ALL FAITHS UNITARIAN CONGREGATION

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Call to order - The meeting was called to order by president Joyce Ramay, at 4 p.m. Present in addition to Joyce were: Midge Magstadt, secretary, governors: Robert Nuding, Robert Bennett, David Morgan, Carol Elrod, and Ernie Fierro, Lou Pizzini, past chairperson, Wayne Robinson, minister, Pat Nuding, membership chairman, and Carol Siferd for the Social Circles Committee

Secretary’s report – The minutes of the October meeting were approved.

Financial reports – (See handouts)

Treasurer’s report – Joyce reported on behalf of Doug Cartwright, that our October income was $13,187 and our expenses were $14,443 for a net loss of $1,256. When compared to October of 2007 income of $28,101 there is a difference of $8,067 between the two years. It is felt that the difference is largely due to the change in the economy from a year ago. The economic downturn is having a negative impact not only at All Faiths, but across the state and country as well. Handouts including one providing an expense analysis for thus far in 2008 provided a clear picture of where our money is being spent. There is no waste, but we will continue to watch our spending carefully. As of November 18, 2008 our accounts were as follows:

Checking – Florida Gulf Bank: $7,783.10
Florida Gulf Money Market: $2,589.76
Raymond James Legacy Fund: $3,757.68
Raymond James Operating Reserve: $22,750.20
Total Bank Accounts: $36,880.74

Finance Committee – In Doug’s absence, Joyce reported on behalf of the Finance Committee. The End of the Year Status of Giving Letters will be mailed in December. Members will be asked to consider a gift to the Operating Reserve prior to the year’s end. Our Operating Reserve is presently about 50% of where we would like it to be. There will also be a letter sent in January to inform members of their giving for the previous year for tax purposes. The Finance Committee feels the budget will be kept to bare bones in 2009; and we will probably not be able to increase any salaries. Bonuses will be considered if additional funds have come in by the next meeting. The Holiday Brass Music is being subsidized by a special gift and will not come out of our budget. The Finance Committee has wondered if we should begin to consider the possibility of merging with another congregation such as Shire Lane or Temple Beth El as a way of sharing expenses in these tight financial times. The Annual Budget Meeting has been set for January 25 following that Sunday’s service.

Minister’s Report – (See handouts) Wayne reported that Bill and Marge Phelps will be our co-producers for the Sunday morning streaming and recording of services. It is still felt that Joys and Concerns should not be part of the recording for privacy reasons. Wayne would appreciate anyone who has to miss a service trying to access the streaming audio via the website to see if it is working. The First Person Witnessing continues to go well. December’s theme will be “hope”. We still need someone to coordinate Lunch Bunch. Service Support Council meets Thursday, Nov. 20 and it will be brought up again there. Valli Lamar, one of our members, has an online bookseller business and has proposed members could sell used books through her website and she would give All Faiths half of the net sale. The Board would like to pursue this and to find out what her thoughts were on the logistics of collecting and transporting the books to her business. Wayne acknowledged the loss of Linda Jacobs, Arlyne Goodwin and Mary Louis Stewart, who passed away in the past month. Wayne continues to participate in community activities such as the Lee Mental Health Luncheon where Ed Kleinow is treasurer, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce event that honored Craig and Ingrid’s work with the Dominican Project. Wayne will be in Texas and Oklahoma for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Committee Reports –

SSC – In Doug’s absence, Joyce reported that the Holiday Dinner will be held after the service on December 7. Arrangements will also need to be made for the Christmas Eve Service. At the next SSC Meeting it is hoped there can be a discussion concerning the status of our sextons. It is thought that Luis has retired, but he has not submitted a letter of resignation. The Board wondered about the possibility of having David and Hippy be “co-sextons” each receiving $75 a week. Doug and the Committee will report back to the Board when a decision is made.

Social Circles – Carol reported 18 people from our congregation and 3 from outside the congregation have signed up for the Thanksgiving dinner. She hopes to recruit 4 families to host Christmas dinners, as she will be out of town. The first Thursday in December there will be an outing to a Coffee Shop in Lehigh that allows opportunities for people to read or share things they have written. It is something new that might become a regular event. There are many upcoming plays and concerts. In January and February, Eat Drink and Be Merry will be in late afternoon rather than evening so members will not have to drive in the dark.

Social Outreach – (See Handout) Robert had a very extensive report of activities of the Social Outreach Committee. He was especially pleased at the large turnout and good participation at their last meeting. He hopes this can continue. A few highlights from the report included that $661 was recently collected for Hope House, resulting in $823 available. Evelyn Evans will decide what portion is to be for Christmas gifts for the young people staying there and what will be carried over to other needs. Peggy JSingh’s efforts of bringing produce for our Farmers’ Market to benefit the Coalition of Immokalee Workers have netted $84.50 in October and $103.50 in November. $267 was donated in a special collection for Mano a Mano. Sales of Mano a Mano crafts are going well. Having Joan and Segundo with us in service, and the corresponding article in the News Press by Francesca Donlan, helped to highlight the work they are doing in Bolivia. It was suggested there be a food drive to help fill the pantry at McGregor Clinic in the near future. Many other wonderful things are going on. Please note the handout.

Membership– Pat Nuding reported that we now have 240 members and 85 friends. Arlyne Goodwin, Linda Jacobs and Mary Louise Stewart will not be taken off the Membership Role at this time. Pat said the past 3 Sundays we have had just over 100 people attending service.

Old Business – Ernie Fierro presented a report on a property he, Carol S, Wayne, and Joyce had visited at 930 Fremont. The property includes a church and also a house that are for sale for $795,000. The lot is very large and while the house would need some clean up and repair, those who had seen it felt it held great potential as a possible future home for our congregation. A lengthy discussion followed and some members wondered about the timing of such a major purchase in these difficult economic times. Some wondered if this is a “disconnect” with the proposals of the Finance Committee and there was talk about continuing to pursue the possibility of sharing a building such as with Temple Beth El as well a looking at the new property. For the future of the congregation, a building of our own is most desirable, but even among Board members a consensus was not reached as to how best to reach that goal. It was finally decided to just talk informally about the new property among the membership and see if there were those who would like to go look at it, but no announcement would be made about it during the service at this time.

New Business - There was no new business.

Next Meeting - Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, December 16, at 4:00 p.m. in the Edwards Building. Due to the late hour, approximately 6:30 p.m., the meeting adjourned rather spontaneously.

Respectfully submitted,

Midge Magstadt, Secretary

2008 Board Minutes

December 16

October

September

August 21

July 15

June 17

May 20

April 15

March 18

February 19

January 15