HML Board Minutes March 23, 2023

Virtual (Zoom)

Attended by: Bill Mathis (President), Kevin Riley (Vice President), Ruben Alejandro (Past President), David Berliner, Martin Brooks, Martha Bruckner, Virginia Cardenas, Gregg Fuerstenau, Jimmy Minichello, Brian Schmitt, Jeanné Collins Deweese (Executive Director)

To view the agenda packet of this meeting click here

  1. Minutes:  Motion by Ruben Alejandro, seconded by David Berliner to approve the minutes of the 2023 Winter Board and the 2023 Annual Meeting.  Passed.
    • It was noted that the Annual Luncheon had 52 people attending; 40 of these were paying guests/members. Total luncheon expenses came to $11,264. Five corporate sponsors helped to underwrite the expenses of the luncheon at $10,500. The luncheon recognized Patricia Gandara and Gary Orfield, and Dan Domenech and honored Jack McKay for his 30 years as Executive Director of the League.
  1. Reports:
    • Reviewed the financials and corporate partnerships from the 2023 Annual Luncheon.
    • Reviewed the financial status of the League through March 2023.
      • Jeanné noted the League needed to dip into its savings to cover expenses this month, due to additional expenses of sending two staff (Jack and Jeanné) to the conference, paying both their salary for Jan & Feb and for shipping costs that were needed for the transfer of ED
    • Reviewed the podcast series and announced Jimmy Minichello will take over producing the show. Jimmy noted upcoming podcasts include Jack McCarthy, Gary Orfield and Patricia Gandara, Joshua Starr and will put together a marketing plan that includes social media marketing. Ben Williamson, an international expert on Artificial Intelligence and education has agreed to a spring taping and details needs to be completed. David suggested inviting the principal of the School of Opportunity in Lincoln NE to do a podcast, perhaps to include other supts
    • Reviewed Executive Director Transition Update
      • Please note the new Facebook and Linked In profiles for Horace Mann League and connect with each. Twitter is underway
    • Discussed Location and Date of Summer Meeting. Decision was for the ED to send a poll to determine a date in June or July. Meeting this year will be virtual, on a Thursday. Consensus is not to stay virtual for all meetings as connecting in person is also important. It was encouraged that Board members donate what they would have spent on travel to the Board to help with short term funding shortage.
  2. Action Items
    1. Accepted work of Ruben Alejandro on review of Mission Proposal. Discussion of recommendations to continue.
    2. Postponed review of ByLaws changes, if any, until Brent can attend a meeting
    3. Approved postponing vote of Board of Director nominations for the summer meeting. Jeanné to confirm number of openings out of 12 seats and to bring a chart that lays out geographical, racial, gender and other characteristics of the Board to that discussion.
    4. Considered addition of Librarians and School Counselors and other education professional groups as members of HML as natural supporters of public education in today’s times. No determination on this proposal.
    5. Agreed to pursue new ways to generate revenue for the League beyond dues and donations:
      • David Berliner, Martha Bruckner and Bill Mathis to create a short list of potential donors for HML to reach out to and build support
      • Brent Clark, Gregg Fuerstenau to discuss ideas from the IL Supt Assoc vendor relationships
      • Jeanné to bring a proposal from a vendor for the board to review and to talk with Matt Krise, a donor at the recent luncheon
    6. Created communications group of Jimmy Minichello, Brian Schmitt, and Jeanné Deweese to take a comprehensive review of our communications strategies including the website, the Post and social media
    7. Interest in creating a presentation for AASA or other state or national associations was expressed. David Berliner to send Jeanne contact information for Peter Greene, prominent blogger (https://curmudgucation.substack.com/) and author of chapter in the book and Jeanné to contact Peter to see if we could use his chapter as basis and if he is interested in presenting. Brian and Jeanne to discuss further options for summer agenda review and possibly AASA proposal deadline of May 31.
  1. To Dos
    • Jimmy Minichello to develop marketing plan for podcasts and report back by the summer meeting
    • Jeanné will send poll regarding the summer meeting date
    • Board members encouraged to send in donations in lieu of travel to summer meeting for this year to help with short term shortfall
    • Jeanné to bring chart of current board make up to assist with new nomination decisions
    • David Berliner, Martha Bruckner and Bill Mathis to create a short list of potential donors for HML to reach out to and build support
    • Brent Clark, Gregg Fuerstenau and Jeanne Deweese to brainstorm ideas on how to access funding from vendors who support the League
    • Jeanné to bring a proposal for revenue sharing from a vendor for the board to review and to talk with another vendor who supported the luncheon
    • David Berliner to send Jeanne contact information for Blogger Peter Greene, author of chapter in the book and Jeanné to contact Peter to see if we could use his chapter as basis and if he is interested in presenting
    • Brian and Jeanne to discuss further options for summer agenda review and possibly AASA proposal deadline of May 31.
    • Proposed summer meeting agenda to include follow up on mission work, any ByLaws change proposals, Board openings, new revenue update, communications review update, potential presentation update

Motion by Ruben Alejandro Seconded by David Berliner to adjourn the meeting at 2:45 pm. PASS