57th Lithuanian Foundation Annual Members’ Meeting Held Despite Covid Pandemic

The Lithuanian Foundation by-laws require that an annual members meeting be held within the first half of the fiscal year.  Therefore, the Lithuanian Foundation was unable to wait for the pandemic to subside before holding their required annual meeting.  The decision was made to hold a virtual meeting for the first time since the establishment of the Lithuanian Foundation.

June 20, 2020, wearing masks and keeping within the suggested social distancing guidelines, members of the board and the administration gathered at the Lithuanian World Center’s art gallery in Lemont, IL.  All other Lithuanian Foundation members were invited to join the televised meeting virtually via the VIMEO link provided on the Lithuanian Foundation, Inc website.  Members were informed by mail of the decision to hold a virtual meeting, and voting was encouraged by mail or electronically.  If a member had a question, they could either provide it by e-mail in advance, or using the chat box send it directly during the meeting.  There was one question sent via chat box and was answered at the end of the meeting.

Audrone Pavilcius-Karalius, Chairperson of the Board, opened the meeting.  The meeting was held in Lithuanian. After the Lithuanian National Anthem was played, a moment of silence was requested in honor of members that have passed away.  The Lithuanian Foundation did receive a written greeting from the Chairperson of the Lithuanian World Community Dalia Henke.

Laima Apanaviciene, Lithuanian Foundation secretary, read the minutes from last year’s 56^th Lithuanian Foundation Annual Members Meeting. The minutes were approved.

The Act of the Registration Commission was read by Audrone Pavilcius-Karalius. The Registration Commission stated that in all 7,501 votes were collected from members with voting rights.  These votes comprised 31% of all possible votes and therefore a quorum was achieved.

Saulius Cyvas, the Lithuanian Foundation Nominations Committee Chairperson presented candidates to the Board of Directors.  Tauras Bublys, Milda Davis, Juozas Kapacinskas, Gintaras Vaisnys and Dalius F. Vasys were elected to 3-year terms.

An overview of the Lithuanian Foundations previous year accomplishments was presented by Audrone Pavilcius-Karalius and Tauras Bublys, LF President & CEO.  Annual overview was also presented by the Finance Committee Chairperson Gintaras Vaisnys, Grants Commission Chairperson Juozas Kapacinskas, and the Development Committee Chairperson Ruta Kulbis.

After the completion of the Annual Members’ Meeting, the Board of Directors of the Lithuanian Foundation remained for their meeting.  Audrone Pavilcius-Karalius, LF Chairperson of the Board, and Tauras Bublys, LF President & CEO were reelected for one year terms.

June 20, 2020  LF Virtual Meeting