Present:
Board Members: Dan Bartley, Joan Bedosky, Kevin Connors, Anne Kerrigan, S. Regina McAuley, Phil Megna, John Mulvey, Tom Myles, Joan Psotto, John Ryan, Pat Zirkel

Guests: Lisa Braglia, Leo Cuomo, Penny Duggan, Ann Gribbins, Judy Grillo, Jeanne Lynch, Mary Steele

Excused: Tom Dowling, Janet and Jim Godfrey, Joe Kern

The meeting was called to order by Pat Zirkel, and Tom Myles led the group in prayer at 7:35 pm. Pat Zirkel asked the group to remember a number of people who are ill.

Approval of Minutes:
The Minutes of the meeting of January 20, 2005 were approved unanimously. They will be posted to the website.

Announcements:
· It is reported that the Pastoral Formation Institute has been told not to interview candidates for the coming year. In light of this, our own educational initiatives have added significance. It is agreed to discuss the status of our educational efforts at the March Board meeting. Membership Initiatives · A planned discussion of a public persona for LI VOTF was tabled in the absence of Tom Lloyd. · "20 plus One Questions" was presented to the group. This was prepared by the Membership Committee as an aid in talking with potential members. Discussion ensued and an ad hoc group was formed to revise these. The group is: Dan Bartley, Joan Bedosky, Judy Grillo, Anne Kerrigan, Phil Megna, John Mulvey, Joan Psotto, and John Ryan.

Issues Tabled from Prior Meetings
· It was agreed that there is a need to create a permanent record of LI VOTF documents. Anne Kerrigan is willing to take on this role, and was approved unanimously as LI VOTF Archivist.

VOTF PRAYER INITIATIVES
· There was discussion of the status of efforts to have Pastors invite LI VOTF members to a parish Mass. Several meetings with Pastors are in progress.
· There was also discussion as to mailing the letter on this subject that was mailed to members to a number of priests. It was decided not to do so at this time.

COMMUNICATIONS
· Joan Bedosky announces that PV's wishing to post dates and/or speakers on the website should address requests to Danny Rivera (Danny@commandbp.com) and cc her (JBedosky10@aol.com) and Tom Dowling (tpd@ix.netcom.com). They should identify their PV or cluster by name and town and supply date, time, location, speaker (if any) and topic. If there is a speaker, publicity should be sent to Joan for e-mailing to the general membership.

COMPLIANCE
· Tom Myles is looking into what information is available on the Diocesan 'Virtus' Program, so that our members can be educated about it. It was suggested that Laura Ahearn be invited to speak to a Regional meeting on this subject.
· Tom has received a couple of inquiries regarding the invitation to join the Compliance Committee that was emailed to members.
· The LI VOTF Parish Audit Checklist is being used nationally.
· Tom spoke about the need for people to be educated regarding the Bishops' Charter. It was suggested that Tom write to the Bishop regarding such education.
· Tom also discussed the issue of Standards of Conduct for Clergy and Church Workers. The standards currently posted on the Diocesan website are inadequate, he feels. Tom was encouraged to develop a committee to look into formulating more adequate Standards of Conduct.

FINANCE
· The Finance Committee report was noted without dispute.
· Several issues relative to the financing of the March 19th Conference were discussed. The fee of $35.00 pp does not cover the cost, and donors are needed.
· A proposed donation to a group of retired religious sisters was vetoed at this time.

LEGISLATIVE
· Joe Kern met with NYS Legislators on January 25th regarding the Clergy as Mandated Reporters Bill. He plans to have another meeting in early March, and Board members are invited.

LIAISON TEAM
· The Team is waiting to hear from the Bishop's representatives.

MEETING SITES AND SPEAKERS
· The scheduled speaker for March has had to cancel. Several alternatives will be explored. [Juan Vaca was subsequently engaged.]
· Regarding the May Regional meeting that is scheduled to be on the subject of Priest Support: the speakers on the panel at the March 19th Conference might provide support and information on this subject.
· It was announced that Sr. Margaret Mayce has agreed to lead the membership in an Evening of Prayer at the July Regional meeting. The Prayer Team will handle specifics.
· Survivor Witness Speakers should be referred to John Ryan, so that he can understand their story and know their positions. He will also discuss time restraints with each speaker.
· Tom Dowling has suggested that a Regional meeting be devoted to issues pertinent to PV's. Tom and Bill McCully will be asked to set up such an evening for the November Regional meeting.

MEMBERSHIP
· A report from the Membership Committee was received.
· After discussion of the issue of having VOTF buttons available for sale at the conference, it was decided to get more information as to price and availability.
· The issue of convening a Nominating Committee from PV representatives was discussed. It was decided that Dan and Pat would draft some criteria for nominees for positions on the Board, and that the issue of a Nominating Committee would be re-visited.
· The issue of responding to those who cancel their membership was tabled to a future meeting.
· Two future discussions have been requested:
o   How the website, regional meetings, etc., affect our public image
o   A full discussion of a PV Representative Council; and the related issue of additional Board members

PLANNING/EVENTS
· Phil Megna reviewed the plans for the March 19th event. Tom Doyle will speak about Sex Abuse and the Abuse of Power; he will also be the celebrant at the closing liturgy. John Allen, whose beat as a journalist is at the Vatican, has written about the "Next Pope and the Future of Christianity." There will be a panel that will discuss "Priesthood in the 21st Century."

PRAYER TEAM
· The Prayer Team will handle the specifics of an evening of prayer for members (see above).

SURVIVOR/VICTIM SUPPORT
· John Ryan and Ann Marie D'Angelo will post their telephone numbers for the convenience of survivors.

VIGILS
· There will be a 'Lost Sheep' vigil at St. Dominic's in Oyster Bay on Sunday, February 27th.
· The Committee proposes that VOTF center on increasing their numbers at the vigils starting at the March vigil. They hope to double the number at each vigil. They will phone and poll each person who has attended at least one vigil to ascertain their feelings and ideas. They will produce a flyer with testimony from those who have taken part in the vigils.

OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to take up at this time.

NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to take up at this time.