UUFM BOARD OF DIRECTORSÕ BOARD MEETING

MINUTES

October 14, 2015

 

Present:  Kathleen McKinney (Chair), Vicky Wilbanks, Wendell Kringen. John Braun, Susie Godsey, Mary Gear, Minister

 

1.       Opening

a.  Chalice Lighting - by Mary

b.  Covenant read - by all

c.   Quorum - A quorum was determined

d.   The meeting was called to order

e.       Agenda was approved with additions.

f.   A motion was made by Susie, and seconded by Wendell to approve the Sept. 9th minutes with the following changes: 

      In 2d. UU should read UUFM.  In 2e UU should read UUFM.  In 2g.  Add the word ÒtheÓ after the word ÒrotatingÒ in 2g.

     

2.  Continuing Business

a.       TreasurerÕs Report - August

      A motion was made by Vicky and seconded by John to approve the August TreasurerÕs Report.

     

      Discussion took place about an extra teacher to be paid out of the teacher fund, but more money will be needed, and it was suggested that John speak to the Worship Committee about using some of their funds now that Mary is here, as there should be some extra funds in their budget.

      The Minister expenses were discussed.  MaryÕs expenses had not been included as a line item.  John will also discuss this with the Worship Committee.   It was suggested that a category for minister expenses be created.

      A motion was made by Denise to add a line to Dedicated Funds and call it ÒMinisterÕs Professional ExpensesÓ in the amount of $2,000.  The motion was seconded by Susie, and carried.

 

      A motion was made by Wendell and seconded by Susie to approve the September TreasurerÕs report.  The motion carried.    

                       

b.   Committee Reports

      None

 

c. Committee Fair

      Marcia Blevins and Kara DeMarco agreed to do the setup for the proposed November 1st Fair.  Liaisons should inform their committees of this event.  The committees are:  Finance, Membership, ChildrenÕs RE, Social Justice, WomenÕs Lunch Group, Cares and Concerns, Worship.  Committees should bring some information, and a little food.  Kathleen said the room is already reserved until 1 pm.  MaryÕs sermon for that day will be entitled ÒDeeds Not CreedsÓ.  It is ÒAll Souls DayÓ, or ÒDay of the DeadÓ in some cultures.  There will be a prayer.

 

d.   Fall Survey and next steps

      The survey is the beginning process for evaluation of shared ministry.  Discussion surfaced on the survey questions.  It was suggested that some of the questions were restraining.  Some suggestions for questions and comments to be added were:- 

      How have things changed since UUFM has had a minister?

      What are you looking for between now and the rest of the year?

      Mary suggested that some folks may not know what Òshared ministryÓ is, adding that the topic for the December sermon is ÒShared MinistryÓ.

      The survey should be available by November 1, and returned by November 15.  It could be sent out again on November 15. 

      Kathleen met with Barb Roush to coordinate next steps with budget development, and how to get there.  Some thoughts were as follows:

      As follow-up, small groups once or twice in February to capture as many people as possible. Decide how small groups will meet, at simplified services or after regular services. At the March 1st Business Meeting Mary said two questions should be asked.  Do we want a minister?  If yes, who will that minister be?  By this date, Mary should know if she wants to continue.

      Get a sense of whether people would be willing to increase their pledges.

      The finance committee will prepare two budgets one with and one without a minister.

      March 20, 2016 Business meeting.  Present small group results. 

      March 20 - April 3, Pledge Drive.

      April 13 - Board meeting to approve budget.

      May 15 - Business meeting to approve budget.

      It was suggested that if a minister is hired for next year, his/her contract be by fiscal year to match the budget.

 

e. Term Limits - next steps.

      All Liaisons should notify their committees that the Board should approve chairs once a year.

 

f.    MaryÔs first Sunday, Oct. 4th feedback.  

      All feedback was very positive.

 

g. Transition team Goodbye, COSM Hello

      The Transition Team has disbanded.  Suzanne Teller wished to be on the Committee for Shared Ministry.  A list of 13 names was put forth as prospective members of the COSM.  Mary agreed to approach each of them.  She has the list.

 

3.   New Business

a. Response to the change being proposed to the UUA First Principle.  Instead of reading ÒThe inherent worth and dignity of every personÒ the proposed change would read  ÒThe inherent worth and dignity of every being

      Discussion took place on how to handle the request for endorsement.  It was suggested we could endorse this as a board, or take it to a business meeting (which would probably have to be Nov. 15th.).  Mary said this would not be an easy conversation, based on her experience with other fellowships.  It was decided to ask Sal to survey the fellowship to see how much support there would be for the proposal stated above, and Vicky do the same for the ÒMove to AmendÓ resolution.

 

b.   Board member replacement.

      Phoebe NewmanÕs resignation from the board left an opening.  The nominating committee had been contacted, and they submitted Jeannie KleinschmitÔs name as a prospective replacement.  She has agreed to serve.

      Vicky made a motion that Jeannie Kleinschmit be appointed to the board, and Denise seconded.  The motion carried.  Kathleen will contact the nominating committee.

 

c. Audit

      There was one recommendation from the audit that Denise should send a thumb drive to the auditor for backup.

      A motion was made by John and seconded by Susie to accept the audit along with the recommendation to send a thumb drive to the auditor for backup. The motion carried.

 

d.   Communication

     Kathleen suggested that the new Committee on Shared Ministry evaluate communication within the fellowship to achieve an efficient system. There have been some breakdowns that need to be addressed

e.   Music.

      Mary announced that she is working with Joanne Douglas on music.  There is a desire to start a choir.  Mary will choose the hymns.  Greg Valentine wishes to relinquish his responsibilities.

     

      BrynnÕs job description needs clarification.  It was suggested that this issue be an agenda item for the November board meeting.  Since she has social security withheld, that technically makes her an employee not an independent contractor.  Denise said she would follow up.

 

4. Announcements

      Mary asked for a substitute to listen on October 29th 5:30 pm  to

      7:00 pm to the Stewardship Webinar, but no board members were available at that time. 

 

Next Board Meeting:

 November 11, 2015  6:00 pm, 709 NW Cedar, Minnville, OR  (Home of Denise Patton)

 

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted by Vicky Wilbanks