UUFRC Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
November 29, 2022
Location: UUFRC Sanctuary
Trustees Attending: Brian Ferguson (non-voting), Peter Hartzell, Jeanne DeShazo, Dick Edminster, Jason Laderman, Erika Pretell
Trustees Absent: Rob Davis, Julia Mogilev
Guests: Tovis Page
Peter Hartzell chaired the meeting and Erika Pretell acted as secretary for the meeting.
7:03 pm Call to Order – Peter
Chalice lighting; Opening words; A moment of centering – Brian
Anti-Racism Learning – https://www.vox.com/2015/2/16/8031073/what-are-microaggressions
Consent Agenda
- The following reports were accepted:
- Last BOT Meeting Minutes – 10-25-22
- Minister’s Report – November
- Finance Committee Report
- No Personnel Committee Report this month
- Connections Coordinator Report – November – Will be considered at next board meeting (received late)
Strategic Discussion – Peter
- Discussion of how we feel we are doing on board goal #2, Cohesive communication strategy and implementation both internally and externally
- Concern that despite repeated mentioning of strategic planning process, many members have expressed surprise about it
- Suggestion to increase ways of communicating, such as having a “column” every two weeks with rotating writers (Brian and board members) to share important info. Print a copy and hang in social hall
- Sometimes people won’t remember info unless there’s a call to action
- Brief update from Erika on Outreach & Marketing (OM) workshop on 11/19, attended by 11 people. More details to follow after Liz and Erika complete a draft report.
- Concern that despite repeated mentioning of strategic planning process, many members have expressed surprise about it
Operations – Board Oversight
Board Reports – Items for Discussion as Needed
Program Council Update – Rob
- No update
OGNS Update – Erika
- Erika and Teacher Kristi will meet later this week
Personnel Update – Jason
- Resolved Board approved new job description for Educator/Mentor as presented by Jason.
Financial Update – Dick
- We invested another $50K in a 5-month CD at 3.5%
- Discussed proposed process and timeline for developing 2023 budget
- Peter will make sure that key dates are kept track of
Task Force Updates
Strategic Implementation & Young Adult Program
- Written update received from Chris Stovall
- Town halls on Dec. 11(after service) and Dec. 12 (Zoom)
Operations – General
Youth & Family, RE Program, Action Sunday – Brian
- YFC Implementation Team and Action Sunday Update (Brian)
- Covered in monthly report
Rental Tactical marketing meeting (Jeanne, Brian, Peter)
- Team met and developed a list of 11 challenges to be solved
- Plan to offer tech services (paid for by renters) to enable hybrid support, recording, etc.
Leadership and Member Integration – Peter & Brian
- Engagement: three big events this fall (auction, retreat, volunteer appreciation party)
- Volunteerism: developed list of roles and needs
- Elisa Neipp and Amy French will co-chair pledge drive
- Brian will temporarily lead Learning Journey through June; need to identify people to take over. Also need to develop a programming arc
- Leadership: Brian and Alex Stagner are creating set of trainings to offer in February
Ordination of Tovis Page Request – Tovis
- UUFRC sponsored Tovis as a ministerial candidate; she did her internship with UUSM
- She has been granted preliminary fellowship
- Tovis would like to have UUFRC ordain her (ceremony and celebration). She would like to invite UUSM to co-ordain if they’re willing and able. The event will take place in late April or early May.
- Resolved the board supports ordaining Tovis Page at UUFRC.
Spending in line with our values – Peter and Jason
- We reviewed draft policy
- Already have a policy for investments, but could revisit
Video Camera Purchase Proposal
- Board supports but no vote required because request is within budget
Little Free Library Proposal – Peter
- Last month Board approved a motion to approve proposal to build and maintain a Little Free Library in the front yard
- Some additional details:
- The final location will be determined by Brian and Dee Dee Stoval, chair, Grounds Committee.
- The installation will be coordinated by John Cooney, chair Building Committee.
- The Curation of the Library will be the responsibility of Rev. Brian.
- No later than in the June 2022 Board meeting, feedback on the Library will be heard and a decision made to continue, adjust or remove it.
- Scheduled daily/weekly check of contents for appropriateness or vandalism (as part of gardening cleanup or staff arrival).
End of Year Appreciation for Staff
- Board will plan a dinner party on a Friday in January
Wrap Up
Action Items Review – Erika
- Peter will make sure key budget planning dates are tracked
- Peter and Jason will take the lead on planning dinner for staff
- Brian will follow up with Tovis about her ordination.
- Jeanne will look up information related to Ellie Kilpatrick’’s ordination
- Note: Decision to ordain Ellie was made by congregational vote
Thank You Notes (Jeanne)
- Jen Bahr-Davidson and Sarah Skovlund for leading successful retreat
- David Krevor and Matt Garr for music at the retreat
Next Meeting
- BoT Meeting -Tuesday, January 3, by Zoom
Closing Circle – Brian
Adjourn: 9:20 pm