Wy'east Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Board Meeting

Present: Monica Billingsley, James Bohem, John C., Adrian Dee, Alex Dommasch, Anne Draper, and John MacDuffee. Also attending were Rev. Kit Ketcham and DRE Niya Standish. Alisan D. was also present.

Minutes: Minutes of the March 26, 2001 meeting were approved as written.

REPORTS

• CUUPS:
  Alisan D. reported that the first meeting of CUUPS (Covenant of UU Pagans) was attended by ten people. The group wants to develop an earth based, non-wiccan focused, balanced approach. They want to have study groups, worship/spirituality, parent groups, field trips, etc. They do need a place to meet and would like to use the room next to Wy'east's office once a month. The board approved the use of that space for CUUPS contingent on the current Building Use Contract we have with Trinity. Alisan also described to us a pagan based children's group called Spiral Scouts.

• Space Usage:
  We agreed that it is generally OK to schedule the use of our space through Deanna if the group wanting to use the space is affiliated with an established group. Otherwise, the request should be made via the Board.

• Minister's Report:
  There were no additions to Kit's written report. There was a question raised regarding summer services and some discussion ensued regarding the value of the services and how we could be assured that each service would be high quality. There is a group of people currently forming (Mabel P., Ruth P., Jeff D., Alisan D., Mark A.) and Kit will work closely with them to address the "quality" concern. Additionally, they were officially appointed as the Sunday Services Committee with the knowledge that others may also join the group.

• DRE's Report:
  There were no additions to Niya's written report. She did pass along a copy of the progress report form from the UUA. It will be prepared along with the minister's progress report and submitted by the May 15th due date.

• General Assembly:
  All members should be encouraged to attend GA in Cleveland, Ohio from June 21 - 25. We can send two delegates (plus Kit) so anyone planning to attend should let Alex know if he/she is willing to be a delegate.

• Lorenzen Grant:
  There will be no distributions from the fund this year due to negative investment earnings.

• Covenant Workshop:
  We reviewed the information received at the workshop held on March 31. We agreed that there were two main themes: money, money, money, and lack of clarity regarding social action goals. Alex will contact the district's FACTeam (Financial Advice Team) to see if there is any help they can provide with regard to our financial situation. We reviewed the results of the input received on the UUA issues to be considered at General Assembly. Wy'east will refer the following issues: The Changing Family, Economic Globalization, and U.S. Election Reform. Alex will send in our "vote."

• Finance, Fundraising, Canvass:
  The Finance Committee is looking at the budget process. We do know there will be a $150 per month increase in rent. As part of the rent discussion last year, the request for a permanent Wy'east sign was brought up; Trinity was amenable to the idea. Adrian will follow up with Steve T. who has done some research into ways to produce a permanent sign.

  We need to consider adding money into the budget for the production of the Order of Service since our current source's equipment is failing. It was recommended by the Finance Committee to freeze as much spending as possible for the balance of this fiscal year. It was moved and approved to freeze the following (dollar amounts are approximate "savings"):

  Worship	$ 250
  Religious Education	700
  Hospitality	200
  New member events	200
  Social Action	50
  Reed Ministry	150
  Minister's discretionary	100
  Board discretionary	100
  Total	$1,750

  The garage sale has been scheduled for June 23 - 24 at the S.'s. The fundraising committee will decide if there should be a goal. Books will be handled differently to maximize our return. Some books will be taken to Powell's for resale while those that are not will be categorized and priced individually.

  A fundraising idea that is being talked about for fall is a book reading along with a used book sale.

  Ruth P. has suggested an ice cream social. We need more details from Ruth such as timing, funding, and whether Health Department rules would need to be factored in.

  In general we feel the Chinook Books are a good, low-key fundraising activity. It was suggested that as the books are sold Wy'east's name be stamped in the book so that people may call in the following year for a new book.

  A canvass update reports that we now have received 48 pledges (goal is 70) with $56,000 pledged. All members who have not yet pledged have been called. Additionally, a letter with a pledge card has gone out to all 'friends' of the congregation. Even with 70 pledges, it is unlikely that we will reach our goal of $100,000. That goal provided only minimal salary adjustments for our staff. It is entirely unacceptable to not provide, at a minimum, a cost of living for employees. It is absolutely critical that the congregation understands what it takes to provide the level of service we enjoy. There will be a forum to discuss these realities to be scheduled after service on April 22nd. We want to discuss our options prior to any budget numbers being presented.

  We approved reimbursing Carol D. for the Camp Adams' deposit. Long Range Planning: The committee is beginning to form with John MacDuffee, Tim T., and Anne Draper as current members.

  Format of Annual Congregational Meeting: The meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2001. There will be a shorten service (30 minutes), followed by the annual reports of the committees. Each committee will have about a minute for an oral presentation of accomplishments and introduction of committee members. A short ten minute break will follow. We will then reconvene for the business meeting, budget adoption and election results. Each liaison is to communicate this format to their committees. Additionally, there will be no RE that day but rather a child care day. We need child care providers and people need to reserve care in advance so we will have enough (and the right) providers.

IN COMMITTEE

Policy and Procedure Handbook - Alex Dommasch

Keys, lock-up - Adrian Dee

Procedure Manual for Finance Issues - Finance Committee

Next Meeting: April 23, 2001

Monica Billingsley
Board Secretary

Return to the 2001 Board minutes page.