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ALL FAITHS UNITARIAN CONGREGATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEEETING
MINUTES
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Call
to order - The meeting was called to order by
Joyce Ramay, president, at 4 p.m. Present in addition to Joyce were:
Midge Magstadt, secretary, Doug Cartwright, treasurer, and governors
Robert Bennett, Carol Elrod via phone, David Morgan, Robert Nuding, Lou
Pizzini, past chairperson, Wayne Robinson, minister, and Carol Siferd,
chairman of Social Circles.
Secretary’s report – The minutes of the July
meeting as corrected by Carol Elrod were approved as corrected.
Financial reports – (See handouts)
Treasurer’s report - Doug Cartwright said that
July continued a downward turn financially. Our income was $6,936 and
expenses were $12,434 for a net loss of $5,498. July income in 2008 was
$4,063 less than in July of 2007. It was necessary to withdraw $5,000
from the Operating Reserve for the second month in a row. It is likely
that an additional transfer will be necessary at the end of August.
.As of August
21, 2008 our accounts were:
- Checking
– Florida Gulf Bank: $7,627.26
- Florida
Gulf Money Market: $2,578.73
- Raymond
James Legacy Fund: $2,354.26
- Raymond
James Operating Reserve: $22,656.65
- Total
Bank Accounts: $35,216.90
Finance Committee – Consideration is being
given to facilitating Credit Card contributions via our website to
enable members who are away an easy means to continue regular support of
All Faiths. Costs are being kept to bare bones at this point in time.
Discussion of Fall Fundraising was addressed in the Minister’s Report.
Minister’s Report –
(See handouts)
Wayne was warmly welcomed back. He provided handouts outlining his
proposal for an upcoming two-fold mailing. The first would include a
re-cap of the summer and a preview of the fall. It would also introduce
the streaming audio that will begin September 14, our 7th
anniversary. This service would include a live chat room as well as a
way to post joys and concerns and interact with other participants. A
second mailing would ask for financial support for our services and
outreach programs. Wayne also shared some thoughts about the upcoming
food drive on Sept. 7th and a new approach to the structuring
of our services. Another page further explained the streaming audio
potential benefits for our congregation. Please read the handouts for
further details. The Minister’s Report was approved.
Committee
Reports:
SSC
–Doug reported that the next SSC meeting will
be held Sept. 10. He is scheduling meetings around times he will need
to be away. The Fall Startup Luncheon the Fishers are sponsoring has
been changed to Sept. 14. The cost to members will be $5.00 and they
are asked to bring a dessert. The Fishers are providing the food and
will demonstrate preparation techniques for those interested in joining
their efforts to feed those in need. It was recommended that a thank
you letter be sent to the summer speakers and workshop leaders as well
as the summer task force committee to recognize their contribution over
the summer months. Wayne said he would write the letter.
Social Circles – Carol Siferd reported Lunch
Bunch is going to pick a restaurant and stay with it for one month’s
time. She is excited about more activities for the fall, including
outings to the Theater Conspiracy. Her committee will meet Sept. 8 at 6
p.m. for a dinner meeting. She would welcome new members and new ideas.
Social Outreach – Robert’s recent illness
prevented him from attending the last SOC meeting. Dale Weber led it,
but Robert hadn’t received notes from that meeting. EPEC will have a
Peace Fair in December and All Faith’s hope to have a table there.
Sept. 7 will be the Food Drive for Harry Chapin Food Bank. Hope House
had a successful Back to School collection and has begun thinking about
Christmas. Extra donations of $450 for Footsteps to the Future and $430
for Lee Mental Health were received from our generous members.
Religious Education –
Francesca will
continue to work with the children during RE time. Additionally, for
September and October we will have a second worker as well. At the end
of that time we will evaluate how many children are attending services
and how we can best proceed from there. The Board recognizes the
importance of Religious Education and intends to insure this is part of
our programming. There is still a need for an RE director or
coordinator. It was suggested a committee or team might share the
responsibility. Robert is going to pursue finding some interested
parties.
Long
Range Planning – It was felt that due to the
economy, at this time we will postpone further discussion regarding
financial feasibility of a home of our own.
Pastoral Care and Support – Everyone agreed
the communication, and use of e-mails to let members know of those
needing a call, card or visit has been very helpful. There has been a
positive response from those on the giving and receiving ends of the
process.
There was no Old Business.
New Business
– Dale Weber has said
he would lead an Ethics workshop in the fall using UU materials. It was
suggested B.Y.O.T. could start again. There was discussion as to whether
there should be payment to any workshop leaders and it was decided we
would not make that a precedent. Another suggestion was to continue to
present teachings from various faiths: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism etc.
since All Faiths is about being a multi-faith congregation.
Next
Meeting - Our next meeting will be held
Tuesday, September 16, at 4 p.m. in the Edwards Building.
A motion to
adjourn was made by Robert Bennett and seconded by Robert Nuding. The
meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Midge
Magstadt, Secretary
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