Board Meeting - Wy’East Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Meeting minutes: November 11th, 2003 (Secretary: Mikio)
Present: Ann D., Rich A., Jessica M., Debra T., Mikio O., Sue A., Niya S., Jon B.
Jessica edited the minutes. Board members will make some changes as necessary during the meeting (which didn’t happen). Mikio will take them home and incorporate changes. The board will approve the changed version at the next meeting.
Committee has been working hard on this for six months.
Handout “Proposed Wy’east Board Motion regarding Caring Circles”
Kick-off --- Jan 10, 3-month trial period, initially facilitated by membership committee (Jon, Adrian, Sue)
Objective: Community building (right strategy for Wy’east today)
Caring circles are a form of small group ministry. Many UU churches are doing s.g.m. and it is revolutionizing the UU world. It satisfies people’s need to change the world and to live the day. “Covenant Group Ministry” is a cook book for s.g.m. Web resources are available, too.
I do have serious reservations for going into this now:
- It requires leadership (preferably a minister)
- It depends on people buying it.
- It is not a cure for a troubled church.
Reasons to push this are:
- Strike when iron is hot (sharing supper’s success)
- Three people are willing to commit time and energy as facilitators.
Differences with Extended Family program:
- Adult oriented (but trying to incorporate kids)
- E.F. did not have a structured format for discussion and growth to happen. SGM has six defining aspects: 10 people or less, rituals, check-in, questions that invite people to speak from the heart, specified closing
Jon “No money is necessary.” “Board doesn’t have to do much.”
Time issue: Dec. newsletter deadline is 11/21
Jessica “Con: twice a month is a lot. Pro: Well made plan.”
Anne “If it’s adult oriented, are parents forced out?”
Rich “Some of us are separated and do have some weekday nights free. I personally would like Monday nights.”
Sue “Day time meetings are possible, too.”
Anne “If three groups do it on different days of the week, not much is left for other meetings.”
Debra “I read the book and support the idea. Kids included in community is important for me.”
Anne “I will vote for selection of people based on the days of the week.”
Sue “Optimum number is 5-8.
Board unanimously agreed to go ahead with this plan.
(Sue and Jon left)
- Would like to reduce my hours in January. (Church seems to be moving in a direction of not needing DRE.)
$47,360 (actual pledge) – Turn over = $44,000
As of 10/31 actual dues $12,728 (26%)
Grant ($5,000) came in but not included above (deposited in Nov.)
Barbara Stanford, who had switched to West Hills, sent us a final check to close her pledge.
Board members will contact people with v and c in the table.
James will do it.
Bruce is coming to the meeting but not committed.
Anne “this should be separate from the board.”
Jessica “Long range planning informs short term decisions, such as facility.”
The meeting will be at Anne’s house at 7 pm, 11/18.
Jessica will meet Niya on Thursday.
Committee members should be on newsletter.
Debra “how about joining the Waverly church for X-mas?