UUFRC Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
January 31, 2023
Location: Via Zoom
Trustees Attending: Brian Ferguson (non-voting), Peter Hartzell, Rob Davis, Dick Edminster, Jason Laderman, Erika Pretell
Trustees Absent: Jeanne DeShazo
Guests: Joyce Porter, Jennifer Bahr-Davidson
Peter Hartzell chaired the meeting and Erika Pretell acted as secretary for the meeting.
Call to order – Peter
Chalice lighting; Opening words; A moment of centering – Erika
Anti-Racism Reading & Discussion – conversation moderated by Dick
Consent Agenda
- The following reports were accepted:
- Last BOT Meeting Minutes – 1-3-23
- Connections Coordinator Report – January
- Minister’s Report – January
- Finance Committee Report – January
- Personnel Committee Report – January
Strategic Discussion
Reflect on our 1st Board Strategic Goal — community member integration:
1. Successful, positive change management of the Fellowship. Here are the things changing … we do not lead them all, but we are responsible for the overall success of the change represented:
b. Community members are integrated
Questions:
- What have we accomplished (Engagement, Volunteers, Leadership)? Are we welcoming? Are we cliquey?
- What are we observing + hearing?
- Course correction? action? communication?
- Brian share observations and context with other churches
Discussion
- Conversations Brian had, members didn’t feel included in community, though active; not feeling integrated into next level
- This was also discussed in Congregational Record
- C-Groups, writing groups, auction dinners may seem exclusive
- Pandemic made it more difficult
- Groups.io – maybe people are missing out on informal get-togethers if they don’t read; bulletin may go to spam folders
- Idea of Connections Committee reaching out to people new within past 3-4 years to ask about their experience
- Quarterly get-togethers for newcomers
- We spend lot of effort of first-time visitors but less with new members
- Could do circle dinners again
- Two sets of rules depending on whether you know staff
- Connections Committee is creating a list of starter questions/tips for talking to newcomers, could share with congregation
Operations – Board Oversight
Board Reports – Items for Discussion as Needed
Connections Committee Charter – Joyce
- RESOLVED: the new committee charter was approved
- Is it okay to advertise events like game night for which food is paid for by UUFRC? – yes!
Replace Julia Mogilev as board member for remainder of year
- RESOLVED: Board appointed Lori Longo to fill seat through end of this year
- Peter will communicate to congregation (including appreciation for Julia)
Program Council
- Nothing to report
OGNS
- Nothing to report
Personnel Update – Jason
- Nothing to report
Financial Update – Dick, Jen
- Budget planning – $324 budget, projected $310 actual (2022-23)
- Changes for 2023-24
- 5% COLA
- Pension increase from 5-10%
- Young Adult Advisor, OM, pastoral care
- Pledge goal $335K, not including expectation of about $5K from new pledges after the pledge drive, structural deficit of $18K
- Ministerial reserve is too low, we will replenish when possible
- RESOLVED: pledge goal of $335K approved
- Brian’s rent and utilities have increased so he is requesting a shift in percentage of salary allocated to housing. This is budget neutral.
- RESOLVED: Increase Brian’s Housing Allowance to $4150 from $3700.
Task Force Updates
Strategic Planning Implementation Plan (SPIT) – Brian
- Have reached to committees but not as much yet to individuals who aren’t part of committees; working on it
- At next board meeting we will discuss initiatives and which one board will be responsible for
Outreach & Marketing Team – Erika
- “Wine and cheese” events have been going well – two of three so far
YFC Implementation Team and Action Sunday Update – Brian
- Going well, attendance good; still some concerns about not many children
- Evaluation survey went out yesterday, committee will discuss next week, then bring to board in February
Rental Committee – Peter
- Pieces are in place (contracts, marketing place, on website) but not yet marketing it
Tongan Christian Center
- Assemblies of God congregation interested in renting space on regular basis (Sunday afternoons), but some concerns about their religious beliefs about LGBTQ issues; we could become associated with their values
- Brian will talk to the pastor and bring it back to us
Operations – General
Learning Journey – Brian
- Hanju fine with Brian taking it on for now
Ordination of Tovis Page
- Congregational meeting on Sunday
- Vote will be online
- Need to check people in for quorum – Erika
- Brian will finalize the language of motion with Tovis
- Jeannie will help coordinate the congregational meeting
- RESOLVED: Costs of Tovis Page’s ordination will be paid from ministerial reserve events line item
- Leadership and Member Integration update, Board Support
- Vision/ Discussion on Advanced Leadership Training: Alex, Brian and Peter met.
Pledge Campaign Team update (Feb 5 – 12) (Brian) – Awareness
Little Free Library (Peter) – Awareness
Wrap Up
Action Items Review – Erika
- Peter will communicate to congregation about Julia stepping down (we appreciate her service) and appointment of Lori Longo
- Brian will talk to pastor of Tongan Christian Center
- For Tovis’ ordination:
- Need to check people in for quorum – Erika
- Brian will finalize the language of motion with Tovis
- Jeannie will help coordinate the congregational meeting
Thank You Notes (Peter)
| Name/Group | Gratitude for… |
| Julia Mogilev | Serving on the board of trustees |
| Chris DeCardy/Tracy Morris Family | Farewell, thank you for your service to UUFRC |
| Thomas Atwood | Appreciations for years of taking care of Joe |
Next Meeting
- BoT Meeting – Tuesday, February 28, 7 – 9:30pm, Sanctuary
Closing Circle – Erika
Adjourn: 9:05 pm