|
ALL FAITHS
UNITARIAN CONGREGATION
BOARD OF
GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY,
June 17, 2008
The meeting was called to order by
President Joyce Ramay at 3:58 P.M. in the conference room at the Edwards
Building. In attendance were Joyce Ramay, Doug Cartwright, Bob Nuding,
Robert Bennett, Dave Morgan, Evelyn Evans, Ernie Fierro, and Lou
Pizzini. Guest: Emily Palmer.
Joyce moved the approval of the minutes
as submitted. Robert Bennett seconded.
Treasurer’s report –
Doug Cartwright presented the
treasurer’s report for May, 2008. The income was $14,305, and expenses
were $16,350 for a loss of $2,045. Expenses were abnormally high
because of the following factors:
-
Liability insurance has been changed
to a three-month billing.
-
The board approved purchasing a new
computer and universal port and battery.
-
The printing bill was a two-month
bill.
-
The Alliance required a $525
security deposit - new this year.
The account balances were as follows:
Checking:
$3,002.45;
Florida
Gulf Money Market: $8,572.76;
Raymond
James Legacy: $2,235.00;
Operating
Reserve: $31,680.35 (71% of goal).
Doug noted that All Faiths will probably
be dipping into the Money Market and maybe the operating reserve for the
next three months while we endure the summer financial doldrums.
Joyce reviewed the Finance Committee’s
report. The Legacy Fund brochure and cover letter are ready to be sent
when the final proofing is done. Ed Kleinow is coordinating. The
committee encouraged pursuing a Magic Print fundraiser whereby All
Faiths will receive $10 for every $20 booklet of coupons sold. The
booklets are essentially like Entertainment Book or International Dining
cards, but not as extensive. Sarah will check on whether there is a
minimum number of books we would need to purchase.
Minister’s Report –
Wayne is on summer retreat so there was
no minister’s report.
Long Range Planning –
Joyce presented Carol Siferd’s
statistics on the Long Range Planning meeting on “a home of our own”
held after services last month. They both were very encouraged that over
$96,000 was pledged by 34 anonymous donors if we were to proceed with
the purchase of a property. Joyce pointed out that a lot of positive
feedback was given during the meeting and that the perception was to
seek a church building rather than a parsonage or offices.
The prevailing thought was that
congregants wanted to see a home for All Faiths in their own lifetimes.
The possibility of reunification with Shire Lane, now that they will
have a young settled minister this fall, was again broached. Joyce
commented that we will continue to move cautiously on all the
possibilities; and when we do decide, it will take on a life of its own
and get done. Ernie commented that donors will give when they have a
specific plan presented to them.
Ernie also suggested instituting a
procedure for accepting or rejecting any recommendations that come for
our space needs. He gets a lot of calls about banks, churches for sale,
downtown churches for rent, storefronts, restaurants, etc. and cannot be
expected to track down every vague lead. We have had two meetings on “a
home of our own.” Most wanted to go on.
We need to clarify that, at the Annual
meeting, the board wanted to build the operating reserve before going
forward for a building fund. Dave suggested trying to put together an
administration model for proceeding on the issue. Ernie suggested that
Joyce name standing committees or subcommittees to make recommendations
for the board to approve or reject, including the issues of UUA
affiliation, ministerial succession, and the suggestion to tone down
aggressive searching for a building until we have a better financial
situation to deal from. He suggested waiting until fall when we have a
full complement of membership.
Evelyn was concerned that we not ignore
the pledges, suggesting that the excitement and momentum would fade if
we allow it. Doug also brought up the issue of a joint partnership. It
was pointed out that Rabbi Diamond’s group has a worse financial problem
than we do. Lou suggested that Temple Beth-el would be a possibility.
Robert volunteered to pursue the possibility of approaching Unity
Church, which is building a larger building and may want to share
expenses and do have a smaller building that may be a possibility for
us. Ernie is leaving in two weeks so whatever ventures will have to be
pursued by others. Dave pointed out that surveys we’ve taken reveal a
need to have our own building. We need to select committees to
prioritize building needs such as location, priorities for space, rental
vs. buy, etc.
Robert said maybe we need to expand our
three criteria long-range planning to include a fourth: UUA
affiliation. Ernie suggested that $5,000 pledged from each member over
a three-year period would yield $1,000,000. Joyce commented in summary
that we would continue work on the structuring and priorities. As for
UUA membership, it is individually available for those who want it
through joining the Church of the Larger Fellowship if we can’t join UUA
as a congregation.
Emily Palmer reinforced Church of the
Larger Fellowship membership and passed out material on this group.
Bob Nuding wanted to clarify what he
sees as a bothersome problem. The Fund for the Future disappeared a few
years ago, and in its place the operating reserve came to be. Many
people want, as he does, a building fund that is sacrosanct and cannot
be used for any other purpose. Can we start a building fund limited to
the future purchase of a building and not raid the fund? Ernie
commented that Lyle Olsen advised us two years ago that we could not
start a building fund without building an operating reserve. Joyce said
when the Fund for the Future arose, people started giving less for
weekly donations in order to give to the future fund. The result was the
raiding of the Fund for the Future to meet our financial demands.
We need to establish a policy and stick
to it. Robert and Evelyn both commented that we need to meet 100% of
the operating reserve before we can start a building fund. Bob also
pointed out that we need to determine income and potential of people’s
contribution to All Faiths. For example a pledge of 4% of income from
335 members and friends would yield over $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. Joyce
said that the Finance Committee has reined in expenses, but Bob
expressed the belief that we need to emphasize and encourage
contributions as well.
Religious Education –
Joyce pointed out that we still need a
religious education coordinator. Ernie regretted spending a lot of
money for a few children. He suggested recruiting college students as
volunteers to fulfill their social obligation requirement for classes.
Robert suggested Francesca (RE teacher) as coordinator.
Social Outreach –
The Social Outreach Council has been
very active.
-
The Aids Support and Awareness group
is raising money: $100 per month from the McGregor Clinic
designated fund will be distributed over 10 months to Aids Support.
-
Hope House (Evelyn) is still
collecting duffel bags, rolling luggage, etc. all this month. Robert
commented that he has received several books for a book sale (July
13) to aid Hope House in building a fund for back-to-school
materials.
-
Mano a Mano is still taking orders
for its products.
-
The Coalition of Immokalee workers
is now targeting Subway.
-
The Wednesday Peace Vigil is looking
for coordination now that Emily is leaving.
-
Mary Lynn Canton is working on
prison reform.
-
Footstep to the Future, a new
program headed by Marge Phelps, is mentoring and helping 18-year old
girls bumped out of foster care programs. They want to coordinate
with Wayne’s Social Awareness class when he returns, but the group
is seeking mentors for the program.
-
Social Outreach programs are looking
into producing a brochure.
-
Mary Lynn Canton and
Robert Bennett are beginning work on a children’s coloring book as
part of the Human Rights For the Incarcerated Project.
Services Support –
SSC is on summer hiatus, but is planning
a combination fundraiser/feed the hungry Welcome Back Feast for
September 7. Steve and Chris Fisher will educate the congregation in
what it takes to volunteer to prepare a meal for feeding 150 homeless.
The meal will be the same as one of the recipes they use once a month
and be served to the congregation September 7 at the Welcome Back Feast.
We’ll charge a moderate amount and ask that congregants bring a dessert.
Old Business –
Emily has submitted a list of signees to
the letter regarding their request that the board discuss UUA
membership. Joyce contacted all of the signees in order to gauge their
degree of commitment to this issue and educate them in what the board
and long-range planning committee has done so far. An open invitation
for any of the individuals to conduct workshops on UUA benefits has gone
unanswered so far. Ernie suggested talking about UUA during the
conversation cafe portion of one of the services.
Next month’s meeting will be held
Tuesday, July 15, at 4:00 at Joyce’s house because the conference room
will be unavailable. Ernie and Bob will be absent. Carol Elrod will be
on phone.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:40.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Cartwright (acting secretary)
|
