Board of directors meeting agenda and minutes, Sepetember 29, 1994

AGENDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEPTEMBER 29, 1994 I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS NOMINATION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS CAMPAIGN REPORT WOMEN'S DIVISION REPORT INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT YOUNG LEADERSHIP REPORT COMMUNITY RELATIONS CONCERNS JEWISH REPORTER JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER / JEWISH STUDENT UNION ADJOURNMENT NEXT MEETING - OCTOBER 26, 1994 JEWISH FEDERATION OF LAS VEGAS SIGESMUSD CENTER - JV09 South Maryland Partly. Suite 400 - Lai Vetas. Nevada Z9119-7110 (702) 732-0556 - FAX (702) 732-3223 FEDERATION OF LAS VEGAS BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 29, 1994 PRESENT ABSENT Dr. Allan Boruszak Sheldon Adelson Shelley Berkley Daryl Alterwitz Amy Boruszak A1 Benedict Michael Cherry Dorothy Eisenberg Ron Cook Philip Engel Ira Fischbein Mark Fine Elaine Galatz Judy Frank Gene Greenberg Dan Goldfarb Melanie Greenberg Danny Greenspun Rick Hollander David Gross Eva Kallick Greg Kamer Ron Kirsh Edythe Katz Judge Jack Lehman Sandy Mallin Marty Loeb Arthur Marshal Michael Novick Emily Novick David Ober Arne Rosencrantz Hal Ober Lenard Schwartzer Irene Perer Leslie Simon Dr. Marvin Perer Douglas Unger Dr. Neville Pokroy Dr. Harris Waters Milton I. Schwartz Marta Sorkin REPS Dennis Stein Deanne Stralser Nadine Kaufman Jerome Turk Rabbi Yitzchack Wyne STAFF Ronni Epstein Tony Figueredo Ted Flaum Sharon Heiman Suzan Loeb I. WELCOME Dr. Allan Boruszak welcomed everyone to the first Board meeting of the year. He asked everyone to introduce themselves and give their title. Allan requested since there was a lengthy Agenda, covering important issues, to limit all discussions to the topics on the Agenda. Later in the meeting there would be nominations for three additional Board members. Allan asked for a motion to accept the minutes from the June 1, 1994 Board meeting. Dr. Marv Perer motioned to accept the minutes from the June 1, 1994 Board meeting. Jerry Turk seconded and the motion carried. II. ANNOUNCEMENTS Allan said the October Board meeting would begin at 5:00 p.m. with an orientation for all Board members, both new and returning. Board materials would be handed out at that time. Dinner would be available for a nominal fee. He said all Board members are required to attend as we would be preparing our Agenda for the coming year. Allan said this would be in lieu of a Board Retreat. Allan said the Council of Jewish Federation's General Assembly would be held November 16-18 in Denver, Colorado. He said both Amy and he would be attending the conference, and that it was important for all Board members to consider being a delegate to the General Assembly. He said he would be contacting everyone to discuss their participation. Ronni Epstein announced Allan and Amy Boruszak were to receive the National Leadership Award and encouraged all Board members to attend the conference. Allan announced that four students from UNLV would be participating in the United Jewish Appeal/Student conference in Chicago representing our Jewish Student Union. He explained the purpose of the conference was to train students and assist them in developing a United Jewish Appeal Campaign on their college campus1. Allan said the building is approximately 97% occupied, but there was a need to raise another $225,000 which includes the $50,000 borrowed from the General Fund to retire our debt. He announced Jay Epstein had agreed to help complete the Building Campaign. Allan said Jay would be contacting those who have not made a commitment to the Building Fund, and there were still many rooms and areas available and gifts are payable over five years. Allan said last year the Board voted to make Hebrew High part of the Federation, and last Thursday was their first meeting with 59 students attending which tripled last year's attendance. Melanie Greenberg said the response last week was excellent, and everyone was excited with being part of the Federation. Allan said he hoped everyone has had a chance to see the television commercials running on Channel 3 and Channel 8 regarding the Homecoming Trips to Israel. He said this was the pilot project the Board voted to participate in promoting missions to Israel. He said a mass mailing would be sent out to the community, and there was a full page ad in the Jewish Reporter promoting these trips. He said the hope was to get as many people as possible in this community to visit Israel. He announced a Missions Committee is being organized to help with this project. Ronni said the missions are being targeted to the young, 25 to 40ish, and to young singles. Allan announced Jerry Turk, a member of the Board, has been appointed to serve on the Board of the United Way of Las Vegas. He said it was important that members of the Jewish community take an active role in the United Way. He said in many communities in the United States the United Way allocates significant funds to Jewish institutions like Jewish Community Centers and the Jewish Family Service Agencies. Our local Jewish Family Service Agency is a recipient of United Way funds and the Federation expects that other local Jewish institutions will become members of the United Way family. Allan said his last announcement dealt will the 1995 Campaign. He said Mike Novick has agreed to serve as Campaign chairman, and would be working with our Campaign Director Ted Flaum. He said both Mike and Ted have been working with he and Ronni to develop a strong Campaign Cabinet. He impressed upon everyone the importance of all Board members taking an active role in the Campaign, and said as a Board member no one should say no in helping to raise the "lifeblood" of this Jewish community. III. NOMINATION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS Allan asked for a motion to nominate the following to the Board: Brian K. Berman, Esq., David Dahan and Gary Zimmerman. Mike Novick motioned to nominate the following to the Board: Brian K. Berman, Esq., David Dahan and Gary Zimmerman. Melanie Greenberg seconded and the motion carried. IV. CAMPAIGN REPORT Allan called on Mike Novick for his report. Mike Novick said he was in his 20th year of service to the Las Vegas Jewish community and his 10th year of service to the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas. He said the Campaign Cabinet was being formed, and thanked the following people who have agreed to take leadership roles on his cabinet: Emily Novick - Women's Division Chair Sandy Mallin and Amy Boruszak - New Gifts Andy Katz - Community Division David Dahan - Super Sunday .. Brandeis Society - Lenny Schwartzer Major Gifts Event - Sheldon and Miriam Adelson He said other Cabinet positions were in the process of being filled, but he had concerns that he, Ronni and Allan have been unsuccessful in recruiting a major gifts chair. He said several people have been asked but they have turned the position down. Mike said there were not many people eligible to chair the Major Gifts Division and combined with the lack of willingness from those who are eligible to chair this division there are serious implications for the Federation and this void has serious repercussions not only for our campaign this year but for the future years. He said the Federation should build on the accomplishments of last year's campaign and continue establishing ourselves as the central planning and fundraising organization for the Las Vegas Jewish community. He said as the first step, he wanted someone from the Board to accept the responsibility of being the major gifts chair or offer suggestions of people to accept this responsibility. Allan said only certain people can chair the Major Gifts Division, (only the $5,000 plus donors.) He asked if anyone present gives or would give at that level to please take time to talk to Mike after tonight's meeting. Mike said as a second step, he felt a discussion was needed of how we are going to find and develop our future leaders because even with the Young Leadership Development Program in place, most of these young people would not be in positions to be major gifts chairs or campaign chairs for many years. He said David Ober was co-chairing the Young Leadership Division. Mike said to date 21 people have sent money or made pledges in the amount of $33,834 to the Federation's 1995 Campaign representing a 21% card-for-card increase. Allan thanked Mike for giving his report. V. WOMEN'S DIVISION REPORT Allan called on Amy Boruszak to give the Women's Division report. Amy Boruszak said the Women's Campaign was off to a great start, thanks to the Campaign Chairperson Emily Novick. She said that over the summer the women's campaign cards were reviewed and solicitors assigned. Amy said of the $33,000 raised so far, for the 1995 Campaign, $11,422 was from the Women's Division, and included the first Lion of Judah for the year. Amy said the first Coffee and Conversation was held last week, and 40 new women in the community attended. She said the second Coffee would be October 4th. Amy said November 6th there would be an Education Day for all women in Las Vegas to attend. She said it would be at the Desert Inn and titled, "Fairy Tales Can Come True...Is It Happening To You?" where the program would present a panel of professionals discussing issues that shape our lives today. The charge is $18.00. Amy said a Torah Study Breakfast with Rabbi Steve Greenberg was scheduled for the Women's Division Board and guests on October 25th. Amy said on October 27th the Women's Division Board and guests 4 would explore Jewish Phoenix, and officially kick-off our Campaign efforts. Allan thanked Amy for her report. VI. INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Allan called on Ron Cook to make the Investment Committee report. Ron Cook moved to accept the "Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines." Ira Fischbein second the motion. Ron Cook said brokers had no guidelines and although they were acting responsibly the Board felt a responsibility to the Federation to set guidelines for investments. He said the Investment Committee had put together a conservative guideline. Milton I. Schwartz had concerns involving the Federation staying with an investment for up to a 20% loss and felt a 12% loss should be the maximum. Jerry Turk felt the Federation should not be involved in no growth securities. Jerry Turk motioned to table the discussion on the "Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines" until the October meeting. Mike Cherry seconded the motion and it carried. Allan said the Investment Committee had worked hard and requested any suggestions for changes in the "Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines" be put in writing prior to the next meeting and sent to Ronni. He asked that the staff compile the suggestions and mail them to the Board prior to the next meeting. Ron said anyone could call him with any suggestions. Ira said some of the Committee members took a very conservative outlook with at the guideline and some a less conservative outlook and the Committee took all outlooks into consideration in the formation of the guidelines. Allan thanked the Committee for the hard work they have done and said this Committee was a very important in the Federation. Allan reminded the Committee to send all comments on the "Statement of Investment Policies and Guidelines" to Ronni by October 7th. Allan said the audit of our books has been completed and would be presented at the next Board meeting. VII. PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT Allan called on Amy Boruszak to give an update on the Planning Committee's activities in relation to the Demographic Study. Amy said Dr. Gary Tobin of Brandeis University has been contracted to do a Demographic Study and Needs Assessment. She said the final 5 draft of the questionnaire is being done, and how important it was for everyone to be aware of the significance of the Study. Amy said we have less than 25% of the area's Jews on our Mailing List and this study will be the planning tool for the future. Allan said this would be the main foundation for everything the Federation does in the future, and stressed the Federation needs to know what the community needs. Eva Kallick said the "Israelite" newspaper has been given all information on the Study. Melanie suggested someone call Mike Tell at the "Israelite" and ask for this information to be published in the newspaper. Eva said she would contact the paper. Concerns on reaching the community was voiced and Ronni said there would be a Public Relations/Marketing meeting held to plan the marketing strategy to reach the community. Allan thanked Amy and the Planning Committee for their continued hard work. VIII. YOUNG LEADERSHIP REPORT Allan said David and Christy Ober have agreed to chair our Young Leadership Program this year. He said as a new member of this Board David has taken on a very important assignment in developing future leaders to direct our community into the next century. He called upon David to give us an update on the progress of his Committee. David said he was a graduate of Young Leadership seven years ago. He said over 100 nominations to the program have been received and to date there are 35 participants. He requested during this next year everyone compile a list of names of people to submit for next year's program. He said the Committee co-chaired by his wife Christi reviewed all the nominees and selected approximately 50 people to ask initially with the hope that approximately 35 would commit to the program. He said excellent speakers will be coming in and each program will have real substance. The first meeting will be October 24th, 7:30 p.m., at the home of Amy and Allan Boruszak. He said the program will be "Why be Jewish" and a Rabbi Steve Greenberg of CLAL will be the facilitator. Allan thanked David and Christy for their hard work. He said Board members will be asked in the future to host Young Leadership programs, giving the seasoned leadership an opportunity to meet the new and upcoming leaders in our community. IX. COMMUNITY RELATIONS CONCERNS Allan proce sss aiodf aflotrhmoautgiho no uurn dCeorm mtuhnei tyc oR-eclhaatiiromnasn shCiopm miotft eHea lw aOsb eirn atnhde Rabbi Akselrad there have been several issues that have been called to our attention which need to be discussed this evening. Allan said he had received a fax from Dr. Leroy Bernstein referring to a letter being circulated in the House of Representatives. He requested everyone to call their Congressional Representatives and encourage them to sign this letter. (Attached) Allan said the next two items dealt with issues surrounding the Clark County School District. He said over the years we have attempted to maintain a positive relationship with our School Board. Allan said there are several issues that have not gone to Community Relations Committee since they will not be meeting until next month and we need resolutions of them now in order to make our positions known. Allan said the first deals with the National Conference Coalition which this Federation is a part of. He asked Ronni Epstein to explain what is being asked of this Board vis a vis motion that needs to be approved by all coalition member's boards before they proceed. Ronni said Dorothy Eisenberg is the Federation's representative to the coalition and both she and Dorothy attend each meeting. Ronni said the coalition is asking for support for positive alternative programming for students outside of the regular school hours, including programs such as Safekey for middle school student. Dr. Harv Perer moved the Board support the National Conference Coalition's alternative programming for students in providing additional child care for students outside school time. Helanie Greenberg second the motion. Eva said the elementary school now has the Safekey Program in place. She said this basic Safekey Program is to be modified for the middle schools. Amy said the Community Relations Committee should address this. Ronni said October 11th would be the first Committee meeting of the year. Hike Cherry moved to refer the support of the National Conference Coalition's resolution to provide additional child care for students outside school time to the Community Relations Committee. Shelley Berkley seconded the motion and the motion carried. Allan said the last item also deals with the up-coming vote on the School Bond issue. He recommended the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas come out in support of the School Bond issue, and felt this does not fall into the category of endorsing political candidates but speaks to the issue of quality education, something which the Jewish community has always stood for. Mike Cherry moved to support the School Bond issue. Hal Ober seconded and the motion carried. A suggestion was made to send a letter to the School Board and to put an article in the Jewish Reporter. X. JEWISH REPORTER Allan called on Ronni Epstein to give an update on the Jewish Reporter. Ronni said the HBC newspaper could not make a go of publishing the Jewish Reporter. She said no budget had been prepared as HBC did not cancel until July. Ronni asked the Executive Committee to approve using funds from the reserves to run the paper. Hal Ober moved to allow funds from the Community reserves to be used to fund the Jewish Reporter. Ira Fischbein seconded. Jerry Turk moved to add to the motion '"subject to getting a budget from Ronni." Both Hal and Ira agreed, and the motion carried. XI. JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER / JEWISH STUDENT UNION Allan said during the summer a Search Committee was established with representatives from the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Center for the purpose of hiring a Jewish Community Center Administrator. He said that in addition to their responsibilities relating to the Jewish Community Center this individual would also be the professional responsible for working with the Jewish Student Union. He said a very qualified candidate is coming into town tomorrow for a final series of interviews. Allan announced Dr. Neville Pokroy has agreed to serve as the Federation Board liaison to Jewish Student Union, and Dr. Hal Rothman, a UNLV professor of history, has agreed to serve as the facility advisor. XI. GOOD AND WELFARE Nadine Kaufman, Jewish Community Center, said they were looking forward to the candidate for the position of Administrator coming in tomorrow. She thanked the Board for all the help the Federation was giving the Jewish Community Center. Marty Loeb, Jewish Family Services Agency, said there is a dinner dance at the top of the Riveria Hotel on November 5th. Rabbi Wyne said had flyers on a program to be presented October 23rd entitled, "Discovery of being Jewish." XII. ADJOURNMENT Allan said the next meeting is October 26, 1994. 8 A L B n T MEMORANDUM August 15, 1994 To: From: Re: Officer, Rabbis, Synagogues Leaders Mandell T. Ganchrow, M D, Chairman Betty Ehrcnbcrg Executive Director Jerusalem Mobilization The attached letter, which voices Congressional support for a united Jerusalem Israel's capital and on]^ Israel's Capital, is currently circulating in the House o f ^ i ^ f c ^ m . Representatives. The letter is sponsored by Representative Lewis (D-QA), Gingrich (R-GA), Paxon (R-NY), and Sehumer (D-KY), Su fkr, 73 members Congress have signed the letter, which will remain open through the beginning o f f ! September. rIn recent weeks, the Palestinians have moved to establish symbols and institat?ow;|f Congress to support united Jerusalem as the capital ofonly Israel. As a statement of this support, it is critical that mi overwhelming number of members of Coagress i;;^;^ Sign the letter. Therefore, please ask your activists to contact every member congress to sign this letter. C t m f l r e * * of ttje THniteb fctatetf Mofcington, BC 2051S July 25.1994 p^aidem Bill Clinton The White House Washington, D-C. 20500 Dear Mr. President; As members of Congress, we atrongly support the efforts el Vow AdminUtradon.to IIW % & the MdSS P"o?a, forward. i x V r t d t t of dramatic Aange in the region, however * we ?msin uTw^ring in our belief that Jerusalem is Israel's capital - and only Israel's captttl; -and that it must remains united city under Israeli sovereijnty. The issue of Jerusalem his become a political battle cry for Vwii Arafat and the PlO. In May, Arafat gave a speech in a Johannesburg mosque, calling for a "Jiliad to liberate Jerusalem, and the Palestinian leadership has prepared a draft constitution that declares that "Jerusalem la the capital of Palestine." At a prass conference with Secretary Christopher on Julv 21, Arafat announced that he was the only one with the authority to invite Arab leaders like King Hussein ? . to visit Jerusalem. ' ^ ^ The PLO is already engaged in an active campaign to create symbols or itt sovereignty over , >| Jerusalem. This includes the coordination of PLO activity from Jerusalem and attempts to hold ^ ^ '?> official meetings thare with foreign diplomats. We note the government of Yitzhak Rabin has}, , approved new legislation that will prohibit both the PLO and the Palestinian Authority from maintaining offices and conducting business in Jerusalem. %.?'?: .S.' i r! In light of these development^ we are very concerned about actions by the U.S.- i- government that could give any credibility to Palestinian claims on Jerusalem. Recently, we? - ^ f were troubled by reports that the U.S. government might open new offices LT Jerusalem to / V j > ? manage aid to the Palestinian self-rule areas. Administering aid to the Palestinians in Gaza and ^ Jericho from a new office in Jerusalem would create a center there for governmental activity! S* | with officials of the Palestinian Authority. fi ?uy fuiuiai uveeUng* in Jerusalem Between government omcials'"?i2V j members of the Palestinian Authority would imply a Palestinian claim toJhe city. Indeed, anv^ ? ; policy which makes Jerusalem a center of activity with Palestinian officials, rather than the self- : ff ! ^ f l ^ t *** have authority, would legitimize Palestinian claims at I j . me very toe that the FLO is seeking to establish symbols of sovereignty over Jerusalem. For these reasons, we support the action taken by the If.fi. Senate to prohibit any new :V ; offices or Offcaal meetings in Jerusalem to deal with the Palestinian. Authority Jerusakm is the V' V ! w f u 1 I ST c?x?tcy\ w way support a Palestinian claim to the? afcy. implement a policy th* t does not in any , > Hon. John r iswis Hon, Newt Gingrich Hon. Bill Paxon " Hon. Charles Schmntr . , ,