Attendance
Board members in attendance: P. Kim Bui, Eric Carvin, Charo Henriquez, Shazna Nessa, Versha Sharma, Niketa Patel, Rodney Gibbs, Justina Sharp (Student Representative), Benet Wilson, David Smydra, Mandy Jenkins, Celeste LeCompte,
Board members not present: Ebony Reed, Imaeyen Ibanga
Board members joining later: Nathalie Malinarich, Rubina Madan Fillion
Staff in attendance: Irving Washington, Executive Director; Jen Mizgata, Director of Programs; Karolle Rabarison, Communications Manager; Bill Brady, Strategic Partnerships Coordinator; Diana Lopez, Administrative Assistant; Meghan Murphy, Community Manager, Jessica Strelitz, Head of Strategic Partnerships; Trevor Knoblich, Chief Knowledge Officer; Hollie Schultz, Program Manager, Awards and Grant-Making.
Staff not present: Adam Nekola, Senior Digital Manager; Adam Martin, Meetings Manager.
Notes
The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. ET
Student Representative (David Smydra)
In representation of the Governance committee, David introduces the committee’s recommendation for our next student representative.
Rodney suggests shortening the student representative term to one year.
David moves to approve the recommended student representative candidate, Aiyana Ishmael, a junior at Florida A&M University and a 2019 ONA HBCU fellow, to start in 2020, Eric seconds and board approves.
Board Officer Elections (Mandy)
Board President Mandy delivers an overview of the Board officer elections coming up in our January 2020 meeting.
A form will be sent out to the group after this call to nominate candidates
We will have a slate ready prior to the meeting, the open positions are President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
Starting January, the President and Vice President will serve two-year terms and Secretary and Treasurer will continue to serve one-year terms.
January Board Meeting (Irving)
Irving gives an overview of what to expect of our next Board meeting in January. He discusses programming and the new board meeting timeframe; we are shifting to two-full days.
Please complete the Boardsource survey before going on holiday break. There will be a Boardsource training at the January meeting.
We are retooling the Board mentor initiative and revising a Board host method. Please email Irving if you’re interested in being a Board host.
Miscellaneous
Irving – the staff has been attending a series of end-of-year meetings this week.
Jen – update regarding the WLA applications review. Announcements will be made in January.
Thank you to departing board members Eric, Kim, Nathalie and Justina.
Happy Birthday to Hollie
Old Business: The board unanimously approved the minutes for the October meeting.
The next Board call is on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at NPR in Washington, D.C.
Meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m. ET
These minutes are submitted by Administrative Assistant Diana Lopez and Board Secretary, Shazna Nessa.