September 12, 2023
Minutes of a
Special Meeting of the Board
September 12, 2023
Attendance
Board Directors in Attendance:
- Tom Cole
- Ramesh Advani
- Scott Harris
- Kat Nakaji
- Morgan Pierson
- Allison Doherty
- Peter Fearey
- Ariel Matisse
- Romaine Waite
- Preeti Tadikonda
- Geoff Chasin
- Scraps
- Puppy
- Oye Ajewole
Board Directors Absent:
- Nick Bernier
Non-Directors in Attendance:
- Antonio Viva, Executive Director
- Damien Dong, Interim
- Dan Kulla, Member Liaison
- Danielle McCourt, Development Consultant
A special meeting of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Artisan’s Asylum, Inc. (“Artisans” or the “Corporation”) was held in person and via Zoom on September 12, 2023. Ariel Matisse took a role call and all of the directors of the Board were present. The meeting was then called to order at 6:06 p.m. EST.
Appointments
The Board’s first order of business was appointing approving Geoff Chasin co-Chair of the Board and Treasurer of the Corporation. Ms. Matisse presented to the Board the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that Geoff Chasin is hereby appointed as a co-Chair of the Board, to serve until his successor has been appointed or until his earlier resignation or removal.
RESOLVED, that Geoff Chasin is hereby elected Treasurer of the Corporation, to serve until the next Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal.
Ms. Matisse motioned to approve the resolutions and the resolutions were unanimously approved.
Development Update
Next, Danielle McCourt was introduced to the Board as the Corporation’s new Development Consultant. Ms. McCourt led the Board in a robust discussion regarding the Corporation’s development strategy, which includes the following “five pillars:” new initiatives, major donors, grant strategy, corporate sponsorship and public funding. The Corporation’s goal is to raise $350k in donations and $150k in grants [in the 2023-2024 fiscal year].
Additional Updates & Reports
The Board then received updates from certain Committees of the Board, including the Steering Committee and the Finance Committee regarding the operational and financial issues currently facing the Corporation. The Executive Director also updated the Board about the Corporation’s latest financial outlook.
Oye Ajewole and Allison Doherty left the meeting.
Lease Update
The Board then entered into a discussion regarding the Corporation’s recent proposal to Harvard University to amend its current lease agreement for both Holton and Antwerp locations. The Board reviewed the terms of the proposed amendment, including a payment deferral with interest. It was also noted that Berkeley Investments has offered to donate $10k a year.
Ms. Matisse then presented the following resolution to the Board:
RESOLVED, that the Fifth Amendment to the Artisans-Harvard Lease Agreement in substantially the form presented to the Board (the “Amendment”) is hereby approved, and the Executive Director of the Corporation is hereby authorized to execute and deliver the Amendment on behalf of the Corporation, with such changes as he may deem necessary or appropriate in the best interests of the Corporation.
Ms. Matisse then motioned to approve the resolution and the resolution was approved, with all voting in favor except Puppy who abstained.
Ms. Matisse motioned to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:02 p.m. EST and as there were no objections the meeting was adjourned.
A true record:
Peter Fearey, Secretary pro tem
