ALL FAITHS UNITARIAN
CONGREGATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday,
April 21, 2009
Call
to order: The meeting was called to order by the president, Joyce
Ramay, at 4 p.m. Also present were Wayne Robinson, the minister, and
governors Frankie Jennings, Doug Cartwright, Robert Nuding, David
Morgan, Evelyn Evans and Carol Elrod, who was asked to serve as the pro
tem secretary in the absence of the secretary, Susan Stocker.
Congregation members Robert Bennett and Carol Siferd also attended the
meeting.
Election of Treasurer: It was moved to appoint Bob Nuding interim
Treasurer until the position of treasurer can be filled. Motion passed.
In that capacity, he will also serve on the Executive Committee.
Secretary’s report: Minutes of the March meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s report (see handouts). Our financial situation is
improving. Since the beginning of the year, we have had a net gain
income over expenses of $4,356. For the month of March, income was
$21,396, and expenses were $14,748. We still need to make up the $20,000
lost last year, but as the result of the recent fund-raising letter,
many early pledges have come in, and donations are catching up with what
they used to be.
As of
4/16/09, bank accounts were:
Florida Gulf
Checking $17,606.44
(plus deposit
on April 21 2,190.00
Florida Gulf
Money Mkt. 2,594.60
Pay
Pal 70.00
Raymond James
Legacy 3,478.78
Raymond James
(operating
reserve) 19,549.52
Total: $45,489.34
Finance Committee: Joyce reported that 66 spring pledges have come
in with $50,325 for the General Fund and $4,285 for the operating
reserve. The Finance Committee had recommended continuing budget
reductions through the summer, to be reviewed in the fall. But board
members, the Summer Services Task Force and the Services Support Council
all have felt that hospitality service and a sexton for set-ups are
crucial. So board members voted to make personal donations to pay for
these. Hospitality services will be paid for June, July and August at
$40 per Sunday. David Martinez will be asked if he would be willing to
work for the reduced rate of $50 per Sunday from June 14 to Aug. 16.
Hippolito Molina will not be working over the summer.
Minister’s report (See handout): Wayne expressed his appreciation
for the willingness of the new board members to serve and said that the
board is a “guiding presence for so much that goes on at All Faiths.” He
is optimistic about the congregation’s financial health based on the
good response to the spring fund-raising mailing. On Mother’s Day, the
congregation will have a presentation on the Guardian ad Litem program
in lieu of the normal Mother’s Day theme, Wayne said. On May 24th,
there will be a flower communion Sunday at which participants will bring
flowers to exchange. May 31 has been designated “Transitions Sunday” at
which the program for summer services will be presented. There will be a
pot-luck luncheon following. A draft of the programming for summer
Sundays is now available, and it promises to be interesting and diverse.
Wayne had a second angioplasty on April 7, and foot surgery in early May
will cause him to miss the May 10 service. His report was approved.
Committee Reports:
Services Support Council: The council’s final meeting until fall
will be in May, but some members will be available to do what work needs
doing. Doug and Diane Cartwright will direct three plays on summer
Sundays with discussions to follow. Light snacks will be provided.
Social Outreach: Chair Evelyn Evans said Charlotte Blitt is
organizing a celebration in June to mark the 100th clinic
founded by Mano a Mano in Bolivia. Four boxes of toiletries and other
supplies have been sent to Chaplain Norris Burke for distribution to
troops in Iraq. Hope House is still in need of toilet articles for
teen-agers. There will be a collection on May 3 for the McGregor Clinic.
A “Fresh Market” to benefit the Coalition of Immokalee Workers on April
19 brought in $101.
Social Circles: Chair Carol Siferd said many events are coming up,
including a congregational picnic in Lakes Park on May 23.
Membership: New members are Elizabeth Cramer and Priscilla Johnson.
We now have 223 members and 90 Friends, several of whom are thinking
seriously of becoming members.
Religious Education: Volunteers will lead R.E. classes for children
over the summer. Joyce has purchased books of lessons from the UUA, and
these may provide the basis for the classes. Pat Nuding, who has
volunteered to direct the R.E. program for the summer, proposes we
establish a Religious Education Committee in the fall to develop a
curriculum and supervise the program.
Old
Business:
Facilities: Joyce said the lease of our space in the Edwards
Building of the Alliance for the Arts is up May 1, and the terms for the
2009-2010 year will remain the same. She asked Crestwell if it would
agree to reduced rent for the summer. A decision is to be made by them
soon.
Next
meeting: Tuesday, May 19, 4 p.m.
The
meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Elrod, secretary pro tem |
