DATE: July 21, 2005

TIME: 7:30 PM

PLACE: Hauppauge Village Hall, Hauppauge, N.Y.

PRESENT: BOD MEMBERS:

EXCUSED:
Joan Psotto
Tom Dowling
Joe Kern

GUESTS:
George Sheppard Leo Cuomo
Tom Lloyd Nancy Massaro
Judy Grillo Penny Duggan

The meeting opened with a prayer led by Joan Bedosky

There were three additions to the minutes of the June 16, 2005 BOD meeting. They were as follows:
All LI-VOTF members are welcome at the BOD meetings.
There has been NO definitive decision or action taken re vetting any of the speakers at the Regional meetings.
Mr. Pat Cuomo, who addressed the BOD at the June 16, 2005 meeting, had been invited to contact Tom Myles if he had any questions or concerns.
The minutes were approved with these three additions.

The next evening of prayer for the BOD is September 22, 2005.

Protocol for the BOD is as follows:
Directors should introduce themselves at the beginning of each meeting. When Board issues are being discussed, BOD members have the floor but they may ask for input from the non-Board members. If time is short this may be curtailed.

Tim Echausse addressed the BOD and guests. He expressed a thank you to LI-VOTF for its support with a particular thank you to Leo Cuomo and Lisa Braglia and their Vigil Committee members and supporters. Mr. Echausse reiterated and clarified the work of SNAP saying that SNAP supports all survivors of clergy sexual abuse and that they also continually work to demand accountability of the clergy and the hierarchy. Mr. Echausse indicated that he was willing to speak to any LI-VOTF Regional meeting. He also encouraged LI-VOTF to continue working for legislation that would extend the statute of limitations for reporting clergy sexual abuse. SNAP is also working in this area.

Tom Myles reported on the July 2005 VOTF National Convention in Indianapolis. He stressed the importance of networking with other VOTF groups as well as the need to share information. While at the convention, Mr. Myles met an author, Angela Bonavoglia of Westchester County, N.Y. who was willing to speak at LI-VOTF Regionals. Ms. Bonavoglia is the author of Good Catholic Girls: How Women are leading the Fight to Change the Church. Pat Paone will be informed. Mr. Myles also commented that it was unfortunate that some members of the LI VOTF contingent were unable to attend due to flight problems. It was reported that a VOTF National Representative Council is being initiated and this is a step towards increasing communication and effectiveness. Mr. Myles reports that the weekend Liturgy was inspirational.

A discussion ensued re the need for an additional member of the LI-VOTF Executive Committee since Anne Kerrigan, member at large, has been elected to the secretarial position. Nominations were requested. Mr. Tom Myles nominated himself. There were no other nominations. A motion was made to invite Tom Myles to be a member of the Executive Committee. The motion passed unanimously.

Discussion ensued re the function of the BOD meetings. As the result of the January 2005 retreat and planning day with Rev. Joe Lynch, it was felt that the focus of the BOD should be planning strategy and let the specific Committees deal with their particular issues and report to the Executive Committee. It was suggested that the BOD start to select specific planning issues to be addressed. It was also recommended that all BOD members refamiliarize themselves with the
LI VOTF Strategic Planning document. The conversation re this issue will continue.

It was suggested that each new BOD member be given a packet which contains the “working” documents that are at the core of LI VOTF. These documents would include the Strategic Planning
document as well as the Structural Change document. Awareness of these documents is important for each BOD member.

A motion was made to amend the LI VOTF by-laws. Article IV, Section 13 currently reads: “The Board shall elect a Nominating Committee consisting of five of its members. Beginning with the election of 2004, this committee shall propose a slate of five members to replace the Directors whose terms are expiring. The existence of this slate will not preclude other members from running for office.”
This shall be changed to read: “The Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of at least three persons who are LI VOTF members.” The motion passed unanimously.

The Executive Committee had talked about how to utilize the many gifts of its membership. Discussion will continue re this matter.

Discussion ensued re a proposal by Tom Lloyd concerning new direction for increasing LI VOTF membership. (This proposal was distributed to each person present at this BOD meeting)
The proposal involves concentrated efforts to recruit new members, including education, press coverage, and increased emphasis on hierarchical accountability. Tom Lloyd has offered to form and chair this new committee whose sole purpose would be to recruit new members. A motion was made to accept this proposal and it passed with one opposed and with two abstentions. Mr. Lloyd will continue to keep the Executive Committee and the BOD informed as to the direction of this new committee. The committee will develop an action plan for approval by the Board of Directors.

Discussion ensued re a proposal by Dan Bartley for a new committee to encourage and foster social events and community building. This would be the Community Building Committee.
A motion was made to accept Dan Bartley’s proposal and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Bartley will keep the Executive Committee and the BOD informed as to the progress of this committee.

Discussion ensued re another proposal by Dan Bartley for a new committee entitled “Membership Cultivation Committee.” This committee would explore how to utilize the many gifts and talents of the LI VOTF members. As part of this proposal, the plan for a “Committee Night” is being explored by Dan Bartley. A motion was made to accept the aforementioned proposal. It was unanimously approved.

A long term plan for speakers for the Regionals is on hold and will be pursued at a later date.

A discussion ensued re “Project Millstones” information being on the LI-VOTF website. This is not a LI VOTF project. Concern was expressed by Tom Myles as to whether or not information re this project should be on our website. It was decided that the Executive Committee will review this matter.

Discussion of the educational efforts of LI-VOTF will be reviewed at a later date.

Kevin Connors reports that the preliminary financial report from Dick Grafer ifs not ready yet but is a work in progress and will be ready shortly. Information re this project will be made known as soon as it is available and ready for presentation.

A motion was made by John Ryan to have George Benniston, a VOTO and a VOTF member make a DVD with VOTF as the topic. This will be an inspirational and challenging DVD and Mr. Benniston has offered his services in this area. The motion passed.

The meeting closed with a prayer led by Joan Bedosky.

Respectfully submitted,