CBS ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUMMARY
President Karen Friedman opened the meeting with a reminder of how far Congregation Beth Shalom has come in its short five-and-a-half-year history. It counts 77 member family units, has its own part-time rabbi, an active Brotherhood and Sisterhood, vibrant and busy committees, Adult Education, an outstanding religious school with 10 children from kindergarten to age 9, numerous bar and bat mitzvahs both past and future, and a new Confirmation Class beginning in the fall. CBS belongs to the Union of Reform Judaism and actively participates in the Indianapolis Jewish community on all levels. There is much to be proud of. Data from the Jewish Federation’s current Indianapolis Jewish Demographic Survey will play an important role in empowering CBS to embrace a future of continued growth.
Treasurer Lee Manders reported a net growth of 3 families over the past year. Although there was a small budgetary loss relative to the year before, costs were well contained, and we are comfortably positioned to cover it. He conservatively projects another net 3-member unit increase for the next year, although it easily could be more.
Members approved a 7% dues increase for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The increase is the first since CBS’s founding. It was necessitated by the coming year’s rise in expenses, such as higher URJ dues, other administrative costs, membership and marketing expenses and programming costs. It is too early to project what increased rental costs may be once the congregation finds new and larger quarters as it grows. All dues increases will be applied to the expected impact of the rising costs.
Members also approved the proposed salary increase for Rabbi Halpern based on his satisfactory clergy evaluation results.
The overall budget recommendation proposed by the Treasurer was overwhelmingly approved as presented.
Members also approved the proposed updates and amendments to the CBS Bylaws.
Sarah Hann, Recording Secretary and co-chair of the Marketing Subcommittee, presented the new CBS logo and website to all present. Response was enthusiastic. Ensuing discussion offered a number of excellent suggestions to take the already fine work up a notch. She make note of all and will follow them up with Dana Harness, website designer and CBS member.
Myrna Nelson passed out coupons for a fundraiser on June 25 at Carmel’s City BBQ, which will donate 25% of anyone’s purchase that day to CBS when they present the coupon with their order.
Jerry Lande invited everyone to participate in the new CBS Community Garden next to his dental office.
Newly elected or re-elected members of the 2017-2018 CBS Board of Directors are:
President Karen Friedman
Vice President Beth Lande
Treasurer Jeff Seidenstein
Recording Secretary Sarah Hann
Corresponding Secretary Cheryl Peisner
Member at Large Rachel Nolan-Johnson