ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH BOARD MEETING

December 12, 2007

 

Board Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Murphy, John

President

Present

 

Bartley, Brian

Secretary

Present

Sibert, Tom

V President

Present

 

Middleton, Mike

Treasurer

Present

Board Members

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunkin, Ray

Exp 2008

Present

 

Griffith, Debi

Exp 2009

Present

Hansen, Carol

Exp 2008

Absent

 

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, Bruce

Minister

 

 

Woods, Kathryn

Office Adm.

 

Clear, Nancy

RE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call to Order

President John Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.

 

Minutes

            Minutes of the November 2007 Board meeting were approved as distributed.  

 

            Minutes of the 2007 Congregational Meeting were approved without objection.  There was a brief discussion initiated by Ray Dunkin regarding the Welcoming Committee Resolution and comments from congregants following its acceptance.  

 

Announcement of HUUA District Meeting and call for delegates

            John Murphy made this announcement and read the Heartland District Mailing.  Bruce and Nancy Clear contributed to the discussion regarding the call for delegates to the meeting.  The number of delegate positions open is 15 and is to be turned in to the HUUA by January 15, 2008 so individual delegates may receive information.  John is to inform the Council regarding this.

 

Minister’s Report

            Bruce presented his report.  No discussion.

 

DRE’s Report 

            Nancy presented her report.  No discussion.

 

2007 Operating Financial Update

            Mike Middleton presented information stating that the operating budget is looking at a potential $16,000 negative cash flow by the end of the year.  This shortfall is partly due to paying the balance of Heartland and UUA Dues.  Mike explained that there are inactive Custodial Accounts that will be utilized to help fund operations.  There was general discussion regarding the custodial accounts and a request by Sharon Merriman to bring a list of the Custodial Accounts to the next Board Meeting.  John Murphy made the request to Mike Middleton to bring the Accounts with balances to the January Board Meeting for review.  Kathryn stated that we have $9000 from the card sale that will help make up the deficit. With this amount and potentially more, Kathryn believes we will be very close to meeting the budgeted operations income for 2007.

 

All Souls by the Numbers

            Mike Middleton presented a handout with information regarding All Souls member numbers, pledging units and amounts pledged from 1994-2008.  The stated purpose was to give perspective on the current Budget.  There was general discussion regarding the use of the Endowment Fund for operations.  John Murphy gave a working definition:  The Endowment Fund is essentially an “emergency fund”.  Mike Middleton stated that the interest income from the Endowment Fund is approximately $25,000 per year.

 

Discussion of shortfall for 2008 Operating Budget

            Don Killingbeck has written another insert for the order of service (see handout).  There was brief discussion regarding this.  Kathryn reported there has been an increase in pledges for 2008 since the last insert.  Ray Dunkin requested plans for a “reasonable budget” for next year.  John Murphy stated he would approach the Stewardship Committee with a request for further assistance.  Bob Brunner made a point regarding the “37%” of congregants who have not pledged and wants to formulate a plan to approach these people.  He will bring a plan to the next Board Meeting.  No plan was made regarding the current insert.

           

Other Business

1.                            Mike Middleton presented information regarding the photo directory.  He requested $300 to place previous member photos in the directory since not every congregant had taken advantage of the recent photo shoot.  A motion was made by Mike to authorize $300 for said use.  Ray Dunkin seconded and the motion was approved by unanimous consent.

 

2.                            Debi Griffith stated the Choir was requesting Board approval for the use      of the Choir’s Custodial Account to pay for tuning the pianos.  This was approved with unanimous consent.

 

Executive Session

            Bruce & Nancy Clear and Kathryn Woods left the Meeting for the Executive Session. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:20PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Brian J. Bartley

Secretary to the Board