The headquarters has multiple conference rooms and kitchen/pantry
areas. Yet, the corporation's 11-member board of directors holds its
meetings at hotels around the country, including Washington, at costs
ranging from $20,145 to $55,125, the latter in San Juan, P.R.
The decision not to use the headquarters conference room was
explained in an October 2004 memo from board chairman Strickland. He
said board members, who work outside the corporation, preferred the
Melrose Hotel in the same upscale neighborhood as the headquarters.
The board members sought "convenience to their rooms" and did
not want to "feel confined" to headquarters for two entire days, he
said. In addition, he said he was worried that the headquarters lacked
privacy because "all meeting rooms at LSC have glass walls."
Bills from the Melrose, with all costs per person, included: a
$59 three-entree buffet, an $18 breakfast featuring scrambled eggs with
chives, a $17 breakfast including Belgian waffles, a $28 deli buffet, a
$13 "high tea" service, a $12 "bagel break," a $12 "Crazy for Cookies"
assortment and $14 "Death By Chocolate" desserts.