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ALL
FAITHS UNITARIAN CONGREGATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2008
Call to order. The meeting was called to
order by Joyce Ramay, president, at 4 p.m. Present in addition to Joyce
were Evelyn Evans, vice chairperson, Midge Magstadt, secretary, Doug
Cartwright, treasurer, and governors Robert Bennett, David Morgan, Bob
Nuding, and Carol Elrod who joined us via telephone. Also in attendance
were Lou Pizzini, past president; Carol Siferd, chairman of the Social
Circles Committee, Emily Morse Palmer, and Wayne Robinson, minister.
Secretary’s report – The minutes of the
April meeting were approved.
Financial Reports
Treasure’s report: (See Handouts) Doug
Cartwright said that while April was a good month financially, as is
typically the case, not quite as much was received as had been
expected. Income was $22,731, and expenses were $13,968 for a net gain
of $8,764. A Legacy Fund has been established as a separate Raymond
James Account. $1455 has been received from memorials for Bill Peed and
Pete Forcey. This has been applied to the Legacy Fund account and will
be kept separate from the Operating Fund which now stands at
$31,533.32. That amount is 70% of our goal.
As of April 15, our accounts were:
- Checking - $10,455.26
- Florida Gulf Money Market: $8,565.49
- Raymond James Operating Reserve $31,533.32
- Raymond James Legacy Fund $1,455.00
- Total $52,009.07
- Dedicated Funds $2,937.52 (Includes $1,000
donation for children’s yoga
- Net Available Funds for Current Operating
Expenses $16,083.23
Finance Committee
Workman’s Compensation Insurance will now be
with ADP.
Liability Insurance - Ed Kleinow has
received a better bid for our Liability Insurance from a new group that
insures churches. He will be getting that set within the next few
days.
Church Pro was found to be the best software
program for our use and we are also purchasing a desktop computer and
monitor for a total of $1250. It was moved by Doug Cartwright and
seconded by Dave Morgan to approve funds for acquisition of these items,
and the purchase was unanimously approved by the Board.
Fundraising efforts will continue as members
and friends are encouraged to consider using the extra money obtained
from the government stimulus checks as a donation to All Faiths. This
was mentioned at last Sunday’s service and will be announced for the
next several weeks.
Legacy Fund Brochure: The Board decided to
send the Legacy Fund Brochure as a separate mailing from the Summer
Service Brochure to make sure each of those items stands alone in their
importance. The Legacy Fund Brochure was created by Ed Kleinow to
provide options for giving and information about memorials, and legacy
gifts. This should be a helpful tool as members and friends consider
these important issues. The Summer Service Brochure will be mailed
first and the Legacy Fund Brochure will follow 3-4 weeks later.
Snowbirds will be included in all mailings as it is important that they
feel connected with what is happening at All Faiths while they are
away.
Memorials -It has been suggested that
records be kept of memorials given throughout the year and then
recognition for these gifts be made perhaps in the form of a plaque of
some kind at the Annual Meeting. No action was taken regarding the
suggestion at this time.
Solicitations -The Board has agreed that
solicitations that use our membership mailing or e-mail list should be
reserved for All Faiths Social Outreach projects and our own member’s
needs. There are many wonderful opportunities for charitable giving,
but it is felt to open the use of our mailing list to outside efforts
would not be in the best interest of our membership.
Minister’s Report (see handout) - Wayne
shared that in the past month he has continued to spend time working
with the Summer Services Task Force to finalize the brochure and the
programs for the summer months. He is hoping that Board members will be
able to participate in the summer version of “Lunch Bunch”, which will
be meeting after services at University Deli to discuss the Sunday
messages and further develop relationships between members and
participants. In the past month Wayne has conducted two memorial
services, been an adjunct instructor at FGCU, and has done considerable
visitation. He will perform the marriage ceremony of Adam Nathan and
his fiancée, attend a retreat at the St. Francis of the Woods Retreat
Center in Coyle, Oklahoma and take a much deserved vacation. He will
return to services at All Faiths on August 17.
Committees
Religious Education – We are still in need
of a coordinator for Religious Education. According to our Liability
Insurance, we should also have 2 adults with our children for proper
coverage. Joyce suggested that an appeal be made to the congregation to
take turns in this responsibility. Lou Pizzini suggested that parents of
the children might be encouraged to take turns with this as they might
enjoy seeing their children participate in the Yoga program this summer.
Andrea Windsor has accepted the childcare position. She is 19 and would
qualify as an adult, but it is questionable if all the children can be
kept in the same room. A short attention span for the younger ones
during Yoga, may require they be in a separate place.
Membership – Pat Nuding reported we have
five new members: Sylvia Weaver, Al and Charlene Jassim, Arleen Nathan,
and Georgia Frieswick.
Summer Services – This had been pretty
thoroughly covered in other categories.
Social Circles – Carol Siferd reported that
the first meeting for the discussion of transcendentalism had 6 people
in attendance. These meetings will continue for 12 weeks. The Pot Luck
for June might be a lunch or early supper. Different times are being
considered to accommodate members not wishing to drive after dark.
Pastoral Care and Support – A telephone tree
has been set up to provide communication for members who do not have
e-mail. This would hopefully insure that all members receive pertinent
information in a timely fashion.
Social Outreach Committee – (see handout)
Robert Bennett reported that the second Fresh Market fundraiser for CIW
netted $140. The Market will resume in the fall. Dottie Mayol will
fill in for Charlotte Blitt through the summer at the Mano a Mano
table. Mary Lynn Canton will be setting up a table on Sundays to offer
information on problems in the Florida Correctional System. Steve and
Chris Fisher hope to be involved in training others as to what is
involved in cooking for large groups of people. A team is needed as
back up for the Fishers, and a team for a second Wednesday would also be
wonderful.
There are many other important outreach projects as
outlined in the handout.
Services Support Council – Doug said that he
and Diane will continue to be available to help with ushering and
announcements during the summer, but the numbers of his committee are
much diminished as members have returned north. Joyce suggested Pat
Nuding might provide names of new members who might be interested in
being involved in some of these tasks over the summer months.
Old Business
Follow up of Longevity discussions – The
meeting on April 27 was a good beginning, and now a second meeting will
take place after service this Sunday, May 25. Carol Siferd, Co-Chair of
Long Range Planning Council, explained that members will be invited to
stay for a light lunch and that discussion will begin with a real feel
for where everyone is at in their thinking regarding whether they want
to pursue the possibility of a home of our own. If it seems that is the
direction the congregation is leaning, she would then invite them to
anonymously write an amount on an index card that they feel they could
contribute in the months ahead to that goal. Discussion followed
concerning the types of properties that might be desirable, location,
timing, as Carol feels we have a 12-24 month window of opportunity with
the lower real estate prices. It was stressed that the approach of
ownership from the “bottom up” with consensus from the congregation was
essential rather than from the “top down” as if decisions were being
made and then forced upon the members. Carol’s enthusiasm and passion
for this project were much appreciated, and the Board affirmed her
leadership in dealing with this topic at the upcoming meeting.
No plans were made for extra Board Sessions at
this time.
New Business
UUA – Emily Palmer presented a letter to the
Board with signatures of about 20 members who are interested in knowing
what position the Board has taken regarding pursuing membership in the
Unitarian Universalist Association. Joyce explained that the Board had
outlined the top 3 priorities we are facing just now are: Facility,
Finances, and Ministerial Succession. Affiliation with UUA is still an
option, but it had been decided the prior 3 things were where we should
place our energy and financial support at this time. A discussion
followed as to whether there should be more acknowledgement of the
things we are already doing that reflect our connection to UU teachings,
such as materials used for BYOT, Ethics, Children’s programs, the hymnal
etc. There are strong feelings on both sides of the affiliation issue,
and the Board wants to recognize these differences while striving for
unity. While there may presently be obstacles that would present
difficulty in All Faiths being accepted into membership of UUA, it is
hoped as the new minister at Shire Lane becomes established that we
would be able to begin having some joint projects or celebrations with
them. Members are also always eligible to become part of the “Church of
the Larger Fellowship” to be able to participate more fully in UUA
activities. Joyce expressed thanks and appreciation to Emily for her
interest and concern over this issue.
The Meeting was adjourned at 6:15 P.M.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 17 – 4
P.M
Respectfully submitted, Midge Magstadt, Secretary |
