First Universalist Church of Yarmouth, Maine

Meeting of the Board of Trustees

December  18, 2007      6:30 – 8:20 PM 

Board Members Attending: Eric Uhl, Anne Turner, Will Truesdale, Barbara Trentacosta, Marge Titcomb, Jeff O’Brien, Sue Myers, Jenn McAdoo, Jane Makela, Diana Levin, Rev. Jennifer Emrich.     

Absent: Roger Comstock, Jane Cleaves.

Reports:

• Minister’s Report: Along with Rev. Jennifer’s monthly report of her activities, she defined the 3 roles she embraces as our minister —pastor, priest and prophet (director/executive, caregiver, and preacher). These labels provide a context in which to understand her leadership.
• DRE Report:  Jenn’s report presented the background of our church’s involvement with Safe Passage and reported the fundraising efforts to date for the February trip to Guatemala. Further fundraisers are planned, including a dance at Yarmouth’s  middle school.
• Treasurer’s Report was submitted; there was no discussion as Roger was unable to attend.
• Buildings & Grounds Report: Progress was made on several parsonage projects. The sanctuary light bulbs are being repaired with long-life compact fluorescents. Snow shovellers are needed, especially early in the day. Will reported that he is working on recruiting members for this Committee. Elizabeth Chapman and David Breau have volunteered for the aesthetics subcommittee. The two estimates Will obtained for professional cleaning of the church ranged from  $615 (he felt this was unrealistic) to  $3,284 (beyond our budget). B & G will organize work parties to complete as much of the work as possible, soliciting volunteers from the congregation.
• Steeple Committee: The letters sent out last month to church members who hadn’t made donations to the steeple restoration did not, on the whole, bring in more funds; the balance needed is still $45,000. The weather has curtailed Phase 3 of the work, but this phase is fully funded. Several fundraising community events are planned—Will Bristol’s benefit concert on Friday, January 11; Kate Connolly’s Emily Dickinson performance, projected for March; Rudy and Rick’s bands have indicated they would like to do a benefit.
• Welcoming Committee: Diana reported that the committee continues to define the role of the greeters.
• Faith in Action Team (FIAT): Anne reported that FIAT has agreed to take $2,000 from the Outreach Reserves for staff travel expenses to Guatemala, and recommended designating offering plates in January toward the additional $600 requested.  

Visioning and Planning:

• Rev. Jennifer presented the FY08 Board goals as measurable action items (objectives) and discussed progress on each to date. Many objectives are being worked on (committee liaisons, finance management revisions, B&G committee development, by-law/policy/performance review systems, refinement of communications). (1) Jane Makela, Eric Uhl and Sue Myers agreed to work with Marge, Rev. Jennifer and Jen (with input from Jeff and Anne) to develop a proposal for a leadership development policy and budget; Rev. Jennifer will set up a meeting after the holidays. (2) Soon, Roger will present information to the Board on governance structure. (3) Marge volunteered to contact other churches who have successfully rewritten their mission statement. (4) Board members will review the Proposed Board Objectives for FY08 and email comments to Rev. Jennifer.
• Marge pointed out that we should keep in mind that many of these objectives are steps toward two- to five-year goals.
• The Board made nominations for District awards.  These nominations will be announced at the Mid-Year meeting.

Action Items:

• The one-hour Mid-Year meeting on Jan. 27 will include updates and information related to the steeple project, finances to date, Board goals/actions, canvass preview, status of the new ministry, and Safe Passage mission update. The Executive Committee was assigned to create the agenda for that meeting and organize details of the meeting.
• Rev. Jennifer presented a proposal for upgrading the sanctuary sound system. The Board unanimously supports the $3,854 budget . Mary Louise Haskell and Eva Thompson have agreed to take $3,194 (minus the cabinet) from the Nursery School Fund for the new system’s installation; funds will be found for the remaining $660.
• Jeff volunteered to be Liaison to the RE Council.
• The Board voted to request a $500 line item in the FY09 budget.

The next Agenda Planning Meeting will be at 6:30pm on Tuesday January 15.

The next Board Meeting will be Tuesday January 22 at 6:30pm.

The Mid-Year Congregational Meeting will be from noon-1:00 on Sunday, January 27.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara Trentacosta, Board of Trustees Clerk