ALL FAITHS UNITARIAN CONGREGATION

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES
Special Meeting on the Future of All Faiths

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Those in attendance: Joyce Ramay, Evelyn Evans, Doug Cartwright, Midge Magstadt, Lou Pizzini, Robert Bennett, Carol Elrod, Dave Morgan, Bob Nuding, Ernie Fierro, Ed Kleinow, and Emily Palmer

It had been previously determined that we needed a special meeting to discuss what steps might be taken as we consider options regarding what the congregation might want to do, should Wayne no longer be able to serve as full-time minister. Dave Morgan had created a survey that included 4 possible ways that we might go: Maintain the group with a new minister, Maintain the group without a minister, Affiliate with UUCFM, or disband. Considerable time was spent discussing the survey, when and how it would best be presented to the congregation and what changes needed to be made before presentation.

There was also much discussion regarding the financial status of All Faiths due to the present negative economic situation. In 2008 we had a $25,000 shortfall. For January of this year it was necessary once again to transfer funds, $4,000 this time, from the Operating Reserve. Currently the Operating Reserve would only cover about 1 month’s expenses and advisors have told us it would be best to have enough to cover 3 months before even beginning to consider a Capital Drive. While there are those in the congregation who have been looking at possible property that could lend itself well to serving the needs of the congregation, the Board has continued to feel that given our financial situation at this point in time, it does not seem to be in the best interest of the congregation to pursue this option. Even within the Board there is not a sense of being completely of one mind on this topic, and everyone recognizes it is a sensitive issue that we will continue to address in the months ahead. There was a good back and forth of ideas and suggestions throughout the meeting.

In the end it was decided that the survey as presented earlier would not be used at this point in time. Lou, Dave, and Doug plan to meet Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Edwards Building to create a statement that could be communicated to the congregation detailing what the Board has considered to this point regarding the future of All Faiths. This would include expanding on Wayne’s position regarding his intentions, years he plans to continue, etc. It would explain the Board’s position that at this point it does not seem financially possible to pursue purchasing a church building or property that would be a “home of our own.” This document would be no longer than 1 page in length, and would be presented to the Board for their approval at the Feb. Board meeting. With Board approval, it would then be distributed to the congregation at the beginning of services Feb. 22, 2009, Founders Day. During the 7 and a half minutes Conversation time during the service, there would be a discussion about the document, and people also could feel free to hold smaller group discussions after the service over lunch.

Robert Bennett agreed to explore alternative rental locations, and it was agreed that he would ask Carol Siferd if she would be involved in a new search to find a more desirable location to meet, in the hope that we could rent something at a reasonable price due to the downturn in the economy that would perhaps better meet our needs and be more attractive and appealing to congregants as well as future visitors.

A motion was made to change the date of the Annual Meeting from March 29 to March 22 of this calendar year. It was approved and the change is thus noted.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Midge Magstadt, Secretary

2009 Board Minutes

January 20

2008 Board Minutes

December 16

November 18

October 21

September 16

August 21

July 15