St. Andrew Apostle Advisory Board
Retreat and Meeting Minutes
November 1, 2007, 7:00 PM, Rectory
St. Andrew Apostle Advisory Board
Members Present: Kathy Kilty, Peggy Mazzola, Andrea Morgan, Tara Roche, Nori Limarzi, Dustin Watson, Angela Solomon, Dorothy Primrose, John Vittone, Tim Breen, Andrew Price, Mary Tull, [and Angela Heath (parent)]
Members Not Present: Curtis McKay, Msgr. Mellone and Robin Tomaselli.
Recorder: Dorothy Primrose
Order: Order was called by Andrea Morgan at 7:10 PM.
Opening Prayer: Prayer was led by Kathy Kilty for Msgr. Mellone.
Old Business:
Draft September and October meeting minutes were distributed to members for their review. Minutes from both meetings were approved with no oppositions.
Charitable donations to the annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) are now being accepted. Angie will contact Marie regarding how to earmark the contributions for St. Andrews; a banner will be placed on the school building on the parking lot side soon to notify parents.
Committee assignments were tabled to later in the meeting, following the Chair’s Report. See below.
Pastor’s Report (Presented by Kathy Kilty for Monsignor Mellone): Monsignor Mellone thanked Robin Tomaselli for again hosting annual Mass and Faculty/School Board Reception at her home. The event was very pleasant and successful.
As a result of its hard work and achievement, the St. Andrews Parish and School faculty received congratulations from Archbishop Wuerl on achieving the Blue Ribbon award.
Board members were also informed of an upcoming meeting of Delegates for District 19 along with legislators representing the Parish on November 27th or on December 4th of this year. Since the date has not yet been determined, he will keep us posted. Angie added that MaryEllen Russell requested that Board members contact other delegates to meet with faculty members and parents of St. Andrews and two other local Jewish schools in preparation for the meeting; however, no contact will be made until the date has been determined.
Finally, Monsignor Mellone mentioned that the Finance Council approved the proposed idea of direct deposit for offeratory. Once researched, Monsignor will establish a plan on how to establish this payment option at St. Andrew’s Parish. He will also prepare and forward a general letters to families not meeting their financial commitment yet requesting financial support in the form of discounts from the Parish. The letters will be sent in January.
Principal’s Report: Ms. Kilty extended thanks to Robin Tomaselli for hosting the annual Faculty party and to Angie Morgan for helping set up the reception.
Ms. Kilty also thanked Fr. Mike for offering to host the meeting of delegates with Mrs. Russell. Ms. Kilty then noted that on October 29, 2007, in appreciation and recognition for achieving the Blue Ribbon award, the Archdiocese contacted her requesting that St. Andrews considers participating in a Diocesan advertising campaign highlighting Catholic school education in the Washington Metropolitan area and in Arlington, Virginia. The campaign would involve posting photographs of St. Andrews students on Metrobuses and Metrorail trains and would include a web site promoting Catholic schools. ADW (the Archdiocese of Washington) and/or Arlington photographers will be in on Thursday to photograph a group of approximately 12 students from St. Andrews. The ads should appear near Catholic Schools Week in January or February 2008.
Ms. Kilty also prepared several framed photographs, Washington Post and Gazette articles and letters documenting the blue Ribbon celebration, which will be displayed in the school office.
Chair’s Report: Andrea Morgan thanked to Robin and attendees for the success of the Faculty Reception.
She also alerted Board members that volunteers might be needed to represent St. Andrews at the Forum.
Members received an update about the success of the annual golf tournament and expressed full appreciation to sponsors, family sponsors and benefactors for their support. General sponsorship, family sponsorship and benefactors increased notably this year. Special thanks to Nick Luketic for his continued volunteer efforts at making the event a success ad to Outback Steakhouse for its continued involvement in this significant fundraiser. Earnings from the Tournament were $19,197, gross, and $11,871.00 net income, to apply toward the Schultz Fund. Letters will be sent out recognizing outstanding effort and support of the event. Angie requested increased assistance in the future from Board members for this event. The proposed date for next year’s tournament is September 10, 2008.
New Business:
Peggy Mazzola discussed current preparation of the school’s Core Beliefs statement precede mission statement. As part of the self- study phase of accreditation, she solicited from our families, staff, the Parish, and from Board members their ideas about what the School and Parish signify. She then prepared a comprehensive list of beliefs for the Board’s review. If acceptable, the list will be compared and contrasted to determine whether list complies with the current mission. The goal is to review and, if necessary establish a new mission for St. Andrews. Mrs. Mazzola mentioned the possible establishment of a community study committee, to involve school board members and parents to assess whether we are in line with our goals.
Also noted was the Parent Gift and Talent Survey, circulated some years ago, which is an integral part of the documentation submitted for Middle States Accreditation all of which is to be completed by June 2008, although the timeline for submissions is not definite. Efforts should be made to review and revise the old survey for circulation by January or February 2008, with data review in March.
Andrea explained that the gift and talent survey could also be used to assist in day-to-day events at the school and fielded questions and comments from Board members about the previous survey. Issues of security anonymity were addressed, as well as what format (e-mail, hyperlink through Thursday Notes or SAPA, mass mailing...) should be used to send and receive the survey and how to notify parents of its importance. Andrea also suggested that a multi-language translation of the survey might be necessary.
Peggy Mazzola distributed copies of a summary compilation of beliefs and opinions for review (see above).
Board Members’ Committee Assignments were made by Angie, based upon members’ interests and talents. [Some parents have e-mailed Angie to volunteer as well, pending approval.] Angie requested that committee chairs prepare goals and one or two action items for the next two months. The goals must be approved by Father and Kathy but work can begin on them meanwhile.
A breakout/brainstorming session was then held to identify goals for groups and action items. Committee assignments and Chair elections are as follows:
Marketing: Nori informed members of the committee’s goals to carry forward with success of the Blue Ribbon. Revision of the school’s brochure, creating a mini video for distribution with the brochureas, and reestablishment of a, “Buddy,” system for younger students receiving the sacraments, are three of the committee’s goals this year.
Development: Curtis revisited last year’s goal of establishing an endowment (currently tabled) to assist with construction of a Parish Life Center.
Alumni: The committee will meet initially with its chair to determine goals and prior to giving an initial report. However, Tara mentioned that alumni assistance is needed to prepare for St. Andrew’s 50th Anniversary and two other goals might be to readdress the idea of an alumni social gathering following midnight mass at Christmas Eve, or possibly organized alumni involvement at Shepherd’s Table.
Communication: Dot reported the committee’s goals to continue the idea of preparing a new parent survey, refining methods of communication between parents, students and the parent leaders of organized groups within the St. Andrews community and possible establishment of a facilitated parent forum intended to allow first-hand sharing of ideas with parents.
Announcements:
A legislative Forum will be held at St. Andrew Apostle on November 27th or December 4th for District 19 schools and our delegates; need school community to attend.
The next School Board Meeting will be held on December 6, 2007, at 7:00PM.
Closing Prayer:
Prayer was led by Dustin. The meeting was adjourned at 8:54PM by Angie Morgan.