The first congregational meeting of 2017 gave Tikvat Israel members a glimpse into the financial state of the synagogue.
The Jan. 8 meeting in the sanctuary also served as the forum for the election of officers and board of directors members for the next two years.
A summary of other agenda items during the half-hour meeting:
- Treasurer Steve Raucher, in his last budget report before retiring from the governing board, said operating expenses were running slightly lower than expected, meaning the congregation was on target at the middle of the fiscal year to end with a slight surplus, probably under $10,000.
- Executive Director Sam Freedenberg reported the current membership at 277 family units. He said only $58,800 of the total budgeted for membership dues adjustments in 2016-17 ($77,000) had been requested at the midpoint of the fiscal year, a positive sign.
- The installation of new overhead lighting in the sanctuary has been delayed by the slow process for obtaining a modest rebate (about $700) from Pepco for replacing outdated lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LED lighting. The facility upgrade had been expected to be finished last August when new carpeting was installed in the sanctuary, but Freedenberg described the utility company’s rebate process as “very involved.”
- New locking mechanisms have been added to the kitchen doors that lead to the rear outside of the building and to the social hall, Freedenberg said. Specially coded access cards will allow only certified mashgiachs plus office staff and custodial personnel inside the kitchen. Electronic door cards held by others no longer will allow such access.
