UUFM Board of Directors Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
The meeting was held at Cheryl Martin’s house.
The meeting was called to order at 6:45. Lewis led the meeting.
Present: Ken Moore, Lewis Brown, Kris Gabrielsen (ex officio member), Susan Marrant, Cheryl Martin, Nancy Schick
Absent: Shanta Frisbee, Meghan O’Flaherty
The next meeting will be on February 12 at Nancy Schick’s house.
Check-In/ Board members update. To paraphrase Kenny Rogers, “We just checked in to see what condition our condition was in.”
Learning Lab #5 Myth of Human Nature
The lesson covered triangulation and the problems it can cause. As Lewis said, “There is a fine line between gossip and positive intent.” The question raised is: How can we create a safe place for people to come? How can we talk directly rather that talking to others first? The lesson reminds us that anxiety is contagious.
We also asked each other if we Board members are often approached with concerns. Board members do not feel that this happens regularly.
Thank you cards. Each month the Board writes thank you notes to those whose kindness and contributions have recently been especially helpful to our community.
Treasurer’s Report: Cheryl
Accounting as of December 31, 2019:
Totals at First Federal:
First Federal Checking $37,652.63
FF Money Market $46,139,59
Building Fund CD $2,015.36
Net increase at First Federal $2951.35
Totals at Headwaters:
HW Cash Reserves $168,845.21 (increase of $1607.52)
Investment Funds $201,019.54 (increase of $3,633.00)
Net increase at Headwaters $5,240.52
Total monetary assets: $452,720.98
Update on pledges:
Pledges at end of pledge drive: $50,215.00
Money received so far from pledges: $33,145.00
Pass the plate donations: $700.00
Unpledged donations: $2,513.00
Total received for this fiscal year: $36,358.00
Total left in pledges: $17,070.00
Cheryl has asked Buffy Miller to add a $600 line item to support our music program.
Cheryl continues to work on the proposal for the Administrative Assistant position. Ken reminded us that we must not ask too much of the administrative assistant. Cheryl said that no one is to add additional duties to the administrative assistant without going through the Board.
February 16 Business Meeting
Members will be notified of the business meeting via an email announcement.
The business meeting will be held after the service on Feb. 16.
Topics to be addressed include: draft proposals for staff positions, budget, vote on administrative position description, change of venue for meetings (including option of renting a small office space, changing meeting time, possible vote), minister search.
Cheryl has extended the rental of the Senior Center on Feb. 16 until 2 PM.
Chalice Lighters In December, two more people signed up to be a Chalice Lighter.
Fire drill We need to establish a date for a fire drill. We are checking to see if we must have an actual fire drill or if we can instead outline what our drill procedure is.
UUA Annual Certification Our annual certification report to the Unitarian Universalist Association for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2019 is due February 2.
The report covers six sections: Congregation Directory Listing, Leaders Listing, Financial Statistics, Membership and Attendance, Diversity Questionnaire, Congregational Questionnaire.
Information on the certification process can be found at uua.org/certify.
Minister Search Kris updated us on the minister search. If, as part of our minister search, we conduct a personal interview, we must have a draft of the minister contract available. We have two old drafts, but they are “inadequate.” UUA is working on a template for a part-time minister, but that template will not be available soon enough for us.
We need to form a committee to work on this draft. Kris, Cheryl, and Nancy have volunteered so far. Nancy will check with two other members to see if they can be on the committee. It is expected that the committee needs to meet once or twice.
Kris told the Board that we have names for the first round of interviews; these will be video interviews. If the search committee chooses, personal interviews may be held in February or March. Cheryl spoke about her concerns on budgeting for a minister. If we hire a minister, we will need to draw on reserves, in the hope that we will have an increase in membership and therefore in available funds. It was decided that for the 2020-2021 fiscal year that $10,000.00 be added for employee expenses.
Cheryl has had the cabinet that we have at the Senior Center moved from the small room in which it has been stored. This will save us the rental charge for the small room.
Review of Audit Form Since Meghan was absent, we tabled this discussion.
Celebrants Ken requested a list of current celebrants.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45
Submitted by Nancy Schick, Secretary