| 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)
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