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Board Meeting on March 3-4, 2018

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Board Meeting on March 3-4, 2018

Board Resolutions

Resolution Nr. 1
Due to increase in financial responsibilities, the ALA board approves increasing Marisa Gudrais’ salary by $5,900 as of March 1, 2018.

Resolution Nr. 2
The ALA board resolves to support the next Call to Action group initiative, asking the U.S. Administration to prepare a new sanction list against Russia as punishment for involvement in the 2016 U.S. election process.

Resolution Nr. 3
The ALA board expresses its concern about the damage caused by corruption to the Latvian national economy and the country’s international reputation and hopes that the Latvian government will continue its targeted work in the field of combating and preventing corruption. The ALA board also calls on the Latvian government to take all possible measures to minimize money laundering in the Latvian banking sector.

Resolution Nr. 4
The ALA board supports the treasurer’s proposed changes to the December 2017 Resolution No 21. The Board had decided to transfer $150,000 to Vanguard, $50,000 of which was designated for the Century Bequest Fund. This original proposal to transfer funds was made with insufficient information regarding upcoming large expenditures and the transfer is no longer necessary. In addition, a $5,000 bequest for Century Bequest Fund was received in January.

As a result, there will be no transfer from the checking account to Vanguard. Instead, in order to fulfill our decision to designate $50,000 for the Century Bequest fund, the ALA board approves the transfer of $55,000 from the Vanguard Main Money Market account to the Vanguard Century Bequest account.

Resolution Nr. 5
The ALA board accepts the financial reports (Statement of Financial Position and Budget vs Actual) as presented by the Treasurer.

Resolution Nr. 6
The ALA Finance Committee was assigned the preparation of guidelines for a Board designated American – Latvian economic collaboration fund, where the remaining funds ($58,301) from the Spotlight Latvia conference would be transferred.

The ALA board accepts the committee’s proposed guidelines for the new fund entitled “Latvia’s Economic Development Fond”.

  1. The new fund is intended to support business initiatives that benefit Latvian society in the United States and/or in Latvia.
  2. The funds can be used in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations that plan to sponsor business programs benefiting the economic growth of Latvia or Latvians.
  3. Payments from the “Latvia’s Economic Development Fund” should be approved concurrent with ALA’s annual budget. Non-budgeted expenses for up to $5,000 (including) must be approved by the finance committee and the president; non-budgeted expenses in excess of $5,000 require board approval.

Resolution Nr. 7
The ALA Board approves giving Marisa Gudrais the same level of authority as the outgoing Executive Director/Secretary General to perform all finance-related tasks, including money transfers. This will ensure a smoother transition of management in May.

Resolution Nr. 8
The ALA board resolves to formalize organization support payments since ALA often receives requests from groups/organizations that are not formally registered organizations. Payments of $600 or more (IRS Form 1099-MISC threshold) may only be made to registered organizations or groups associated with registered organizations.

Resolution Nr. 9
The ALA Board accepts the following persons as individual member delegates for the 67th Congress in Washington, DC.

  1. Andrejs Lubkāns, Virginia
  2. Vija Bērziņš, New York
  3. Ivars Bērziņš, New York
  4. Ruta Priedkalne Zirne, Chicago
  5. Linda Duhms, Boston
  6. Mārtiņš Duhms, Boston
  7. Maija Hinkle, New York
  8. Ēriks Krūmiņš, Milwaukee
  9. Jānis Kukainis, Kalamazoo
  10. Aija Kukaine, Kalamazoo
  11. Roberts Kukainis, Greenville, SC
  12. Aivars Osvalds, Centerville, VA
  13. Pauls Berkolds, Los Angeles, CA
  14. Lilita Bergs, Rokville
  15. Armands Staprāns, Sanfrancisko

Resolution Nr. 10
In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the collaboration of the Michigan National Guard (MNG) and Latvian armed forces, and the efforts of the MNG in increasing the safety of Latvia, the ALA board resolves to provide $1,000 for the March 14th gathering of seven Latvian Army officials, MNG representatives and Michigan Latvian community representatives in Kalamazoo.

Resolution Nr. 11
The ALA board supports the legislative work in the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) to create the Diaspora Law, in hopes that it will strengthen the government‘s cooperation with its compatriots in the world in the fields of education, culture and economy, formalize state support to the diaspora and encourage re-emigration. The ALA Board recognizes and appreciates the involvement of the World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA) in the law-making process.

Resolution No. 12
The ALA board decides to combine the membership and fundraising offices, returning to the previous board model, under the direction of Kristine Giga-Bauer.

Resolution No. 13
The ALA board expresses the desire to support all Latvian summer camps in the U.S. and tasks the Finance Committee with evaluating the funding possibilities.

Resolution No. 14
The ALA board resolves to hold a teleconference meeting on Tuesday, May 1st before the ALA 67th Congress in Washington, D.C., as well as a board meeting on Sunday, May 6th after the Congress is concluded. P. Blumbergs assumes the responsibility for practical arrangements.

Resolution No. 15
ALA Board decides to hold the September board meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska. P. Blumbergs and L. Ejups assume responsibility for organizing, sharing information and making practical arrangements.

Resolution No. 16
ALA Board decides to hold the next board meeting September 14-15th in Lincoln, NE. The meeting will include a seminar about Ulmanis’ time in Nebraska.

Resolution No. 17
ALA Board supports the recommendation of the finance committee to transfer $500,000 from the ALA Vanguard stock fund to the ALA SunTrust bank account to cover upcoming expenses. The transfer will take place in two parts: $250,000 at the end of April 2018; the other in August 2018. Stock sales will follow the advice of ALA financial advisor Mārtiņš Duhms.

Resolution No. 18
In conjunction with Latvian Centennial celebrations and efforts to encourage Latvian youth to attend Latvian camps in the USA, the ALA Board resolves to offer each of the larger latvian camps – Garezers, Kursa, and Katskills the opportunity to apply for capital project funds up to $20,000 for each camp. The ALA Board will only accept professionally prepared and executed projects. The due date is prior to the Sept 14th ALA Board meeting. Funds will be taken from the ALA General Fund.

Resolution No. 19
With the utmost appreciation and praise for her support of Latvian communities in the USA, cultural ministry cooperation and support of the American Latvian Association, the ALA Board will present Latvian Cultural Minister Dace Melbārde with an honorary Amber Membership Level pin at the ALA Congress in Washington DC on May 4th.

Resolution Nr. 20
The ALA Board accepts the following 16 (final) persons as individual member delegates for the 67th Congress in Washington, DC.

  1. Andrejs Lubkāns, Virginia
  2. Vija Bērziņa-Zuntaka, New York
  3. Ivars Bērziņš, New York
  4. Ruta Priedkalne Zirne, Chicago
  5. Linda Duhms, Boston
  6. Mārtiņš Duhms, Boston
  7. Maija Hinkle, New York
  8. Ēriks Krūmiņš, Milwaukee
  9. Jānis Kukainis, Kalamazoo
  10. Ieva Hartwell, Saginaw, MI (in place of Aija Kukaine, Kalamazū)
  11. Roberts Kukainis, Greenville, SC
  12. Aivars Osvalds, Centerville, VA
  13. Pauls Berkolds, Los Angeles, CA
  14. Lilita Bergs, Rokville
  15. Armands Staprāns, Sanfrancisko
  16. Maija Strēlnieks, Milvoki

Resolution No. 21
In reaction to proposed changes to the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church statutes and the recent Latvian Supreme Court ruling on the subject, the ALA Board resolves to support archbishop Lauma Zusevics by sending a letter of support to the Latvian government. K Petrovska has offerd to write the first draft.

Resolution No. 22
To honor their long-term, committed work in the ALA office, ALA Board decides to provide parting gifts for R Eglitis and D Eglitis. To maintain a surprise factor, details may be obtained from Treasurer Dace Spanier.