Board Meeting, July 1, 2008

6:30 PM, Common Room

In attendance: Marge Titcomb (Pres), Eric Uhl (Vice-Pres), Roger Comstock (Treasurer), Jeff O’Brien (Clerk), Anne Turner, Jane Cleaves, Will Truesdale, David Kennedy, Deb Rice, Judy Cormier (late); Rev. Jennifer Emrich, Jenn McAdoo (DRE)

RevJE welcomed the board to this mini retreat, followed by introductions. It was noted that the current board spans 1 year to 57 years attending First Universalist Church.

We split up into pairs/threes and talked about our favorite part of the church and vision for the church.

RevJE: Change in governance is looming…our work with Mary Higgins last September…we have some cultural changes to celebrate…

From “come if you can” to “this is the place to be”…

From “silos” to “fence posts”…

We are growing, so there will be a shift…people will have different comfort levels with this change and they will react accordingly from excitement to reservation…

A strong minister needs a strong board, executive, lay leadership.

RevJE presented a vision for a new governance structure to offer clarity to what the board (and other governing entities) does. With our church’s growth from a family church to a pastoral church to a program church, the church’s governance needs to reflect this growth.

“The In Between Church” is a good read, to clarify the various sizes of churches and how size drives structures. "Program" church is not really a choice; it is defined by size, and we can choose to structure effectively for the size we are, or we can "do church" less well and thus shrink to pastoral size with structures appropriate to that size (e.g. having a wide open "back door"). We are currently on the borderline of a "program church" as defined by our size.

RevJE presented the model of a typical UU congregation à two interlocking circles:

Worship à Worship is at the center of the three programs (Faith In Action, Caring Connection, RE)…currently RE is far larger and extensive than the other programs…caring often bleeds into worship. This circle is directed by paid staff.

Governance à Governance is directed by lay leadership, with the Board at the center. The three "program" areas are: Vision and Leadership, Stewardship, and Physical Plant.

The overlap of the circles is Denominational Affairs and Radical Hospitality.

The interlocking circles à Program + governance = Shared Ministry at First U.

The Worship circle groups (Worship, RE, FAI, Caring) are now organizing into Councils. Each council needs to have strong leadership; liaison is not chair of a council. The Worship Council (to include Worship Weavers as well as non- Worship Weavers) will offer an avenue for the congregation to voice their opinions.

As the Board's first order of business, it voted (all thumbs up) to accept RevJE's proposed model, subject of course to revision whenever appropriate. At the September Retreat we will consider how to implement this model. For example:

Does the board divide itself up into liaisons for the three areas?

How will we direct Leadership Development, both of adults and youth?

How will we transform our committee structures into councils and task forces?

What roles will the Board take on, and where will other congregation members be involved?

This will be challenging work, and, of course, not without its problems, but we will grow together as we transform the Board from a "silo" to working in this "shared ministry".

In other Board Business:

Ingathering, Sunday, September 7th. After consideration, it was decided that we will not have an "in-gathering event", but will have a special coffee hour following the In-Gathering Service. The organizing team is Jane and Anne and Jeff(‘s wife, Amy)

Question to consider before Sept. 2009: Where would this planning for an event fall in the new model? Probably in a Caring/Welcoming council. Do we need a big event?

We need a building rental policy that is fair and clear, ideally to be in place by Sept. 30. Roger and Jane and David will work on this with Pat first and then and RevJE and Jenn.

Items for consideration at a future board meeting include:

Consider lighting the steeple, balanced against energy use.

Consider encouraging youth members on the board.

We may be asked to consider sponsorship of Kate Connelly if she moves to "fellowship level" in her seminary studies.

Board meetings next year will be on the 3rd Mondays of each month 6:30-8:30 p.m., as that is the best time for the current board members.

Respectfully submitted, Jeff O'Brien

Upcoming Meetings:

Board meeting Monday, Sept. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Board retreat on Sept 26 4:00 PM to Sept 27 4:00 PM