Minutes of FCC Board Meeting March 19, 2002
Held at: Morgan Stanley Conference Rooom

Present:
Ross Lewis Barry Radick Elizabeth Smith Mao Aileen Koger David Youtz Cara Blouin Toby Volkman Ron Tralle
Absent: Marylou Cooper Green Ho Yong Jane DeBevoise Joe Kelly Beth Rosenthal Edna Moy

Call To Order, 6:40 PM

Culture Day (David for Marylou)
1. Organization
1. Marylou and Marjorie Berman are Co Chairs. They have an impressive line-up of volunteers and heads of committees.
2. Deanna Hunt will be taking on slightly more responsibility as the event coordinator
4. Helck family has agreed to return to decorate
5. Sagwa is still in negotiations- will only be there if we don’t have to pay
B. There will be a meeting at Marjorie Berman’s office on Wednesday.


Membership (David and Ron)
1. We are currently at 1630 members- a very good showing and the second best number we’ve ever had. We’re on our way toward the goal of 2000 members by year’s end.
B. Increasing renewals
1. Discussed comprehensive efforts to date to reach lapsed members and slow renewers – with significant success in recent months.
2. Some discussion of further ideas: Ross suggested a small incentive to renew, like a T shirt. Liz proposed use of regional coordinators for outreach to new members
C. Upping membership/community outreach. This is a goal for later in the year
1. Are adoption agencies still informing adopting families of FCC? FCCNY should contact Agencies to remind/request that they do so. To some extent, FCC may be in competition with certain agencies, which are also providing community, events, funding to China orphanages, etc. – hence we may be in competition with them
2. Some public relations activity/newspaper articles may be useful to inform families around the NY area of our existence and help increase membership. Ross also suggested co-sponsoring existing programs with China Institute and other organizations as a way to further get FCC visible.
3. There was discussion of other outreach/visibility activities. Ross suggested putting together a package for education about Chinese culture and Chinese Adoption to send to schools. This might take the form of FCC grants for Chinese Culture programs in schools, or (given funds shortage) working with groups like Asia Society’s education department and distribution channels. (Rosa and David will explore).

Orphanage Assistance Appeal (Aileen) - (See attached, detailed appeal)
1. Response to joint appeal disappointing
1. $1,500 total yield from joint appeal
2. Received less that 200 responses (2,000 mailed)
2. Few changes to existing programs
1. Additional money for Grandmas ($1,000)
2. Additional money for playground surface material ($3,400)
3. Postpone school funds until the summer
4. Proposal would leave $10,000 in reserve
C. The committee needs more support
1. Financially
a. Liz suggested “nickle and dime” solutions- asking people to pay $5 extra for Culture Day, etc.
b. Barry suggested small fund-raising parties in people’s homes
c. Aileen suggested CIC needs a more media savvy person for development

MOTION(Liz) : To release funds ($155,120) as proposed by CIC. / SECOND (Barry)

VOTE: Unanimous in favor

Treasurer’s Report (Ron)
1. We will just break even on the 2002 Budget
1. We currently have $45,000 in the account 1. Estimated to take in $65,000 in 2002
2. $58,000 expected from membership
3. Will leave us with a small surplus of about $1,000
4. Revenue is high from the online store
B. We need to consider grants, and other funding to move forward

Newsletter (brief summary by David for Joe)
A. Bringing down costs ($2000 in production, $4600 printing and mailing). Should consider other funding options for newsletter. Also, there is an expectation of raising membership price next year ($29 to $35?)
1. David working on getting funding from Morgan Stanley – either grant or printing services.
2. We need to explore further other sources that could underwrite or help with printing. Suggested foundations- Luce, Starr, Freeman, Gunk, Elizabeth
B. Joe has organized sub-editors who will coordinate upcoming Newsletter theme sections. Next Issue- Understanding China. Summer: Kids Issue. We appear to be on target for four newsletters a year. Ross asked if we could consider adding more arts/visual elements

Web page
Great progress in recent months. Further improvements: we have a new manager page / registration for events, that will enable online registration for Culture Day. Can be used for any other FCCNY programs, as well, even by regions.

Regular meeting date identified: Tuesdays and Thursdays not good for several members. Next meeting tentatively scheduled for May 15 or 22.

Hall of Science Event (Ross) A. Set date for Saturday June 8th, (from 1-3?) Ross will confirm timing and arrangements with the Hall of science and will continue work on the event.

Adjourned 8:15