All board members present: Brian DeMarco, Nakota Ashstarte, Chair, Jay Teller, Treasurer, Greg Valentine, Ken Moore, Past Chair, Madeline Bishop, Genevieve Woodard, Vice Chair, Kathleen McKinney, Secretary.
The agenda was approved with no additions. Minutes from December were approved. Kathleen mentioned that the November minutes were posted to the website.
TreasurerŐs report. Jay gave the treasurerŐs report along with the quarterly report. Members expressed pleasure at the new format that shows percentage of budget spent per line item. Since we were half way through the year, the items that were overspent were discussed. It was determined that either they were items that would not incur much during the rest of our budget year or the overage was slight. Kathleen gave Nakota what our current rental costs are. The book keeper needs less money so we will have a surplus in that line item of $1,000.
Committee reports: No one had anything of note.
Consensus model: Ken and Bernie meet on a regular basis. They will be meeting tomorrow. Ken gave us a heads up that they are planning on removing the word ŇblockÓ. The committee will meet soon and the next step after that may be the fellowship will get together again on the consensus model. There was some discussion. Brian asked what the model applies to? Ken said we should use it when the board asks, enough members request it or for big things such as hiring a minister or choosing a building. Brian discussed where in the bylaws it would be addressed.
Vision Committee: The results from our fellowship were broken into four categories by the committee. Personal, fellowship, community and other. The committee will look at what rises to the top. Then probably a smaller committee will use those results to craft the vision.
Employee agreement: Brian addressed this. He talked about the differences between employees and independent contractors and suggested that Buffy, our bookkeeper is definitely an independent contractor. Harry, the RE coordinator could be either but he recommends we continue to treat him as an employee. Brian suggested that there be three people on a review committee. Both Harry and Buffy would have an annual review with the first one commencing immediately. The review committee will be two board members and the head of RE. The two board members will be Genevieve and Nakota. They will review the contract, the job duties and the position description. At the first meeting, they will redline any changes and everyone will initial. Then a final copy will be made. Then the background check will be done.
Worship Committee proposal: Greg presented the proposal from the worship committee to move to meeting each Sunday. This will be a trial and we would start the beginning of March and at BrianŐs suggestion, end the first Sunday in June. There was quite a bit of discussion including being more specific with cost. Action item: Kathleen will meet with Anne, the director of the Senior Center to determine if the space is available and propose what we will pay based on our current rates. The board appreciated the quality proposal with solutions presented and thanks the worship committee. We determined this will need the use of the consensus model used by the fellowship. We plan on doing this at the February 16th meeting. Action item: Greg will ask Kris to draft a notice for the fellowship on this.
Music committee: Genevieve is very interested in having a music committee. Other people mentioned who might be members were Greg, Elwyn, Jolynn and Madeline. Genevieve feels the music needs to be more lively and memorable. There was discussion on this and it was decided that this should be part of the Worship Committee so the proposal needs to go to them.
There was some discussion on how we form various types of committees and if that is a problem or not. Ken was concerned about it. Action item: Brian volunteered to add something to the Policies and Procedures to cover this.
Nakota brought up the upcoming Pacific NW District – UUA 2014 meeting in Spokane. She said she was interested in going and asked if anyone else was. She will bring it up again next month.
Announcements: Nakota has the UUFM copy machine and is willing to make limited copies. She is concerned about the amount of money that is being spent having copies made.
Chalice lighting and the reading will alternate among board members. Brian will do it next month. Ken volunteered to take minutes next month.
Next meeting: February 10th, 6 pm at GenevieveŐs.
The meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm.