November 18, 2004
Board of Directors Meeting
Huntington Hilton, Melville

In attendance:

Dan Bartley
Phil Megna
Joan Bedosky
Tom Myles
Kevin Connors
Joan Psotto
Joe Kern
John Ryan
Anne Kerrigan
Pat Zirkel
Regina McAuley

The minutes from the October Board Meeting [October 21, 2004] are approved.

Announcements:
• Tom Myles reports that he has been nominated to run for Jim Post’s position with National VOTF. He will keep the Board updated as things progress.
• The donation made to INN was returned without prejudice. A recommendation by the Finance Committee will be made.
• A prayer night for Board members will be held on Friday, January 14, 2005

Election of officers was conducted. The results were as follows:

Co Chairs: Dan Bartley
Pat Zirkel

Secretary: Janet Godfrey

Treasurer: Kevin Connors

Members at Large
Of the Executive Cte: Joan Bedosky, Anne Kerrigan

The issue of unauthorized statements was discussed. It was agreed that the Board will develop policies on Diocesan Programs and other issues as they are proposed.

Kevin Connors will speak with Maryanne Keyes regarding guidelines for the proposed Safety Committees.

Committee Reports and Issues:
Committees without members are discussed. These are understood to include Events, Compliance and Victim/Survivor Support.
No resolution is reached.

Tom Myles will compose a list of what he would like to see Compliance working on in the future.

Committees with no representation on the Board are discussed. These include Priest support and Vigils. It is agreed that there will be a standing invitation to representatives of these committees to attend any Board of Directors meeting.
This invitation will also include Tom Lloyd.

Executive Committee:
The recommendation of instituting a Communion Service is made. After discussion, the resolution is that the Board is uncomfortable with the proposal.

Motion: Actively promote masses at various parishes to be attended by LIVOTF members. A social would be sponsored by LIVOTF after each mass.
Discussion followed.
The motion is approved.

Motion: LIVOTF will sponsor one Liturgy of the Word. The Prayer Committee will be charged with planning the service.
Motion is seconded.
The motion is approved.

Communication Committee:
In the absence of Tom Dowling, discussion is tabled.

The less than timely posting of Regional Meeting Minutes is discussed. With apologies, Janet Godfrey agrees to contact the posting party and correct the situation.

Motion: Post the minutes of the Board of Directors Meetings.
Motion is seconded.
The motion is approved.

Compliance Committee:
Tom Lloyd is preparing Press Release regarding the audit of the Diocese. A letter sent to auditors by Tom Myles has gone unanswered. Approval is asked to send email copy of letter to members.
Review of a joint letter from SNAP, Parents for Megan’s Law and LIVOTF is requested.

Finance Committee:
Kevin Connors reports that as the Catholic Ministries Appeal will be announced in January, the Finance Committee would like approval of the following strategy:

1. To aggressively oppose the Annual Diocesan Appeal and further emphasize the option of Voice of Compassion.
2. Send letter, white paper and copy of the business card to the membership with postage paid envelope
3. Announce the results of the membership survey and the strategy at the January Regional Meeting. Agenda will include Dick Grafer speaking on Diocesan Finances and Don Auriemma speaking in support of
4. 5000 copies of the approved card will be available for distribution
5. The aggressive promotion of Our Dollars Make a Difference program.
6. Encourage single donation directly to parish to offset loss of Diocesan matching funds.
The estimated cost of implementing the program (postage, etc) is $2500.

Motion is made to approve the program.
Motion is seconded.
The motion is approved.

Liaison Committee:
A letter will be mailed November 19, 2004 offering four proposed dates for meeting with the Diocesan Team. The letter will also include the discussion of the two key points; the resignation of the Bishop and Structural Change.

Legislative Committee:
The Committee will meet the fist week in December at Joe Kerns house.
Joe Kern has spoken with Albany regarding the two proposed bills. The bills differ and negation is needed to make one bill.
LIVOTF is recognized in Albany who reports mail from LIVOTF membership.
Please mention at PV contact meeting.

Meeting Sites and Speakers:
Motion is made to retain Grace Episcopal Church for meeting space for five dates in 2005.
The motion is seconded.
The motion is approved.

Motion is made to hold Board of Directors meetings at Hauppauge Village Hall.
Motion is seconded.
Motion is approved.

Nominating Committee:
Gene Zirkel has sent a report regarding the Nominating Committee and resigns as head of the Teller Committee.
A job description will be requested from Gene by Joan Bedosky in an effort to find a replacement.

Planning/Events Committee:
Following the December 12th Mass, Sr. Pat Duffy will speak regarding the Advent Season. Refreshments will be served. Phil Megna will order cake, coffee and tea for 300. Please encourage members to wear LIVOTF buttons and the banner will be brought. No literature will be distributed.

Phil is pursuing speakers for the March 19th conference.

Prayer Team:
Pat Zirkel will ask the Prayer Team to choose the Sunday Masses for LIVOTF.

Vigils Committee:
The motion is made to name any priest identified in the Grand Jury report or who has been convicted.

The attorneys on the Board will investigate the legality of this.

Pending legal advice, the motion is approved with one abstention.

Old Business:
Joan Psotto will hold an early December meeting with instructors to ask if they would become committee members.
Feedback from students has been very positive.
The education program will be promoted at the January Regional.
Joan Psotto is pursuing a grant for the expansion of the educational program.

New Business

The possibility of a LIVOTF Archivist will be explored.

A brochure is presented to the Board by Pat Zirkel and the Board approves adapting it for LIVOTF.

Adjournment

Motion is made to adjourn.
Motion is seconded.
Motion is approved.

The meeting is closed with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Godfrey
Secretary