Minutes November 4, 2021 – Quarterly Meeting

HML Board Meeting Minutes of November 4, 2021

The Horace Mann League of the USA.

Minutes of the League’s Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, November 4, 2021.

Meeting called to order at 9:00 am by James Harvey.

Present: Lisa Parady, Jeanne Collins, Marty Brooks, David Berliner, James Harvey, Virginia Cardenas, Ruben Alejandro, Kevin Riley, Martha Bruckner, Bill Mathis, and Jack McKay

Approval of the Minutes of September 20, 202, by acclamation.

Reports:

  1. Progress on the Book: David Berliner gave an update on the publication of the book, Public Education: Defending a Cornerstone of American Democracy. Will be printed by December 1, 2021. Currently, the editors are indexing the contents.
  2. Update on Podcast series: Bill Mathis report on the progress made and the need for future topics. A suggestion was to feature the authors of the book, Public Education: Defending a Cornerstone of American Democracy.
  3. Update on Membership and Recruitment: Jack McKay reviewed the data about current membership and recruitment efforts.
  4. Update on the Financial Status of the League: Jack McKay reviewed the revenue and expenditures through October 1st.
  5. Discussion held about the Executive Director’s salary used to balance the budget.
  6. Update on the confirmation of 2022 officers, reappointed directors, and new directors: All officers, reappointed directors, and new directors have been confirmed to serve in their roles.
  7. Update on Awardees and Speakers: Awardees/speakers have confirmed and acknowledged acceptance.

Action Items

  1. Succession Plan:  Should an ad-hoc Committee on Succussion be formed: Motion by Bill Mathis, seconded by James Harvey, that Kevin Riley chair the committee of Jeanne Collins, Virginia Cardenas, Kevin Riley, Jack McKay to develop a process for the eventual replacement of the current Executive Director. A report of the Ad-hoc Committee will be available at the February Board meeting.
  2. Recruitment Plan: Should an Ad-hoc Committee be formed to explore the strategies to increase the recruitment of new members? Motion by Martin Brooks, seconded by Virginia Cardenas, to form an Ad-hoc committee, chaired by Martha Bruckner, with Brent Clark and James Harvey as members. The Ad-hoc committee will present strategies for recruitment at the February board meeting.
  3. Corporate and Foundation Giving: Should an Ad-hoc committee to established to develop strategies to have corporate partners contribute to the on-going operations and activities of the league? Motion by martin Brooks, seconded by Virginia Cardenas, to establish an Ad-hoc committee to develop strategies to engage corporations and foundations to support the on-going activities of the League.
  4. Annual Meeting: Should the League host an in-person meeting in Nashville in February. Motion by Bill Mathis, seconded by Ruben Alejandro to plan on an in-person, Annual Meeting on February 18, 2022, provided that a paid registration of not less than 28 are received by January 18, 2021. If less than 28 paid registrations, the annual meeting will be only virtual. Officers and directors participating in the Annual Meeting program are James Harvey, Lisa Parady, Jeanne Collins, Ruben Alejandro, Virginia Cardenas, and Bill Mathis.
  5. The 100th Anniversary Book: Should the book, Public Education: Defending a Cornerstone of American Democracybe sold and distributed? The suggestion was to arrange to have the book on display at the ASSA bookstore. Bill Mathis agreed to explore the idea of the editors being a part of the author’s meeting at AASA.
  6. Winter Board Meeting: Should the League host a “Winter Board Meeting on Thursday, February 17th? President Harvey asked that arrangements be made to hold an in-person board meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2022, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
  7. Quarterly Bd. Mtgs. Should the Board hold quarterly meetings in 2022? The consensus was to continue to hold the quarterly board meeting every three months during 2022.
  8. Podcast series. Should the podcast series be continued? The consensus was to continue the podcast series into 2022. The suggestion was to have the authors who contributed to the book, Public Education: Defending a Cornerstone of American Democracyis featured in future podcast recordings.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:15 am.

Secretary: Jack McKay