Minutes for the regular National Finance Committee meeting December 8, 2009.

Meeting convened at 8:40 PM (ET) a quorum being present, the Chair and Secretary being present.
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Attending: Grace Aaron, Sherry Gendelman, Campbell Johnson, Luzette King, Alberto Luera, R. Paul Martin, Simon Pius, Summer Reese, Jamie Ross, Lavarn Williams, Susan Young, also attending were Executive Director Arlene Engleheart, Affiliates Coordinator Ursula Ruedenberg and Director Efia Nwangaza.
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Agenda:

1. Affiliates budget
2. WPFW budget
3. Other budget items
4. Monitoring of budget in upcoming year
5.  Having someone on this committee who is not an elected Treasurer
6. Aging payables report
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Motion: (Jamie Ross) “To approve this agenda:
1. Affiliates budget (I have invited Ursula Ruedenberg, Affiliates Coordinator, onto the call)
2. WPFW budget
3. Other budget items
4. Monitoring of budget in upcoming year
5.  Having someone on this committee who is not an elected Treasurer
6. Aging payables report” (passed without objection)

The CFO reported that she’d gone over the WPFW FY10 proposed budget with people at the station and an attorney today. There was a decision in our favor.

Affiliates budget 8:45 PM (ET)

The committee discussed the Affiliates Program’s FY10 proposed budget. In the past the Affiliates Program budget was part of the National Office budget. It was noted that the costs for Democracy Now! were different in the Affiliates Program budget and the National Office budget.  The Affiliates Coordinator said that she needed an assistant for FY10. Some members thought that the NFC shouldn’t be discussing adding an employees since that’s a Management decision.

Point of Order: (Grace Aaron) - let Efia Nwangaza speak. Affiliates aren’t represented on the NFC and she is the Director from the Affiliates.

The Chair ruled that Efia Nwangaza could participate in this part of the meeting.

Motion: (Susan Young) “The NFC recommends approval of the dollar framework of the Affiliates budget, subject to the finalizing of the National Office budget.”

Amendment: (Jamie Ross) “Add ‘we neither endorse nor reject specific expense number.’” (Passed without objection)

Motion as amended: (Susan Young) "The NFC recommends approval of the dollar framework of the Affiliates budget, subject to the finalizing of the National Office budget. We neither endorse nor reject specific expense numbers." (Passed as amended 8 for, 0 against, 2 abstentions)

WPFW budget 10:02 PM (ET)

Motion: (Campbell Johnson) “To postpone this item to the next meeting.” (Fails 1 for, 8 against, 1 abstention)

10:08 PM (ET) The committee discussed the WPFW FY10 proposed budget.

Motion: (Jamie Ross) “To adjourn and go to the closed session.” (Passed 9 for, 0 against)

Point of Order: (Grace Aaron) On a public steam members should be allowed to respond to personal attacks.

Point of Personal Privilege (Luzette King) Objects to comments made about her by Campbell Johnson and says he shouldn’t be on the NFC.

Adjourned 10:47 PM (ET)

Submitted by R. Paul Martin, Secretary