UUCC Board of Trustees Meeting

May 23, 2011

Present: Mark Howenstein, Rev. Jan Carlsson-Bull, Vickie O’Dougherty, Jane Riley, Chris Papele, Donna Newsome, Ed Englehardt, Bob Rich, Kathy Eberlein

Absent: Mary Evans, Heather MacLean

Meeting Called to Order at 6:40

Lighting the Chalice and Centering: Donna Newsome

Action Items

1. 2011-2012 Budget--Vickie/Mark

MOTION: Ed Englehardt moved to accept the 2011-2012 as presented. Second: Bob Rich

Vote: Unanimous

ACTION: Mark will send out copy of budget to the congregation and include the dates for budget informational sessions: May 29 at 10:00 and June 5 after the service.

2. By-Laws Revisions--Mark

No By-Laws revisions will be presented at the Annual Congregational meeting due to timing issues. A By-Laws Task Force was formed with the following trustees as members:

Mark Howenstein, Ed Englehardt, Kathy Eberlein, Bob Rich, Donna Newsome. Rev. Jan will also participate.

This Task Force is charged with reviewing the by-laws and making recommendations for changes to be presented to the BOT in time for a Congregational Meeting on October 2, 2011.

ACTION: Members need to determine first meeting date and create a time-line to ensure adherence to timing set forth in the current by-laws.

3. Sunday Services--Donna/Kathy

A summary of the Sunday discussions re: the prospect of one Sunday service was presented, based on the results of the feedback obtained a motion was made.

MOTION: Donna Newsome moved to recommend one Sunday Service at the UUCC to be held at 10:30 beginning with the first Sunday in July 2011. Second: Chris Papele Vote: Unanimous

4. UUCC Rental Space--

A Task Force was created to write a rental policy for the use of the facilities at UUCC.

Task Force Members are: Chris Papele, Ed Englehardt, and Vickie O’Dougherty. Sandy Pearson will be invited to join.

5. Theater Sounds--Mark

Further discussion was held regarding the relationship between Theater Sounds and the UUCC.

ACTION: Mark will inform Theater Sounds by letter that they can no longer make use of UUCC’s tax exempt status, and that a space use agreement will be presented when the rental policy is written and accepted by the BOT.

6. Make -a-Wish windows--Ed

Ed reported that he has examined the effected windows and will make an attempt at getting them all in working order.

7. Handrail to Sanctuary--

This project will be financed in the 2011-2012 Building and Grounds Budget since all discretionary spending has been frozen for this year.

NOTE: There is no money for projects in the 2011-2012 Buildings and Grounds Budget

Points of Information

1. Slate of Candidates to the BOT--Mark

The Nominating Committee has recommended the following slate of officers and trustees to be voted on at the Annual Meeting:

Vice President: Donna Newsome

Treasurer: Ed Englehardt

Trustee 2yr term: Bob Rich

Trustee 2yr term: Chris Papele

Trustee 2yr term: nominating committee still seeking candidate

2. GA Delegates--Ed and Kathy Englehardt

Ed will be attending the GA in Charlotte, NC and Kathy is uncertain at this time. The BOT thanks the Englehardts for being able to represent the UUCC at this most historic GA. Rev. Jan will attend as out ministerial delegate.

3. Annual Congregational Meeting--Mark

Meeting will be June 11, 2011 at 6:30PM with a potluck starting at 5:30PM. BOT members are asked to be there by 4:45 to help set up. Congregational members will be asked to contribute an item for the potluck according to their last names.

Absentee ballots will be available and must be requested by June 1 and postmarked for return by June 8 and sent to UUCC/attn. Kathy Eberlein.

Old Business

(None)

New Business

1. It was agreed that the money being collected in the Caring Committee jar can be given to the Ministerial Discretion Fund, since the jar is ‘illegal’ and will be removed.

2. Our electricity usage has doubled over this same time last year, and Vickie will look into this with Central Hudson with the possibility of considering an energy audit.

Calendar Keeper’s Report--Chris

A New Member Picnic sponsored by the BOT needs to be planned. Four possible dates were offered: July 10 and 17, August 7 and 21.

All Ears

(No report)

Committee Reports

MOTION: Bob Rich moved to accept the Committee Reports. Donna Newsome seconded.

Vote: Unanimous

Minutes of the Last Meeting

MOTION: Ed Englehardt moved to accept the minutes of the last meeting as amended.

Vickie O’Dougherty seconded. Vote: 7 in favor Abstain: 1

Treasurer’s Report

(No treasurer’s report available)

Mind Body Spirit Fair grossed $1100. The Board extends a sincere thank you to Heather MacLean and her committee for a well-organized event.

Book Fair grossed $2400 and a sincere thank you to Chris Papele and her committee for another successful Book Fair.

Minister’s Report

Rev. Jan reported the following:

  • The Ministerial Transition Team (MTT) will be phasing into a different role since the cottage meetings
  • June 1 the MTT and the MSC (Ministerial Search Committee) will meet together to examine the feedback from the cottage meetings.
  • June 5th’sermon will be a collage of the feedback from the cottage meetings
  • During June the MSC will conduct a congregational survey both online and in hard-copy form for those without computer usage.
  • On June 4th Rev. Jan will be leading a retreat for all members of the MSC--those who have been on the committee for the past months and prospective new members.
  • The Classics in Religion sessions on Wednesdays, running from May through June 1, which Jan is facilitating, is going well.
  • Worship Associates in teams of 2 will be doing some summer services
  • Two pulpit exchanges are scheduled for the fall and winter with more possible.
  • The photocopier is non-functioning and, after much research, a replacement copier and plan have been chosen
  • Jan suggested power washing the entryway into the Farmhouse.
  • Association Sunday is October 2 and it was decided that the entire non-pledge plate on that date be donated to the UUA.

President’s Report

Mark asked that we speak optimistically about the ballot issues, the budget, and the future of the UUCC.

Centering for Next Meeting: Ed Englehardt

President Mark Howenstein thanked everyone for attending and doing the work of the congregation.

Adjournment: 9:50 Donna Newsome moved to adjourn; Bob Rich seconded

Vote: Unanimous

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Eberlein