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League of Women Voters of Butte County Board Meeting Minutes April 28, 2020 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom
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Members Present: Mahalley Allen, Abe Baily, Mary Kay Benson, Carol Burr, Sandra Flake, Andy Holcombe, Kathy Kaiser, Linda MacMichael, Elaina McReynolds, Stevi Mittman, Toni Reid, William Todd-Mancillas, and Sharon Wallace
- 1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 6:31 pm.
- 2. Approve March Meeting Minutes
The March meeting minutes were approved.
3. Financial Report, July to December 2019
Board members discussed the July to December 2019 financial report and the $3,000 voter outreach contract with Butte County. Board members discussed the future of the voter outreach contract. The budget included $4,000 for the national convention, which was supposed to be in DC in June to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the League.
4. Updated Proposed Budget, 2020-2021
There will be two voting actions at the annual meeting related to the League’s annual budget. First, League members will vote on approving a fee increase. Then League members will vote on budget versions 1 or 2 depending on whether a fee increase is approved.
Motion:
Kathy moved and Sharon seconded a motion to put forth the two proposed versions of the budget at the annual meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
5. North Valley Community Foundation Fund
Linda shared correspondence from Bill Hubbard, general counsel and director of gift planning at the North Valley Community Fund (NVCF), where the League, until recently, maintained two accounts. One account was a non-interest bearing charitable fund account, and the other account is an endowment fund account. Several boards ago, the decision was made to collapse the charitable fund account into the endowment account. Because of NVCF administrative reasons, that transaction just happened in March 2020. According to Mr. Hubbard’s correspondence, “when soliciting correspondence to the [charitable] fund, it is important that donors aren’t mislead (sic) by the endowment term since many donors believe this implies permanence. After reviewing the fund agreement, it is our opinion that the name of the fund needs to remove the endowment reference and the distribution limitation needs to be removed. All of the fund balance can be used for charitable purposes – again for payment of expenses related to provision of community services provided by LWV. It is important to also note that the fund balance cannot be transferred to LWV’s checking account because the organization is not a 501c3 charitable organization – use of the money is restricted to distributions for charitable purposes.”
Board members discussed the parameters of using funds in the NCVF account and the need to make sure donors understand where their donations are going and how those funds are being used by the League.
The account took a financial hit recently so board members discussed not closing the account right now given that it might be able to recover some funds in future quarters. Board members discussed reviewing and renegotiating a new contract with NVCF.
Motion:
Kathy moved and Sharon second a motion to review and renew the agreement with North Valley Community Foundation, or, in consultation with Jenni Merrill, LWVBC CPA, find an acceptable 501(c)3 fund management alternative. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Concerned Citizens for Justice
The Concerned Citizens for Justice is a local group working to advocate for better access and transparency for law enforcement records and other related interests. Concerned Citizens are working on a letter writing campaign to push for a citizens review board. The group recently contacted the League to discuss partnering on some of its efforts. Andy had an initial conversation with the group to learn more and brought the information back to the League Board. Board members discussed the role of the League’s observer in this policy area.
7. Voting Equity
Kathy updated board members about H.R. 1604, S 3299, a proposed bill amending the Help America Vote Act of 2002. This proposed bill would implement a Vote by Mail option for all states in this time of federal and state emergency declarations.
Motion:
Kathy moved and Andy seconded a motion to amend the agenda to add as an action item a vote on supporting HR 1, an Act to expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants, and for other purposes and the April 14th, 2020 “Advocates’ Recommendations for California’s November 2020 Elections.” Motion passed unanimously.
Motion:
Kathy moved and Toni seconded a motion to support HR 1, an Act to expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants, and for other purposes and the April 14th, 2020 “Advocates’ Recommendations for California’s November 2020 Elections.” Motion passed unanimously.
8. Board Vacancies
Carol announced she would be joining Linda and stepping off the board after the annual business meeting in June. Both Linda and Carol will stay on the board until June 30th to end the fiscal year. Kathy announced that she would also be going off the board in the coming months. Andy announced he will also be rotating off the board.
9. Board President, Appointment
Former Board President Debra Barger is willing to complete Linda’s turn. Board members discussed how to make an appointment to the President position. The next board will be tasked with appointing the new 1st vice president. No current Board member is interested in being the President for a year.
Motion:
Kathy moved and Andy seconded a motion to make a mid-term appointment of Debra Barger to the position of President of the League of Women Voters of Butte County starting July 1st, 2020, for one year. Motion passed with one abstention.
10. LWVUS Virtual Convention
Linda will send information about the virtual convention to everyone when it becomes available.
11. Annual Business Meeting
The League’s annual business meeting is scheduled for June 23rd. Board members discussed how to organize the meeting given our current COVID-19 situation. At the May meeting, board members will discuss further the plans for the annual business meeting.
12. Other Business
None.
13. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.