Ministry Against the Death Penalty
Board Meeting
Conference Call
May 9, 2012
Minutes
Present: Ken Alford, Alice Gerdeman CDP, Rose Ann Hefner CSJ, Ruth Kettman CSJ,
Pat Kozak CSJ, Helen Prejean CSJ, Marianne Race CSJ, Joanna Stott
Absent: Helen Prejean CSJ
1. Opening Prayer — Rose Ann Hefner CSJ
2. The Minutes were amended to show that Joanna was present for the February 3-4,
2012 meeting. Alice will send a revision of her report on the status of the death penalty
in Ohio and Kentucky to Marianne and Annie.
Board Action: The Minutes were approved as amended.
3. CMN Business Plan
Joanna presented a detailed plan that was enthusiastically received by those present.
CMN is moving faster than the plan outlined. CMN wanted to set up a network so that it
coincided with the NCADP national campaign. Joanna will share an updated CMN plan
with the board in August. Catherine D. Jarboe is someone who would be significantly
engaged, and Joanna suggested that she be hired.
Marianne noted that most who serve CMN in leadership positions are volunteers. The
new hire will helpful in giving stability to CMN work. Karen moves into a more focused
executive direction. The addition of Cathy allows the organization to consider many
possibilities for growth with State Catholic Conferences; Sr. Ilaria will continue with
Spanish outreach.
Beth asked if CMN employees work under the Congregation handbook. The guidelines
focus on lay employees and do not necessarily apply to religious. The issue for Beth
concerns social security, health plan costs and retirement. Significant money is involved.
Joanna offered that CMN would depend on Beth to guide this piece in the CMN Business
Plan.
The assumption is that Karen will continue as a volunteer for 2012-2013, but would
receive compensation for travel costs related to CMN work. Joanna and Marianne will
speak with Karen about this. Ken wants to be sure that this projected expense will be
included in the budget.
Board Action:
Ministry Against the Death Penalty
Board Meeting Conference Call
May 9, 2012
Page 2
~ The Board approved the CMN Business Plan.
~ Joanna, Ruth, and Marianne will serve as a sub-committee to monitor the CMN
business plan.
~ Approved hiring Catherine B. Jarboe as a new employee. Danielle will be alerted
to putting Catherine on the payroll. Joanna will contact Danielle.
4. Finance Quarterly Report
A. March 31, 2012 Report
In preparation for today’s meeting, Marianne sent a two-page document, “Comments on
March 31, 2012 Financial Report” that provided information on each entity’s current
financial status.
Ken and Beth referenced the information that Ken sent to the board prior to the
conference call. The board reviewed the following documents:
0 Balance Sheet
oO Consolidated Profit & Loss Budget Performance
MADP Profit & Loss
PLAY Profit & Loss
CMN Profit & Loss
o A/P Aging Summary (2 sheets)
Explanations, comments, and questions were offered. Among those were the following:
~ Revenues are over expenses in some areas
~ Expenses are over budget in others
~ Postage and shipping: do we charge for shipping to events? bookstores, etc.
~ Profit and Loss Sheets for the individual entities are provided for information
only.
~ Health insurance was not in the budget. This needs to be evaluated.
~ Grants are not all received at this time which would account for loss.
Is Greg getting the help he needs? The principal where his office is located is
providing some assistance. A donor promised money to Helen that was to go
to the Play Project. Pat is dubious that this will happen. Rosie will be in touch
with Greg.
~ Other grants are providing funds: GPGF, CSJ Ministries, LaGrange gift
committee, Spanish outreach.
~ Is each entity separate financially, or do the entities help in those cases where a
work is in need? This needs additional discussion and will be on the November
agenda.
~ There is a significant surplus in the New Orleans office.
~ There is need to keep watch on the Play Project financial situation.
~ Greg (Play Project) may experience discouragement. How does the Board help?
~ Are the activity/activities in support of the MADP mission?
Ministry Against the Death Penalty
Board Meeting Conference Call
May 9, 2012
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B. Recommendation for accounting procedures
The Board reviewed the recommendation for 2012-2013:
~ Accounting procedures will remain with Provost, Salter, Harper & Alford under
Danielle Carter.
~ Each department will name one “go to” person who will receive monthly
profit/loss statements and have direct access to Danielle for questions or issues.
~ Each department will have a petty cash system which can be replenished with the
submission of invoices/receipts to Danielle.
~ Margaret Maggio CSJ will sign and mail checks. Gerry Riendeau is a backup
check signer.
Provisions were made for specific Board financial contacts for CMN, the PLAY Project,
and the New Orleans office. Each entity will have a petty cash system with a local bank
for postage, office supplies, and similar expenses. Cash would be replenished with
receipts for expenditures.
Specific assignments:
CMN / Joanna PLAY/Greg New Orleans Office / Margaret
Each of these persons will have direct access to Danielle for any accounting questions or
needs.
Some issues remain unclear regarding responsibilities and time commitments for book
sales. Emile will continue with this aspect of Helen’s ministry. Ken will assist with the
communication regarding Emile's current work.
In conclusion, everyone expressed appreciation for Ken’s work.
5. New Board Members
Pat brought forward for board membership two women from the Cleveland area, Marlene
Rink and Agnes Hoskin. The board reviewed their résumés. Among the many favorable
comments were these: each woman has had experience working with non-profit
organizations; each one exhibited collaborative work styles with staff; both are
committed to social justice; both are enthusiastic and upbeat. The board responded
positively and supported Pat’s recommendations.
Board Action: The Board approved recommending Marlene Rink and Agnes
Hoskin to CSJ Ministries as new board members for MADP.
Marianne said that her hope is that both of them would work with the New Orleans
office. Needs there include support and encouragement and contact in a way that the
staff would learn from the experience that Marlene and Agnes bring. One of the needs in
all departments is that of performance reviews.
Ministry Against the Death Penalty
Board Meeting Conference Call
May 9, 2012
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6. Board Committees / Marianne asked Board members to take responsibility for
different works within the MADP organization. Assignments are as follows:
~ Finance / Ken, Beth, Marianne
~ Play Project / Pat, Rosie, Ken
~ CMN/ Joanna, Ruth, Marianne
~ New Orleans office / Marlene, Agnes, Beth
~ National progress on abolition of the death penalty / Alice, Helen, Fr. Pat
Delahanty
7. Status of abolition of Death Penalty in Ohio
Alice reported that things have slowed down. There was a recent execution in spite of
work on behalf of the prisoner. She continues to attend task force meetings. The ABA is
studying the death penalty issue and as soon as that report is released, she and those with
whom she works will do a full court press. In the meantime, there are still active bills in
the legislature. It is remarkable how much conversation there is. There has been a
change in how people are thinking about the death penalty. A number of people offer
good questions that reveal a noticeable shift for eliminating the death penalty in two or
three years. Some new board members will join the organization to which Alice belongs.
All are feeling encouraged.
Ruth had provided the board a copy of the flyer on a recent event, “A Conversation on
the Death Penalty” with Fr. Neil Kookoothe, a local pastor, and Joe D’ Ambrosio, a death
row inmate from Ohio who was exonerated. Joe has put himself at considerable risk in
that he was in the Cleveland press. When he was released from prison he had not been
exonerated. Charges could still be brought on him.
A large number of people attended, including parishioners and students from the
University of Cincinnati. Many resources were available, including petitions to abolish
the death penalty. There were also speakers at Thomas More College in Kentucky. Helen
was in Cincinnati at the time. Beth added that she had gone to hear Helen’s powerful
message.
8. Additional comments:
Joanna added that Catholics at Mt. St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg have had several prominent
speakers who will come to that campus. She also offered the following:
~ CMN has a widespread reach throughout the country.
~ CMN is able to provide brochures and other education pieces.
~ CMN is also contacting other religious communities.
~ Possibly the Jesuits will purchase the building in Washington that now houses
CMN. This will require a plan for continuing CMN’s work
Bill Gress attended a play performance and was very impressed.
Rosie said that a graduate student took DMW as a project.
Pat added that momentum is vital in California.
Ministry Against the Death Penalty
Board Meeting Conference Call
May 9, 2012
Page 5
Pat and Rosie will work with Greg.
9. Reports
Written reports were sent prior to the conference call with updates on CMN, Play Project,
and Helen’s activities.
10. Dates for Future Meetings
August 3, 2012 / 2:00 — 4:00 pm EDT / Conference Call
Fr. Pat Delahanty, Agnes Hoskin, and Marlene Rink will participate as new board
members.
November 16 — 17, 2012 / IN PERSON / Cleveland
November 16 / 2:00 — 5:00 pm
November 17 / 9:00 — 4:00 pm
January 4, 2013 / 2:00 — 4:00 EST / Conference Call
May 3, 2013 / 2:00 — 4:00 EST / Conference Call
Respectfully submitted:
Annie Ramagos, CSJ
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