NJAEYC Governing Board Meeting –February 6, 2016--Merck Child Care Center, Rahway, NJ

After socializing/networking over breakfast, the meeting was called to order at 8:20 AM by Amanda DiScala, President.

Attendance: Michelle Barnea, Cynthia Brook-Copeland, Nayibe Capellan, Amanda DiScala, Bel Gwiazdowski, Krystyn Gallant, Nancy Kalvin, Carol Lofton-Simpson, Michelle Newman-Keenan, Jeannette Krause, Susan Mittelstadt, Helen Muscato, Stephanie Penland, Cindy Terebush, Leanne Weinzierl, Bridget Williamson

Affiliate Reports: Each local affiliate present gave a brief report (emailed to Board members).

The Board discussed a possible Affiliate-wide showing of “Raising of America” for MOYC.

Affiliates were reminded that each NAEYC Board will need to complete the first Affiliate Check-In to NAEYC by the end of February.

Organizational Development: Nancy submitted a report on the Shared Resources website and the progress of the By-Laws (on hold due to NAEYC reorganization) and Handbook review (emailed to Board members).

The Shared Resources website has been up and running and Nancy asks that all Board members create a log-in and begin to navigate the website. We are still awaiting the first installment of the grant money.

Nancy asked for a committee to review the Policies and Procedures, to be completed by the May Annual Meeting. Amanda, Nancy, Bel and Michelle Newman-Keenan volunteered.

Nancy will also send out job descriptions to each Board member to review her role on the Board and suggest any changes to the description.

Professional Development: Michelle Barnea submitted a report on the Annual NJAEYC Conference (emailed to Board members).

The NJAEYC Annual Conference will be held at the new Harrah’s in AC on October 14-15, 2016 with a future plan to alternate northern and southern locations. Some Board members introduced the possibility of having more networking and forums at the 2016 conference. The Professional Development committee will look into this idea further and welcome any suggestions for topics.

The 25th HICC Conference will be held at the Hilton Meadowlands on May 20th and Michelle will be looking into the viability of the future of this conference in light of new CCDBG requirements and Grow NJ Kids trainings.

Affiliate Relations: Stephanie and Amanda have been working with local affiliate presidents to provide information on the reorganization process.

Public Policy: Nayibe submitted a report (emailed to Board members) on the success of the pre-conference Leadership Summit as well as the upcoming Public Policy forum and Get Out to Vote Campaign. Leanne will ‘like’ the Get Out to Vote Facebook page for the NJAEYC Facebook page.

Co-VP, John Kocsis has resigned from his position on the Board.

Budget: Bel submitted a proposed budget for 2016 (emailed to Board members). Due to losses from the Annual Conference and Shared Services, the budget will have a deficit that can be covered by money from the CD account. Bel made a motion to move $85,020 from reserve to inflows in order to balance the 2016 budget. Motion carried.

A finance committee was created with the goal of reviewing finances quarterly. Amanda, Bel, Cindy T. and Jeannette volunteered to serve on the committee.

The Board will continue to offer a $500 grant to local affiliates for the increase of student membership/activities.

Nominating: A nominating committee is needed to begin the process for the 2016 Board elections. As per the Handbook, the Past President will be the committee chair. Kathy Burke will be contacted to get the process going. Other members of the committee will be Stephanie, Nayibe, Sue, Jeannette, and Krystyn. The Board will also pursue the inclusion of a general member on the committee. The Board will look into changing the position of nominating chair from the Past President to the Secretary with a requirement of at least one committee member NOT currently serving on the Board for the 2017 election.

Positions up for election include; President (Amanda plans to continue to a second term), Treasurer (Bel plans to continue into a second term), Co-VP of Organizational Development and Co-VP of Professional Development.

Reorganization: A committee is needed to develop new procedures for the upcoming reorganization. It was decided that finance, affiliate relations, affiliate presidents and organizational development should all be a part. The committee will therefor consist of Amanda, Bel, Nancy K., Stephanie and interested affiliate presidents. The first meeting will be held On Friday, March 18 at the SITE Conference.

New Business: Jeannette made a motion to once again provide $1,000 grants to local affiliates for their MOYC events. Motion carried. Each affiliate will need to apply (application to be sent out by Stephanie) to receive the grant and will be required to complete a report and create a display for the 2016 Annual Conference after their event.

Bel made a motion to discontinue the publication of the traditional NJAEYC newsletter in lieu of a bigger presence on social media (website, Facebook, Twitter). Motion carried. A suggestion was made to have a live Twitter feed at the 2016 Annual Conference.

Amanda has been contacted by Vincent Castanza about NJAEYC’s support of Primary Education Partners. The organization is developing a Kindergarten entry assessment and creating bridges from the B-3 guidelines and standards into the elementary schools to 3rd grade. Amanda will continue the conversation with him and report back to the Board.

The next Board meeting will be Thursday, May 19th at the Meadowlands Hilton.

The Summer Retreat is scheduled for August 13th.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.

The executive Board met to complete the NAEYC Board self-study.

Respectfully Submitted,

Leanne Weinzierl

NJAEYC Secretary