VCOG Board of Directors Meeting, Dec. 11, 2023
VCOG Board of Directors meeting
Dec. 11, 2023,
2 p.m.
Via Zoom
Present: Jeff South (president); Paul Casalaspi (vice president); Stephen Hayes (secretary); Joe Fuentes (treasurer); Brian Colligan; Maria Everett; Craig Fifer; Bob Gibson; Joshua Heslinga; Lawrence McConnell; Bruce Potter; Elliott Robinson; Jay Speer; Jonathan Williams. Also present: Megan Rhyne (executive director).
The meeting convened at 2 p.m.
There being no changes or corrections to the minutes, South moved to accept them, Potter seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Rhyne highlighted the IRS 990 and the financial compilation, both of which she circulated before the 990 was filed. Only minor changes were made at that time, and she was able to file the 990 without a treasurer or president’s signature. Rhyne says the preparation of these materials takes only around two weeks now, as opposed to the two months it took when we first started using this CPA.
Rhyne discussed the calendar year-end budget and endowment numbers. The budget expenses have been pretty routine. She also noted that the first half of the year is always lighter in the first half of the year; it starts picking up in December and increases during the second half of the year.
At the board’s request last meeting, Rhyne asked her counterparts in Texas, Colorado and Tennessee (the states with the coalitions most like VCOG) about their compensation packages: None have benefits, but we all get some sort of reimbursements; one are lawyers; Texas and Tennessee actively lobby, Colorado doesn’t, but Colorado does do a lot of writing and analysis.
Tennessee (Nashville): $63,000 (technically part-time)
Colorado (Denver): $80,000
Texas (Austin): $87,000
Potter asked that in the future, Rhyne include actual versus budget numbers in her reports and maybe comparisons to the prior year. Rhyne was able share her screen to show what those YTD numbers are.
The endowment has bounced back from a dip this fall.
Casalaspi explained to the board how Vanguard is trying to move all accounts from mutual funds to brokerage accounts. It shouldn’t make much of a difference to VCOG to move it to a brokerage account because we don’t do direct investment, and there may be some extra steps to move money. On the other hand, a brokerage account is insured by SIPC up to $500,000 and the mix of stocks and bonds will remain the same. Rhyne asked the Finance Committee (Casalaspi, Fuentes, O’Bannon) for help making the transition. She noted that there are over 40 pages of forms and they ask for personal information, and Rhyne says she’s uncomfortable tying VCOG to any one person. Casalaspi said he would do some research into thing; Rhyne said she would drop materials off for him in the coming week.
On behalf of the Governance Committee, Heslinga presented the slate of officers for 2024-2025
Maria Everett, President
Paul Casalaspi, Vice President
Treasure, Joe Fuentes
Secretary, Stephen Hayes
Immediate Past President, Jeff South
Ex officio, Betsy Edwards
Ex officio, Jonathan Williams
Gibson moved to accept the slate, Heslinga seconded. There were no other nominations and no further discussion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Heslinga reviewed the prospective nominations for open at-large board seats.
Bobbi Bowman, Herndon
Richard Gard, Charlottesville
Reynolds Hutchins, Charlottesville
Amanda Kastl, Fairfax
Potter moved to recommend these individuals, Everett seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Confirmation of the recommendation will be sought at the annual conference.
Heslinga also noted that VPA (Steve Stewart) and VAB (Chris Tyree) have confirmed appointments.
Rhyne thanked South for the good ideas and good back-up as president.
Rhyne presented the legislative preview, noting that Del. David Bulova is taking up VCOG’s board on making the process by which a governing board fills a vacancy more transparent. Del. Amanda Batten (VCOG’s delegate) is carrying a resolution for us directing the FOIA Council to study fees. She is also considering taking up VCOG’s bill from last year about settlement amounts in the hands of insurers/risk pools. Everett, Heslinga and Fifer offered suggestions on how to draft a version in the future: constructive possession; preserving a record; and getting more data fields. Rhyne added that legislators in both parties have agreed to circulate VCOG’s ideas to incoming members who are looking for bills to carry. Rhyne also noted that Sen. Danica Roem is coming back with her FOIA fees bill.
Potter talked about bills that are coming out of the FOIA Council to counter the impact of the Gloss v. Wheeler case from the Virginia Supreme Court and the Berry v. Fairfax County case. There is also a move to expand electronic meetings (again). There is a meeting on Thursday the 14th, and “it’s an uphill battle” because the council is dominated by state and local government officials and local government attorneys.
Rhyne quickly reviewed her activities for the past few months, including interviewing candidates for the Chip Woodrum Legislative Internship.
Rhyne asked if there was interest in a board meeting in connection with the annual conference on April 18 in Yorktown. Everett suggested a dinner afterwards. Rhyne asked the Programming Committee to get involved in the planning of the conference.
Under new business, there was a brief discussion about whether and how to revise VCOG’s litigation policy, particularly as it relates to petitions filed in general district court. It was recommended to send the issue to the Litigation Committee.
Rhyne thanked Gibson for his service. He will step off the board at the end of the year.
The meeting adjourned at 3:07.
