Betsuin Board Bullets
October 02, 2014 Betsuin Board of Directors Meeting
by Joyce Iwasaki
The intent of the Betsuin Board Bullets is to highlight Board actions, decisions, special events and projects. Please contact the Betsuin Board officers, directors, or the ministers for more details on any item.
Motions
It was moved/seconded/passed to accept the September meeting minutes as corrected.
It was moved/seconded/passed to approve the Application for Use of Betsuin Facilities to the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation for the use of the annex (including tables, chairs and PA system) if someone qualified to operate the PA system can be found, on November 22, 2014 from 1:45 – 5:30 pm.
It was moved/seconded/passed to accept the Human Relations Committee’s recommendation to grant Japanese Language School Coordinator, Akiko Inoue, a salary raise.
Ministers Report – Rinban Fujimoto
The Tuesday evening study classes began on Tuesday, September 9, with a discussion and introduction. This term, we will be focusing on other schools of Japanese Buddhism with different speakers form their traditions coming in to speak. The first speaker was Dr. Richard Payne of the IBS speaking on Shingon Buddhism. Dr. Payne is also an ordained minister in the Shingon tradition.
All are encouraged to attend this class which occurs on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month in the Board Room starting at 7:00 pm.
Annex Renovation / Generations Fundraising Reports – by Todd Tsudama
Please read Todd’s renovation / construction and fundraising updates in another section of this Dharma.
Announcement: A Betsuin Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 04, 2014 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the annex. Topic: Capital Campaign and the Building Project. Open to the public.
Human Relations Committee Report – Written Report Submitted by Janice Doi
The Committee is completing the hiring procedures and will be seeking Board approval at a later date.
The Committee has a recommended a salary scale for Office staff. The HR Committee will soon present information and data at a Board meeting, then will request Board approval.
The Committee is starting the employee reviews. This the first time that a systematic and formal review will be implemented. The HR Committee is requesting guidance from the Board on how best to reward good and excellent performance.
We have asked Diane Fujioka to start working on the tracking process for sick time for part time employees, which goes into effect July 01, 2015.
Japanese Language School Coordinator, Akiko Inoue, has requested a raise. Discussion and resolution occurred during this Board meeting. Please refer to the appropriate motion above. The Committee also recommends that the Board form a group to oversee the JLS operation. We are requesting that the JLS coordinator prepare a budget for the school year including the summer schedule.
Budget and Finance Committee Report – Ted Nakano
Savings Account
Open a Union Bank Preferred Savings account to complement our current checking account to improve earnings on cash holdings.
Request submitted to Board: completed
Formal procedures and policies: in progress
Financial Reporting
Developing the reporting for restricted donations (including “Building Fund” below): in progress
Building Fund
Review past activity, including restricted donations: in progress
Create a method to report current balance and activity: in progress
Determine requirements for payment schedule from Infrastructure Committee for cash management: in progress
Procedures and policies for Fundraising Assistant (Deborah Aso) on donation receipts and depositing: training: completed
Written procedures and policy: in progress
Ministerial Affairs Committee Projects
Review Minister’s housing expenses covered by Betsuin and review reporting requirements: in progress
Need to request a review of Minister’s insurance coverage and related policy: in progress
Petty Cash
Policies have been drafted and adopted: completed
Procedures are drafted and in revision: in progress
Betsuin Board Development Committee Report – Joyce Iwasaki
Committee Members: Janice Doi, Rinban Fujimoto (advisor), Larry Handa, Mas Horiuchi (advisor), Joyce Iwasaki (chair), Ed Nodohara, Reverend Sakamoto (advisor), Todd Tsudama
The committee continues to seek new board members. Suggestions from Board Members are welcome.
Current Board Members whose terms are completed at the end of 2014 are:
Steve Ichinaga
Joyce Iwasaki
Bud Mine
Ted Nakano
Steve Onishi
Howard Watanabe
Todd will be meeting with each of these people to discuss plans of serving another term.
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 4, 2014 at 7:00 pm in the conference room.
EcoSangha Report
The EcoSangha is planning on a field trip to the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center in San Jose. The plant takes wastewater that was previously released into the bay and purifies it using advanced treatment processes.
The EcoSangha has started to plan for the next Earth Day to be held on Sunday, April 18, 2015. If anyone has any ideas of displays, presentations or activities that they would like to see or present during Earth Day, please contact one of the EcoSangha members.
With the help of member Kevin Ross, the EcoSangha is working with the San Jose State students to help develop a web site for the EcoSangha which can be linked to our Betsuin web site.
The EcoSangha is continuing to recycle used and surplus unused inkjet and laser toner printer cartridges, and small electronics (cell phones, iPods, mp3 players, digital cameras, video cameras, GPS devices, radar detectors, iPads/tablets, eBook readers, PDAs, and video gaming systems/games). Collection boxes are located in the Betsuin office and near the Lotus preschool entrance.
Dana Club Report
On Wednesday, August 27, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, sixteen members of the Dana Club sorted and boxed produce items donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. The sorted foods along with produce sorted by other groups were distributed to needy local families and food kitchens. Some of the food that we sort at Second Harvest was distributed at the Thursday brown bags distribution in our annex.
On Wednesday, October 15, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, the Dana Club will again be sorting food items donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. If you are interested in helping with this effort to support the community, contact Al Hironaga at [email protected]. Our group size is limited to 15 people so the first 15 to respond will be put on the list of volunteers.
On Saturday, October 25, the Dana Club will participate in the Rebuilding Together’s Fall Rebuilding Day and help to repair the homes of local families who are unable to perform the repairs themselves. Contact Al Hironaga if you would like to join in this effort.
Membership Committee Report – Dennis Akizuki
Annual Report process has begun. The deadline for all information is October 31, 2014. Please email information to Dennis Akizuki.
Buddhist Women’s Association Report - Marlene Terasaki and Karen Akimoto
Upcoming Events:
Esshinniko / Kakushinni / Late Lady Ohtani / Past BWA Members Memorial -
November 23
General Meeting and Bonen Kai - December 14
Coast District Buddhist Women’s League Report – Joyce Iwasaki
Coast District BWL Conference
Save the Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015
San Jose Betsuin
Coast District Council Report – Janice Doi
The 2015 BCA Ministers’ Summer Fuken will be hosted by Coast District. The dates are August 10, 11, 12, 13, 2015. A golf tournament is scheduled on August 10th. The CD ministers agreed to have it in Watsonville. There are various positive reasons to have this in Watsonville: Many ministers are aware of and have visited the bigger temples in Coast District (San Jose and Mountain View). During this fuken, the BCA ministers will have an opportunity to experience a smaller temple. There is a hotel nearby. Coordinating ministers’ visits and sharing the Dharma can take place in other temples such as Monterey, Salinas as well as in Watsonville. All temples will be asked to help.
2017 BCA National Council Meeting will be hosted by Coast District and is scheduled for the end of February 2017. Beginnings of a planning committee were formed and the members of this planning committee include Janice Doi, Joyce Iwasaki and Larry Oda (Monterey).
OCT