• A NEW TOOL FOR FUTURE PLANNING
• THE BOARD'S ROLE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS
• NEED QUICK AND ACCURATE COMMUNICATION? PUT YOUR BOARD ON E-MAIL!
• FEEDBACK ABOUT BOARD RETREATS
• ADVOCATE FOR YOUR EDUCATORS -- SHABBAT HACHINUCH APRIL 1, 2000
  

Cultivating the Future: Long-Range Planning for Congregations is a new publication now available to congregations that wish to consider long-range planning as a way to insure their future health. The guide, three-hole punched for easy use, is a detailed source of planning information for the layperson. It defines basic planning language; outlines the requirements for leadership of the process; suggests various methods for amassing the information necessary for future planning; describes the strategy of conducting focus groups to gather information and enlist congregational participation; discusses the written strategic plan; and provides a sample time line of the diverse activities involved in the long-range planning process. In addition, it contains excerpts from the long-range plans of several congregations.

Rabbi Yose would say, "Let your friend's property be as dear to you as your own."

Pirkei Avot 2:12

Last month we highlighted the important issues for your board to consider as you launch the budget process. By now your Budget Committee should have presented a draft budget to you for review. You have a two-fold responsibility regarding this budget:

1. To reflect the vision of your congregation's mission.
2. To be mindful of your fiduciary obligation to manage carefully.

Take into account the following as you review the budget:

Vision Considerations

• Does the budget reflect the board's priorities?
• Are issues from previous budgets addressed?
• Are concerns for the coming year reflected?
• Were appropriate constituencies consulted during the budget process?

Fiduciary Considerations

• Has income been projected accurately?
• Have all recurring and nonrecurring income sources been fully utilized?
• Have alternative revenue streams been sufficiently explored?
• Are salaries and benefit packages appropriate and up-to-date?
• Is a capital fund fee with planned increases in place to handle the inevitable expenses associated with the aging of your facility?
• Is there a reserve fund for unforeseen contingencies and emergencies?
• Does your congregation fully reap the benefits of its UAHC membership?

Bottom-Line Considerations
Does your budget reflect the priorities of your congregation in its effort to create a spiritually fulfilling community, provide positive worship experiences, and respond to family and life-cycle needs? Does it do this without creating a deficit? Remember, it is better to achieve a balanced budget by increasing income and reviewing operational expenses than by attempting to reduce those fixed expenses that help create your congregation's vision.

E-mail from the administrator/president/rabbi to the board can communicate the following information before meetings to enable members to properly prepare:

• Reminders of meeting dates, times, and locations
• Agendas, minutes, and committee reports to be reviewed in advance
• Last-minute changes
• Notices of events of interest
• Topics inherent in the week's parashah

E-mail from board members to the administrator/president/rabbi can communicate:

• Sensitive concerns not appropriate for a public forum
• Items to be added to agendas

E-mail among board members can be used to discuss:

• Issues raised at meetings
• Torah study within the group
• Assignment changes (e.g., bimah, ushering)
• Issues raised by congregants
• Areas of concern
• Items of interest
• Social opportunities for the group

A cautionary note: E-mail can enhance or do damage to (l'shon hara) communication among board members. Set the tone of suitable propriety as you communicate the appropriate subject matters and uses of e-mail for your board.

Take a few minutes to collect the e-mail addresses of all the board members, and, if necessary, teach them how to designate the board as a "group" on their system. A board that communicates well works best.

If your congregation is fortunate enough to have a professional administrator, bear in mind that the person in this position can serve as an inestimable resource for planning a retreat. In last month's article about Kallot, we noted that you might consider inviting the administrator to attend the retreat, thereby adding his/her invaluable expertise to the discussions. Why not consider giving your administrator an integral role in organizing your congregation's retreat-if not the primary responsibility, at least a position on or a part in organizing the retreat planning committee?

What is Shabbat Hachinuch?
Shabbat Hachinuch celebrates Torah study, Jewish education, and Jewish educators. It is based on a traditional Jewish concept: When the Temple in Jerusalem was about to be destroyed, a school (Yavneh) saved Judaism and a teacher (Yochanan ben Zakkai) saved the Jewish people. The Hebrew word hachinuch is most commonly translated as "education," but it is formed from the same root as Chanukah, or "Dedication."

When is Shabbat Hachinuch?? Shabbat Hachinuch coincides with the beginning of the month of Nisan, during which we celebrate our people's Exodus from slavery to freedom and read Parashat Vayikra, traditionally the first Jewish text that is studied.

What can the board members do to show their appreciation to and to advocate for people who dedicate themselves to Jewish learning?

• Put a faculty member on the Board of Trustees.
• Honor those educators who have devoted five, ten, eighteen, and twenty-five years to teaching Torah.
• Offer those teachers free synagogue membership.
• Host a Shabbat dinner in their honor.
• Provide professional development opportunities for them.

If your congregation is concerned about the shortage of qualified, excellent teachers, then your board should address the issue of teacher advocacy. As Jewish leaders, trustees understand that teachers of Torah keep Judaism and the Jewish people alive. Publicly recognizing the contribution of Jewish educators and encouraging the members of your congregation to value their input will help you fulfill your work and mission as a board to learn and live Torah and to serve as a model for your congregation.

Share Your Ideas and Input

Do you have

• Programs that have worked well in your congregation?
• Topics about which you would like more information?
• Suggestions for articles for Inside Leadership?

For our February-March issue: Share your board's approach to
advocating on behalf of your congregation's educators.