UUFM Board meeting July 09, 2012

 

Present: Ken Moore (Chair), Phil Newman (past Chair), Alene Jacobs, Lynn Hughes, Barb Roush, Nakota Ashstarte, Genevieve Woodard,  and Brian DeMarco-absent

Convened 6:30

UUA General Assembly presentation: Kathleen McKinney informed us that the UUA identified 5 main areas of focus in Social Justice. We as UU’s are encouraged to expand our Social Justice calling. UU’s tend to have the expectation that the Social Justice Committee takes care of the social justice issues but some UU’s have abolished the committees altogether so that all in the fellowship take responsibility. After voting to the point of majority agreement, the proposed CSAI (Congregtional Study Action Issue) for the next 4 years is Reproductive justice  to re-energize our commitment to reproductive choices.

She reported that it is directed at us by the UUA  that there will be a repudiation of the Doctrine of  (Christian) Discovery. We are challenged to become familiar with what it is and how it has impacted the treatment of our indigenous peoples as well as how we can partner with them in support.

Kathleen attended a class which adressed how not all UU’s are liberal and that we need to not make that assumption. She did bring up that the majority of UU’s have advanced degrees.

It was decided that Kathleen would contact Kris and Eric about putting on a post Sunday service presentation about GA including the CSAI on reproductive justice and the vote to repudiate the doctrine of discovery.

 

Minutes from June 19, 2012: are accepted as corrected with no objections.

 

Conflict of Interest Statement: signed at this Board meeting by all members present, will need to add Brian DeMarco’s signature.

 

Treasurers report: Bank Balance 21,069.64 Available cash 10,669.16

 

2012/2013 pledges are $29,140.00 up to this point with a budget of $31,911.00. Typically, we have not spent all the budgeted amounts. Discussed how some of the budgeted areas never used any of their funds and whether perhaps they had over-budgeted. Barb Roush will point this out to committee heads when it comes time to budget again.

Discussion about what to do with excess funds. In the past have put money into CD’s and Building Fund. It was decided to put most recent excess into Savings so we are able to keep it liquid until needed. Ken will run this by Brian.

 

Pledge Update: Barb reported that  $28,504.00 of pledges from the year 2011/2012 have been received; the amount initially pledged had been $30,834.00

 

Committee reports:

Worship Committee asks that Board members direct people to the Volunteer table after Services. They also would like us to set an example by getting seated at the prelude so other’s are encouraged to do so as well. New Celebrants were suggested and will be asked if they are interested. The Board approved of the suggested names. Barb Roush declined. We added suggestions of Beth Dell, Nancy Braun and Genie Klienschmidt. Discussed if there was a mechanism in place if we felt someone needed to step down from being a Celebrant and realized this is something that needs to be developed.

RE Committee is looking at whether we want to hire a Little’s teacher and determine if an RE Coordinator is to be hired. They are planning on doing the Mystery Friends again in August.

Membership Committee They have been reserving seating for late-comers and it seems to be working well. They would like to do something different about the name tags so it’s easier for people to find them. Susan and Marcia have made an effort to talk to newcomers after the services. Bernie mentions the newly formatted website looks great. Madeline has been getting feedback from the Speakers which can help us for future planning. We would like to suggest they assign someone to organize the cupboards. Phil suggests we get a Button machine to make name tags that are easy to store. Ken will make suggestion to Bernie.

Social Justice Committee Beth Dell and PatriciaFaye Marshall went to a Unidos strategic planning meeting. We need to have reminders about bringing food, collection has slacked off lately. It was suggested tht the children get involved with this and perhaps make it part of the service. Ken will talk to the  Worship and Social Action Committees about this.

Speaker’s Committee Some of the Speaker’s make suggestions about the order of our service and do we want to make changes for each Speaker or let them know what our program order is and that we just want their speech and song suggestions? We concluded it has been difficult accommodate the special requests and we would prefer the speaker simply make hymn suggestions and give a sermon.

 

Covenant update: Phil reports the task force is getting close to the final “straw man” to send out to the fellowship for review. Ken sent out requests to those who couldn’t attend the Covenant Workshop to ask for their input and heard back from Vern, Nakota and Madeline.

 

Consensus: Tabled for now.

 

Minister Consultant: Ken Moore met with Hollis Bredeweg and was impressed. Hollis knows both Rick Davis and Keith Kron and is noted to be a good problem solver. He’s had over 20 years now in working with UU’s. He asks an important question  that we may also ask  “How little minister can you get away with?” He could assist us in providing a pattern of relationship with a minister. Phil suggests and Board agrees that the Board members and possibly Committee heads meet with Hollis. It was thought he might be able to lead a UUFM retreat, whether Board and/or Committee heads. He may be helpful in assisting us in planning what we want to accomplish in the next year or so.

 

Audit: We need to have 2 people assigned to review the finances for the past year. We reviewed the Policy and Procedures and found that it is a duty of the nominating Committee to name the auditors. Barb will ask Nominating Committee to come up with two auditors.

 

Next Board Meeting: August 20, 2012 at 6:30pm. Alene has agreed to host.

Board Retreat: August 25th, 2012 2:00 to 5:00 at Phil’s.

 

Adjourned 9:07pm

 

 

Submitted by Lynn Hughes  7/9/12