New members appointed to foundation board

By Grace Lovins

At the request of the City of Birmingham Community House Foundation board, Birmingham City Commissioners appointed three new members to the foundation board during the Monday, September 28, meeting, bringing the board to a total of 11 voting members.

Mayor Clinton Baller said the foundation board requested at their last meeting to increase the board from nine to 11 voting members. The foundation was established to oversee the ownership, maintenance and improvement of the Community House while supporting social, philanthropic and civic activities for city residents, as per the meeting packet.

Baller noted that the three applicants would fill existing gaps the board has in experience and connections.

Applicant Kamala Cummings brings expertise in events and is expected to lead the events committee while also helping to revive the travel program. Jennifer Faraj, Baller said, would help recruit volunteers, organizations and businesses to participate in or sponsor activities and brings some marketing and graphic design experience. Linda Schlesinger is expected to help in the areas of fundraising and event planning.

Following brief introductions from the three applicants, commissioners voted 5-1 to appoint Cummings, Faraj and Schlesinger to the foundation board.

Commissioner Brad Host was the lone dissenting vote on all three appointments saying he felt the process lacked transparency as the mayor did not personally call all previous applicants to inform them of openings.