starts to match up properly, we will not reschedule
the transition. Kaila’s report will have more information on this.
Photovoltaic Solar Panels
On behalf of the church I’ve met with several contractors to see if we can create a
proposal for the church to purchase a photovoltaic panel system capable of
generating enough electricity to dramatically reduce or eliminate the Edison bill.
The most helpful of the contractors I have talked to is Bill Sibner of Prime Solar in
Ojai. He was enthusiastically referred to me by Jay Crane. Jay went through this
process of education and meeting with many contractors himself before selecting
Bill’s company to install the photovoltaic system he has at his home.
There are a number of technical issues to understand about the hardware of the
system and the source of the panels (less expensive made in China vs. US made).
The location of the panels themselves, and the way they are mounted to the roof is
also a challenge.
The size of the system relative to the consumption of the Church alone versus the
combined consumption of the two congregations is another consideration.
A further complication is that the Church’s roof is of an age where repairs may need
to be made before the panels are mounted. There is a constant matrix of decreasing
prices on the panels (the good news), while the rebates that are available are
declining (the bad news), as more and more installations are made in the area
serviced by Southern California Edison.
And once all of that is understood and hopefully come up with a proposal that is
ready for presentation to the Church’s congregation, the cost will have to be
approved by a majority vote.
One of the facts that exploring this subject has exposed, is that the Church is paying
“Demand Chargers” that are about 1/3 of the annual cost of their electricity.
Demand charges are authorized by PUC tariff for users that have exceeded 20 kW of
monthly consumption in three or more months during the previous 12 months
(which we have the last two years). The theory is that the utility has build
generating capacity to support maximum demand, and those user’s whose demand
is highest are the chief drivers of the need for additional generating capacity. Hence
the “reverse volume discount”-- a system where higher volume users pay more per
watt, not less, via demand charges.
Since a solar system produces the most energy during the summer months when
our consumption is highest (when air conditioners are running), installation of a
system of photovoltaic panels will certainly reduce our consumption enough to
eliminate the demand charges.
Just before the Temple moved in, the Church signed up for a program that allows
SCE to disable our four air conditioning compressors remotely. This allows SCE to
decrease the load on their grid by cutting of our air conditioning during high power
consumption days (during a heat wave taking place on a week day). This has only
occurred on one day over the last two years. SCE only implements the shutoff if
they are in imminent danger or running out of generating capacity. They make
more money by selling each customer more electricity and will do so unless they
can’t generate enough.
The $613 a year rebate for being on that program was one of the reasons the Church
did not anticipate significant increase in electrical costs when the Temple moved in.
This education on electric bills and the identification of the demand charge
component of them, helps explain why the increases have been so substantial.
Accounting Department Report
Submitted by Kaila Kaden
Board Reports
Tresidents- Nadine Frankel
URJ dues update: They received the data that they previously requested. They have
asked for financial information for 2 more years which Kaila has been tasked with
preparing. I am also preparing a supplemental report which is a formal request for dues
relief, something that they have never received from us in the past. I am documenting the
short-term and long-term steps we’ve taken and the special challenges we’ve faced as a
temple. When all is submitted to Gil Rosen, the volunteer MUM (Maintenance of Union
Membership) Representative that is working with us, he will forward it to Paul Wilcox in
the New York Office . The MUM committee meets quarterly and needs to receive all
data at least 6 weeks before they meet so I am not anticipating a definitive agreement
until June. Rabbi Lisa has recommended a MUM volunteer that was very helpful with
Adat Elohim, when they were in a similar situation, but Rabbi Linda Bertenthal, our URJ
Rep, told me Gil Rosen was our best bet and he’s been very supportive, accessible, and
clear, so at this time we will continue to work with him.
Torah Study: I attended Torah study for the first time. It was enjoyable and I was really
impressed with Keith’s knowledge. I encourage you all to check it out . Keith’s done a
great service in getting that started again. Let’s show our support.
Upcoming Passover: No Shabbat service on first night. Keith will lead the Sedar for
second night potluck. Karen Greenberg will co-chair.
Teleconference on Annual Giving-Sarene and Nadine have signed up for a
teleconference on Annual Giving Campaigns from a President’s perspective. It’s on 2/21
and they will share their notes with the Annual Giving chairs and the board.
Mark Malloy Vacation- From Mark: I’m taking a half day of vacation on Friday
February 10th, and a full day on Monday the 13th. The 12th is our 35th Wedding
Anniversary and we will be heading north to share it with my parents.
Corresponding Secretary: Harriet Lit
Get well card sent to Frances Yasney.
COMMITTEES
Annual Giving Campaign-Saul Lessler
Stan Baratta has agreed to contact the board. I have received pledges of
about $7,000 so far. I will be working with Stan to supply him with the
info he needs re what the board did last year.
Education committee report: Gary Lieb
Education Committee Report:
Purim Carnival planning is on track. Alan Treitman is in charge of food. We will
be serving pizza (in addition to other items) again this year and are in need of
pizza (cheese and vegetarian) donations.
Nominating Committee – Verna Merrin & Harriet Lit
Nominating Committee of Board of Directors of TNA called the following members and asked
them if they would consider joining the Board.
Harriet Lit called:
Gary Lieb -- no
Cathy Kim -- yes
Gary Goltz -- yes
Marc Grossman -- yes
Dale Jacobs -- no
Bobbi Jacobs -- no
Verna Merrin called:
Arlene and Irv Bergman -- no
Frances Yasney -- no
Elva Levine -- no
Jean Slev -- no
Renee Stein -- will think about it
Bonnie Shubb -- will think about it
Susan Weinstein -- will thnk about it
Nadine Frankel called:
Karen Greenberg -- seriously considering it
Aaron Dvoretsky – will think about it. Aaron served on the board in the past for 4 years and so he
knows what's involved.
Fundraising-Joan Frank and Steve Moore
Johnny Rockets April 11th!
From Johnny Rockets: I will get the flyers emailed to you by Monday. We honor the
fundraiser from 11:00am to 9:00pm for all members, families, and students to enjoy. We
also allow "to go" orders as well.
All we ask is to have the fundraiser flyers promoted and the event posted on the website
for a strong turnout and we will take care of the rest!
Rabbi Exploration Committee – Gary Goltz
Rabbinic Exploration Committee ("REC")
The REC was formed to evaluate candidates for full or part-time work for Temple Ner
Ami beginning in July of 2012. The committee is comprised of across-section of Temple
members: Sarene Wallace, Jean Shev, Bonnie Shubb, Steven Graff, Karin Greenberg,
Gary Goltz and Julia Newman.
The REC had its first meeting on December 1, 2011 to discuss the evaluation process.
We discussed how to best obtain potential candidates for the position and the salary
limitation of $50,000 to $75,000. The process was somewhat complicated with the
knowledge that Julia Newman was going to be retiring soon and that we had to consider
the financial impact on Temple and the next rabbi as part of our process.
At the initial meeting of the REC, it was determined that we should conduct a survey to
identify what the congregation wanted from their Rabbi. The survey went out by email
and was published in the Megillah shortly after that meeting. The results were also
published in the Megillah.
The REC also explored what was the best way to obtain applicants. After calls with the
URJ and Hebrew Union College, it was determined that Temple should post a "Rabbi
Wanted" position at www.jewishjobs.com. This is the primary site used by synagogues
to obtain job candidates other than hiring new Rabbi's through URJ/HUC. The response
to the ad was quite good and we received 14 resumes, including Lisa Bock's. Of the 13
outside resumes, seven were given phone interviews and the list was narrowed down to
three, plus Lisa.
Lisa and the three candidates were interviewed by the REC. One candidate was
interviewed via Skype, one candidate was interviewed in person and the last was
interviewed by conference call. Lisa was interviewed in person. Ed Harris, the Rabbi
that was interviewed by conference call who lived in St. Louis, was really liked by the
REC and was given a second interview at the Temple, in person. Rabbi Harris conducted
a brief Torah study for the committee.
The REC determined that it would choose between Rabbi Harris and Rabbi Bock
utilizing the survey responses as a guide for the areas for analysis and evaluation. Lisa
was our top choice for her incredible organizational skills, caring manor, approachability
and her work ethic tilted the advantage in her favor.
It was well-thought out decision that was thoroughly vetted and we are very comfortable
with the process and result Rabbi Lisa, as part of the interview process, was the only
Rabbi that provided a written list of what she wanted to accomplish and how.
The committee’s formal recommendation is to proceed with offering Lisa Bock the
rabbinic position for one year, starting July 1, 2012.