First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
Minutes of the Meeting of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES
November 17, 2015
Present: Dale Skaggs (President), Sally Lewis (Vice President), Scot Henry (Secretary), Julie Bock, Alexis Fielek,Mary Ann Fisher, Pete Koneazny, Holly Patzer, Don Wiemer
Also Present: Interim Minister Elaine Peresluha,Church Administrator Jean Johnson, Senior Minister Search Committee Co-chair Elizabeth Lentini
1) Action Item –Request for approval of Senior Minister’s salary range and draft Ministerial Agreement. Senior Minister Search Committee Co-Chair Elizabeth Lentini distributed and explained the search committee’s recommended salary range and corresponding qualifications for high, mid, and low points within the proposed range. She also distributed and explained the draft ministerial settlement agreement, which is a modified version of the UUA’s recommended model settlement agreement. Elizabeth explained that the UUA form was changed to make terminology more consistent with FUSM practices. Substantive changes included a waiver of the one year waiting period for congregation contribution to the minister’s pension.
Motion to approve the Search Committee’s proposed Senior Minister Salary Range and Criteria. Moved by Don Weimer, Second by Alexis Fielek. Approved unanimously.
The group agreed to reserve, as “parking lot” issues (a) to reconsider the one year waiting period for retirement contributions for all staff and (b) revision of the staff personal leave policy for consistency.
2) Report - Interim Sr. Ministerreport (Rev. Elaine Peresluha). Elaine submitted a written report which she summarized. Elaine and Cheri are preparing for stewardship campaign beginning February 14 with One to One conversations and a series of small group dinners. On December 5th, consultant Laurel Amabile will facilitate a financial leadership discussion on the congregation’s financial structure and changing FUSM culture around money, and she will speak about ‘How We Are Generous’ at both services on December 6th.
Elaine is working with Cheri and the “Escalating Inequality” team to kick off a “30 Days of Love” campaign beginning on MLK Sunday. We will be giving awards to six local leaders of the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Elaine requested that the Board consider at its December meeting giving $1,000 grants to each of the six honorees and giving a $10,000 grant to the Coalition for Mothers for Justice (the group locally led by Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontres Hamilton who was a victim of police shooting). One concern noted regarding the $10,000 grant was whether Mothers for Justice has a non-profit corporate entity or other ability to receive the money.
Elaine also reported that she has met with the Senior Minister Search Committee, and that they are progressing well with their process. She has provided support for compilation of the Congregational Record.
Attendance: Elaine presented data on low attendance in Sunday services and in RE during this church year. There may be a variety of reasons, including “interim fatigue,” that may contribute to lower attendance in the second interim year. Further exploration of these issues will await completion of the report from the Board of Trustee listening sessions held November 22 and 29 and December 6th.
3) Report on Planning for BOT Listening Sessions (Scot Henry). Scot led discussion on the format for BOT listening sessions after each service on November 22 and 29 and December 6th. At least two BOT members will be present for each session, one to pose questions and facilitate discussion and the other to record comments. Based on discussion of possible questions (on low attendance reasons, finances and Sunday service format changes such as children and youth in services most Sundays), Scot will circulate a list of questions for uniform discussion at the various sessions.
4) Discussion of “Buzz” feedback from Trustee on Duty. Minimal feedback in the past month included additional comments/suggestions triggered by the Drew Kennedy portrait in the common room. One suggestion was to have an area in the church where portraits of all past ministers could be displayed. Generally, we have observed more of a need to be on the lookout for and welcome new members and visitors.
5) Action Item - Approval of October BOT Meeting Minutes. Motion by Sally Lewis to approve the corrected minutes, seconded by Mary Ann Fisher. Approved unanimously.
6) Report – Projects and Calendar. Dale Skaggs reported that Alexis Fielek, Katie Waydick, Christina Plum and Pete Koneazny have agreed to serve on a committee to revise/update the FUSM by-laws. The group will meet in December or early January and expect to complete the project by April 2016.
7) Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:10.
Dates to Note:
November 22 & 29 and December 6 – Listening Sessions
January 20, 2016 – Relational Dialogue Workshop.
Senior Minister Candidate Visits possible dates April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8
May 15th – Art Auction
May 22nd – Annual Meeting
Next BOT Meeting – Tuesday December 15th , 6-8pm: Minutes/Chanticleer – Julie, Words & Snack—Pete (for Holly, who now has Words & Snacks for January meeting).
Pete Koneazny (recording secretary)
Scot Henry, Secretary