Congregational Meeting

Mount Vernon Unitarian Church

February 26, 2006

Minutes of MVUC Congregational Meeting

Board Chair Ric Sears called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m.

BOT members confirmed that a quorum of members was present

Members discussed the resolution recommended for adoption by the BOT:

We authorize the Construction Task Force, under supervision of the Board of Trustees, to proceed with construction of an addition to the Meeting House as shown in design documents.

We authorize the Board of Trustees to borrow up to $800,000 to pay for the construction and related costs, including architectural fees and licensing.

This authorization is made with the following provision:

• Construction will consist of Phase I, as designated in existing plans, with remaining construction (Phase II) to be completed pending further Congregational approval
• A second capital campaign will be considered in 2007 and conducted at a time to be determined by the Board of Trustees to seek pledges beyond the amounts currently pledged to support debt reduction or further construction, as determined by Congregational vote.
• As construction proceeds, members of the Construction Task Force may approve minor refinements in the design of the addition in accord with advice from church staff and members of the Congregation.

Discussion began on the procedure for voting.  Members made and carried a motion to count all written votes without requiring signatures on ballots.

Discussion of the resolution

A Construction Task Force member urged that  a project of this scale should give pause, but should inspire rather than scare us off.  The cost is within range of our traditional experience with debt service.  While some design elements are inevitably liked by some and disliked by others, we can discuss options in the months ahead.  Keep big picture in mind, have confidence and faith that we can do this, and move ahead.

A few members expressed a preference for putting money into growth of a social justice program.   Others thought that social action would be enhanced by construction and that investing in construction would not necessarily be at the expense of social justice development. 

A few members expressed a preference for amending the resolution to limit construction to Phase I, eliminating mention of Phase II.  A motion was made and passed to discuss an amendment striking the second bullet of the resolution, and shortening the first bullet to: Construction will consist of Phase I as designated in existing plans.  In discussion, members noted that the original resolution does not mandate Phase II, and the amendment quashes both the option of Phase II and the option of a second capital campaign to no advantage.  When put to a vote, the motion to amend the resolution did not pass. 

One member raised a design a concern that the current plan limits daylight illumination of the stained glass window designed by members Jane and John Koefler.  The BOT Vice Chair asked the CTF to clarify whether any design options existed for addressing concerns about how the window is exposed.

A CTF member stated that the congregation does have options to decide where to place the window within the current design (footprint), but not to change the footprint to move the entrance elsewhere for the sake of the window.

More than one member commented in favor of going ahead, while understanding that this will be a stretch and will require support of the congregation financially.  “If you vote yes, get ready to roll up your sleeves.”