At its regular monthly meeting December 6, the Board of Trustees approved new members of the Committee on Ministry, heard a report on the pledge canvass, learned about a substantial bequest to the church, and discussed the organ rehabilitation, an offer to buy the parsonage, and steps to move the congregation forward. The Board also discussed a proposed by-law amendment to designate how the church’s assets would be distributed if the congregation dissolved, a change requested by the church’s insurance company.
The board unanimously approved Clint McCully and Al Templeton as new members of the Committee on Ministry, joining chair Vicki Pepper.
Rev. Morn reported that a childcare provider for Sunday mornings had been located and that a background check would be conducted and a contract drawn up. She also said she is working with various people to ensure a smoother Sunday morning.
Treasurers Brian Pepper and Clint McCully reported that the canvass so far has generated $37,720 from 12 pledge units toward the $75,000 goal. Brian reminded Board members to send thank-you notes to the people contacted as part of the canvass and said he planned to send out a separate treasurer's acknowledgement of each pledge.
Moderator Greg Wigle reported that Sunny Ambersen, who passed away July 4, 2003, made a substantial bequest to the church. Rev. Morn said she hopes we can use this as an opportunity to do some education on estate planning so people can think about including the church in their wills.
It was reported that a current resident of the building where the parsonage has located has offered to buy our unit. Members of the board said they would contact three local realtors to have a market analysis and sales presentation done as part of the Board’s due diligence in order to make a decision on the offer.
Greg Wigle reported that the Organ Committee has no chair yet. Board members encouraged him to look outside the church membership for a committee chair with contacts and standing in the community likely to donate to the effort. Greg said he would make sure thank-you notes are written to the people who gave us the organ and helped dismantle and move it, as well as to those who have donated so far. He also said there is great interest in the project from the nationwide community of organists.
The board held an extensive discussion of ideas to fulfill the mandate granted by the congregation at the semi-annual meeting to come up with a plan for growth, marketing, and building renovation by March 2005. Greg Wigle shared his vision of a landscaped patio and income-producing garage where today we have a disused courtyard. Kathryn Desmond expressed concern that building usage be considered during any renovation, so that spaces are updated appropriately. Richard Hurst suggested that rooms be renovated in a generic way so that they can either be used by tenants or, as we grow, for our own programs. Sue Mosher suggested that we get someone with legal experience to check with the city to see what limitations we might have and how income from different sources would affect our tax status. Rev. Morn said that she was relieved at the prospect of bringing in outside help to put the pieces together and said that money spent to shepherd the project might then shift to a building manager when it’s finished. Kathryn and Greg agreed to research consultants with information provided by Rev. Morn.
Brian Pepper reported that the church’s insurance company has requested that the church by-laws be amended to describe how the church’s assets would be distributed if the congregation were to dissolve. (The building would revert to the UUA). The board reached a consensus that any organ assets should be offered to the American Guild of Organists, while other assets (i.e., those other than the building and organ(s)) should be split into two equal portions, one donated to the Magi Network and the other to the Chalice Lighters Fund of the Joseph Priestly District, for use in promoting growth of Greater Washington Area congregations. Brian will ask Jeff Jacobs to help draft a by-law change for presentation to the congregation in February
Greg Wigle proposed expanding ways to thank the congregation, including noting an individual or group specifically for something each week. Rev. Morn said that at her previous church, people could send nominations to a thankyou@uunashville.org email address. Greg said he would pursue this idea further.
The next board meeting will be Monday, January, 10, 2005. As homework, Greg Wigle asked each board member to come back with two completely off-the-wall ideas – one related to programs and one related to the building. At that meeting, the Board will also decide on the date for a February congregational meeting to vote on members of the ministerial search committee, vote on the by-laws change mentioned above, and discuss other steps the church is taking to move forward.
In attendance were Kathryn Desmond, Richard Hurst, Clint McCully, Sue Mosher, Brian Pepper, Greg Wigle, and Rev. Morn.
Ministerial Search Committee
We are currently engaged in one of the crucial early steps in recruiting our next permanent minister – organizing a search committee. (Rev. Morn is serving as an interim minister and, as such, cannot be considered for the permanent position.) Applications to serve on the committee are available on the information table in the Romaine-Van Schaick Room or from the church office. You can put your completed application in the envelope on the bulletin board in the hallway, return your application to any member of the Nominating Committee (Lynn Cook, Richard Hurst, Sue Mosher), or send it to the church office. The deadline is January 9. During the month of January, the Nominating Committee will interview those who are interested in being on the search committee and
prepare a slate for the congregation to vote on at a meeting to be scheduled in February.
A poster on the bulletin board in the hallway outlines the process and tentative timeline for the ministerial search, which will take place March 2005 through April 2006. We are fortunate in that we don’t need to rush the process and can spread out the work to locate just the right person.
Members of past search committees have said they were honored to serve and found the experience very rewarding. The Nominating Committee urges everyone to consider whether you feel called to help with this effort and will be happy to answer any questions about the process of selecting the search committee.
Posted by Kimberly Durham Bates at January 2, 2005 01:43 PM