Board Meeting Minutes for January 31, 2023

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

https://www.uua.org/worship/words/reading/all-get-free-together

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/GroupGratitude for…
Julia MogilevServing on the board of trustees
Chris DeCardy/Tracy Morris FamilyFarewell, thank you for your service to UUFRC
Thomas AtwoodAppreciations 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