Minutes Les Dames d’Escoffier Board Meeting Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Members Present (in alphabetical order): Linda Avery Nancy Brussat Queenie Burns Toria Emas Eleanor Hanson Nancy Harris Shannon Kinsella Karen Levin Carrie Nahabedian Donna Pierce Pam Reardon Sandra Suria Jill Van Cleave
Nancy Brussat established a quorum and called the meeting to order at 5:42
Nancy introduced the new board members, appointed members and committee chairs. The board procedures were also reviewed and it was suggested that we begin following the 24-hour rule in terms of communication. If a member receives an e-mail or voice mail, it is suggested that the recipient responds within 24 hours so that the sender knows the message was received.
Secretary’s Report – Sharon Olson (Morgan Bowers came in place of Sharon) Membership list was passed around to verify members’ contact information. Members were instructed to give 2 numbers they prefer to be reached at (first and second).
It was discussed whether or not wine should be brought to meetings. In the past, Nancy has been pouring a lot out. Wine will continue to be brought to meetings for the dames to drink (depending on what kind of day they had).
Tax reports and documents were sent around for the board to review. We are targeting a filing day in early October.
Membership dues have been collected from 95 members resulting in a grand total of $19,000. In terms of account balances, there are now 2 accounts. Money was moved into a high-yield savings account at Chase because it makes funds easier to keep track of and helps us to support the logistics of our group. Operating account balance is close to $44,000 and our savings account has just under $90,000. A profit of $176 was earned from the first event. After expenses, revenue from Chicago Cooks is just under $8,000. We will discuss how the funds from Chicago Cooks will be used at the philanthropy meeting on October 13th at NAHA.
It was asked when we will be able to decide how much money from the Chicago Cooks project we will be giving to the Chicago Food Depository. We will hopefully have that information in early October. It was recommended that 50% of profits from the Chicago Cooks event be donated to the food depository.
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report: Jill Van Cleave Second: Queenie Burns
Motion Passed
Finance Committee – Nancy Harris
Nancy passed around a document stating the income and expenses from 2009. Nancy went through the recommended expenses for the year with total recommended
expenses of $16,500. It was recommended that the budget lines are tracked more frequently so that it is easier to keep track of where our expenses are.
Motion to approve the budget: Shannon Kinsella Second: Linda Avery
Motion Passed
Motion that committee chairs report their expenses against their budget to the board and that board approval is required if they are going to spend more: Pam
Second:
Program Committee – Jill Van Cleave
52 attendees were present at the Remembering Abby Event. Jill is working on putting together the invites for the South American Wines Program which will be held on October 20th, and the “Bernard and Julia” dinner on November 8th which will be held at
Le Vichyssois.
Communications Committee – Eleanor Hanson
The biggest change in the communications committee is the revamping of the website. Website – Linda Avery
The website has been completely revamped. The new website is going to make it easier to keep track of what’s new and interesting as well as new ventures the members are getting into. The new website is easier to navigate, use and looks much cleaner. There are certain areas of the website that are protected (i.e. extended member information) which can be accessed by using the password “leadership.” There has not been a specific date set to launch the new website, but it will happen soon.
Fundraising – Shannon Kinsella
Shannon created a document that gave details and committees and committee
members, entertainment and raffle. Some details of the fundraiser were discussed, but members are encouraged to keep them quiet to protect the creativity and authenticity of the event and so the idea is not stolen by another organization.
New Member Liaison – Sandra Suria
There was a great turnout at the new member event. We would like to do a similar event every year as well as make this a continuing tradition. Sandra announced the committee members. They are Queenie Burns, Donna Pierce, and Veronica Hastings.
Scholarship – Carrie Nahabedian
Carrie has all of the information saved on a memory stick that she has been given by Suzanne. She has already received a lot of inquires from the surrounding culinary schools and feels that we should conside giving to a variety of culinary schools in the
Chicago area. The cost of tuition is rising and so is the desire to become culinary professionals. There is a dire need for mentors and it was suggested that we create a mentoring program to keep in touch with the 2009 scholarship recipients.
Green Tables – Karen Levin
The idea was proposed that the project at the McCormick boys and girls club be continued through the winter by doing food demos either every other week or once a month. It was proposed that the program is continued through May.
Newsletter – Joan Reardon/Eleanor Hanson The next deadline is November 15th.
Procedures Time – Toria Emas
Toria created a document that makes it easier to keep track of deadlines for different projects as well as dates for events. Document lists the due date, activity, who is responsible, location and time.
President’s Report – Nancy Brussat
There are 10 people from Chicago going to the conference in Philadelphia. Board members are encouraged to be present at the meeting in October because of the importance of issues that will be discussed and decided upon. The board will vote on the recommendations at the November meeting. At the international meeting, we will discuss how the founding member of LDE international (Carol Brock) will be honored. The idea is to donate a library in New York City which will cost around $40,000. We would like to pledge $1,000 (though exact amount has yet to be decided on) for the library, and members are encouraged to raise money from family and friends as well as making personal donations.
Motion to participate w/ amount TBD: Donna Pierce Second: Queenie Burns
Motion to adjourn: Jill Van Cleave Second – Sandra Suria
Meeting adjourned at : 7:23 p.m.
