ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH BOARD MEETING

October 10, 2007

Minutes

 

Board Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Murphy, John

President

Present

 

Wetzel, Ed

Treasurer

Absent

Sibert, Tom

V President

Present

 

Middleton, Mike

Secretary

Present

Board Members

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunkin, Ray

Exp 2008

Present

 

Griffith, Debi

Exp 2009

Present

Hansen, Carol

Exp 2008

Present

 

Most, Richard

Exp 2009

Absent

Merriman, Sharon

Exp 2008

Present

 

Basile, Frank

Exp 2010

Absent

Spencer, Gary

Exp 2008

Present

 

Burns, Linda

Exp 2010

Present

Basson, Rodney

Exp 2009

Present

 

Fox, Lucia

Exp 2010

Present

Brunner, Bob

Exp 2009

Present

 

Wendt, Caroline

Exp 2010

Present

Others Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clear, Nancy

RE

 

 

Woods, Kathryn

Office Adm.

 

Vermeulen, Andrea

Grant

 

 

Atwater, Rich

Prop. Mgmt.

 

 

 

 

 

Wendt, John

 

 

 

John Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.

 

Minutes

            Minutes of the September 12 Board meeting were approved with the addition of Paul when referring to Paul Beattie.   

 

Building Renovation

            Rich presented and discussed a budget summary.  He mentioned that encapsulating the low ceiling in the sanctuary and replacing the windows and frames on either side of the pulpit should be priorities for future work.  Changes in the street sign are low on the list.  Rich asked that the BRC be dissolved.  Sharon made a motion to thank the BRC, call their work done and dissolve the committee.  The motion was seconded and passed with accolades from the board.  

 

Capital Campaign

            Tom presented the fund raising report.  He expects 95% fulfillment of pledges giving us net proceeds of $1,026,935.  Mike will present a cash flow spreadsheet at the November Board meeting for planning purposes.

 

The next Board Meeting will be November 20 to decide on a 2008 budget before the congregational meeting.

 

Treasurer’s Report

            Kathryn presented the operating budget Income and Expense Statement.   The custodial accounts are current.  The $150,000 loan pre-payment was reduced to $125,000 due to cash flow concerns and will be sent out in a day or two.  The pledge payments are behind by $24,877, which is typical this time of year.  Kathryn will send out the quarterly statements soon. 

 

Endowment Report

            Mike presented the endowment report.  The portfolio performance is 8.4% for the year to date.  The allocation for stocks is at 72%, which is close to the 75% approved by the board.  A discussion followed about how much endowment to have.    

 

Welcoming Congregation

Ron presented for the committee.  They will ask the Congregation to vote on a By-law revision and a resolution requesting Welcoming Congregation designation.  The committee will disband after the congregational meeting.

Debi moved that the following By-law revision be put before the congregation.  The motion was seconded and passed.  Bob believes the last line stems from a UUA policy.

 

Article II, Membership

 

Section 1. Any person fourteen years of age or over, who feels in sympathy with the purposes of the Church as expressed in its Covenant and in its general activities, and who signs the membership book, shall be considered a member thereof.  All Souls Unitarian Church welcomes all persons, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, disabilities, or sexual orientation. Members of All Souls Unitarian Church may not be members of other Unitarian Universalist Churches or Fellowships.

 

Ray moved that the following resolution be put before the congregation.  The motion was seconded and passed with one no vote.

 

Resolution to Request Welcoming Congregation Designation from UUA

 

We, the congregation of All Souls Unitarian Church, Indianapolis, having engaged in a process of self-examination and education in accordance with the Welcoming Congregation Guidelines of the Unitarian Universalist Association, do hereby declare that we affirm bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons, are responsive to their concerns, and are inclusive of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons as members of our church community and our community at large.  We hereby request that the Unitarian Universalist Association designate All Souls Unitarian Church, Indianapolis, a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation.

 

Ray pointed out that we have nothing that says “All Visitors Welcome”.  A motion was made to put “All Visitors Welcome” on signage, publications, PR material and the web site.  The motion was seconded and passed.  Kathryn will put the message on the web site and the bulletin.

 

Minister’s Report & Religious Education Report

            Bruce has sent in his report.  Nancy presented her report.  Nancy noted that long time member Polly Arnold is in poor health.   

                

New Business

             Andrea presented a grant opportunity for Bruce’s sabbatical.  It is with the Lilly Endowment for up to $45,000 and would need to be used between August 2008 and July 2010.  Nancy indicated that Bruce would be interested in this.  The Grant application is due at the end of January.  Andrea, Tom and Debi will work with Bruce to pursue this grant. 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM

Mike Middleton, Secretary to the Board