Annual Meeting
Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
24 April 2005
BOT chair Karen Tyson called meeting to order and confirmed a quorum of membership was present. Rev. Louis Schwebius opened with words by Rev. Richard Gilbert.
Nominating Committee report given by Bonnie Brandt:
Committee Members:
Pat Jackson
Jo Jackley
Bill Means
Tamara DeLaCamp
Bonnie Brandt
BOT Wendy Burns
Jim Potter
Raleigh Romine
Doug McCleery (for 1 remaining year of Karen Tyson’s term)
Katie Tyson (Youth Representative)
Nominating Committee
Dorothy Brandt
Curtis Hunter
Vince Patton
Carolyn Slenska
Georgia Pourchot
UUA Delegates
Steve Phinney
Cynthia Phinney
Karen explained that she was stepping down from her 3-year BOT term after 2 years to allow her daughter Katie to serve, in order to limit BOT membership to 1 person per family.
VOTE: Slates approved, candidates elected. Slates were accepted and approved without discussion or further recommendations from the floor.
Annual Canvass Results: Tony Barkume
50 volunteers took 242 pledges, for a total of $349,905 (approx 50,000 under goal).
Growth Resolution and Vote: Jim Potter presented a resolution for the congregation to support the Plan for Vital Congregations initiative for the Joseph Priestley District:
“We the congregation of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church support the growth of Unitarian Universalism in the Baltimore / Washington region. We commit to working cooperatively with other congregations as outlined in the Plan for Vital Congregations prepared by the Regional UU Growth Planning Committee.”
Approved. There were no questions or discussion. Votes in favor clearly carried the motion.
Social Justice Resolution and Vote: Bill Alsmeyer-Johnson and Sally Joy Remington presented a resolution requesting congregational support for a stronger social action program at MVUC:
“The congregation resolves to affirm the development of an integrated social justice program as outlined and formatted in ‘The Prophetic Imperative’ by the Rev. Richard Gilbert, using the democratic process, task force strategic planning and congregational evaluation”
The resolution was moved and discussion filled the allotted period, plus an extension. Questioners asked how this structure was different than our existing one, with concern that it might encumber current efforts. Answers indicated intent to offer a structure for getting things done with congregational commitment, and no group or effort would be obligated to conform. The resolution was offered as the Social Justice Committee’s aim is to extend a helpful, enabling process to the congregation’s choice of goals.
Resolution passed.
Proposed Budget: Marge Witting offered the proposed budget and explained it was preliminary. Projected budget ($390,000) does exceed projected income ($350,000), and the budget will be adjusted as usual with the BOT.
Closing Comments or Concerns from the Floor: A member raised the concern hoping MVUC would join other churches in making public statements supporting separation of church and state.
Meeting adjourned.