ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH BOARD MEETING

November 9, 2005

Minutes

 

Board Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnson, Bruce

President

Present

 

Wetzel, Ed

Treasurer

Present

Rempel, John

V President

Present

 

Middleton, Mike

Secretary

Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board Members

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boland, Katie

Exp 2006

Present

 

Stanis, Suzanne

Exp 2007

Absent

Byer, Greg

Exp 2006

Present

 

Wiesinger, Eric

Exp 2007

Absent

DeRocker, Joy

Exp 2006

Absent

 

Dunkin, Ray

Exp 2008

Present

Miller, Babette

Exp 2006

Absent

 

Hansen, Carol

Exp 2008

Present

Bartley, Brian

Exp 2007

Present

 

Merriman, Sharon

Exp 2008

Present

Evans, Sarah

Exp 2007

Present

 

Spencer, Gary

Exp 2008

Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Others Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clear, Bruce

Minister

 

 

Craig, Bonnie

Office Adm.

 

Murphy, John

Council Chair

 

 

Killingbeck, Don

Budget

 

 

Bruce Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. 

 

Minutes

            Minutes of the October 12 Board meeting were approved.       

 

Treasurer’s Report

            Ed presented the treasurer’s report.  Ed pointed out a $5,246.62 furnace repair bill that surprised many of us.  Bruce J recommended we tie the repair cost with the holiday card fund-raiser.  Bruce J will talk to Jim Catellier about the bill.  After the meeting I reviewed the past minutes and found that we approved $800 for furnace repair on July 13, 2005.  Ed pointed out that we are $17,047 under our budgeted pledge collections for the year.  Bonnie was asked to send the year-end statements out early.        

 

Endowment

            Mike pointed to page 15 of the Operations Manual and Article VI, Section 3 of the By-Laws for establishment and control of the endowment.  The board interprets those sections such that the endowment committee may make prudent investments without board approval for every transaction.

            Mike made a motion that accumulated income be used to forgive the $44,528 debt owed by the Building Renovation Project.  After discussion the motion was approved with two no votes.  The no votes were concerned about using principle and would like the endowment replenished if the church takes out a mortgage.  In May the endowment representative will talk to the congregation about uses of the endowment along with giving the endowment report.

Canvass

            Bonnie reported that as of today we have $196,815 pledged from 154 pledging units.  Sid Clark will follow up on the pledges. 

 

Minister’s Report and Religious Education Report

            The reports were presented.  Bruce C wanted to thank the small groups and budget committee for their work.  He also attributed the smooth meeting with the renters to Bonnies work.  Bruce C suggested we consider the system (for 2007) where we run the canvass after the budget and the budget sits as a goal.  The budget is re-worked later.           

 

Old Business

            The contract with Good Shepherd has been renewed for a year at $800 a month with a three-month payment due for early termination.

            The Scrip is a good gift idea.  Promotion is in the Order of Service, on the web site and may be increased for the season.

            The canvass brunch broke even. 

 

2006 Budget

            Don presented the budget committee recommendations.  The budgeted pledges for 2006 are equivalent with the actual pledge income received and expected for 2005.  The Good Shepherd rental increases our income.  Increases in utilities and salaries in 2006 put pressure on the rest of the budget.  Salaries were discussed in this executive session. 

            Ray would like a more optimistic budget.  He believes that this tight budget is defeatist.  Others saw the budget as simply realistic.  These perspectives were discussed.

            The levels of giving and possible reasons that we have to maintain a tight budget were discussed.  Problems were discussed

            Optimism for unrealized projects such as the building renovation and the small groups program was expressed.  Pride for the success of the Capital Campaign was expressed.  Many other positives were acknowledged.

            A motion to pass the budget as recommended by the budget committee was made and seconded.  The motion passed with one opposed. 

            Next year we will try the budget first and canvass second method.  A committee for the future was formed to help steer the church to a better future.  Members include Sarah, Greg, Ray, … (help me now:  your secretary).

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM

Mike Middleton, Secretary to the Board