Boiler Room Board Meeting

Board Present: Mary Hilts, Chauncey Trudhope-Locklear, Jason Bishop, Andrew Redding – Treasurer, Annette Huenke, Stephen Boruch, Bruce Marston (by phone) and Catska Ench – President and Cory Ench, Julia Cochrane, Amy Smith – Secretary,  Marcus Koch, Maitland Hardyman

Absent: Terri Comstock

Staff Present: Anna Vendola – Americorp, Ellie Spitzbart – Music Intern, Elena  Carianna – Americorp Intern

Others Present: Evan, Marc Weinblatt, Shae and Orion Weinblatt-Dey, Liz Goldstein, Gigi Callaizakis, Artis, Kitty and Michael Gibson, Laura Martin, Holly Varah, Cara Lechenby, Becky Shipley, Robert Kimishane, Richard Sloane, Miles Carroll, Jay Cacka, Lissy Yates, Kiri and Echo Aronica, Collin Cabe, Shawn Kellog, Evan Skallerad, Gary Seibel, Jasmine Archer

Minutes from November Board approved

Minutes from Special Meeting approved

11 new Boiler Makers

Promissory Note: 5% becomes 18% for the time a mortgage payment is delinquent. This means that in Dec. we will owe $3500. Andrew said that he did not become aware of the fact that we went into 18% interest until the Sunday before he issued the Boiler Room check to pay Gigi.  He indicated that he was waiting to see a copy of the promissory note, which only became available to him on that date, and had no prior knowledge of the full effect of a late payment.

Andrew mentioned a loan from Bruce Marston.

Catska says that Jay Cacka and Cara Lechenby were put in front of the board by email, and that there was an overwhelmingly positive response to Cara.  Many board members did not receive Jay's information.  There is an objection that this is unfair to Jay.  Catska apologizes for the error, says she thought she sent it, not sure what went wrong.  Motion to open the process at the meeting passed.

Jay introduces self, answers some questions.

Cara introduced self, answers some questions.

Process interrupted to discuss process:  Marc and Anna suggest open discussion, then vote.  Annette, Andrew and others would like time to review both resumes.  Noah leaves tomorrow, hiring process must be quick.

Auction at 5:30 at the American Legion. $11,000 value in and several speakers identified, professional engineer. Mary read list of volunteer needs for the auction. Sign up sheet passed around. Chauncey announced a BR pep rally on Sims and Kearney 1 to 3 on Friday.

Development committee met today with Kris Mayer who they would like to work on their strategic plan. She would be willing to do it as Project Manager, for $7,000. This money is available from a restricted fund that comes from a $10,000 donation.

Chauncey resigning from Board and as vice president

Andrew withdraws as Treasurer, Motion to appreciate his work.

Amy resigns as secretary

Jason nominates Collin as youth representative. This is out of order. Nominating committee meeting is tomorrow night before other meeting at 4.

Gigi’s Proposal: The city’s $24,000 was put on hold because of Noah’s departure, until the Boiler Room puts together a plan…

Gigi is proposing that we share this building since it is an asset. Under consideration could be Waterfront Pizza who is looking for a home. Part of this proposal is that maybe the BR does not want to look like a corporation, which may be necessary to pay a mortgage.

Mary – Kris asked that we bring all our ideas to the table during the strategic plan and that we not make any major changes during the process.

Staff Proposal:

Catska - The boards response was very diverse. Because her printer broke she could not bring it.

Mary – Her perception is from the 3rd Ear training, that Anna expressed herself and that it was the beginning of a conversation, that was in the paper, and …….

It should have been an executive session with the staff present.

Robert – confident that things will get solved.

Elena – this needs to be a place that encourages growth.

Cara – growth is your growth and the kids growth.

Elena – we have specific job descriptions that are contractural.

Catska – Bridget Spellman who is the Americorps supervisor is coming back tomorrow and Catska is going to talk to her and see if the job can be redefined.

Holly – The mission statement of the BR is to support youth in meeting their goals.

Corey – the people who are here design the programs.

Bruce – there is are times that people outside have proposed programs, and they get proposed and adopted.

Maitland – the Conscientious Objector program is a really good program because it helps people clarify their own minds.

Liz – more importantly the kids want me here to do this. It is important that the young people who are here have a voice in what is happening. Concerned that the focus is too much on the coffee house and not on the young people.

Amy – There is a need for both programs and unstructured playtime.

Elena – We need to be at a service station and not creating a service station.

Cara – There is a very delicate balance between structure and no structure. Step back and have faith, that some one will step forward and make their wishes known. Talking to kids and listen to their dreams, and help them make it happen. It is not a top down process.

Holly –  that if there is not something going on then it’s a waste of time. Its okay to just be here.

Lizzie – At what  point did the BR stop being a service org. The service is having the doors open 7 days a week. This place does need to be run by youth. The youth is having a concern that they don’t have ownership. They are feeling a little out of place. Local youth should think of this as their home away from home. Keeping the doors open is the most important thing.

Andrew – this was supposed to be a discussion between the board and the staff.

Catska – The staff and the Boiler room.

Jason – Should be in an open meeting.

Andrew – Americorp Organization must be part of this.

Amy – Americorp volunteers and Elli need to have a conversation with their bosses, which is the board.

Ellie – spoke supporting Americorp staff

Andrew – Motion: To invite Bridgett Spellman over here to meet with the board, Americorp and Ellie and our interim manager.  Corey 2nd. All in favor, passed.

Julia asked to see the contract with Americorp.

We should also see the rules of Americorp, the job descriptions, the Strategic plan contract and the building contract.

Evan wants to have information about the demands etc.

“Drug and alcohol free and no visible tobacco products.” Conversation tabled to the special board meeting.

Board and Staff Meeting: Thursday 4:30 pm here with presentations from Jay and Cara.

Nominations committee: Thursday 4pm – Water Street

Mary needs help on Friday setting up.

Meeting adjourned 8:30 PM.

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