Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Minutes

Board of Directors – Regular Meeting
July 12, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
MBUSD Office, 325 S. Peck Avenue, Manhattan Beach

Present:

Directors (22/28): Edie Babbe, Geoff Bremer, Webster Burns, Brian Currey, Randy Dotemoto, Mike Dunitz, Michelle Erickson, Linda Figel, Nancy Hersman, Carolyn Leserman, Diane Levitt, Anne McLaughlin, Cindy McMahon, John Oshiro, Jeff Thaler, Ida VanderPoorte, Susan Warshaw, Gary Wayland, Rich Weiss, Tati Wennekamp, Laurel Wright, Pam Yarbrough

MBUSD Rep: Steve McMahon

Board of Trustees: Amy Howorth

Business Partnerships: Sherry Kramer

MBEF staff: Debbie Bowen

Guests: Tammy Choy, Jon Friedman, Sheri Lietzow, and from Bank of the West: Jenna Jota & Allen Kirschenbaum

Presiding: Webster Burns, President

Recording: Brian Currey, Secretary

Handouts: Agenda, Minutes, Financial Report, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harrassment Policies, Communications Plan, Dates – Events to Remember, Mayor's Golf Tournament flyer, and letter from John O'Shiro requesting MBEF funding for the Mira Costa High School Symphony Orchestra trip to perform at Carnegie Hall

Welcome of Guests:
Webb Burns called the meeting to order. Our guests introduced themselves and were welcomed to the meeting by Mr. Burns.

Check Presentation by Bank of the West:
Randy Dotemoto introduced Allen Kirschenbaum and Jena Jota from Bank of the West, noting that Mr. Kirschenbaum is a former MBEF director and a Manhattan Beach parent. Mr. Kirschenbaum and Ms. Jota presented a check in the amount of $3,500 in support of the MBEF golf tournament. Mr. Dotemoto and others expressed thanks on behalf of the Foundation.

MBUSD Report:
Steve McMahon noted that Gov. Schwarzeneger has now signed the State budget, and that the amount of money that MBUSD will receive under that budget is a slight increase from what he had anticipated. Mr. McMahon reported on recent hiring by the school district, and indicated that the district was engaged in planning for next year.

Annual Appeal Report:
Diane Levitt reported on the upcoming annual appeal, discussing some of the themes and approaches that will be utilized. The goal is to raise $3 million through the annual appeal in the coming year. Ms. Levitt expressed confidence that the goal is achievable with hard work.
She also reported that Mike and Ann Pitts of Pitts & Pitts have generously volunteered to assist with the annual appeal. They are helping to develop a direct mail campaign that Ms. Levitt outlined. Ms. Levitt circulated a draft of an initial mailing.

Wine Auction Report:
Jeff Thaler reported on the record-breaking success of the wine auction. His preliminary estimate is that it will net $408,000. Both the silent and the live auctions set new revenue records. Mr. Thaler thanked Sherry Kramer, John Oshiro, and all of the many volunteers and donors who made the wine auction such a success. He also noted that he is stepping down as chair of the wine auction, and highlighted the need to identify a replacement.

MBUSD Board of Trustee's Report:
Amy Howorth gave a brief report on school board activity. She noted that the Board of Trustees will meet only once in July and once in August. She also reminded us of the upcoming election in November, when voters will select three members of the MBUSD Board of Trustees.

Minutes:
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of June 7, 2005 were approved as presented.

Financial Report:
Ida VanderPoorte presented financial statements as of June 30, 2005. Geoff Bremer explained that as of July 1, 2005, $740,000 (at cost) of Endowment funds had been moved to Vanguard. He also specified the allocation of that money within various Vanguard funds.

Appointment of Audit Committee Chair:
Upon motion duly made and seconded, Mr. Dotemoto was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Dotemoto will present candidates for Audit Committee membership at the next meeting.

Golf Tournament Report:
Mr. Dotemoto provided an update on the golf tournament. He thanked directors and other volunteers who have assisted in attracting additional golf sponsors. He also asked for additional volunteers to help during the tournament. Volunteers need not spend all day there. The tournament will be played on Monday, August 22, 2005.

Business Education Partnership Report:
Sherry Kramer discussed various upcoming events and promotions, as listed on a handout she distributed.

Communications Plan:
Pam Yarbrough distributed a written MBEF communication plan, and discussed the contents of that plan.

Grant Proposal for Mira Costa Symphony Orchestra Trip to Carnegie Hall:
John Oshiro requested a grant from MBEF to help defray costs of the Mira Costa High School Symphony Orchestra's upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall. After some discussion, and upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board resolved as follows:

MBEF congratulates the MCHS Symphony Orchestra on its trip to Carnegie Hall. Since its inception, MBEF has been the proud sponsor of music programs in Manhattan Beach. Therefore, MBEF will proudly match up to $8,500 of public donations to help offset costs of the MCHS Symphony Orchestra's performance at Carnegie Hall in April 2006.

Ratification of Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policies:
Brian Currey presented the proposed MBEF Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policies. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the policies were adopted.

Strategic Planning Sessions:
Mr. Burns discussed the strategic planning session, to be held at the District Office from 9:00 a.m. until noon on July 20, 2005. He encouraged all directors to attend, and promised to circulate an agenda in advance.

New Business/Old Business:
Carolyn Lesserman and Mr. Burns reported that the focus group project had begun, but had not been completed. Work will resume in the fall.

Mike Dunitz, Mr. Oshiro and Ms. Yarbrough agreed to work on a proposal to update and improve the MBEF website.

Meeting Adjourned: 9:52 p.m. (to closed session)

Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the District Office. Please note that there will be no meeting in August.

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