Board Members Present:  Danny Sands, Debra Cobb, Eric Bersh, Mary Hennings, Burt Rosen, Brian Mack, John Grohol, Jan Oldenburg, Sarah Krug, Matthew Holt, Amber Soucy, Joe Ternullo, Judy Danielson, Helene Clayton-Jeter

Full attendance record available here.

Welcome                                                                  Hennings

Minutes from last board meeting                                      Bersh

Approved.

Treasurer-Membership Report                                             Cobb

$141,000 in treasury.

News and Updates                                           Rosen/Hennings

Burt’s report on ED search: 7 resumes on back burner.  7 candidates are currently being interviewed. Many interested in flexible arrangements. Emphasis that this is a full-time job. Jan asks about salary level not being equal to “full-time” work.  Helene wants to make sure all the hours needed will be put in.  Mary says we need to make sure who we are “compelled by,” as first order of business.  Mary says decision in next two weeks.  Goal is to get to 2 finalists.

Jan says no easy way to go from annual membership to lifetime membership invoice.  John says its limitation of the system.  There is a new Town Hall on Thursday.  Helene says April 26, 5 p.m. ET “I’m Speaking. Doctor and Patient Conversations,” meeting.  Thanks all around.

Governance Decisions                              Oldenburg/Hennings

• Board member job description
• Board Training
  • A grounding and understanding for those who have not participated much or at all on boards
  • Opportunity from ED’s POV to make board member responsibilities clearer and more effective
• Sample job description: Mary showed sample from ABC Organization. Matt comments on expectations of individual Board members.  Helene asks about meaningful financial contribution.  Brian would prefer using the word “contribution.” What’s the minimum? Mary says various Boards use different methods, for example time vs. money contribution. Jan says we should err on side of what kind of contribution?  Matt would rather that we contribute in whatever way we can do.  Mary says granting agencies want to know how much Board members are contributing beyond regular members.  Burt discusses where the money will be going?  Helene agrees.  Brian open to various levels of membership.  Jan mentions that a specific fee might have to be looked at as a specific contribution.  Judy suggests that we should drop the word “financial” but keep it as “meaningful personal contribution.”  We need to define what ways a Board member will contribute.  Discussion of minimum percentage of participation.  Eric argues that Board members should attend 100% of time unless you have a valid excuse.  Mary re-worded document to reflect board attitude. Jan says we need a conflict-of-interest statement.  But not needed to be signed annually, just once.  Maintain confidentiality statement should be kept.  Core legal responsibilities paragraphs kept.  Matthew suggests change bullet point re: “read and understand org’s financial statements.”  Mary rephrases.
• Committee Chair comes up with a charter for its operation. Discussion around exception on membership.

Summary

Everyone very engaged.

Adjourned at  7:30 — Next board meeting: April 27, 2021, 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET

Respectfully submitted,

Eric N Bersh

SPM Board Secretary