UUFM Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

 

The meeting, on Zoom, was called to order at 6:30 PM.

Present: Ken Moore, Lewis Brown, Kris Gabrielsen, Susan Marrant, Cheryl Martin, Meghan O’Flaherty, Nancy Schick

 

Also present: Kathleen McKinney

 

Chalice Lighting – Kris

 

Check-In

 

Discussion of Reopening   Kathleen McKinney

Kathleen posed three questions for discussion.

Should we reopen?

How should we reopen?

When should we reopen?

 

Kathleen has been in touch with UUs in on other parts of the state. In Hood River, for example, UUs will not hold any in-person meetings through December 1.

 

We discussed whether, if we reopen in any format, these gatherings should be informal. UUA has recommended that no formal gatherings be held in the near future.

 

No firm decisions on meetings were made, but these possibilities were discussed:

• outside informal gatherings
• small gatherings such as book club and men’s group
• circle suppers

 

Ken will discuss this issue with Margo. Further discussions/plans will be forthcoming.

 

Leadership Lab

A very brief discussion was held.

 

Treasurer’s Report   Cheryl Martin

Total assets as of May 31 were 446,158.17.

Monthly income: 4098.42

Expenses: 638.73

Checking account balance: 37,665.21

 

Lewis moved to approve the financial report. and Susan seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously.

 

Cheryl suggested that committees should donate extra budgeted monies to a cause such as YCAP. 

 

Cheryl presented the proposed 2020-2021 budget; She provided both a pre-covid plan and a post-covid plan. Pre-covid: 83,000. Post-covid: 106,932. Nancy moved that the Board approve the budget as amended, and Susan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

 

 

Ken will send notice of the June 21st business meeting to the membership. The meeting agenda and the proposed budget will be included in the email.

 

Cheryl has received two donations that have been sent to help members or friends of the congregation affected by covid-19.

 

Cheryl asked if she should create a line-item in the budget for these funds. This will ensure that the monies can carry ahead to future budgets. The new minister will have 500 in discretionary funds, to be disbursed as she sees fit. Additionally, the minister will have discretionary power over the disbursement of the above-mentioned special needs monies.

 

 

June 21st Business Meeting

Our annual congregational business meeting will be held on June 21 following the service.

 

Among the items on the agenda are

• the first reading of proposed by-law changes
• discussion and vote on whether to approve the proposed 2020-21 budget
• election of officers

 

We discussed the method for voting on officers. Survey Monkey was suggested. Kris will manage the election.

 

Proxy voting is allowed. Ken will ask anyone who wishes to vote by proxy to contact him.

 

Report of the Minister Transition Team  Kris Gabrielsen

This team will serve to help the new minister as she joins us.

 

We suggested possible team members.

 

Cheryl moved, and Lewis seconded a motion to have Ken and Cheryl sign the minister’s contract. A copy of the signed contract will be sent to Margo.

 

Additional Items

 

We discussed video editing software for podcasts. Lewis has such software and will talk with Rob.

 

Eric Gabrielsen and Ken have developed an email release form.

Cheryl moved that we proceed with the development of this form. Lewis seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously.

 

Cheryl said that at some point in the future we may have an opportunity to rent or buy property. She suggested that we develop a plan for this so that when an opportunity is presented to us, our response will not be simply a rushed and reactionary one.

 

Cheryl also encouraged us to discuss the job description of the Board treasurer. As we have grown, and as we add employees, the job of the treasurer keeps expanding. Perhaps a Board member should be responsible for handling personnel matters. Susan asked if this could be done by an administrative assistant, if and when we decide to hire one.

 

We also briefly talked about having “schmooze” sessions where members and friends of our community could gather electronically to discuss, chat, opine… and electronically un-socially distance ourselves.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 (that is a rough guess – let me know if you have an accurate time).

 

The next Board meeting will be held via Zoom at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

 

Submitted by Nancy Schick, Secretary