Members present:
Ron Brandt, Chair
Daria Bergen-Hill
Al Erickson
Linda Jemison
Doug MacCleery
Jim McGovern
Betsy Stephens
Russ Stumpe
Members absent:
Jack Hinman
Shawn Whiteman
Also present:
Lynn Alsmeyer-Johnson
Peg Bartel
Anne Bredick
Michael Hentges
Will Jernigan
Carl Lohmann
Fran McPoland
Rev. Louis Schwebius
Rich Sears
Hope (Stallings) Andonovska
Karen Tyson
Joan Wamsley
The Board welcomed our candidate-minister, Rev. Louis Schwebius.
The Board heard a report from Lynn Alsmeyer-Johnson and Fran McPoland on the past and planned activities of the Green Sanctuary Program. MVUC applied as a candidate church in this program last fall. Some of the required activities (e.g. performing periodic energy audits) have budgetary implications, although many environmentally sound programs are also cost effective. The Green Sanctuary Program strives to heighten environmental awareness at both the church and the individual levels.
The Board received a letter of resignation from Forrest Tobey, our Music Director. He has accepted a full-time, tenure-track position at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Forrest will direct Earlham’s orchestra and jazz ensemble. He will also teach music theory. Forrest’s service at MVUC will terminate on June 30. We wish him well. The Board appointed a selection committee for a new Music Director.
The Board approved the charter of the Director of Religious Education Relations Committee.
Carl Lohmann reported on the annual canvass. So far, we have received 225 pledges and $313,000.
The Board endorsed a proposed resolution on borrowing to be presented to the congregation at the annual meeting. The Facilities for the Future Task Force has decided to ask the congregation to authorize borrowing up to $300,000 in order to pay for several overdue and urgently needed repair and renovation projects. Russ Stumpe has prepared a list of the recommended projects, together with the estimated cost and a justification for each project. This information will be available to the congregation.
The Board approved salary adjustments for staff.
The Board approved the proposed budget for 2003-04.
The Board approved an agenda for the annual meeting.
The Board approved the Employee Personnel Handbook, authored by Al Erickson.
The Board authorized Ron Brandt to sign a contract with the Medium Rare Café to establish a folk concert series next year at MVUC. The series is sponsored by the Music Committee. It is hoped that this series will produce some revenue toward the purchase of choir risers.
The Board appointed Ron Brandt and Al Erickson as Trustees of Record, a Virginia legal requirement.
Future planning:
April 29, 7:30 p.m. – Executive Committee meeting
May 4, 10:10 a.m. – Orientation for new Board members
May 6, 7:30 p.m. – Board meeting: Election of officers
Jim McGovern, Secretary