Present: Issues Discussed: Dan Bartley announced that a statement was made to the press which clarifies LI-VOTF’s position concerning the selection of Pope Benedict XVI. (Read the clarification on the website) Statement to the Board from Leo Cuomo, Vigils Committee as follows: “At the Board of Directors meeting in March I brought up the idea of a survivor speaker at the March Conference. I appreciate the matter being addressed at the meeting, considering that it was truly the “11th hour.” The discussion that ensued was open and frank and gave ample opportunity for Lisa Braglia and myself to present our views. I present this issue for I do not know if the minutes can truly reflect the frank and healthy discussion that took place. I realize that the discussion should have taken place in January and not in March. I also realize that it is not for me to judge what the survivors need but only for me to listen and work with them to promote healing. Clearly, the discussion and subsequent emails from the Board of Directors have helped me to deflect any criticism by the survivors about the conference. Thank you.” It was confirmed that the evening of prayer for the Board is April 28, 2005 at the Amityville Dominican Convent with Sr. Margaret Mayce presiding. If a Board member replies to a “Buoy” email, please reply only to Board@votf.org. Do not reply to “all.” Discussion ensued re a particular legal issue being pursued against a specific parish. The person involved has asked the support of LI-VOTF. LI-VOTF has declined indicating that such activity does not support the three goals of the organization. Pat Zirkel confirmed the June 4th date of the LI-VOTF Board business retreat. The goal of the day, with Fr. Joe Lynch facilitating, is to share thoughts and ideas as to what it means to serve LI-VOTF as members of the Board. Pat Zirkel will connect with Fr. Lynch to discuss an agenda for the day. Anyone else who has thoughts or ideas re the day is encouraged to also connect with Fr. Lynch. Discussion ensued re the issue of the Membership Committee and the “20 Questions” project. The BOD apologized to the Membership Committee for any actions re this project which might have offended them when the Board apparently “re-did” or “edited” the 20 Questions without thoughtful consultation of the Membership Committee. A motion was made to accept the “20 Questions” for LI-VOTF to be used as an information tool for members. This document will be used by the members as a vehicle to respond to questions re LI-VOTF. Discussion ensued and the motion was passed. An attempt will be made by some technologically astute LI-VOTF members (Joan Psotto and Judy Grillo) to put the “20 Questions” into a tri-fold. Discussion ensued re the “public persona” of LI-VOTF. It was mentioned that many people still have a negative image of LI-VOTF which is often based on misconceptions and incorrect information. Efforts will be made to connect our “public persona” to the strategic plan for LI-VOTF developed last year and to correct the public misconceptions about LI-VOTF. Joan Psotto announced that a request for an $8500.00 grant for Vatican II education has been submitted to a grant organization which is “project based.” If LI-VOTF obtains this grant, it will enthusiastically start the Vatican II education with the PV’s. In the meantime, the Vatican II education will start on a smaller scale. Discussion ensued re nominations for the next Board election. It was suggested that PV’s nominate candidates and that people even nominate themselves. It was considered putting a “want ad” on the website in order to encourage members to consider running for the Board. Details re the term of a Board member were discussed (such as term limits) but no conclusions. It was considered creating an ad hoc committee to further explore the issue of elections to the Board. The conversation will continue. The Board has agreed to accept the changes as recommended by the Finance Committee concerning the Voice of Compassion Fund. (See website) Anne Kerrigan reported that work is beginning on the gathering of documentation re LI-VOTF so that a history of the organization may be compiled. It is a work in progress. The Vigils Committee mentioned that the next Lost Sheep vigil will be at St. Hugh of Lincoln on . . . . Leo Cuomo attended a VOTO meeting and clarified the Lost Sheep vigils as well as the goals and actions of the Vigils Committee so that there would be no misunderstanding. John Ryan spoke about the relationship between LI-VOTF and SNAP. It seems that survivors usually go to SNAP first for support. Since one of the goals of LI-VOTF is to support victims, it was agreed that it was important to maintain a positive relationship with SNAP. John Ryan mentioned that, in the future, victim speakers at Regionals will probably come through SNAP. SNAP leader will be meeting with Dan Bartley in the near future in order to clarify any erroneous misconceptions that each organization may hold about the other. There will also be a sharing of ideas and goals. Hopefully, this meeting will lead to more a more significant and meaningful working relationship between the two organizations. Tom Myles, Chairperson of the Compliance Committee, announced that Tom Lloyd has now joined the committee. Work continues re clarification of the standards of conduct and it is hopeful that the information re the standards of conduct will be disseminated via the PV’s for implementation in the local parish. Ann Gribbins announced that the focus of the May Regional meeting will be priest support. Fr. Bill Brisotti will be the primary speaker and the topic will be “How to Keep Hope Alive in the Catholic Church.” There will also be a panel of priests who will each make a brief statement and then a Q & A session. Discussion ensued re an “open mike” session at a Regional meeting. It was decided that there would be an attempt made to devote ten minutes of each Regional to an “open mike” session with STRICT time limits for each speaker. Thus, it would be a “controlled” open mike in order to allow as many members as possible to verbalize. Discussion ensued re a contribution to VOTO. It was decided to defer this issue to the Finance Committee. Discussion re making the Newsletter available to non-members for a fee was put on hold till a future date. It was decided that a conference, such as that recently held at the Huntington Hilton Melville, will be a yearly LI VOTF event. Discussion ensued re the demonstration concerning the “firing” of the three nuns who were chaplains at local universities. It was concluded that the Board acted appropriately when the notice to members stated that the demonstration was being initiated by the college students and that LI-VOTF members were invited to participate. The meeting was closed with a prayer led by Pat Zirkel. |