BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Educational Foundation is in the process of reviewing its bylaws and will consider term-limits for its voting board members, according to longtime member Madeline Wollner.
“We don’t have one now,” she said recently in a telephone interview in reference to term limits for the board members. “Now it’s a lifetime commitment if you so chose.” The foundation does, however have term limits for foundation officers.
The foundation was incorporated in 1999. Wollner has been a member for 10 years.
“There are people that may have lost interest or the ability to participate as they did 17 years ago,” she said. “If they want to maintain their connection, we have to have it in the bylaws. It also gives people the opportunity to bow out gracefully.”
Terry Mullane, the BEF chairman, said the organization is weighing the pros and cons of rewriting the bylaws. He said sometimes a person is selected to serve as a board member but discovers, for personal reasons, they cannot.
“It’s not wise to chose someone that can’t devote the the time,” he said. “The BEF is one of the best organizations in Bloomfield for giving back. We would love people to join our board but times change.”
He said now there is only a discussion about the rules.
“I would never want to turn anyone away, a volunteer who has been great, and then say goodbye,” he said.
According to Wollner, the BEF has 18 board members. The organization recently made public its desire to recruit new volunteers.
“One or two board members have asked to step back and not be voting members and not necessarily attend monthly meetings,” she said.
Neither Wollner or Mullane think an increase in board membership is necessary.
“We’re fine with 18 people,” Mullane said of the membership. “I can’t see us expanding. We’re looking for substance.”
Wollner said it would be helpful if the BEF could attract someone with legal experience.
She also would like a new recruit with an accounting background and a person with education experience to assist with reviewing applications for projects submitted by Bloomfield teachers. An events planner and a grant writer would also be helpful, she said.
Last year the BEF provided a sizable grant to Bloomfield High School for college testing preparations. The foundation gave $250,000.
“That grant put us at another level,” Mullane said. “That was a big-league operation.”
But he said the size of the grant was no reason to consider changing the bylaws. Term limits, however, are in place for the BEF chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary.
“We’ll continue to assist the classroom,” Mullane said, “and we’re looking for that ‘wow,’’’
That “wow” is another big donation, according to Mullane.
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