Unitarian Univeralists of Clearwater

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

 

Attending:                            Sue Boone, Catherine Conover, Dotti Doyle, Susan Hegner, Abhi Janamanchi, Carl Krave, Joe Myers, Millie Rochester, Dick Rolfes, Sylvia Scott, Joann Shrewsbury, Bill Snell, Nancy Warner

 

Guests:                                 Ellen Morgan, Cathy Costa, Barry Skeete                                    

                                   

Absent:                                 Carol Heichel, Linda Stoller, Roberta Watson

 

Call to Order:                      Susan Hegner, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

 

Opening Words:                      Rev. Abhi Janamanchi  

 

Review of Agenda:             The agenda was reviewed and amended.

 

Review of Minutes:            Minutes for January 21, 2009 were amended and approved.

 

Treasurer’s Report:            Motion by Carl Krave to accept the Treasurer’s report. Seconded

                                                and approved unanimously.

 

                                                Income to date is $9000 over budget, although we anticipate we may                                                     be $8000 below budget by year end.

 

                                                Motion by Dick Rolfes to pay four months of our denominational

                                                Dues, amounting to $5,356 to UUA and $2,079 to the

                                                Florida District. Seconded, approved unanimously.

 

            Next year looks to be much more challenging. To date, 60% of the             top

            quartile has committed to pledges of $88,000 as compared to             $101,000 from the same individuals in 2008.

            Campaign costs are $1500 which is under budget.

           

ACTION ITEMS:                     

 

Motion by Catherine Conover to adopt the recommendation of Bill Newton as Above and Beyond winner for the month of March. Seconded and approved unanimously.

 

Motion by Catherine Conover to accept the recommendation of the Ministerial Committee to have a Congregational Workshop on Mission Saturday, March 28, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Seconded and approved unanimously.

 

INFORMATION ITEMS:

 

Rev. Millie Rochester’s report:

§         OWL program is going fabulously.

§         Anecdotally, numbers are down overall for Children’s R.E.

 

§         Passover Seder celebration is scheduled April 9 with Unity and Temple B’nai Israel. Rabbi Baseman and Mrs. Baseman are advising and participating with us.

§         Christine Pensa will be back “on duty” after maternity March 1st.

 

Rev Abhi Janamanchi’s report:

§         Barry Lynn will preach Feb. 22

§         Trying to increase pastoral visits this month with Millie on medical leave.

§         Community outreach as indicated in report.

§         Abhi will be gone early March to District meeting.

§         He is ending his term in June for Church of the Larger Fellowship.

§         26, 27 Feb friends from Rissho Kosei Kai, come and meet with Abhi regarding the  possibility of one of their ministers spend some time doing internship here. Also possibility of having section of Rissho Kosei Kai here.  Their Central theology is engaged Buddism.

 

The Florida District Meeting is scheduled March 20-22 at the Sarasota UU Church. Two of our members, Dotti Doyle and Fred Seidl, are presenting workshops.

Discussion about district awards included nominating Nancy Warner and others.

We also need six delegates for the assembly.

 

Barry Skeete and Cathy Costa presented the concept of having entertainers, such as storytellers and musicians, presenting at the Octagon. Well-known artists can rent the space from us, or local artists can have a 60:40 split. UUC would not contribute financially.

 

Motion by Catherine Conover to appoint Barry Skeete and Cathy Costa as co-chairs of a musical events committee. Seconded and unanimously approved.

 

The Summer Retreat for continuing and new board members is scheduled Saturday May 30th.

 

The Nominating Committee had questions about nominations to the Committee on Ministry. We need to clarify the wording in the byelaws at the next congregational meeting, to reflect that the Committee on Ministry has six members.

 

Sally Demarest has resigned from the Committee on Ministry.

 

Motion by Dotti Doyle that the Board approves a Proposal and Contract from Firemaster for a fire suppression system in the manse at $2200. Seconded and unanimously approved.

 

Motion by Dotti Doyle to express appreciation to Sage Chaney, Sheila Knaust and Joanne Osburn for their hard work and dedication in organizing a successful auction. Seconded and unanimously approved.

 

.

Close:                                   Meeting adjourned 9:00 PM

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Catherine Conover

Secretary