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ALL FAITHS UNITARIAN
CONGREGATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 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, Ernie Fierro, Carol
Elrod, David Morgan, and Robert Nuding. Also present were Carol Siferd,
chairman of the nominating committee, Diane Cartwright, Emily Morse Palmer,
and Wayne Robinson, minister.
Welcome and Induction of
Newly Elected Board Members: President Joyce Ramay welcomed and
introduced the newly elected board members: Chairperson Joyce Ramay, Vice
Chairperson Evelyn Evans, Secretary Midge Magstadt, Governors Carol Elrod,
David Morgan and Robert Nuding. Joyce inducted the new members into office
by leading them in a pledge of service to the Board.
Secretary’s report –
The minutes of the March meeting were approved as distributed.
Financial Reports (See
handouts)
Treasurer’s report:
Doug Cartwright said March was a pretty good month, performing better than
had been expected. Income was $13,948, and expenses were $14,230 for a net
loss of $282. March was a month with 5 Sundays and this may have
contributed to the better than expected performance.
As of April 15, our accounts
were:
·
Checking: $9,172.36
·
Florida Gulf Money Market: $8,556.76
·
Raymond James Money Market: $29,298.70
·
Total: $47,027.82
·
Designated Funds: $1,892.52
Signatures
Resolution – Joyce distributed Signature documents to be signed by the
Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary to authorized said
persons to establish checking, savings, bank boxes, investment accounts or
payroll services; to obtain information regarding them; and to sign checks,
access bank box or authorize transfers on behalf of the congregation. A
motion to approve the resolution of signatures was made by Doug Cartwright
and seconded by Dave Morgan. The motion carried.
Finance Committee –
Liability Insurance Status
- Robert Nuding reported that 3 agencies have been contacted regarding a new
Liability Insurance policy. The present policy will end June 9, 2008. The
new policy may be about $2,000 more per year. Carol Elrod suggested Board
members also check their personal policies to see if they might contain
coverage under an umbrella policy.
Computer Software and
Upgrades - Sara is trying a new software program called Church Pro that
was obtained for $27.00 for a trial period. The present software, Quicken,
is no longer adequate for our needs. The cost will be approximately $400.00
if the new software is adopted. There will be more discussion of this at
another time.
Spring Fundraising –
Wayne reported that the April fundraising letter has been mailed. The first
responses have come in with $13,620 pledged, $5,300 collected, and $100 for
Operating Reserves received. There have been 9 single responses and 9
couple responses thus far. It is possible there will be individuals
speaking briefly during upcoming services about why they continue to support
All Faiths as a way to encourage everyone to participate in the spring
fundraising drive.
Legacy Fund – The
Legacy Fund is continuing to be worked on by Ed Kleinow.
As time goes on there will be
established guidelines for the utilization of designated funds.
Other – There has been
a $1,000 donation from a parent for the instruction of Yoga during R.E. for
9 weeks during June and July. $100 a week will go to Francesca, who is a
certified yoga instructor and $100 for mats and other supplies. Those
parents who have been approached regarding the idea have been enthusiastic.
It is believed this could be an excellent outreach to other children during
the summer months.
A motion was made by Robert
Bennett and seconded by Carol Elrod to approve the recommendations of the
Financial Committee. The motion passed.
Minister’s Report –
(see handout) Wayne welcomed the new board members and reported on the
meetings, and lunches with congregation and community members that he has
been attending. Everyone was also happy to hear that he is once again able
to play golf without pain for the first time since December 2004. Wayne
then passed out the Summer Services Task Force Progress Report. There will
be Practical Workshops from 9-10 a.m., Yoga for Kids during R.E. time,
Services from 10:30-11:45 with June emphasizing Spirituality, July
Interpersonal relationships, and August, Making a Difference in the
Community. There will be discussions combined with lunch from 12:30 on and
this will take the place of Lunch Bunch during the summer months. Wayne
will be present the first two Sundays of June, will then conduct the wedding
of the Nathan’s youngest son on June 13-15th. Following that he
will have 4 weeks of vacation and 4 weeks of Study Leave, returning to the
pulpit August 17. Congregation members and community leaders will be
filling the guest speaker slots in his absence. The presentation of the
Summer Service Task Force is 95% complete and the Board highly commended all
their hard work. A motion was made to accept the Minister’s Report by Bob
Nuding and Dave Morgan seconded it. The motion carried.
Committees –
Religious Education – A
coordinator is needed to take Amanda Evan’s place in that role. The
position would entail working with curriculum, talking with parents, hiring
other teachers and establishing relationships with the children. It is a
volunteer position. There was a brief discussion and no action was taken at
this time.
Membership – Pat Nuding
submitted a report via e-mail reporting All Faith’s presently has 236
members, 90 friends, and 8 dual memberships. There are 5 members planning
to join in May. We lost 2 members with the deaths of Pete Forcey and Syril
Rubin and 2 Friends, John and Janine Johns asked to be removed from the
list. Orientation for new members will be May 18, 2008. Wayne asked how
names were removed from the list and Joyce explained it was only through
death, or at the request of the member when moving or for other personal
reasons.
Music – Carol Elrod
reported the choir numbers continue to be very low and there was some
discussion as to whether to continue. It was agreed having strong voices to
help in leading the hymns is helpful to all. It was suggested the choir
might sing with Dan when he plays the first verse to help familiarize the
congregation with the tune. It was also suggested a lead voice singing into
a microphone might help.
Summer Services – Since Wayne
had already covered this topic in his report Dave had nothing further to
add.
Social Circles – Carol
Siferd reported there will be a series of 24 lectures on the topic of
Transcendentalism offered and that sign up for the series has begun. She
also presented a list of recommendations from the Nominating Committee. (See
handout) Some of the recommendations would involve changing By-Laws and
Joyce suggested the Board study the list and continue discussion at the next
meeting. Review of the By Laws is something that is going to be seriously
looked at in the upcoming months. Joyce praised the Committee for their
hard work, insights and excellent suggestions.
Pastoral Care and Support
– The meeting scheduled for April 13 had to be cancelled as there were not
enough members present for adequate discussion. It was noted that the
Neighborhood Groups have scheduled 8 spring parties to help members get to
know each other better. Some are receiving greater participation than
others, but it is hoped this process can continue to facilitate the
development of relationships and care for one another.
Social Outreach – (see
handout) Robert Bennett reported the Book Sale generated $45 for the Aids
Support and Awareness Program (A.S.A.P.). There will be a Garden Sale before
and after services April 20 to also support this program. The Fresh Market
sold out last Sunday and raised $177 to be donated to the Coalition of
Immokalee Workers. Evelyn Evans and Dale Weber are working on fundraising
ideas for A.S.A.P. and Hope House. They are considering alternating months
for fundraisers between the two organizations. A pen pal program between
R.E. students and children in Bolivia of Mano a Mano is also under
consideration. Mary Lynn Canton was welcomed to the committee and will be an
invaluable asset. She is interested in providing crayons and coloring books
to children who go to visit their parents who are incarcerated. The Board
was very supportive of this and will encourage her to find out what is
needed and how All Faiths could best support this endeavor.
Services Support Council
- Doug Cartwright reported there will be a need for year round members to
fill in the gaps as Snowbirds head north. Jim Goodman will be taking care
of the sound system when Ed Elrod is away. There is interest in an auction
at some time in the future and a need was proposed for a Fund Raising
Committee, perhaps to begin in the fall.
Ministerial Relations –
Dave Morgan reported the by laws for this committee have been drafted and
approved, but no meetings have taken place since then. It was suggested a
brief reminder during services periodically of how to utilize the committee
might be a good idea. The committee might meet at least quarterly, and
there could be periodic mention in the newsletter also as an appropriate way
to let the congregation know of the committee’s function.
Old Business
Review of the Annual
Meeting – Joyce reported there were 103 members present at the Annual
Meeting. There were some who left early thinking the election was the only
item for the meeting. The discussion regarding longevity that began at the
Annual Meeting will continue to be addressed. The service on April 27, 2008
will be devoted specifically to that topic.
New Business
There will be a meeting April
23 at 3:00 p.m. for the Board to discuss longevity with Wayne prior to the
April 27 service. That meeting will also be the Board orientation and
establishment of our mission, which will be connected to the longevity
issue. A brief discussion followed with Board members expressing some of
their thoughts regarding the purchase of property for use by the
congregation, the procedure for succession of ministry etc. The main
consensus was the need for a clear plan that can frame our action for the
future.
The meeting was adjourned at
6:00 with the motion made by Ernie Fierro and seconded by Bob Nuding.
Next Meeting – Tuesday, May
20 – 4 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Midge
Magstadt, Secretary.
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