WE MISHKON MEMBERS can easily convince ourselves that (nearly) everything at the synagogue is being taken care of. After all, we have paid staff. We have devoted officers and directors and committees. We even have eager ad-hoc volunteers for cleaning up after Kiddush lunches.
Nonetheless, there are significant gaps in what is being attended to. Wouldn’t you like to know what those gaps are?
This post lays out some of Mishkon’s needs for your energy and acumen, as they relate to B&G concerns. Perhaps you or someone you know would thrive from being engaged in these matters! 🤔
Utilities auditor
Work with the city’s Dept. of Water and Power to find and address possible sources of waste in our electricity and water usage. (See HERE for my review of our bills during 2022–2023.) There’s probably room for improvement, so your efforts are likely to help with Mishkon’s bottom line.
Contact list manager
Develop and maintain a contact list of former members, their surviving family, and other friends of Mishkon who — if asked by the Fundraising Committee — might contribute to a campaign for rehabilitating our facilities.
Accessibility manager
Develop and supervise the execution of an Accessibility Plan (see the Historic Structure Report, IIC-19; IIB-13–15).
Fire safety manager
Apply the “Recommended Practice for Fire Protection in Historic Structures” and the “Standard for the Protection of Cultural Resources…” (National Fire Protection Assn.; see the Historic Structure Report, IIB-16–26).
Archivist
- Whenever a change to the facilities is underway, document its phases (before–during–after) with written descriptions, photos, and relevant mementos.
- Catalog the historically significant and interpretive materials that are stashed on site, so that we know what exists and where it can be found. (Seek organizing help from the LA Conservancy.)
- Research what is said about Mishkon in the local historical society records and newspaper archives.
- Oral history: Arrange for reminiscence sessions or interviews with old-timers, and record them with an automatic transcription app.
- Research the people whose names appear on the various donor and memorial plaques around the facilities: what stories can be told about them?
Landscaping manager
- Work with Ruben to ensure that our intentional outdoor plantings are healthy and well-trimmed.
- Work with Phyllis Sorter to ensure that our unintentional plantings (i.e., weeds) are minimal.
- Work with our certified arborist to ensure that the street tree in front of the sanctuary is optimally pruned and mulched.
B&G Committee chair
- Manage the Maintenance Fund and the Capital Improvements Funds so as to spend those capital resources efficiently.
- Work with the executive director to ensure that routine maintenance tasks and needed repairs are undertaken timely.
- Develop bid specifications for renovation projects and meet with prospective vendors.
- Write a monthly report for the board of directors.
- Coordinate the activities of the other committee members.
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