Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater

Board of Directors Minutes

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

 

Attending:                  Sue Boone, Catherine Conover, Dotti Doyle, Susan Hegner, Abhi Janamanchi,

                                    Carl Krave, Joe Myers, Dick Rolfes, Sylvia Scott, Joann Shrewsbury, Bill Snell, Linda

                                    Stoller

 

Guests:                       Bill Norsworthy, Pat McGivern

 

Absent:                       Carol Heichel, Millie Rochester, Nancy Warner, Roberta Watson

 

Call to Order:             Susan Hegner, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:34

 

Opening Words:        Abhi Janamanchi

 

Review of Agenda:   The agenda was reviewed and amended.

 

Approval of Minutes: Minutes for September, 2008 were amended and approved.

 

Treasurer's Report: The Treasurers report was moved by Sue Boone, seconded, approved

 

                                    The pledge income was off in September, but ahead for year-to-date.

                        There will possibly be a serious problem next year. We have run out of

                        reserves. We need to get back to a balanced budget. We have to make

                        up a $40000 projected deficit for next year.  The current economic

                        situation may make this worse. We need to start planning ahead:

                        Where can we increase our budget and how can we decrease expenses.

 

                        Susan Hegner announced that we are proposing a Board/Finance

                        Committee meeting November 22, 9:00 – 12:00 to discuss finances, and

                        come up with options to take to the congregation in a serious of town hall

                        meetings. Linda Stoller suggested that committee chairs should be informed

                        that they should try not to overspend their budget. Sue Boone will contact

                        committee chairs by email.

                       

ACTION ITEMS:

 

Motion by Dotti Doyle to approve “Above & Beyond” Award. Seconded, approved unanimously.

 

This is an award established for volunteers. Recommendations will be made by committee

chairs, board members and/or ministers. There will be monthly award winners and an annual

award winner whose name will be inscribed on a silver bowl. Committee members are: Bill

Norsworthy, Florence Cohan-Austin, and Kara Sand.

 

Motion by Sue Boone to provide UUC facilities for the IARF Regional Conference Winter 2010.

Seconded, approved unanimously.

Abhi Mentioned this will be a two-day event could conceivably make some money for UUC. Would

require home hospitality (75-100), and a local planning committee, to provide for feeding, help with

registration, etc.

 

Motion by Dick Rolfes to add $285 per month to Abhi’s housing allowance and deduct $285 imputed

interest from his compensation. Seconded, approved unanimously.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 

Ad Hoc Committee on the manse reported by Dotti Doyle, Chair. Approached by Clearwater, Zen

Buddhists, an American Zen Buddhist group who are very interested in renting the manse for their

weekly meditations and up to four retreats per year. They are offering $1000 per month. This could

be a nice “fit” for both groups, UUC and American Zen Buddhists. It should be explained to them that

the lease would be renegotiated on an annual basis. Things to be decided and discussed:

Negotiable lease, negotiable utilities, appliances, electricity up to code, security system, accessibility

issues, parking issues, shared space. The committee will cost renovations and bring back to the

Board, and bring a good proposal in the form of a lease. Zen Buddhists would like to move in by mid-

November. Lease approval may be by email prior to next Board meeting.

 

Report by Ad Hoc Committee on Miracle Sunday. Need ~$50,000 Met once, need more discussion

with finance Committee. Charge to be ready if Board sees the need to have a plan ready to go.

Board sees this as a plan in case of emergency, (e.g. air conditioning failure). Bill Snell committee

member, feels we need to see miracle Sunday as part of a whole approach to fund raising.

Committee will meet again, consider some scenarios, and come up with a model and a goal.

                       

INFORMATION ITEMS:

 

·         As of October 15, 2008 there were 295 pledging members.

 

·         Susan Hegner passed round Evaluation to be returned to her mailbox ASAP.  All sections to be completed for both ministers.

 

·         Rev. Millie Rochester’s report distributed.

 

·         Rev. Abhi Janamanchi’s report distributed.  Millie has taken almost entire burden of pastoral care from Abhi. Abhi’s time is taken up by administrative (staff) and “Vote NO on Amendment 2.”

            Abhi’s priorities for the year are:

o        Growth and do what it takes to grow

o        Focus on key issues: Social witness. R. E.  etc.

o        Invest time in financial and administrative areas of church life.

§         Clear expectations and goals

§         Not enabling staff and Board etc. More clear cut roles

 

            Church Security and Safety: Recommend ad hoc committee. Sue Boone will be Board representative

            and Chair of that committee.

 

            African American Islam leaders in the area have asked us to host an Interfaith Memorial Service for

            Imam Mohammed November 9, 2008.

 

·         Follow-up Report by Administrative Committee: They met with Frank Wells to give him the Board’s

            letter.

 

·         Joint Board of Trustees and Finance Committee Retreat 9:00 – 12:00 Saturday, November 22

 

·         President’s Round Table 9:30 –4:00, November 8, 2008, in Orlando. Flier distributed.

 

EMERGING ISSUES:

 

Covenant for Board on agenda for next month

 

Close:             Meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM



Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Catherine Conover

Secretary