Common Ground Board of Directors Agenda: October 25, 2021

PLEASE NOTE: In order to comply with adjusted CT Open Meeting laws, this Zoom meeting will be recorded and posted on the Common Ground website

New Haven Ecology Project
Board Meeting Agenda
October 25, 2021

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Welcome 

Public Comment (5:35) (two minutes per person for a total time limit of 30 minutes, or by email; see instructions below) Sign up for Public Participation HERE

Business Requiring Approval (6:05)  

• Sept. 27, 2021  Meeting Minutes

Invoices Needing Approval

• Amazon $7,152.09– Amazon inadvertently combined all of our August purchases into one invoice, we typically have them send one invoice per transaction. Elena has gone line by line and allocated each purchase to the appropriate departments. However, they are expecting to receive payment in full. 
• McKenzie Painting $30,000- Powerwash, Stripping and refinishing of the entire Springside Building (budgeted expense)
• Carolina Biological Supply $7,528.75- Microscopes for science class (budgeted expense paid by ESSER 2)

Executive Director Report (6:10) (Monica)

• Community Programs Update (Rebecca)
• CGHS Update (Cherry) 
  • Annual Report submitted to the SDE on October 22, 2021
• Org-wide update (Monica)

Audit Committee (6:30)

The audit committee did not meet in October – pending the results of the FY 21 audit. No date has been set for the next meeting.

Building Committee (6:30)

The building committee met on October 20th with two new members representing CGHS staff and reviewed planning proposals for a new classroom building on the Hilltop lawn. The Building committee has selected a planning proposal that they will share with the Finance committee and full board to determine next steps. The Building committee will meet again on November 17th at noon. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Building Committee Chair, Bev.Greene@nhep.com 

Development Committee Report (6:35)

The development committee met on October 19th to review data from Feast from the Fields and the donor-sponsored match for new gifts solicited by board members. The information shared can be found HERE. Board members are asked to schedule a 1 on 1 conversation with Audrey Nefores before the end of October to plan their participation in various match campaigns. Audrey has already reached out by email to all board members. The Development Committee will meet again on November 16th at 5:30 pm. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Development Committee Chair Charles.Negaro@nhep.com 

Finance Committee Report (6:45) (Beth)

The Finance committee will meet on October 25 at 4:30, to review October Budget vs. Actuals, EOY projections based on Q1 numbers and a report from the Building Committee. Anyone wishing to attend Finance committee meetings should contact Treasurer, Beth.Klingher@nhep.com 

Governance Committee Report (6:50) (Bob)

The Governance committee met on October 20th to discuss board building and preparing for leadership transitions. The governance committee will meet again on November 16th at 10:00 am. Anyone wishing to attend Governance committee meetings should contact Bob Parker, Board Chair at Bob.Parker@nhep.com. 

School Committee Report (6:55) (Monica)

The School Committee met on October 14th to discuss gender inclusive policies for LGBTQ+ students at Common Ground. The School Committee asks the board to approve the linked Policies for Gender Diverse Students and to charge the CGHS administration with developing practices to communicate these policies to staff and students, make a plan to train staff on implementation, add a section to the policy notifying students how to access support if needed, and report back to the board no later than the January board meeting on progress made.

New Business (7:00)

Executive Session

Adjourn (7:30)

Next Meeting: Monday, November, 29th

Public Comment: 

In order to comply with adjusted Connecticut Open Meeting laws, any member of the public wishing to participate in the meeting must sign up on the Public Participation Sign-up Document. Sign-ups for Public Participation will open at 5 pm on the last business day before the meeting (Friday, September 24th) and will close at 5:00 pm on the day of the meeting (Monday, September 27th). Public Participation is limited to 2 minutes per person up to 30 total minutes. Anyone wishing to make a statement to the board can also submit testimony in writing to Bob.Parker@nhep.com  by 5:30 pm on the day of the meeting. All submitted documents will be included in the publicly shared meeting minutes.