June 12, 2024, Global Connections (GC) Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Minutes
Members in Attendance:
Voting members: Bruce Truitt, Debbie Leo, Marco Damasceno, Sunny Jiang, Yagmur Turker
Non-voting members: Bob Persiko
Call to order at 7:05 PM.
May meeting minutes were accepted as submitted.
Reports of officers:
Acting Vice President Bob Persiko
- Bob noted that he should be listed as a non-voting member due to his roles as past president and current interim acting president. He emphasized that he is a proposer and not a voter.
- Bob announced Kieran’s intent to resign, received via a brief message from Brazil. Details are scarce, but his letter of resignation is anticipated.
Treasurer, Bruce Truitt
Bruce highlighted significant financial contributions:
- A donation of $358.68 from the Center County United Way, attributed to Penn State employee deductions.
- An unexpected donation of $848.33 from a partnership involving Give Local and Kish Bank, related to credit and debit card processing fees at State College International Market. Bruce mentioned that the Give Local initiative might continue to provide similar donations annually unless there are changes in the partnerships or agreements.
- Bruce highlighted the significant financial outcomes from the recent Centre Gives campaign. There was an 80.22% increase in average per capita donations compared to the previous year. Total contributions increased by 65.2%, rising from $885 last year to $1,462 this year. The campaign also received stretch funds from the Hamer Foundation, which were distributed on a proportional basis among all participating organizations, leading to a total gift of $1,858.98 for the campaign.
- Bruce noted that these contributions broke the previous year’s record and expressed satisfaction with the results.
- Bruce mentioned that the campaign’s earnings represent between 25% to 33% of GC’s annual budget, which typically ranges from $5,000 to $7,500.
- The funds are critical for supporting the scholarships under the English Language Literacy Program.
- Bruce also informed the committee that the distribution of funds from the English Language Literacy Program set up at the Center Foundation is expected to occur in August. This timing aligns well with funding scholarships for the fall semester.
Public relations – Marco Damasceno
- Marco reported that he was finalizing the newsletter and coordinating with Bruce and Bob for content review and proofreading.
- Bob reported on the unsuccessful attempt to recruit a potential candidate for a PR position, noting that there had been no response to his efforts.
- Marco discussed another potential candidate he had considered for the position. She eventually declined the opportunity, citing inability to commit. Marco expressed his intention to remain proactive in seeking suitable candidates and to keep the recruitment process active. Consequently, the search for this position continues.
- Bruce proposed seeking an internship collaboration with Penn State’s marketing or advertising programs to attract social media and marketing volunteers.
- The committee discussed utilizing personal contacts and local educational institutions to recruit interns.
Small Groups – Debbie Leo
- Deb reported that book reading groups will have their last meeting on June 13th before summer break.
- Bob noted that both English class and discussion group are going to have summer break, too. They will resume in August.
Unfinished business
- Bruce is nearing completion of the revisions to the bylaws and standing rules, with plans to distribute them soon for executive committee review.
New Business
- Discussion on managing the transition after Kieran’s resignation, focusing on maintaining leadership continuity and filling vacancies.
- Bob shared plans to draft an announcement for the general membership about the leadership vacancies and the process for filling them.
Action Items
- Bob will share the flyer of July 27th
- Bruce will finalize and distribute revised bylaws for executive committee review.
- Marco will complete and share the newsletter.
- Marco will promote the July potluck event through the website and social media.
- Bob will prepare the announcement about leadership vacancies and recruitment strategy.
- GC will continue monitoring Kieran’s situation regarding his formal resignation.
- Deb will look into the possibility of a second poetry evening this year.
- The EC will further discuss a possible GC role in the July 10, 2024, Arts Festival Children and Youth Festival events five (5) different cultural performances and five (5) cultural tables from 10 am – 3 pm).
- Shannon will report back on her efforts to find a cultural event date acceptable to Ciara, Laura, Sunny, and her.
- Shannon will pursue and provide additional information on a Dominican, Iranian, and Scottish cultural event and on available dates at the Unitarian Brotherhood Church.
The next meeting was scheduled for the second Wednesday of the following month at 7 PM.
Meeting adjournment: 7:43
Minutes prepared by Yagmur Turker