Time: 7:30 PM to 10:10 PM
Place: Hauppauge Village Hall, Hauppauge, New York

Present Board of Directors (BOD) Members:
Dan Bartley, Anne Kerrigan
Joan Bedosky, Sr. Regina McAuley
Kevin Connors, Jean McQuaid
Johanna DiGiovanni, Phil Megna
Tom Dowling, John Mulvey
Joe Kern, John Ryan
Excused:
Joan Psotto
Tom Myles
Guests:
Lisa Baglia, Joan Hopkins
Leo Cuomo, Bill McCully
Penny Duggan, George Sheppard
Judy Grillo, Mary Steele

Meeting opened with prayer led by Johanna.

Minutes of BOD meeting of August 18, 2005 were inadvertently excluded from agenda hence, they will be included in agenda for October 20, 2005.

Agenda:
Dan reiterated Protocol to be observed at all meetings, i.e., when items are discussed, board members are heard first and then comments are welcomed from all present. In the event of time constraints, discussion may need to be curtailed by all in attendance.
Dan has requested John Mulvey act as Parlimentarian for all BOD meetings. John will manage time/discussion by calling on responders in turn, and ensuring discussion remains focused on agenda item.

Parish Voice Board Representation:
Tom Dowling provided history of the present Province Coordinator role that was introduced on March 29, 2004. All Parish Voice Affiliates were divided into Eastern/Western/Central Provinces ( as in Diocesean Vicariates) with 2 Province Coordinators elected by each Parish Voice, to act as representatives for each Province. Province Coordinators report Parish Voices do not feel connected to VOTF; that what happens at Regional has nothing to do with their experiences at the parish level. A proposal was initiated by the Province Coordinators with a motion to the BOD to approve 6 additional seats to represent Parish Voices. This proposal was distributed prior to meeting. (attached )

The Parish Voice Representatives will:
Act as liaison between and advocate for the BOD and Parish Voices.
Collaborate with the BOD in developing long term strategies and cooperate with implementation.
Model a Representative Structure that we pray our church will become.
Much discussion by all re increase from 15 to 21 create unwieldy structure to efficiency in conducting board business; lack of specific policies and procedures both in election process and actual workings of these additional members contribute to uneasiness by several board members.

Comments of members during discussion:
“It was the general consensus that VOTF, at inception, was empowered by faithful people guided by the Holy Spirit, and without a formal operating process”. “The Parish is where the average catholic makes his/her voice heard”. “Parish Voices should have direct representation in the VOTF organization”.
A vote on the motion was taken and approved unanimously, to expand the BOD by six who would be Parish Voice members, effective November 1, 2005.

October 13, 2005 Regional Meeting:
Mary Pat Fox, National VOTF Representative, will discuss the 9 Indianapolis Proposals. VOTF members have been asked to submit their recommendations as to how/where VOTF should focus energies in developing an immediate action plan to be adopted Nationally.
Some confusion in reporting mechanism established by National was addressed by Joan. Since this is a National effort we will do the best we can in contacting as many LI members as possible prior to deadline of Sept 30; Province Coordinators will enlist support of Parish Voices to do same.

Legislative Update: Joe Kern reports outstanding bills being addressed on Statute of Limitations. Will discuss at Regional meeting to garner member support.
Petition for an Elected Representative Diocesan Finance Council:
Kevin requested group effort to gather at least 10,000 signatures for above. Letter has been prepared citing findings of Dick Grafer’s financial audit of Diocese, documenting accumulation of over $186 million in Free Cash Reserves. The plan is that we spend the next 3-4 months getting signatures, from all Catholics which we will present to BWM personally. All present agreed to use whatever resources at their disposal to support this effort.
Kevin presented a motion to adopt a rule, approved by the Finance Committee on August 12, 2005, concerning the use of LIVOTF operating Fund moneys to underwrite a meeting or event. Unanimously approved, “in cases where LIVOTF operating funds are used to underwrite a meeting/event, the responsible committee must plan for and carry out appropriate means to recover the costs authorized. Examples may range from ticket sales to a goodwill donation or anything in between”.
Kevin requested BOD members and Committee Chairs to submit estimated 2006 budget needs by November 1, 2005.

Executive Committee: Kevin and Anne have been elected Co Chairs of the Executive Committee by the Executive Committee. Anne distributed new Committee Report Form and requests that each committee Chair submit monthly, regardless of committee activity, on the last calendar day of the month. Tom D to develop a computerized report form..

Vigil Committee:
Leo presented Vigil Committee plans for a vigil at St. Aloysius Parish in Great Neck after the 5PM Saturday Mass and the Sunday Masses September 17and 18, 2005. This vigil is in direct response to BWM’s listing of Msgr Placa’s name on bulletin and website as staff of St. Aloysius. Details re Msgr Placa available at bishop accountability website. Leo will contact Pastor, Msgr Riordan to inform him of plan. Vigil members requested that BOD members and guests support the vigil and all opine that VOTF needs to become more pro-active in our efforts to be heard since our attempts to meet/speak/communicate in writing have gone unheeded by BWM.
Discussion ensued re how to increase number of attendees at planned vigils.
Suggestions voiced were as follows:
BOD members be active participants at vigils as well as encourage active participation of members at Regional meetings.
Committee request/challenge each Parish Voice cluster , in monthly rotation, to be present on a specific date.
VOTF maintain a calendar with dates of vigils for the year
Phil specifically requested that the Vigils Committee organize a demonstration to address the findings of Dick Grafer’s financial analysis of the Diocesan financial statement. This is an issue relevant to all Catholics. This would provide an opportunity to gather signatures for petition to bwm to use money collected from the people for the people in carrying out his stewardship role.

Evening of prayer:
Johanna confirmed Sept 22, 2005 has been reserved for evening of prayer for BOD at Amityville, facilitated by Sr Margaret Mace. Purpose - to unite BOD in their work. It was general consensus to open up this prayer session to all the Leadership Teams, i.e BOD, Committee Chairs, Province Coordinators, Parish Voice leaders. Secondary to time constraints, Sept 22 meeting will be deferred and rescheduled to include wider audience.Theme Stewardship? Johanna will discuss with Sr Margaret.

New Business:
Tom D spoke about the “Our Dollars Make a Difference Program”
He contacted Fr. Ladislaus Orsy, Canon Lawyer, re canons that address restricted donations.

File Minutes of VOTF BOD Mtg of Sept. 15, 2005