Remarkable congregation

Large number of participants (today)

UU is filled with good, welcoming people

Proud of what has been accomplished

UU known and respected in the greater community

Unique organization and great people

Appreciation to the creation of this community

Division creates anxiety

Unity creates expansiveness

Negative feelings between some leaders and some members

Concerns about communication

As a new member, discord is felt and heard

Shocked by discord

Actions taken since January 7^th meeting:

· Much open, effective communication with good listening has been taking place between the board, past chairs, and Committee on Shared Ministries (COSM)

· COSM and others have been meeting with individuals feeling anxious and/or upset about the challenges and changes facing UUFM

· Board members have made phone calls to all active members and friends to ensure they knew about the February 18^th meeting and to check to see if they have questions of the board

· Ad hoc committee made up of individuals representing the UUFM founders, past chairs, board, and COSM met to create a proposal for the best use of Tracy’s remaining time with UUFM

· Planning committee formed to create today’s agenda that was made up of individuals representing the board, COSM, past chairs, and UUFM founders

· Wonderful, dynamic, well attended, simplified service last Sunday

Community Interaction – Structure (comments from participants of Jan. 7^th meeting):

Regular scheduled gatherings (like this one)

Want more Fellowship-wide meetings

Lack of opportunity for an authentic relationship with the UUFM community

More activities that bring people together

All events needs to be posted in one location - webpage

Are we hearing from quiet members?

Disconnect between members & board &/or governance

Retreats

Listen to stories, life experiences of older members

Communication

Need board and minister to survey community and lead the community in creating desired groups

More willingness to be part of simplified services

Once a month potluck where committees meet

Need leadership that is listening and honoring and actively seeking out input from community

Need to know what groups specifically do

Concern about looking at previous meeting minutes

Need for more transparency

Need for solutions for communication

Define communication and decision making processes

How do we choose social justice issue?

Need to know what is happening with UU

Emails are linked to webpage and copied to webmaster

Concern about trying to understand contract length and communication regarding the contract

First or third Sunday committees share to the fellowship

Concern about communication and honesty. A lot of misleading information. Need to be respected (Tracy)

Actions taken since January 7^th meeting:

· Held “Soup and Paint Night” with over 35 attendees

· Held Super Bowl party with over 20 attendees

· Board contacted folks individually regarding today’s meeting

· Presentation by Social Justice committee arranged for today

· Working on getting more information on events on the website

· Created a master list of who is doing what at UUFM (available today)

· Purchased a new hearing assistance system (thanks to anonymous donors) to help those who have a hard time hearing during the services

· Over 30 people attended last Sunday’s simplified service

· Another all-Fellowship meeting will be held on March 18^th after the service to review draft budget for 2018-19

· UUFM board members, COSM, Past Chairs and others working very hard to have open, honest communication. Feeling very successful!

· The TAO youth raised enough funds to rent two yurts for a retreat in May

· Details will be shared with the Fellowship regarding Tracy’s plans for her remaining work with UUFM and the timeline once they are finalized. The board meets with Tracy next week regarding this

· Board reminded and will continue to remind everyone that their meetings are always open to everyone

· Meeting minutes from the board meetings are now on the website through December 2016

What We Do (comments from participants of Jan. 7^th meeting):

More focus on social justice

Need to revisit vision statement

Focus on animal social justice issues

Growth is a goal

We all may not want to grow

Lack of spirit and connection at church, more ritual in ceremony

Need this community to grow; it all comes out of Sunday

We do not have a mission statement

Lack of community service focus as a fellowship

Actions taken since January 7^th meeting:

· Social Action committee presenting today so everyone will learn about more opportunities to participate

· Mission Statement committee will look at the need to revisit vision statement and is working on the mission statement. Progress report will be given today

· The focus of the board and other committees at this time is not on growth but to grow stronger as a fellowship and in our connections with the larger community

· Community service project set for April 21^st, Cozine Creek clean-up. Monthly work with YCAP

· Donated $599 to Lutheran Family Service Immigration program from the cash plate donations. (Donated $499 to Yamhill County Head Start last quarter.)

RE + Families (comments from participants of Jan. 7^th meeting):

UUFM is welcoming to families

Prioritize the RE program

Working with TAO kids and activities with families brings positive energy; Desire to have more people involved

Young families bring joy

Kids are excited about church

RE is important

Keep RE program strong

More spiritual connection for children and self

Joyful when children are joyful

Need to deepen our spiritual paths - adult RE

Actions taken since January 7^th meeting:

· Several people are exploring how we can hold more Adult RE classes

· Adult RE Workshop Feb. 25 in Corvallis – Carpool available!

· RE Committee continues to work hard!

· Monthly intergenerational events continuing to be held

· TAO group is growing!

Fellowship Structure (comments from participants of Jan. 7^th meeting):

Need committee to help us grow

Concern that UU is not sustainable

Budget

Short-term and long-term planning

Consensus model needs added to procedures & bylaws

Being on the board is a big commitment; volunteers needed

Define communication and decision making processes (also under communication)

We have a minister who helps our spirituality and our church and development

Concern about trying to understand contract length and communication regarding (also under communication)

Actions taken since January 7^th meeting:

· Filled three vacancies on the board, as well as three officer positions

· Added new COSM members to strengthen that committee

· Made the budget a topic for this meeting to gather the wisdom of the fellowship

Misc. (comments from participants of Jan. 7^th meeting):

W-4s and I-9s (get them in to Meghan)

Discover new place as children grow older and move on

Found this community and when new people return (concern about visitors not returning)

Invitation to friends is positive