• Gail Littman, director of endowments for San Diego’s Jewish Community Foundation (JCF), shared the goals and successes of the JCF’s Endowment Leadership Institute (ELI) which helps synagogues develop endowment programs to ensure future financial stability. She discussed the benefits and ease with which individuals may establish endowments and noted that CBI is now only five endowments away from it’s current goal of 50. Gail introduced the JCF’s new Governance Leadership Institute (GLI), a two-year program that CBI will participate in starting in May, and administered the GLI assessment to Board and staff.
  
  
• Liz Levine reported on the progress of the Education Task Force, which addressed recommendations in the Long Range Plan to review and re-vision education at CBI within a culture of life-long learning. Liz noted that the task force reviewed the education goals set forth in the Long Range Plan, assessed CBI’s current education offerings, researched best practices around the country and defined a new CBI position of Director of Congregational Learning. Board and Education Task Force Member Barbara Lounsbury reported that a search is underway to fill this new position.
  
  
• Treasurer Ron Simon reported that new prayer books (Mishkan Tefillah) have been ordered and most of the cost has been covered by member contributions.
  
  
• In the Membership report, Lee Levy noted that the CBI support staff have recently undergone training to develop a more welcoming environment at CBI. Lee also reported that a survey will soon be mailed to new members to assess their integration into the congregation.
  
  
• Bob Metz requested a discussion of publicizing a procedure set out in the bylaws whereby self-nomination for the Board may be made by written petition signed by 25 members in good standing. Currently this option is publicized on the bylaws, which are posted on our Web site and in the member mailings sent before the annual meeting. Other Board members felt that the current level of publicity is appropriate, noting that although self nomination is standard in synagogue bylaws, it is intended primarily as an outlet in times of conflict. Additionally, it was suggested that a leadership development course be offered and open to any congregant who desires to serve in a leadership position.
  
  
• Several Board members spoke of the importance of having all Board members support the Light the Way Annual Appeal with their contributions. Before the meeting adjourned the Board was pleased to report 100% participation.
  
  
• Emily Jennewein, chair of A Musical Night in Jerusalem, the May 17 event to honor Cantor Bernstein’s 10th Anniversary at CBI, reported that invitations will mailed soon. This most anticipated event of the year will feature entertainment by Danny Maseng, fabulous dining and dancing to the Sabras band.

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• Rabbi Berk’s D’var Torah led to an exploration of management and leadership and how to find a balance between these two attributes. Board members interpreted Rabbi Laufer’s definition of management to be maintaining the smooth functioning of the status quo, whereas leadership is long-term, future-oriented change through encouragement and inspirations. Rabbi Berk suggested that the professional staff and lay leaders incorporate more leadership characteristics and find balance between the two functions while maintaining flexibility.


• The Board then discussed the sacred priorities, or strategic goals, of the president, senior rabbi and executive director. Board members felt it is important to publicize these goals so that congregants may see how the leaders of our congregation are collaborating on an ongoing basis, that they are measuring progress toward goals, and are taking positive steps together.


• President Amy Corton reported that the Governance Committee, with the help of Executive Director Lesley Mills, has developed a work plan for the committee and drafted an inaugural charter for the Executive Committee. The Board discussed the role of the Executive Committee, noting the need for a sounding board, an advisory committee, and a small group that could convene to act in a rare emergency when it would not be possible for the full Board to meet.


• In the Nominating Committee report, Past President and Nominating Chair Barbara Haworth asked Board members to submit names of potential board members and also members who may be interested and qualified for leadership positions so that they may be invited to participate in a new leadership development program to fill the pipeline for leaders throughout the congregation.


• Rabbi Glenn Ettman modeled the new matching tallitot and kippot that all three clergy purchased at the Biennial for use at the High Holy Days and other special services.


• Executive Director Lesley Mills congratulated the Men’s Club and those involved in planning Café Beth Israel, which opened recently to great acclaim. Café Beth Israel is open Sundays during Religious School.

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• Executive Director Lesley Mills introduced Director of Finance and Human Resources Kim Jaeger. Lesley is currently reviewing our accounting data base system, fund structure and payroll. We are implementing safeguards to protect the integrity of our financial systems.


• Board members signed up to act as ambassadors at worship services, where they will welcome newcomers as well as greet regular attendees.


• Jerry Sampson discussed plans for a Board-led Minyan service on February 9.


• Rabbi Berk reported that the URJ Biennial was enormously successful and that he was exceptionally proud of CBI’s participation.The Board applauded Judy Fisher for her part in planning the Biennial and for bringing honor to our congregation and thanked members who participated as volunteers, presenters and planners.


• Rabbi Berk and several Board members reported on the special meeting that took place between the URJ’s Rabbi Richie Address and representatives of CBI’s clergy, staff, Board and Membership, Caring and Outreach Committees. It was agreed that the meeting brought us to the cusp of an historic shift in how we address members needs and create a sacred caring community.


• Amy Corton requested that all Board members contribute to our Light the Way Annual Fund to set an example of 100% Board participation.


• Jerry Goldberg described the upcoming UJF Men’s event with keynote speaker Alan Dershowitz. The event is expected to draw 1200 men. Rabbi Berk will give the birchat (blessing) at the dinner.


• Barbara Lounsbury and Tammy Vener reported on the feasibility of starting an Infant Care Center at CBI.The program would serve approximately nine infants in the first year with a two, three or five day program option. Programming would run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with childcare available until 3:00 p.m. A discussion of pros and cons brought up issues of affordability to families, profitability to CBI, concerns about having an infant program that does not include parent involvement, and concern that the program does not address the needs of parents who work full time. The proposal passed a vote of the Board and will be implemented for the next school year.


• Herb Hafter spoke about a board mitzvah project. A Sunday date and a project for the Board to participate in together will be selected.

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• Rabbi Berk proposed that Board members act as ambassadors and model welcoming behavior when attending worship services and programs at CBI. Board members greeted the idea with enthusiasm and a discussion about how to implement it ensued.
  
  
• The Board considered taking positions on two URJ Biennial resolutions, but decided not to do so out of respect for the diversity of political opinions represented in the congregation. Social Action Chair Deb DeBow presented information about her committee’s deliberations on these resolutions.
  
  
• President Amy Corton led a Board development discussion, focusing on ideas proposed by Board members to enhance thier Board service and improve the Board’s function. We reviewed our committee structure and Board members’ portfolios. Action items included:
     
  • Create a stronger sense of community among Board members to allow them to get to know each other better
     
  • Supply more information in new ways to enable the Board to do its job effectively
     
  • Encourage members to state their views, even if they are minority views
    
    
• Since a key focus of the Long Range Plan is on our youth, Rabbi Michael Berk and Vice President/Education Liz Levine, together with staff members and lay leaders, have established a task force to conduct a comprehensive review of CBI’s youth education and programming.
  
  
• The CBI Web site has transitioned to a staff function with a new Webmaster, Karen Shein Christiansen. Karen oversees quality control and interacts with CBI staff in updating sections of the Web site. The Board honored outgoing volunteer Webmaster Gary Hirschfeld, who updated the site on a daily basis for two years and led the volunteer Web team.
  
  
• Executive Director Lesley Mills reported that Cantor Bernstein’s Anniversary Event Committee is planning an evening of lyrics, laughter and love to honor our beloved Cantor. The whole congregation will be invited to participate in a fabulous cocktail party, dinner, musical program and dessert reception on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Fundraising efforts are underway to benefit the CBI music program.
  
  
• Lesley is working with a designer on ideas to warm up the CBI campus. The Board expressed thanks to the Men’s Club for the benches donated through an anonymous donor. CBI now has nine benches in our courtyard.
  

• The Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Lesley Mills as Executive Director of Congregation Beth Israel at its October meeting. The Board’s vote affirms the great confidence that Rabbi Berk, President Amy Corton and the entire Board have in Lesley’s ability to fulfill the duties of Executive Director.
• The Board meeting in September was brief because the meeting fell between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a busy time for staff, clergy and lay leaders alike.
• President Amy Corton reported that the committee planning Cantor Bernstein's Anniversary Event has confirmed Saturday, May 17, 2008, as the date for the celebration. Robert and Allison Price and Elliott and Diane Feuerstein have graciously accepted the invitations to be honorary chairs for the event.
• In the membership arena, the New Member Shabbat-BQ was a huge success, drawing almost 400 people to CBI’s playing fields. Having a dedicated member-services staff person, Lianne Gordon, is already making a huge difference in this department, stated Executive Director Lesley Mills.

• How to maintain a healthy balance between dispersed and concentrated authority
• How to maintain a healthy balance between managerial and transformational leadership
• The meaning of sacred as it relates to leadership at CBI

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