Minutes of Board Meeting, September 15, 2008

6:30-8:30 PM, Common Room

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

Absent: Jeff O’Brien (Clerk)

Executive Committee (minister, board chair, board vice chair, treasurer, and clerk) will be meeting monthly on the Monday before the board meeting to plan the agenda for the board meeting and to work as a personnel committee.

Miracle Sunday is scheduled for Oct. 26. After reviewing the Finance Committee's proposal, the Board approved $25,000 as the target for publicizing the Miracle Sunday goal. The board will prioritize what items will be covered by any monies gathered via Miracle Sunday. Jennifer and Marge will be organizing the Miracle Sunday Planning Team.

Ordination vs. Fellowship: Rev. Jennifer described the basic components involved in becoming an ordained UU minister. These components include completing seminary, completing the UU fellowship program, and the ordination ceremony. The fellowship process includes internship time with a UU church community. It is possible to be ordained without the fellowship credential, however, only ministers who have completed the fellowship process can participate in the UUA's minister organization (including seeking a call through the UUA process and other UUA ministerial support services). In such a case, the ordaining church becomes, essentially, the credentialing body.

Retreat Planning: Be at Ferry Beach by 4:00 (we start our first session at 4:00). Bring a sleeping bag, pillow and warm clothes. Sessions scheduled for 4:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 on Friday, September 26 and until 4:00 on Saturday, September 27. Meals provided.

Discovery Discussion on September 14th. About 25 people stayed after the service to discuss the work of the denominational affairs committee and specifically the “Torture is Wrong” banner ~ how it got there, how long it will be displayed, and what actions are appropriate to support this Statement of Conscience after the banner comes down. The board will ask Denominational Affair Committee to review the collected comments and recommend next steps regarding NRCAT participation.

The mid-year congregational meeting will be on February 1st, 2009.

The annual meeting will be on May 31, 2009.

The finance committee proposed a new Policy stating that no discretionary expenditures shall be made by any committee in excess of the budget for that item unless first approved by the board. The board approved.

Fundraising Opportunities. The Board considered the question of what is appropriate regarding congregants who want to offer services in which the church would receive a share of what is purchased by church members and in which the congregant receives financial gain? This was discussed and decided that all future proposals would go through the finance committee and then brought to the board. Two current proposals were determined to be declined.

Property Insurance. Our current insurer, Hanover Insurance, has required an updated appraisal. The Finance Committee is also considering a proposal from Church Mutual, a well-respected insurance company whose business is insuring churches. Based on the information presented, the Board recommends entering a new policy with Church Mutual. The new policy will be based on replacement costs.