Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin, NC
Board of Trustees Meeting
February 21, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 12:55 p.m. by President Mary Teslow in the Fellowship Hall. The Board meeting was re-scheduled for February 21 due to church cancellation February 14 on account of wintery weather.
Attendance: Barbara Denton, Bill Denton, Ed Gettys, Joan Hawthorne, Dotty Hiles, Sue Ann Reisdorph, Warren Riley, Mary Teslow. Absent: Linda Winn Brown, Bonnie Gramlich. Also in attendance: Charlie Brown, Paul Chew, Madeleine Ferland, Bill Nichols, Virginia Wilson.
Minutes: Sue Ann clarified that the fencing bill amount should be noted & recorded in the minutes: $2,921.70. Joan made a motion to approve the minutes. Motion seconded and approved.
Treasurer's Report: Year-to-date income is $71,851.90. Year-to-date expenses are $26,789.46. Ed reported that $3,000 from the Vanguard Fund had been transferred to the Building Fund. For the new Sanctuary there has been approximately $650,000 in expenditures to date. Also, $23,094.50 has been contributed to the Building Fund for the year to date; $50,000 has been the expectation for 2009-2010. Due to a colder winter, the electric bill is running higher. Ed distributed a hand-out of a check register to look more specifically at deposits and checks. Warren made a motion to accept the treasurer's report. Motion seconded and approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Building Steering Committee: Stair treads from the Sanctuary foyer to the lower level have been installed, carpet tiles ordered and the pass through in the lower level kitchen is completed. The date of April 24 is the anticipated goal for a Certificate of Occupancy to be in place for the lower level. One-third of the needed funds for the carpet tiles has been contributed. The Board has already recommended professional installation. Bill made a motion that tables and chairs be purchased for the lower level and to utilize the McGinty Estate funds, once they are authorized, pending the recommendation of the Design Committee. Motion seconded with discussion. Motion then tabled for the Design Committee to further investigate costs, amount needed as well as types of tables & chairs. Discussion ensued as to how Miles & Dixie McGinty will be recognized and honored; it is essential that we as a Board not lose sight of the significance of this as the phases continue. Mary will inquire as to the possible time-lines of the McGinty Estate funds for Board planning purposes.
RE Center Renovations and Ramping: Charlie shared with the Board an architectural plan and explained the basic configuration. He had discussed various spacing items with Linda Goggin and Virginia. Life, health and safety are the main priorities. Bill made a motion that the plan be referred to the Building and Grounds Committee for review and recommendations. Motion seconded and approved.
Rental Policy Development: The Social & Environmental Justice Committee would like to collaborate with regional organizations of like goals in these areas, as well as waiving fees for those who would be interested in using our facilities for workshops, meetings, etc. Bill made a motion that the Board authorize the committee to move ahead in networking with groups pending the advent of the new rental policy. An addendum added to the motion: the Board would make the decision that a Fellowship-sponsored event would take precedence over an outside organizational event should dates be conflicted. Motion seconded and approved. Mary suggested that a church calendar of events be established. Cleaning & utilities would also need to be considered with groups meeting at UUFF.
Justice Reading Series & Fundraisers: Virginia spoke of the possibility of this reading series entitled "Justice, What's the Right Thing To Do" by Michael Sandel as a collaboration between the Social & Environmental Justice objectives with Adult Education. This would occur for four Sundays. Dr. Frost is willing to be a moderator for this program, using DVD's with discussion, once a month for four months. Dotty made a motion that UUFF move forward in offering this program to the congregants. Motion second and approved. Virginia also spoke about the planned fundraisers titled Coffee House, Quartet of Four which includes the following performances, $50 per person for all four or $15 per ticket: 1) April 24 - Musician & Songwriter Ken Sizemore 2) July 10 - Marvin Cole as Mark Twain 3) October 16 - Gary Carden & Dusk Weaver and 4) December 19 - The Franklin Consort.
Budget Preparation/2010-2011: Ed shared the draft form for the proposed budget. He suggested that the expense account for advertising/publicity (bulletins, ads, etc.) could be listed as its own line item rather than under Membership Development. Rev. Jean Rowe would still like to remain in a ministerial role every other month. Discussion ensued as to what kind of guidelines for pastoral care might be needed for UUFF. Other budget discussion included: facilities, maintenance, improvements, child care, and a part-time Director of Religious Education. In looking at the Fair Share Giving Guide, Bill made a motion that we utilize the UUFF Benchmarks for the new budget. Motion was dismissed as no second was given. Ed asked that we all think about the budget draft and ask ourselves: what are our priorities?
Website Redesign Update: Anne Cornwell and the committee are continuing to work on this project.
By-Laws Committee: This committee continues to work on revision for the UUFF by-laws. President Mary has identified a need that the Standing Committees need to be listed with committee charges as well.
Nominating Committee: This committee consisting of Kathryn Gettys, Tom Reisdorph and Virginia Wilson is meeting today, February 21.
Denominational Affairs: UUFF is now certified as a Welcoming Congregation.
NEW BUSINESS
There is no new business for this meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Ann Reisdorph, secretary Board of Trustees
