ALL FAITHS UNITARIAN
CONGREGATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MINUTES OF SPECIAL PLANNING MEETING
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Call
to order: The meeting was called to order by Joyce Ramay, president
at 10:12 a.m. Present in addition to Joyce, were Evelyn Evans, vice
chairperson, Susan Stocker, secretary, Doug Cartwright, acting
treasurer, and governors Frankie Jennings, David Morgan and Robert
Nuding.
Welcome and induction of Newly Elected Board Members: President
Joyce Ramay welcomed old and newly elected Board members, listed above.
The Board is still seeking a replacement for treasurer, while Doug
Cartwright will serve as treasurer until one is seated. Joyce inducted
the new members into office by leading them in a pledge to abide by the
by-laws of the Board.
Resolutions newly voted on were distributed: Joyce distributed
Signature documents to be signed by the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson,
Secretary and Board Members Robert Nuding and Doug Cartwright, to
authorize said persons to sign checks, make bank transfers and general
access to financial transactions. Evelyn Evans made a motion to approve
the resolution of signatures, which was seconded by David Morgan. All
Board members voted in favor of the resolution.
By-laws and amendments:
Copies
of the by-laws were distributed and highlighted.
Article II: The ensuing discussion covered that All Faiths is
incorporated in the State of Florida as an official church and thus has
the rights and powers conferred as a non-profit corporation.
Article V: Each member of the Congregation has voting
privileges, rights to make motions, to debate and to hold office.
Article VI: The change in voting, as per the Annual Meeting of March
22, 2009, changed the quorum to 20% of the membership for
conducting regular order of business, budget approval, leasing and
buying property and election of Governors or Nominating Committee
Members.
Article VIII, Section IV: The terms of office for Board members is 2
years and a member may serve two consecutive terms, or four consecutive
years.
Section V: The Board will meet monthly and make written report in the
newsletter and bulletin.
Section VI: The Board will meet the 3rd Tuesday of each
month.
Article XI: Highlighted was the Minister’s right of freedom of
the pulpit, and entitled to written and spoken freedom of speech. Bill
Benyak is our liaison person with Reverend Robinson in the Ministerial
Relations Committee
Planning and Discussion:
Joyce
recommended that each Board member become familiar with the By-laws. She
then presented each member a new list of committee members for All
Faiths.
On
Thursday, April 9, 2009, Wayne will undergo his second angioplasty and
relayed his plans to be at the service on Easter Sunday, following his
procedure.
Planning: Using a framework for discussion, all Board members discussed
the following:
-
Who are we? What
makes us unique?
As a
congregation we embrace diversity, we reach out to involve others, we
live what we say, we show humanity, liberality of thought, provide a
sense of community to our members, involve ourselves with community and
international projects in helping others and value our lack of religious
dogma. Our intellectual, cultural and social community is exceptional.
-
Priorities for the
future
Joining UUA:
Members discussed whether it was feasible to join UUA, from a financial
standpoint and what the benefits of joining were. Some felt it would
make the ministerial transfer easier, when Wayne retires, while others
felt that the cost of joining, $75 per person, would be prohibitive. One
suggestion was to ask each member to pay that fee separately from their
weekly donation. Some could not afford that amount and would have to
come out of the budget.
Fundraising:
Many members of the Board felt that this should be the first priority
since it would enable many of the other projects. Suggestions were made
to increase the cost of luncheons, and other events to make a profit,
rather than just cover expenses. Additional fundraising for All Faiths
should be a goal and this would give the congregation the financial
security that can make it possible to pay for a home of our own,
incorporating a meeting room, office, classroom, and possibly a
residence for the minister. Most agreed that a rental would be the most
affordable option, and Frankie Jennings is part of the group which will
be looking at potential rental properties. Frankie also volunteered to
head up a Planning and Development Committee, which she feels will
concentrate on the plans for a home of our own, part of which would also
be the fund raising planning committee, to secure extra funds to realize
these goals.
Agreement was expressed that we need a written plan, with procedures and
steps to make a smooth transition in ministerial succession. All felt we
need to be prepared when Wayne retires.
-
Summer Series
Connecting with the Community: Outreach education should be included in
the summer services. Each group, whether is it a charity, a religious
group, or organization should present a clear description at the service
they agree to present their program, so that all present can understand
what they do, who they are, and what they need. Hope House was one
example given. Collaboration with these groups could possibly mean that
we work with them and we receive a percentage of the funds raised by our
combined efforts. Members of the congregation could be encouraged to
pledge “matching funds” to any member or members who contribute or raise
funds.
-
Mission Statement
Board
members contributed a variety of ideas of what we do and should do,
including inviting religious leaders from a greater range of religious
institutions locally to our Sunday services, giving them an opportunity
to explain their faith and beliefs, with time to answer questions.
Many
of the ideas of who and what we are are included in the minutes above.
The
Board will hold its next three regular meetings on April 21, May 19, and
June 23, 2009 at 4 p.m. in the Conference Room of Edwards Building.
The
meeting was adjourned at 12:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Stocker, Secretary |
