Category Archives: Board
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING THIS COMING TUESDAY, 04/30/2013
EDITOR’S NOTE: This week the congregation mailbox received a letter from Cascade County, informing us of a public meeting on this coming Tuesday, 4/30, in the Courthouse Annex, regarding stormwater related issues in the Gibson Flats. As our cemetery and property are located in that area, our congregation is part of the public notice process.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Cascade County hereby gives notice, pursuant to Section 76-15-103, MCA, that it will hold a public meeting for the purpose of discussing stormwater related issues within the Gibson Flats area as part of the ongoing storm water study to seek solutions to drainage concerns in the area. The public meeting will allow engineers from Big Sky Civil & Environmental, Inc. to discuss existing problems, corrective alternatives considered, alternative costs, environmental impacts, potential funding scenarios, and other aspects evaluated in the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) document. Public attendance and participation is encouraged in discussions of developing viable solutions for the needs of the area. The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 at 6:00 pm in Room 105 of the Courthouse Annex Building, 325 2nd Ave N. A draft copy of the report will be made available for public review on Monday, April 8th at the Cascade County Planning Office, located at 121 4th Street North #211-2I in Great Falls.
Publish Sunday April 7 and April 14, 2013
VIDEO YOUR CONGREGATION’S HISTORY
The Reform Judaism magazine editors hope to publish an article by Charles Stone about URJ congregations recording oral histories of their members and clergy as do-it-yourself projects using affordable high-definition digital video technology. The article would feature best practices, telling stories and describing the impact of this oral history initiative on the congregation, explaining start-up protocols, and more.
Are you doing this in your congregation? Do you know of any such congregational video (not audio) projects the URJ might wish to consider?
Please email Joy Weinberg, Managing Editor, at jweinberg@urj.org with details as soon as possible.
Many thanks.
Merry
Merry Lugasy
Director, Small Congregations Network
Union for Reform Judaism
212.452.6742 | C: 216.965.6536
Office located in Cleveland OH – EasternTime Zone
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
A GFHA board meeting was held on Tuesday, October 23, at 5:30 P.M,with all board members — including those who had just been re-elected — in attendance, as well as a few congregants. The official board minutes, which contain more details than will be presented here, are available upon request. Any member of the congregation is welcome to attend any board meeting, but for those of you who didn’t, here are some highlights.
- CEMETERY. One of the liveliest topics of discussion concerned the cemetery — whether a previous survey has been done concerning the boundaries of the land, where the plots are, and who is buried where. Common sense would suggest that there are some graves that predate the incorporation of the cemetery. The board wants to find an existing survey (if there is one) before paying for another, as well as any other historical documentation concerning the cemetery, so that this information can be collected in one place and accessed by this and future boards. We also will need to determine a price per plot and set up a payment plan for the purchase or prepayment of a plot, as well as determine whether any restrictions will apply regarding who is eligible to be buried where in the cemetery. We also need to make sure we maintain insurance on the cemetery. It may be necessary at some point to appoint a separate board to deal exclusively with cemetery matters. The Board concluded that most of us are pretty clueless when it comes to being in the “cemetery biz.” Student Rabbi Miriam Farber should have some input for us that may be helpful when she comes for services the week end of November 16th.
As this is a prairie cemetery, there is no perpetual care (watering, mowing, planting flowers … ), included in the price of a cemetery plot, but we still need to maintain the grounds and repair head stones that have been damaged by age or vandalism. The Board will investigate the possibility of having a “controlled burn,” with rural fire departments monitoring it and perhaps even using it as a training exercise. The Board also decided to use the cemetery fund to pay for the professional repair of the most severely damaged head stones while maintaining their historical integrity, and then have a fund raiser or ask for donations to replenish the cemetery fund for the cost of the repairs. We have the opportunity to have the repairs done for the cost of materials alone.
- BUILDING FUND. Another lively topic of discussion was the building fund — who were the original contributors to the fund (some are now deceased), when was the fund created, and what was the original intent of the creators for the use of the fund. It may seem obvious that the building fund was established to purchase or renovate a building for the use of the congregation as a worship space, but rather than have that be a topic of hearsay or conjecture, the Board determined that, for the legal protection of both the Board and the fund, it would be best to have this in writing from the original contributors to the fund or their heirs.
- TREASURER’S REPORT. The use and care of the cemetery and the building fund are also in the year to date Treasurer’s Report, discussed at the Board meeting and available upon request to any interested congregant. It is always good to see where your contributions go and how much they are needed.
- UPCOMING SCHEDULES. The Board discussed scheduling upcoming visits from Student Rabbi Miriam Farber, as well as scheduling holiday and other celebrations and events. Information about these upcoming schedules can be found elsewhere in this publication.
As always, if you have a question or concern, please don’t hesitate to contact a Board member, or let the President know so that your concern can be put on the agenda for the next Board meeting. Your Board is here to serve you and to make decisions about our congregational life on your behalf.
BOARD MEETING THIS TUESDAY EVENING
All congregants are welcome to attend the Congregational board meeting this Tuesday evening, 10/23/2012, at 5:30 P.M. at 1015 1st Avenue North in the first floor conference room. Please park in the Western parking lot so that we can open the door for you.
JULY 2012 BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Here is a summary of the Aitz Chaim board meeting, held the evening of July 12, 2012.
- UGF CLASS – Marty reported that the UGF Outreach class scheduled for the fall needs eight people to enroll in order for GFHA to receive any remuneration. Wendy Weissman is the official class instructor, but Laurie Franklin, who is in Israel, will actually lead the class. The cost of the class is $450.00 per student.
- ELECTIONS — The Election of officers for the year 2012-2013 will take place between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Laura will distribute, collect, and tabulate the ballots. Up for re-election are Aaron, Nadyne, Bruce, and Stuart.
- CEMETERY DISCUSSION — A cemetery committee was formed, consisting of Jerry Weissman, Marty Foxman and Stuart Lewin, who will be available for legal advice if necessary. We will need a Policy for each cemetery. Requests have been received to purchase plots in the old cemetery. A Cemetery clean-up Day was scheduled for Saturday, September 15th at 1:00 P.M. Jerry, Stuart, and Marty will go out to the cemetery beforehand and determine where the graves are and what needs to be done. Anyone with a weed eater, a lawn mower, or a willingness to help is welcome to join us.
- A motion passed to create a restricted Cemetery Maintenance Fund and draft rules for the use of such funds.
- Old “Eaton Road” Cemetery — Marty has been doing some research about the location and history of the cemetery. He dug up some information from the County Treasurer’s office, including the original deed for the property. A copy of the deed is in the Aitz Chaim Treasurer’s files. Following a lengthy discussion, it was decided that the first step should be to hire a land surveyor and an appraiser to determine the boundaries of the cemetery. Stuart knows someone and will ask if this person is willing to do the job. Someone was going to check with the historical society to see if they have any information on who is buried in the cemetery, as well as any previous surveyor work done there. Aaron will attempt to locate any rules/regulations/laws promulgated by the State of Montana having to do with the operation of a cemetery.
- Treasurer’s report — Thanks to Steve Boyd and Aaron Weissman, the car donated by Evelyn Kelman has been sold. The new owner is very pleased with his purchase.
The congregation will end the fiscal year modestly in the black. This is due to our limited schedule for the year, as well as some very prudent airfare purchases by Don Cherry. The board approved a proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2013 (5773.)
Aaron will send a letter on behalf of the board to all congregants around the time of Rosh Hashanah inviting them to renew their membership and dues in the congregation.
There was a discussion on Authorization of investment of the Building Fund, and it was decided that for the present time, because of uncertainty in the financial world, the Building Fund should stay where it is. The Board should revisit the account and the issue during the next year.
- 2012/2013 planning/schedule
New student rabbi-Meriam Farber – In addition to the High Holidays, Miriam will be coming to GFHA three times during the 2012-13 year. The dates are still tentative, however, the Board was thinking about November 17th, 2012, March 2013 and May 10 or 17, 2013. Laura will check the dates with the Rabbi, and will also ask her if GFHA needs to hire musicians for Kol Nidre.To welcome Miriam, the congregation will have a pot luck and adult discussion on Saturday, September 15th. Miriam’s schedule will be as follows:
- Sunday Brunch – Nadyne & Jerry Weissman
- Sunday dinner (prior to services) – Helen & Don Cherry
- High Holy days (beginning September 16, 2012) – same schedule as in the past.
- Sukkot will be from the evening of Sunday, September 30, through Sunday, October 7.
- The MAJCO Shabbaton will be the week end of October 19-21 in Billings. Aitz Chaim congregants wishing to take part in the Shabbaton should register no later than October 15.
- Passover – March 26, 2013. Aaron will book the O’Haire for the second night Seder.
Miriam will leave Great Falls following Rosh Hashannah services, and will return for Yom Kippur on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 25-26. Stuart and Max Weissman will be responsible for blowing the Shofar.
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- HOLIDAY PLANNING
PLEASE COME TO THE AITZ CHAIM BOARD MEETING THIS THURSDAY 07/12
You are cordially invited to attend the Aitz Chaim Board Meeting this Thursday evening, July 12, at5:30 P.M., at 1015 1st Avenue North. Among the items to be discussed are the Treasurer’s report, the upcoming Student Rabbi visits, the High Holidays, and the cemetery. If you have any other agenda items you would like discussed, please e-mail them to President Laura Weiss at weissbill@bresnan.net or contact any board member. See you there.
THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE?
Three positions on the Aitz Chaim Board (GFHA) were up for election this year. The Board members whose two-year terms had expired were Helen Cherry, Steve Boyd and Laura Weiss. All three chose to stand for re-election. Sarah Weissman was a write in candidate.Voting between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur was by secret ballot. Nadyne Weissman tabulated the votes.I am pleased to report that Helen Cherry, Steve Boyd and Laura Weiss were each re-elected to a two year term. President and Vice President will be voted on by the Board.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING 2011
EDITOR’S NOTE: These are not the full minutes. They can be requested from any board member or from Nadyne.
ELECTIONS: Board members whose terms are up are Helen, Steve & Laura. They have each agreed to stand for re-election. During Rosh Hashanah, an announcement will be made asking if there is anyone else interested in running for the Board. Ballots will be made and distributed on Rosh Hashanah. Only GFHA members will get ballots. Voting will continue through Yom Kippur, at which time all ballots will be collected and tabulated by Nadyne. If a member needs a ballot, please contact Nadyne by email or through the web site.
CEMETERY POLICY: Laura sent around some ideas of what is acceptable for Reform policies for the Jewish section of the Mount Olivet cemetery: She will send it around again so that we can review the suggested policy and add to it if necessary. Laura signed and sent the agreement to Mount Olivet officials, so we have a fully signed agreement with them for our portion of the cemetery. Laura will get a copy for our files.
Will you Serve on the Aitz Chaim Board?
There are three positions up for re-election for the Aitz Chaim Board of Trustees. Those positions are currently held by Laura Weiss, Helen Cherry and Steve Boyd.
Laura, Helen and Steve have offered to run for re-election. Any adult member of the congregation is eligible to run for any of these three board positions. Candidates must be Jewish members in good standing of the Great Falls Hebrew Association. In addition to the three board members running for re-election, there will be several blank lines on the ballot for write-in candidates. Please comment below if you are interested in announcing your candidacy for the Board.
Board elections will take place during our congregation services over the High Holy Days. Nadyne Weissman will have ballots, please go find her to vote. Results will be announced during our Yom Kippur Break the Fast potluck meal on Saturday, October 8.
Mark your calendars for the Aitz Chaim Annual Meeting
The Aitz Chaim annual congregational meeting and board meeting will be at 1pm on Sunday Sept 25 at 1015 1st Ave N. Please let me know if you have any items you would like placed on the agenda.
Thanks!
-Laura
The Aitz Chaim Ram's Horn 