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League of Women Voters of Butte County Board Meeting Minutes March 8, 2022 5:30 pm Via ZOOM |
Members Present: Mahalley Allen, Roxanne Ferry, Sandra Flake, Claire Greene, Patty Haley, Janet Rechtman, Toni Reid, and Satsie Veith
- 1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 5:31 pm.
2. Approve Meeting Minutes
The minutes for the February board meeting were approved.
3. Financial Report
Sandra has been exploring the possibility of going from a 501(c)(4) to a 501(c)(3) organization, which would allow charitable donations to LWVBC to be tax deductible. It would also mean funds in our education fund could be used to support LWVBC in more ways, including rent. She has been working with a consultant who helps leagues make this transition. There would be two necessary steps: 1. Make changes to the LWVBC bylaws to include that we are a 501(c)(3) organization 2. Make amendments to the LWVBC Articles of Incorporation. The obstacle to making this change in the past is that we were unable to locate the LWVBC Articles of Incorporation, but we can purchase a copy from the California Secretary of State. Sandra suggests taking another year to get the paperwork in order, make the necessary changes to the bylaws and Articles of Incorporation, get membership approval for the changes, and file the appropriate forms with the state and IRS. While there are some limits that come along with becoming a 501(c)(3) organization, other local leagues have been able to work within those limits.
4. Budget Committee Report
The Budget Committee submitted the proposed 22-23 budget to the board. The committee is proposing to decrease expenditures in a few areas, such as office supplies, postage, utilities, advertising, and insurance. The proposed budget factors in the increase in rent. The Budget Committee also proposed using the leagueâs education fund in appropriate areas, such as voter service, social policy, observers, natural resources, member meetings, and government.
Motion:
Claire moved and Roxanne seconded a motion to approve the proposed 22-23 budget and authorize it to be presented to the membership. Motion passed unanimously.
5. Office Rent Increase
Currently the cost split between LWVBC and Altacal is that Altacal pays 55% of the total rent and utilities. Satsie proposed asking Altacal to continue paying 55% of the total rent and utilities.
Board members discussed the pros and cons of asking for a year lease or keeping a month-to-month lease. A year lease would guarantee that the rent would not be raised for a year, but a month-to-month arrangement gives LWVBC more freedom to move if we find the right place. Board members reached a consensus for Satsie to propose to Altacal to continue the 55%/45% cost split. We should also discuss with Altacal the office sharing agreement and which days each organization can use the office.
6. Other Committee Reports, if needed
The Bylaws Committee reported that it is mostly finished with the revisions of the bylaws. The next steps are: (1) the board approves the revisions, (2) proposed revisions are reviewed by the state league, (3) proposed revisions are sent to LWVBC membership 30 days before the annual meeting for review, and (4) membership votes on the proposed revisions at the annual meeting. Satsie will send the proposed revisions to the board and call a special board meeting for approval. Board members discussed how to present the proposed revisions to the membership.
For the Social Policy Committee, Janet said that Drs. Roll and Wilking from Chico State are on the list of possible speakers. The first housing/homelessness program will be a factual presentation. Janet submitted a proposal to OLLI for an event in May or early June.
For the Natural Resources Committee, Toni reported that the committee will have another meeting mid-month. The committee is continuing to work on its next water presentation, tentatively scheduled for June. Toni is working on her fundraising proposal that for a donation at the annual meeting, LWVBC members could honor a mentor, friend, family member, or League member. The statements honoring people should be no more than two paragraphs.
The deadline for submission of the LWVBCâs program planning report was March 1st. Satsie will try to find more information about what is needed from LWVBC.
7. Annual Meeting â Select Date and Location
Board members discussed when to have the annual meeting at the Elks Lodge Pavilion and decided to have the meeting on approximately Wednesday, May 25th. Satsie will contact the Elks Lodge and see when the pavilion is available around that time. Board members agreed to have the meeting as a potluck.
8. Voter Registration Report, if needed
Patty gave an update on voter registration. She has not heard back about providing voter registration information at a vaccination clinic. Soon it will be time to start having booths at the Farmerâs Market and Thursday Night Market.
Toni reported she attended the Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting and learned that there are glitches in the online program voters use to look up district lines. Some voters are having a difficult time determining which district they vote in now.
Roxanne reported on an upcoming Semillas event in Oroville.
9. Candidate Forums/Other Election Events
The certified candidate list will be available on March 31st. Jane Wanderer and Linda MacMichael agreed to serve on the planning committee for candidate forums. Claire has been working on the assumption that the candidate forums this spring will be on Zoom. Tim McAnulty agreed to be the timekeeper at the forums on Zoom. Linda, Claire, and Satsie will discuss a possible candidate speed dating event. If anyone is interested in participating in candidate forums, please let Claire know.
10. National Convention
LWVBC is allowed three delegates to the national convention, which will be in person in Denver and also virtual from June 23-26. Satsie will be one of the delegates attending virtually. Board members discussed who else might be a delegate. Satsie will ask Jane Wanderer, Helen Gesick, or Sunday Cummins if they are interested in being a delegate. Board members discussed the available funding to cover convention registration costs and travel costs for delegates who attend in person.
11. Newsletter
Satsie is planning for a newsletter in early to mid-April that focuses on primary election information. Other newsletter ideas: an article on the bylaws revisions and features on some of the people being honored as mentors through the fundraising program. Janet might write an article about members donating more than the annual membership fee to offset the costs paid to the national league.
12. Donation to State Leagueâs Education Fund
Satsie received a letter asking for donations from local leagues in support of Voterâs Edge and the state leagueâs other efforts. Jane Wanderer, who works on Voterâs Edge, supports the idea of LWVBC making a donation because we use Voterâs Edge for our own members. We can make that donation from our education fund.
Motion:
Satsie moved and Janet seconded a motion to donate $200 to the state league education fund. Motion passed unanimously.
13. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:59 pm.
