Russell Library Board of Trustees

Russell Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown CT Draft minutes and other supporting items can be requested in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. AGENDA 1. Call to Order a. Review Community Dialogue Framework b. Mission Moment (Mission: “We empower people to grow, connect, strive and thrive.”) 2. Public Comment 3. Approval of Minutes a. MOTION: Approve minutes of the November 15, 2022 Board Meeting 4. Administration Report – Ramona Burkey, Library Director a. Leadership Team Report: Robb Prchal, Head of Property Management and Security 5. Committee Reports a. Executive Committee – E. Wisneski b. Facilities Committee - S. Nelson c. Finance Committee – A. Becker d. Governance Committee - C. Sanders e. Strategic Planning Committee 6. Unfinished Business a. Board retreat 7. New Business a. 2023-2024 Fiscal Holiday Calendar b. MOTION: Approve Finance Committee’s recommendation to take an additional endowment distribution in an amount not to exceed $20,000 c. MOTION: Adopt a resolution “authorizing and empowering the President, Vice President and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, individually and collectively, to establish and maintain on behalf of the Russell Library one or more contracts with Athene Annuity and Life Company.” d. MOTION: Approve revised Circulation Policy e. FY2024 Budget status 8. Announcements 9. Open Forum/General Good and Welfare  10. Executive Session a. MOTION: Executive Session to discuss the Russell Library Employees Union contract. 11. Adjournment Next regular board meeting: Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Russell Library Community Dialogue Framework Parliamentary procedure and public meeting requirements set a method for deciding the business of the Russell Library in view of the public. A Community Dialogue Framework provides guidance on improving the decision-making process by encouraging productive discussion. ● Practice open and honest communication. ● Listen carefully, actively, and respectfully. ● Be courteous; do not interrupt another speaker and do not multi-task. ● Speak from personal experience. Use “I” statements to share your thoughts and feelings. ● Support your statements with evidence and provide rationales. ● Respect others’ rights to hold opinions and beliefs that are different from yours. All perspectives are welcome and valid. ● Be open to new and different perspectives. ● If you are offended, speak up. ● Challenge and debate the merits of ideas, not the person supporting it. ● Step up and participate in the conversation. ● Step back and recognize others deserve an opportunity to speak. ● When discussion takes place in Executive Session, respect and maintain confidentiality. ● Share the message, not the personal. ● Trust that dialogue and disagreement will take us to deeper levels of understanding and acceptance.